Best WMHT Educational Telecommunications Podcasts (2025)

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Celebrating 200 Years of the Erie Canal 26:16

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1h ago26:16

26:16

New York State is celebrating the Erie Canal's bicentennial anniversary. We discuss the history and legacy of the Erie Canal with Rebecca Hughes and Jackie Schillinger of the NYS Canal Corporation. To commemorate the anniversary, the Buffalo Maritime Center has constructed a full-sized replica of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief to travel on the ca…

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What Every New Yorker Needs to Know About the Inflation Refund Check 25:56

6d ago25:56

25:56

State Budget Director Blake Washington joins us to discuss inflation refund checks and New York’s fiscal priorities as planning begins for next year’s budget. Plus, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month—Kelli Owens, executive director of NY’s Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, explains why awareness and prevention efforts matter…

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What Happens When Kids Can't Use Phones at School? 25:56

13d ago25:56

25:56

We dive into the implementation process of the bell-to-bell cell phone ban in school districts across the state. POLITICO's Bill Mahoney joins us to discuss the current daily work of Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado after announcing his plans to challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul next year. Explore More: nynow.org…

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Why Daniel’s Law Could Redefine Mental Health in New York 26:04

28d ago26:04

26:04

State Sen. Samra Brouk (D-Rochester) discusses her efforts to address suicide prevention and Daniel’s Law, legislation aimed at creating crisis response alternatives. Later, the NYCLU unpacks book bans in New York, and Sen. Rachel May (D-Syracuse) talks about her school library standards bill. Learn More: nynow.org…

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Can Ebony Alert Solve NY's Missing Black Youth Crisis? 25:55

1M ago25:55

25:55

Six months after the unsanctioned correctional officer strike, NY prisons face deep staffing shortages, HALT Act debates, and slow recruitment. We explore the fallout and speak with Sen. Lea Webb on her legislation to create an Ebony Alert system for missing Black youth in New York. Explore More: nynow.org…

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Albany's Mysterious Central Warehouse is Being Torn Down 25:34

1M ago25:34

25:34

We sit down with Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy to discuss the demolition of the Central Warehouse and the history of the project. State Sen. Jabari Brisport (D-Bedford Stuyvesant) unpacks the calls from progressive lawmakers for a special legislative session to address federal cuts. EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org…

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What's Really Happening in NYC's Mayoral Race Right Now 25:53

2M ago25:53

25:53

We dive into the latest developments in the race for New York City Mayor and Democrat's positioning on whether or not to endorse Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani with Jimmy Vielkind of WNYC and the New York Public News Network. The New York NOW team takes a day trip to the 184th annual New York State Fair and highlights many of the new attractions as…

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NY Takes Bold Step in Cardiac Emergency Plans, Menopause Support 26:46

2M ago26:46

26:46

Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal (D - Housing Committee Chair) joins us to unpack the newly-introduced legislative package aimed at increasing support for women dealing with menopause and perimenopause in the state. This summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law that would require public schools accross the state to implement emergency cadiac safety pl…

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What’s in New York's Master Plan for the Aging? 26:46

2M ago26:46

26:46

New York has its first ever Master Plan for Aging! We sat down with James McDonald, commissioner for the State Health Department, and Greg Olsen, acting director for the State Aging Office for a deep dive on the plan and its impact. We'll unpack the latest on the ongoing process of transitioning New Yorkers enrolled in the consumer directed persona…

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New York Bets Big on Clean Energy with $136 Million Investment 26:46

3M ago26:46

26:46

The New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy unpacks the decarbonization efforts for the Empire State Plaza, emission goals, and climate objectives in the state. State lawmakers have been pushing for a bill that would ban toxic chemicals in beauty products. We dive into the bill's history, regulations at the federal level…

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Why ICE Can't Arrest People in NY Courts—Yet 26:46

3M ago26:46

26:46

The New York Protect Our Courts Act prevents ICE from making courthouse arrests without a judicial warrant. But a lawsuit from the federal justice department is threatening to challenge that law. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D - Senate Judiciary Committee Chair) joins us to unpack the bill and the lawsuit. In the final days of the legislative ses…

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Wine coming to New York's grocery stores? 26:46

3M ago26:46

26:46

Catch this week's show on your local PBS member station, or watch on YouTube, Facebook, or using the free PBS app anytime after Friday. A podcast version is available wherever you normally get podcasts. New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli joins us to discuss the impact of federal cuts, the financial health of the state and unclaimed funds for N…

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How NY Plans To Protect Disability Rights After $14B Medicaid Cut 26:46

