Dance superstar Misty Copeland knows a thing or two about breaking barriers, and this fall she’s pointing to the power of ballet to help New York City kids chase their dreams. Misty, the American Ballet Theatre’s first Black principal dancer, recently launched the “Be Bold” initiative with a free, 12-week program for children 8 to 10 that includes about 120 students from local Boys and Girls Clubs. The goal is to eventually train and mentor thousands of kids, especially Black and Latino students...
Jul 10, 2023•27 min
Just over fifty years ago, Geraldo Rivera shocked the nation with his groundbreaking exposé on the abuse taking place at Willowbrook State School, at the time the largest institution in the world for people living with disabilities. Geraldo’s reporting, which featured interviews with patients and images of the deplorable conditions at the facility, led to the eventual closing of Willowbrook and the passage of civil rights protections for people with developmental disabilities. A new documentary,...
Jul 06, 2023•27 min
What does life look like for LGBTQIA+ youth in New York City ? “Pier Kids,” a documentary film from POV, transports viewers to the Christopher Street pier, a place where homeless queer and transgender youth of color have forged community and family. The film shines a light on the lives of amazing young people who have been marginalized by society, and chronicles how they have created an oasis for themselves in the piers, exposing a side of New York many people choose to ignore. “Pier Kids” direc...
Jun 28, 2023•27 min
Dangerous Shortage of Cancer Drugs National shortages of vital chemotherapy medications are forcing physicians to develop workarounds and the Biden administration to mount an all-out government response. The shortage of chemo drugs such as cisplatin and carboplatin are leaving hospitals and doctors with difficult decisions about how to treat their patients – including delaying treatment and even rationing doses in some cases. Tonight, we talk to Dr. Amanda Nickles Fader, oncologist at Johns Hopk...
Jun 22, 2023•27 min
The powerful new documentary “Americonned” examines the widening economic divide that has over the last few decades decimated the American middle class and put the American dream out of reach for millions. The film argues this was the result of policies designed by powerful corporate interests whose chief goal was to destroy the labor movement and they’ve largely succeeded. But after years of losing power and losing members, there are now signs of an American labor renaissance. One example is ri...
Jun 21, 2023•27 min
NYC Council Member Warns Fellow Democrats Don't Take Voters For Granted, Says Being Anti-GOP Is Not Enough Are Democrats taking voters in historically blue cities like New York for granted? Veteran Council Member Justin Brannan, who represents Brooklyn’s largely working class 43rd District, says yes. In a recent op-ed for “City & State,” he argues it’s a serious problem that urgently needs to be corrected. He wrote the piece not long after the City Council’s powerful progressive caucus lost ...
Jun 20, 2023•27 min
“How different might our country look if all of us fully understood what had happened here?” That is the question author Clint Smith sets out to answer in “How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America” through visits to nine locations that memorialize or distort their link to the legacy of slavery- from Monticello in Charlottesville, Va., to the African Burial Ground in Lower Manhattan. Clint Smith joins MetroFocus to discuss the lessons learned from his book....
Jun 19, 2023•27 min
Maria Shriver on Ending Alzheimer's Millions of Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Now, one of the nation’s premier advocates, Maria Shriver, shares her fight against the illness that afflicted her father more than a decade ago. Marilu Henner: "How I Helped My Husband Beat Cancer" Marilu Henner, best known for starring on the hit sitcom “Taxi,” joins us with her husband Michael Brown to share their deeply personal and uplifting story of how they beat his bladder and lung cancer- without ...
Jun 16, 2023•27 min
Seeing Broadway for free is something New Yorkers and theater fans often only dream about. But on June 18, in honor of the upcoming Juneteenth holiday, Broadway is returning to the heart of Times Square for a free outdoor concert celebrating Black artistry and community. More than 25 Black artists from 12 Broadway shows, including smash hits such as “SIX” and “MJ The Musical,” are expected to take part in Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth as the nation commemorates the emancipation of African Ameri...
Jun 15, 2023•27 min
Former President Donald Trump is now the first former president in U.S. history to face federal charges. Trump appeared in a federal court in Miami on Tuesday, and he plead not guilty to 37 counts related to alleged mishandling of classified documents. Tonight, we analyze the case with our panel: Daniel Richman, former federal prosecutor and professor of law at Columbia Law School; Bernarda Villalona, criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor; and Sam Nunberg, attorney and former Trump 201...
