What's What

The New York State Government continues to help support the cost of household energy bills. Governor Hochul announced an energy affordability plan. WFUV’s Anne Jackson explains. New York City is disinfecting ten cooling towers in the Bronx that might contain legionnaires’ disease after testing positive. WFUV’s Tahlia Pearson has more on what the city is doing to prevent the spread of the bacteria. The Mayor's Office released new plans to reduce traffic deaths and severe injuries. At Fordham University, thousands of unused meal swipes expire every week. But a group of students has figured out how to turn that waste into meals for Bronx residents facing food insecurity. WFUV’s Andrew McDonald has more. Host/Producer: Livia Regina Editor: Robin Shannon Editor: Sienna Reinders Reporter: Anne Jackson Reporter: Nora Malone Reporter: Tahlia Pearson Reporter: Andrew McDonald Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a public charge regarding the use of public benefits. WFUV’s Mia Barth with more. Governor Kathy Hochul announced that around 8 million New York households will receive energy rebate checks. She says the rebate is intended to reduce the financial strain on New Yorkers amid increasing energy prices. WFUV’s Tahlia Pearson listened in on Hochul's press conference. Visitors gathered in Queens for the 14th annual Momo Crawl. The celebration of the Tibetan dumpling was filled with dancing, music, and the crowning of this year’s fan favorite momo. WFUV’s Sonia Weliwitigoda attended the event. Host/Producer: Sienna Reinders Editor: Nathan Ray Reporter: Mia Barth Reporter: Tahlia Pearson Reporter: Sonia Weliwitigoda Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

Mayor Mamdani released previously undisclosed documents that revealed the public was misled about the air quality in the months after the attacks of September 11th, 2001. WFUV’s Anne Jackson has more. New Yorkers will now be required to put their trash in city-sanctioned bins if they live in a residential building with more than 9 units. WFUV’s Nora Malone explains the new law and purpose behind it. And in other “trashy” news, WFUV’s Anne Jackson took a visit to Washington Heights to learn more about TrashTalkNYC, a clean-up initiative that’s creating community. Host/Producer: Livia Regina Editor: Nathan Ray Reporter: Anne Jackson Reporter: Nora Malone Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

Ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the New York City Council is increasing education on the event for young New Yorkers. WFUV’s Sienna Reinders has more. The Bronx is getting affordable housing units for seniors.  83 apartments are now be available for elderly New Yorkers. WFUV's Livia Regina shares some of Dove Ellis' interview with the station. Plus, a new lawsuit against AI music giant Suno and a live album and concert film from Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Host/Producer: Sonia Weliwitigoda Editor: Tess Novotny Reporter: Sienna Reinders Reporter: Livia Regina Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced an AI ban in city elementary and middle schools, as well as AI literacy classes for high-schoolers. WFUV’s Mia Barth has more. Governor Kathy Hochul announced an expansion to her childcare programs for Pre-K students. WFUV’s Sonia Weliwitigoda explains the development and what it entails. The FDNY released a health report on rescue and recovery workers 25 years after the attacks on September 11th. WFUV’s Lainey Nguyen has more. There are more than a hundred community gardens in New York City that have their gates open to the public. WFUV’s Livia Regina stopped by some of the gardens in the Bronx to learn about how they act as community spaces. Host/Producer: Sonia Weliwitigoda Editor: Lainey Nguyen Editor: Nathan Ray Reporter: Mia Barth Reporter: Livia Regina Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani are urging the Trump Administration to give 40% of New York’s counterterrorism funding back to the state. WFUV’s Anne Jackson has more. Social Media platform, TikTok, has been accused of withholding safety features from a portion of its young users. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn are demanding answers from the platform. WFUV’s Tahlia Pearson spoke with experts about the situation. WFUV’s Sonia Weliwitigoda spoke with Brian Saville, a Fordham University PhD student researching bees at public gardens in Manhattan and the Bronx. Host/Producer: Nathan Ray Editor: Nathan Ray Reporter: Anne Jackson Reporter: Tahlia Pearson Reporter: Sonia Weliwitigoda Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has signed a bill making outdoor dining year-round for New York City. Mamdani says that this will take away unnecessary costs of dismantling their outdoor setups and re-building them again, as well as bring New Yorkers together over food and good company all year round. The New York City Health Department is conducting truck and aerial pesticide spraying in order to monitor the mosquito populations and control the West Nile Virus. They are also running public awareness campaigns on this issue to ensure everyone is aware and safe. WFUV’s Mia Barth sits down with Bernie Wagenblast, the voice of the New York Subway, to discuss her career and story. Host/Producer: Sienna Reinders Editor: Nathan Ray Reporter: Mia Barth Reporter: Tahlia Pearson Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