3M ago26:46

26:46

The newly-confirmed New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer joins us to discuss the goals for the office and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We dive into the push from lawmakers and healthcare advocates for legislation meant to improve workforce protections for nurses ac…

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Albany Gets $400 Million - What Will Change? 26:46

4M ago26:46

26:46

The state budget provided $400 million in funding to invest in New York's capital city. State Sen. Pat Fahy (D - 46th State Senate District) joins us to discuss the importance and impact of this investment. The newly-confirmed commissioner of the state Division of Human Rights Denise Miranda unpacks her plans for the agency and the 80th anniversary…

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Cuomo Defeated: Zohran Mamdani Wins NYC Mayoral Primary Upset 26:46

4M ago26:46

26:46

All eyes were on New York City for the competitive democratic primary for mayor this week. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani bested former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the nomination in a political upset. We sit down with Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, to discuss President Donald Trump's travel ban and the future of t…

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Federal Cuts Threaten SUNY's Future 26:46

4M ago26:46

26:46

SUNY Chancellor John King joins us to unpack the threats of federal funding cuts impacting New York's public universities investments from the Fiscal Year 26 state budget. We dive into the end of year traditions at the state capitol - from sneaker day to senate snow cones. The Assembly officially wrapped up session this week. We dive into the last-…

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Inside the Final Days of NY's 2025 Legislative Session 26:46

4M ago26:46

26:46

It was quite the busy week at the state Capitol to close out the 2025 Legislative Session - from Democratic leaders sounding the alarm on federal Medicaid cuts to Rep. Elise Stefanik taking aim at Gov. Kathy Hochul. We'll unpack the news driving the last week of session with Alex Gault, of the Watertown Daily Times and Northern New York Newspapers,…

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Antonio Delgado Set to Challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul in Democratic Primary 26:46

5M ago26:46

26:46

On This Week's Edition Catch this week's show on your local PBS member station, or watch on YouTube, Facebook, or using the free PBS app anytime after Friday. A podcast version is available wherever you normally get podcasts. Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado has launched a campaign for governor - officially challenging his boss Gov. Kathy Hochul…

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Will New York Pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act? 26:46

5M ago26:46

26:46

As the legislative session come to a close in the next few weeks, lawmakers and advocates are spending the final days pushing for a slew of policy initiatives they'd like to get passed. One such bill is the Medical Aid in Dying Act. After years of rallying, advocates were happy to see it passed for the first time in the Assembly chamber a few weeks…

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Leader Gianaris, Speaker Heastie Unpack the Budget 26:46

5M ago26:46

26:46

We sit with State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) to discuss a push for the 21st Century Antitrust Act which would work to increase state regulation on monopolies in the state and Senate Democrats' priorities through the end of the year. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) joins us to unpack the FY '26 state budget, co…

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What’s Inside New York’s New $254 Billion Budget? 26:46

5M ago26:46

26:46

Lawmakers vote on budget bills, finalizing the state budget 38 days after the April 1 deadline, making it the latest budget in more than a decade. State Sen. April Baskin (D—Erie County) discusses pay disparities in the state, legislative actions taken to address the issue, and how she plans on leading the fight for pay equity. We dive into the men…

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New York's Budget is Finally Approved 26:46

6M ago26:46

26:46

Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders have reached a general state budget agreement three weeks after the initial deadline. However, state leaders are working on a few outstanding issues, and lawmakers still need to pass budget bills before the final budget can officially be enacted. We unpack the details of the agreement with Jimmy Vielkind of…

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Can Hochul's Budget Plan Deliver for New Yorkers? 26:46

6M ago26:46

26:46

While the state budget is three weeks late, New York voters seem to back the many policy items that Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing to be included in the budget. The governor saw positive job approval and favorability ratings for the first time in over a year. Sanford Berland, executive director of the state commission on ethics and lobbying in govern…

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Discovery Deal Clears Way for Budget Progress—What’s Next? 26:46

6M ago26:46

26:46

While the state budget is several days late, a breakthrough on discovery reform have pushed negotiations forward. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie met with five New York City DAs and settled on a deal rooted in compromise. State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Senate Labor Committee Chair) talks state budget progress and a bill meant to stop the state from havi…

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What’s Delaying the New York State Budget? 26:46

7M ago26:46

26:46

It's been over a week since the April 1st deadline and state budget negotiations have stalled because of discovery reform! Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie introduced a bill that would allow lawmakers to get paid when the budget is late due to policy. We're joined by Patrick Orecki, director of state studies with the Citizens Budget Commission, to unp…