Free Swim Program Expands in NYC, Sen. Gillibrand Pushes for Lower Medicare Costs, and the Voice of the NYC Subway

Free Swim Program Expands in NYC, Sen. Gillibrand Pushes for Lower Medicare Costs, and the Voice of the NYC Subway

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has pushed to cap medicare costs for seniors. She introduced legislation to create a $5,000 cap on out of pocket costs for medicare users. She said this legislation will protect low income users and shield seniors from rising costs. New York City expanded its free swim program. It teaches kids water safety, and is now almost doubled in size, going from 10 pools to 18. Giuliana Guarracino’s WFUV went to one of the city’s pools to learn more. Senator Richard Blumenthal is going after the energy provider, Eversource. Blumenthal said the company wants to increase rates for customers. This bill would cap executive employee bonuses in years where utility rates increased faster than rate of inflation. WFUV’s Mia Barth sat down with Bernie Wagenblast, the voice of the New York Subway, to talk about her career and story. Host/Producer: Mia Barth Editor: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Giuliana Guarracino Reporter: Tahlia Pearson Reporter: Mia Barth Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

NJ Transit Fares Increase and Colombian New Yorkers Celebrate World Cup

New Jersey bus, train, and rail fares are increasing by 3-percent. The new prices will go into effect on July first. More information can be found on njtransit.com. Attorney General Letitia James announced a deed theft arrest in New York City. WFUV’s Giuliana Guarracino reports. Jackson Heights in Queens is one of many melting pots in New York City. More than 160 languages are spoken there according to NYC. gov. The blocks surrounding 82nd St. are known as “Little Colombia.” WFUV’s Sonia Weliwitigoda went there to see how fans are celebrating Colombia in the World Cup. Host/Producer: Sienna Reinders Editor: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Giuliana Guaracino Reporter: Sonia Weliwitigota Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

World Cup Fever in Harlem, World Cup Week 2, Hochul Pushes Back On ICE

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

Election Day in NYC, Rally for Rikers Inmates to Vote, and a Gen-Z Entrepreneur Giving Back

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

Penn Station Revamp, Mamdani Pushes for Worker Protections, a Gen-Z Puppeteer

The Penn Station redesign is officially in the works. The plan includes adding new walkways, track capacity, and art deco style interior design. WFUV’s Anne Jackson reports. Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an executive order to protect New York workers from heat illness. This is the first ever order on this issue in New York’s history. WFUV’s Giuliana Guarracino has more. June is the new November in New York City. That’s according to advocates and community organizers from Open Primaries, a coalition fighting for an open primary system for elections. Open primaries mean people will be able to vote for candidates regardless of party affiliation. WFUV’s Xenia Gonikberg has more on their push to change the city’s election system to better represent the voting population. Hannah Hightman is a New York City-based artist who works in puppetry. Her love for the art form led her to the Jim Henson Foundation, which promotes the art of puppetry. WFUV’s Alexandra Pfau spoke with Hannah about her career as a young artist. Host/Producer: Mia Barth Editor: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Anne Jackson Reporter: Giuliana Guarracino Reporter: Xenia Gonikberg Reporter: Alexandra Pfau Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker