There has been at least one hazing related death in the United States every year since 1959, including two in New York State in 2019. Despite hazing being illegal in 44 states- approximately 55 percent of college students who participate in clubs, teams, and campus organizations experience it. An Independent Lens documentary titled, “Hazing” takes an in-depth look inside the culture and consequences of pledging rituals at American educational institutions. Joining us to discuss the film are: the...
Sep 08, 2023•27 min
As 3-year-old Emilio prepares to start NYC public school, his family finds itself embroiled in a challenge all too common for children with disabilities- to secure the right to an inclusive education that favors integration over segregation. Feeling cornered as they struggle through New York City’s public school system, which is one of the most segregated in the country, Emilio’s parents, filmmaker Olivier Bernier and his wife Hilda- a NYC special education teacher- turn the cameras on themselve...
Sep 07, 2023•27 min
Mental health among children has become a pressing concern. The challenges brought on by the pandemic - from remote learning to social isolation - many children and teens have faced increased stress, anxiety, and depression. As students head back to school this fall, PBS LearningMedia is providing a free collection of resources through the Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids project, developed by the Child Mind Institute, a leader in the field of child psychology. The project includes a series of engag...
Sep 06, 2023•27 min
BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL: HOW NEXT-GENERATION LIBRARIES ARE GETTING STUDENTS READY FOR THE REAL WORLD The days of school libraries being a place for only books and getting shushed are a thing of the past, at least in some school districts. Baldwin High School on Long Island is among them, transforming its traditional library space into a collaborative hub outfitted with 21st century tech. Dubbed the “Learning Collaboratory,” the district’s goal is to better prepare students for life after high sch...
Sep 05, 2023•27 min
New York City jails are deadlier now than they have been in decades, with 19 detainees reportedly dying last year in custody or right after their release, the highest rate in 25 years. Many died at Rikers, which has been plagued by overdoses, violence, and inhumane conditions for years. So how did things get this bad and is there hope for a turnaround with the jail complex set to close later this decade? Award-winning journalists Graham Rayman and Reuven Blau have tried to answer these pressing ...
Aug 24, 2023•27 min
No doubt you’ve noticed that almost every item at your local pharmacy seems to be locked behind plastic cases these days. The reason is due to the sharp increase in shoplifting we’ve experienced in New York City over the past three years. According to the NYPD, there has been a 66 percent increase in reports of retail-theft here since 2019, costing stores hundreds of millions of dollars a year. What you may not be aware of, though, is that a majority of these incidents of shoplifting are often p...
Aug 21, 2023•27 min
Scientists say the increased shark activity could be our new normal. More sharks can indicate a healthier ocean and there is groundbreaking research underway in our area to catch, track and better understand these misunderstood predators of the deep. For the latest on these efforts and how to stay safe this summer we’re joined by Frank Quevedo, executive director of South Fork Natural History Museum, which oversees a shark research and education program; Greg Metzger, the program’s field coordin...
Aug 18, 2023•27 min
Tonight, we look back at the PBS NATURE series “Spy in the Wild,” and how animal robots infiltrated the wilderness to deliver visuals never-before-seen by people.
Aug 17, 2023•27 min
Donald Trump has been indicted again. This time over alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state of Georgia. The former president is facing 13 felony charges implicating him as the head of a sweeping conspiracy to reverse his election loss in that state. Trump and 18 co-defendants, including former New York City Mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, and his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, are all charged under Georgia’s RICO racketeering act – a law often used to prosecute o...
Aug 16, 2023•27 min
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: A Supergroup Is Born Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were one of the legendary acts to take the stage at Woodstock. It was only the second live performance by the newly formed supergroup, but getting to that stage was itself quite an experience. Tonight, Graham Nash shares the story. Santana Remembers Woodstock Carlos Santana reflects on the acid trip of his life at Woodstock, an experience that propelled his career and brain to new heights. A Generational Revo...