Jun 14, 2023•27 min
NYC Congresswoman Blasts Handling of Migrant Crisis & Calls For Greater Federal Response New York City’s migrant crisis is showing no signs of letting up. More than 72,000 migrants have reportedly arrived since last spring, with over 45,000 currently in the city's care. In response, Mayor Eric Adams has carried out several controversial measures and perhaps most controversially, he is challenging New York's unique “right-to-shelter” law that compels the city to provide shelter for all those ...
Jun 13, 2023•27 min
One of the most important figures in the fight for civil rights may be someone that you never heard of. Pauli Murray- a lawyer, activist, and writer was ahead of their time. They refused to give up their seat on a bus 15 years before Rosa Parks famously did. They argued that separate but equal was unconstitutional 10 years before the Supreme Court made that decision. And they were one of the first lawyers to argue that women should be protected equally under the 14th amendment. In addition to th...
Jun 12, 2023•27 min
Peril & Promise: How Smoke From The Canadian Wildfires Could Impact Your Health Tonight, our special “Peril & Promise” coverage continues about the smoke from the Canadian wildfires that engulfed New York City. Though the air quality is slowly improving across the Tri-State, it is still at levels considered to be unhealthy. How will the air quality impact your health? Dr. Jay Varma, a professor at Weill Cornell Medicine and a former senior adviser for public health under then-Mayor Bill ...
Jun 09, 2023•27 min
Special Report: Air Quality in NYC Reaches "Hazardous" Levels Due To Canadian Wildfires Tonight, a Special Report on the Code Red air quality alert issued in New York City due to hazardous smoke engulfing the Tri-State region. Dr. Dan Westervelt, an air pollution scientist and assistant research professor at the Columbia Climate School’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, joins us to explain the threat. Broadway Week: Reimagining The Hollywood Classic "Some Like It Hot" The hit 1959 film “Some Li...
Jun 08, 2023•27 min
Broadway Week: "Camelot" As Broadway week continues here on MetroFocus, we have an inside look at the latest adaptation of one of the most iconic musicals to ever grace the stage, “Camelot.” The new revival, adapted by Aaron Sorkin, brings a fresh and modern perspective to the classic tale. The show, which can be seen at Lincoln Center Theater, was nominated for 5 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. Joining us tonight are the three leads of “Camelot”: Phillipa Soo, Andrew Burnap, a...
Jun 07, 2023•27 min
The View 's Sunny Hostin Weighs In On The Issues Facing New York City Emmy Award-winning legal journalist and co-host of The View Sunny Hostin joins MetroFocus to talk about some of the most pressing issues facing New York City. The South Bronx native shares her insights and opinions on difficult topics facing the city today: gentrification, the immigration crisis, homelessness, and mental health. Hostin also discusses her new bestselling book “Summer on Sag Harbor”, centered on historically Bla...
Jun 06, 2023•27 min
After years of living with mysterious symptoms, Julia Bruzzese- a young girl from Brooklyn and a Duke University scientist are diagnosed with a disease said to not exist: Chronic Lyme disease. “The Quiet Epidemic” follows their search for answers, which lands them in the middle of a vicious medical debate. And what begins as a patient story evolves into an investigation into the history of Lyme disease, dating back to its discovery in 1975, a paper trail of suppressed scientific research, and bu...
Jun 02, 2023•27 min
A silent epidemic of chronic illnesses afflicts tens of millions of Americans: these are diseases that are poorly understood, frequently marginalized, and can go undiagnosed and unrecognized altogether. Meghan O’Rourke, author of the 2022 National Book Award nominee for nonfiction “The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness,” joins MetroFocus to detail her investigation into the category of “invisible” illness such as autoimmune diseases, Lyme disease, and now long COVID. Meghan shares h...
Jun 01, 2023•27 min
Our two-night special coverage on long COVID continues, and this evening we focus on the possible causes and debilitating effects of this condition. Why do some people with long COVID have symptoms which seem to last so long? What is being done to help the millions of Americans now suffering from it, and what more can we be doing? Joining us again for this discussion are Kevin Devine, a Staten Island resident who after two years is still struggling with long COVID; Diana Berrent, a Long Island a...
May 31, 2023•27 min
Up to 1-in-5 adults who’ve survived COVID-19 are living with long COVID, a condition characterized by up to 200 symptoms that persist long after the initial infection is gone and can affect the body for months or even years. It’s estimated that 1 million Americans have been forced to leave the labor force due to medical complications from long COVID, and even more have been impacted by long-term symptoms. Tonight, in part-one of our special two-night discussion, we’ll hear from: Kevin Devine, a ...
May 30, 2023•27 min
Originally aired November 2019 As we gear up to celebrate America’s independence, beloved Hollywood actor Tom Hanks honors the brave warriors who served our country in times of war. See how Hanks teamed up with group of veterans to bring Shakespeare to life in a one-of-a-kind theater production of Henry IV.
May 29, 2023•26 min
In April 2020, U.S. Army Spc. Vanessa Guillén was murdered after reporting her assault that took place at Fort Hood in Texas. In late November 2022, Cecily Aguilar, the only person charged in connection with Vanessa’s murder, pled guilty to four counts, including accessory to murder after the fact, and now faces up to 30 years in prison. While this decision is a victory for Vanessa’s family, the problem of sexual harassment and assault, as well as retaliation for those reporting these crimes, re...
May 26, 2023•28 min
Just over fifty years ago, Geraldo Rivera shocked the nation with his groundbreaking exposé on the abuse taking place at Willowbrook State School, at the time the largest institution in the world for people living with disabilities. Geraldo’s reporting, which featured interviews with patients and images of the deplorable conditions at the facility, led to the eventual closing of Willowbrook and the passage of civil rights protections for people with developmental disabilities. A new documentary,...
May 25, 2023•27 min
Chasing The Dream: "A Decent Home" When housing on the lowest rung of the American dream is being devoured by the wealthiest of the wealthy, whose dream are we serving? America ReFramed documentary “A Decent Home,” addresses urgent issues of class and economic (im)mobility through the lives of mobile home park residents who can’t afford housing anywhere else. “A Decent Home” is the first documentary to focus on mobile home parks and the injustices faced by park residents. Director Sara Terry joi...
May 24, 2023•27 min
George Floyd "Rise & Remember" Three years after George Floyd’s murder, a celebration of his life at the very place it ended. Tonight, how his family is celebrating his legacy and the progress made since his passing with the annual “Rise and Remember” festival. His aunt, Angela Harris is our special guest. "Fresh Plywood NYC" Kurt Boone, urban photographer and author of “Fresh Plywood NYC: Artists Rise Up In The Age Of Black Lives Matter” forgotten story of the artists who painted hundreds o...
May 23, 2023•27 min
One on One With Jamaal Bowman Aggressive and Confrontational. That is what some Republicans have called democratic New York congressman Jamaal Bowman. He says he’s passionate and dedicated. Tonight, the Congressman joins us to discuss his controversial approach to governing and tackle the issues affecting New Yorkers. "Stars and Shadows: The Politics of Interracial Friendship From Jefferson To Obama" Rutgers Political Science Professor Saladin Ambar has made it his mission to analyze two centuri...
May 22, 2023•27 min
The brutal killing of a New York City grandmother in her Upper West Side apartment is reinforcing fears among some older New Yorkers that they’re not safe in the city. It's also empowering others to spread the potentially life-saving lessons of martial arts to seniors. Maria Hernandez was discovered bound and strangled in January and two men have been charged with her murder. The case underscores the rise in violence targeting older New Yorkers with The New York Times reporting that violent crim...
May 19, 2023•27 min
To Catch Her Son's Killers: Linda Clary Conducted Her Own Investigation Before Authorities Ruled Her Son's Death A Homicide At least 43 incidents of druggings have been linked to robberies in and outside Manhattan nightclubs since September 2021, involving a mix of both straight and gay NYC bars, and both heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ people. Tonight we share the story of one of those victims, and his mother, whose relentless pursuit of justice helped crack the case. Tonight, Linda Clary shares the ...
May 18, 2023•27 min
After years of living with mysterious symptoms, Julia Bruzzese- a young girl from Brooklyn and a Duke University scientist are diagnosed with a disease said to not exist: Chronic Lyme disease. The Quiet Epidemic follows their search for answers, which lands them in the middle of a vicious medical debate. And what begins as a patient story evolves into an investigation into the history of Lyme disease, dating back to its discovery in 1975, a paper trail of suppressed scientific research, and buri...
May 17, 2023•27 min
Aging Week A special presentation of The WNET Group, in collaboration with the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), and with the NEw York State Education Department (NYSED), Thirteen, WLIW21, and public broadcasters throughout New York State. "Aging Together in New York" There are 4.6 million New Yorkers over the age of 60, ranking New York as the fourth largest population of older adults in the nation. As the demographic shifts, so does the definition of "aging". Son this 60th annivers...
May 16, 2023•27 min