Mayor Mamdani is suing City Council for the officiating of the RESPECT Check Act without his signature. WFUV’s Sienna Reinders explains what the lawsuit contains. The debt of the nation has passed $40 trillion. WFUV’s Sonia Weliwitigoda speaks on its rapid rise in recent years. Telehealth makes their appearance at WFUV for an interview. WFUV’s Livia Regina has more on their session. Host/Producer: Sienna Reinders Editor: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Sienna Reinders Reporter: Sonia Weliwitigoda Reporter: Livia Regina Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

The New York City Council held a hearing about the rollout of the Mamdani Administration’s pied-à-terre tax. WFUV’s Livia Regina has more on how New Yorkers in City Hall are criticizing or supporting the tax. Governor Kathy Hochul held a listening session with New Yorkers to look into the impacts of AI and develop policy recommendations. WFUV’s Sienna Reinders has more on the session. Last week, the Puppet Fringe Festival was held on Delancey Street. WFUV’s Xenia Gonikberg takes us to the celebration and speaks to attendees on what the event means to them. Host/Producer: Sonia Weliwitigoda Editor: Lainey Nguyen Editor: Nathan Ray Reporter: Livia Regina Reporter: Sienna Reinders Reporter: Xenia Gonikberg Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, is being sued by four states who allege their social media apps were intentionally designed to be addicting to children. WFUV’s Lainey Nguyen explains the historic lawsuit and what can happen next. Lawmakers and activists are calling on New York Governor Kathy Hochul to restore funding to State Rape Crisis Programs. This follows a $5 million dollar funding cut by New York's Office of Victim Services. WFUV’s Sonia Weliwitigoda reports. After more than a decade, Amtrak has repaired Track 2 of the East River Tunnel Tubes. WFUV’s Tahlia Pearson takes us to the thoroughfare’s reopening. Host/Producer: Xenia Gonikberg Editor: Nathan Ray Reporter: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Sonia Weliwitigoda Reporter: Tahlia Pearson Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

Knicks fans can get a glimpse of the 2026 Championship trophy starting today. A replica will be on display at the American Museum of Natural History. It’s part of the museum’s “For the Win: Objects of Excellence” exhibit that highlights how precious metals are used to celebrate victory. WFUV’s Xenia Gonikberg has more. WFUV’s Sonia Weliwitigoda reports on a New York City initiative to lower the price of ingredients at city-owned grocery stores. New bus lanes are coming to Fordham Road. City. Officials said that the redesign could cut bus travel times in half. WFUV’S Tahlia Pearson spoke with commuters about their thoughts on the new plan. More than 600 restaurants across the five boroughs are participants in New York City’s Restaurant Week. But only four of those are in the Bronx. WFUV’s Livia Regina stopped by some Bronx restaurants to find out why. Host/Producer: Mia Barth Editor: Nathan Ray Reporter: Xenia Gonikberg Reporter: Sonia Weliwitigoda Reporter: Tahlia Pearson Reporter: Livia Regina Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

In a press conference, Kathy Hochul announced pushback against the Trump Administration’s lawsuit against the state due to restrictions on ICE. WFUV’s Anne Jackson explains the ordeal and what officials are going to do about it. The second week of the World Cup has concluded, and WFUV’s Livia Regina and Sam Giangrande highlight what has happened and who’s in contention to advance to the knockout stage or be eliminated. In Harlem, WFUV’s Lainey Nguyen went to Accra Express, a Ghanaian restaurant, to learn how they’re celebrating the World Cup through the power of food. Host/Producer: Sonia Weliwitigoda Editor: Tess Novotny & Nathan Ray Reporter: Anne Jackson Reporter: Livia Regina Reporter: Sam Giangrande Reporter: Lainey Nguyen Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

It’s Election Day in NYC and WFUV’s Xenia Gonikberg takes us through key races throughout the city. Only 7% of inmates at Rikers Island voted in the last election. WFUV’s Sienna Reinders went to a rally urging the Board of Elections to create a polling site for Rikers Island. In Hoboken, NJ, WFUV’s Lainey Nguyen met Dylan Zajac, a Gen-Z entrepreneur who refurbishes used computers and donates them to people in need. His work at Computers 4 People has donated more than 5,000 computers and reached more than 12,000 people. Host/Producer: Xenia Gonikberg Editor: Tess Novotny Reporter: Sienna Reinders Reporter: Lainey Nguyen Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