Aug 15, 2023•26 min
Antisemitism and Holocaust misinformation and denial are spreading rapidly across social media. As TikTok captures the vast majority of eyeballs amongst Gen Z audiences in the U.S. and globally, a creator with a built-in distribution platform with millions of followers - hopes to raise awareness on the issue and ensure young people understand the truth about what really happened during the Holocaust. TikTok influencer Montana Tucker is taking her 11.4 million followers on a journey by retracing ...
Aug 11, 2023•27 min
Peril & Promise: The Women-Led, Indigenous-Owned Kelp Farm Restoring Long Island's Waters & Protecting New York From Climate Change Long Island is on the frontlines of the global climate crisis, ranking among the most vulnerable metro areas in the country. Decades of nitrogen pollution from aging septic systems and fertilizer runoff have only made the situation worse, and the Shinnecock Indian Nation is helping lead the fight to keep communities from going underwater. The Shinnecock Kelp...
Aug 07, 2023•27 min
In recent times, the cellphone - in the hands of ordinary people - has changed the way we remember and relate to events. In their latest book, co-authors Marc Lamont Hill and Todd Brewster argue that this is not the first time in our history that technology has played a part in America’s long struggle against racism. Tonight, they join us as a part of our Chasing The Dream initiative to discuss what we have “Seen and Unseen” - from the murder of George Floyd to the Reconstruction era.
Aug 04, 2023•26 min
In his new book, “Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization” famed astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson examines the biggest debates in human civilization through the prism of science. The book tackles some of the topics and issues that we argue with each other about all the time, whether through the media, online, or in real life. Dr. Tyson’s book is designed to make readers think twice about what they believe to be true, as he takes on a multitude of subjects including race, gend...
Aug 03, 2023•27 min
Donald Trump was indicted on four felony counts Tuesday, the third indictment of the former president this year. Trump was charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S., conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights. The counts are related to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, culminating in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Joining us to discuss the historical signifi...
Aug 02, 2023•27 min
Quantum Leap: The New Technology That Could Change Humanity Physicist and bestselling author Dr. Michio Kaku joins MetroFocus to discuss his latest book “Quantum Supremacy” on the new technology that he says will change humanity…and it’s not artificial intelligence! Chasing The Dream: Kristi Yamaguchi Discusses Her Childhood Literacy Foundation "Always Dream" U.S. Olympic figure skating legend Kristi Yamaguchi discusses her journey to the 1992 gold medal, the importance of the Japan Parade, and ...
Aug 01, 2023•27 min
Summer of Space Special: NASA's Groundbreaking Mission Back To The Moon And Beyond For the first time in half a century, NASA is launching astronauts back to the moon, this time with a groundbreaking crew onboard. When the astronauts of Artemis II head into space, possibly as early as late next year, they will travel on a mega rocket around the moon, paving the way for future landings on the lunar surface and even Mars. Onboard will be the first woman and the first. person of color to take part ...
Jul 31, 2023•27 min
It’s been nearly four decades since “The Karate Kid” hit the big screen and became a cultural phenomenon. And now with the Netflix reboot series “Cobra Kai” a whole new generation of fans are learning that lessons taught in the dojo can help us navigate life. Tonight, the “Karate Kid” himself, Long Island’s own Ralph Macchio discusses his new book, “Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me.”
Jul 28, 2023•27 min
In an era where social media platforms have been under scrutiny for their role in disseminating misinformation, The WNET Group’s digital series "Take on Fake" serves as a timely reminder of the importance of responsible information sharing. The series encourages viewers to question sources, verify facts, and think critically before sharing any information online. Tonight, series host and executive producer Hari Sreenivasan joins MetroFocus to give viewers some practical tips and tools to disting...
Jul 27, 2023•27 min
Election 2024: Does Chris Christie Have A Chance At Winning The Republican Presidential Nomination? A number of Republicans have already announced their plans to run for president in 2024, but almost all of them have been reluctant to consistently attack the frontrunner in the race, former President Donald Trump. But there is one candidate who seems eager to go on the offensive, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has publicly stated that he is running not only to try to win, but to e...
Jul 26, 2023•27 min
"Right To Shelter" Architect Slams Mayor Adams' Challenge Of Landmark Housing Guaruntee Just over 40 years ago, 26-year-old attorney Robert Hayes took on a pro bono case that turned into the biggest legal victory in history for homeless New Yorkers. That victory, the right to shelter, is once again being challenged, this time by Mayor Eric Adams. The mayor’s argument: the city does not want to nullify the law but rather modify it in the face of the asylum seeker crisis. As negotiations continue ...
Jul 25, 2023•27 min
Tony Bennett, the legendary Grammy-winning singer, philanthropist, and New York City icon, passed away last week at the age of 96. The Queens-born entertainer leaves behind one of the greatest songbooks in American history and a legacy that will live on forever. From classic hits like, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” and “The Way You Look Tonight,” to his newer collaborations with modern artists, like Lady Gaga, Bennett combined pop and jazz to bring the sounds of the past with him into the ...
Jul 24, 2023•27 min
We will take you inside the operating room at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital, where brain surgeons are using cutting edge technology to treat patients more effectively.
Jul 21, 2023•25 min
"Trail To Zero" Horseback Ride Brings Awareness To Veteran Suicide, Mental Health, And The Benefits of Equine Therapy According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, each day on average 20 veterans take their own lives. To bring awareness to this crisis, BraveHearts, the leading equine rehabilitation program for veterans, annually embarks on its “Trail to Zero” ride in New York City. Veterans make a 20-mile journey on horseback through the streets of New York City – one mile for e...
Jul 20, 2023•27 min
Tonight, our Medical Marvels series spotlights advancements in eye care and the father-son team working diligently to restore sight. Doctors Richard and R.J. Mackool take us into the operating room at the Mackool Eye Institute in Queens.
Jul 19, 2023•27 min
Behind The Curtain At The Hospital For Special Surgery New York is home to some of the leading medical institutions in the world and one organization that’s turned the city into a go-to destination for treatment is the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). Celebrating its 160th anniversary this year, HSS has been ranked number one in the nation in orthopedics for 13 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report, treating celebrities and sports stars to everyday New Yorkers in need of complicated ...
Jul 17, 2023•27 min
Rev. Al Sharpton has spent his life speaking up, loudly, against racism and racial violence. The new documentary "Loudmouth" chronicles his path from a teenage preacher to a racial justice firebrand on the streets of 1980s New York City. Rev. Sharpton joins MetroFocus to talk about his fascinating journey – from his days marching through then-hostile white neighborhoods like Bensonhurst and Howard Beach - exposing a racist side of New York many didn’t want to believe existed - to his current pla...
Jul 14, 2023•27 min
In May of 2020, Black bird-watcher Christian Cooper was forced into the national spotlight when a white woman called the police on him in Central Park, falsely claiming that he threatened her. Though it garnered plenty of media attention, Christian has put that incident behind him to focus on his true passion, and the reason he was in Central Park in the first place that day, birding. His love of birds has taken him across the world, and he joins MetroFocus to discuss his new memoir, “Better Liv...
Jul 13, 2023•27 min
When former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson sued the network’s longtime chairman and CEO Roger Ailes for sexual harassment in 2016, she became an icon of the #MeToo movement and a leader in women’s rights. The lawsuit resulted in a $20 million settlement from the company, along with an unprecedented public apology. Since leaving Fox News, Gretchen has become a force in advocating for safer workplaces for women and other marginalized groups through her organization, Lift Our Voices, which has help...
Jul 12, 2023•27 min
Peril & Promise: Wildlife Conservation Society Tonight, as part of our special “Peril & Promise” reporting, we are joined by the new President and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Monica Medina. Ms. Medina, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, is the first woman to ever hold this position. She will be bringing her years of experience working on environmental policy for the federal government to New York, ...
Jul 11, 2023•27 min