The New York Knicks won at Madison Square Garden last night against the San Antonio Spurs in a close, 1-point game. Ahead of Game 5, WFUV’s Sonia Weliwitigoda went to MSG to hear New Yorkers' thoughts on the games. The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts today. According to FIFA, 6 billion fans are tuning in to the games. WFUV’s Giuliana Guarracino explains more on what to expect. Ahead of the World Cup games in New Jersey this weekend, Mayor Zohran Mamdani held his first morning broadcast, which he plans to do throughout the games. WFUV’s Sonia Weliwitigoda has more. This week in music news, WFUV's Livia Regina shares some of Gogol Bordello's interview with the station about the band's diverse influences. Host/Producer: Sienna Reinders Editor: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Sonia Weliwitigota Reporter: Livia Regina Reporter: Giuliana Guarracino Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

The Knicks are playing in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden tonight. The NYPD has ramped up security at MSG due to President Donald Trump attending the game. Watch parties outside of the venue have been canceled, and TSA-styled security checkpoints will be all around the Garden. Restaurants are also preparing for fans to watch the game at 8:30. Construction began for the 2nd Avenue Subway project. It will extend the Q line into Harlem and East Harlem. This comes after the Trump Administration reinstated funding for the project. Governor Hochul said the project is on track for service to begin in 2032. The World Cup kicks off its first game this Thursday with matches at the NYNJ Stadium on Saturday. WFUV’s Sonia Weliwitigoda tells where to watch the final championship game. This past weekend, more than a hundred community gardens in New York City opened their gates to the public. WFUV’s Livia Regina stopped by some of the gardens in the Bronx to learn about how they act as community spaces. Host/Producer: Xenia Gonikberg Editor: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Anne Jackson Reporter: Sienna Reinders Reporter: Sonia Weliwitigoda Reporter: Giuliana Guarrancino Reporter: Livia Regina Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

The House passed a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Money will go to departments like TSA but not immigration enforcement operations. DHS has been unfunded since February, as Democrats demanded changes to ICE and Border operations. Republicans are now trying another way to get ICE funding through a weeks long budget reconciliation process. For now, this package will head to President Donald Trump’s desk to sign, ending the longest agency shutdown in history. On Tuesday, NYC’s first full casino opened in Queens after years of trying to get a license. Two more are planned to be built in the coming years. Community members are rallying against the new casinos this weekend, as they said the new casinos are being built in minority and working class neighborhoods. WFUV’s Sonia Weliwitigoda spoke to a rally leader. Mayor Zohran Mamdani wants New Yorkers to take part in public hearings through a new program. Its first target is to make sure both renters and landlords have their voices heard at upcoming hearings that decide prices for rent stabilized apartments. WFUV’s Mia Barth reports. Some young people in New York and New Jersey can go to the 2026 World Cup for free. Airbnb said they’re giving out 1000 tickets to kids. They’re working with nonprofits in the two states to select lucky ticket winners. The company also said it expects Airbnb owners in the region to be housing 25,000 people during the games. For this week's Music News, WFUV's Livia Regina gives us a sneak peek of Iron & Wine's interview about their new album. Plus, City Parks foundation announced the lineup for this year's SummerStage Festival. Host/Producer: Lainey Nguyen Editor: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Mia Barth Reporter: Livia Regina Reporter: Sonia Weliwitigoda Reporter: Sienna Reinders Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

Head Start is a national early childhood education program, and one that’s been called vital to breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty. But recently, New York City lost a federal grant worth more than seventy million dollars. So what does that mean for children and families? WFUV’s Jay Doherty spoke with Gregory Brender and Tara Gardner from the Day Care Council of New York to learn more. Dylan Zajac is a Gen Z entrepreneur who refurbishes used computers and donates them to people in need. To date, his organization called Computers 4 People has donated more than 5,000 computers and reached more than 12,000 people with digital skills courses they teach. WFUV’s Lainey Nguyen visited Zajac’s workspace in Hoboken, NJ to hear more about the work he does. Host/Producer: Alexandra Pfau Editor: Tess Novotny Reporter: Jay Doherty Reporter: Lainey Nguyen Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

WFUV’s “What's What” is a daily podcast that explores current events, culture news and hot topic issues surrounding the New York metropolitan area as well as features and interviews exclusively from WFUV.

WFUV’s “What's What” is a daily podcast that explores current events, culture news and hot topic issues surrounding the New York metropolitan area as well as features and interviews exclusively from WFUV.

WFUV’s “What's What” is a daily podcast that explores current events, culture news and hot topic issues surrounding the New York metropolitan area as well as features and interviews exclusively from WFUV.

WFUV’s “What's What” is a daily podcast that explores current events, culture news and hot topic issues surrounding the New York metropolitan area as well as features and interviews exclusively from WFUV.