The Brian Lehrer Show

As our centennial series continues, Michael Kimmelman, architecture critic for The New York Times and the author of The Intimate City: Walking New York (Penguin Press, 2022), talks about the major changes to the NYC skyline across the past century. correction: The tallest building in Brooklyn for many years was the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower at 1 Hanson Place.

Last week, President Trump declared on Truth Social that he would place a 100% tariff on movies made outside the United States. Listeners who work in the film and TV industry call in to share what they think of the president's idea, and report on how much work has returned (or not) since the twin shocks of the pandemic and the 2023 strikes.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently said he plans to tell the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoridation nationwide. Jessica Steier, DRPH, PMP, CEO of Unbiased Science and host of the Unbiased Science Podcast and Linda Birnbaum, scientist emeritus and former director of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, as well as the National Toxicology Program and scholar in residence at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, parse fact from myth and what the science says about water fluoridation.

Michael Hill, WNYC Morning Edition host and Briana Vannozzi, anchor for NJ Spotlight News, recap and offer analysis of a conversation between New Jersey's Democratic candidates for governor.

Civil rights groups in New York City have filed a lawsuit challenging the NYPD's gang database, which these groups call discriminatory. Meanwhile, City Council and the Adams administration have clashed over the issue. Babe Howell, professor at CUNY School of Law, and Peter Moskos, professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, former Baltimore City police officer and author of Back from the Brink: Inside the NYPD and New York City's Extraordinary 1990s Crime Drop (Oxford University Press, 2025), debate the efficacy of the gang database

John Cassidy, staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of Capitalism and Its Critics: A History: From the Industrial Revolution to AI (Macmillan, 2025), traces the last three hundred years of global capitalism from its beginnings.

Mark Joseph Stern, senior writer at Slate covering courts and the law, previews the end of the Supreme Court term, plus remembers the late Justice Souter.

As our centennial series continues, listeners share memories of Yankee great Yogi Berra, who also played for and managed the Mets (about whom he said, "It ain't over 'til it's over").

Richard Buery, CEO of Robin Hood and chair of the Charter Revision Commission convened by Mayor Adams, talks about the commission's preliminary report, including a possible change to NYC's primary elections. Correction: The Brennan Center supports shifting to even-year elections, but does not have a position on open primaries.

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them.Who is Pope Leo XIV? (First) | Legendary sportscaster Bob Costas (Starts at 44:20) | Felix Contreras on the legacy of music icon Celia Cruz (Starts at 1:05:47)If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here.

Jon Campbell, Albany reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, talks about a deal that will allow the MTA to install speed cameras on bridges and tunnels in the city, plus more on how the new budget might affect Gov. Hochul's reelection campaign next year.

With Mother's Day coming up on Sunday, listeners call in to share the best and unique gifts they've received for Mother's Day and suggest gift ideas for last-minute shoppers.

In president Trump's first administration, he stated that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are "not money". Now, he heads his own crypto company. David Yaffe-Bellany, technology reporter for The New York Times, covering the crypto industry, shares his reporting on the ways the Trump family has financially benefitted from embracing the industry in these first few months of his second presidency.

Catholics around the world are getting to know the new pontiff, Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States. David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, and Mollie Wilson O'Reilly, editor-at-large and columnist at Commonweal, talk about the direction the former Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-area native, might take the church.

Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, interim co-CEO of PEN America, and Mia Couto, Mozambican author and recipient of this year's PEN/Nabokov Award for Achievement in International Literature, discuss the work of PEN America promoting free expression and this year's 61st annual Literary Awards Ceremony at Town Hall.

As our centennial series continues, Felix Contreras, host and co-creator of NPR's Alt.Latino, talks about the life and legacy of music icon Celia Cruz, born 100 years ago.

WNYC Morning Edition host Michael Hill and David Cruz, senior political correspondent and anchor, and moderator of Chat Box and Reporters Roundtable at NJ Spotlight News, recap and offer analysis of a conversation between New Jersey's Republican candidates for governor: State Sen. Jon Bramnick, former Assemblymember Jack Ciattarelli and former radio host Bill Spadea.

Rick Seltzer, senior writer for the Chronicle of Higher Education who writes their Daily Briefing newsletter, talks about the latest news in the fights between Columbia, Harvard and other universities and the Trump administration, and how the funding cuts are hitting the schools so far. Plus, Max Kozlov, science reporter covering biomedical research at Nature, talks about his reporting on the research topics that the Trump administration's NIH has cut funding to, especially areas the administration finds "problematic," like those related to LGBTQ+ health.

Bob Costas, sportscaster and talk show host, reflects on his recent Baseball Digest lifetime achievement award and the state of baseball and other sports today.=>EVENT: Bob Costas will discuss his wide-ranging career - and how sports have changed with Howard Bryant at The 92nd Street Y on Sunday, May 11 at 7 pm. (Ticket information)

Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the latest news from the campaign trail, including the match-up of former Gov. Cuomo and Mayor Adams, what voters were saying about the mayoral race at AOC's recent town hall and more news.

Communication blackouts, delayed flights, staffing shortages -- New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport has been in crisis mode for the past week. Pete Muntean, CNN correspondent covering aviation and transportation, pilot, and flight instructor, takes us behind the scenes of the "multi-day" meltdown at Newark, and explains what's caused these problems for travelers and staff alike.

Mary Ziegler, UC Davis law professor and the author of Roe: The History of a National Obsession (Yale University Press, 2023) and Personhood: The New Civil War over Reproduction (Yale University Press, 2025), talks about her book about "fetal personhood," as well as the news on mifepristone.

Listeners call in to share their stories of weaning themselves their "smart" cell phones, from setting limits to abandoning them completely.

Last week, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the Food and Drug Administration would require all new vaccines to be tested against placebos and to develop new vaccines without using mRNA technology. Christina Jewett, reporter covering Food and Drug Administration for The New York Times, explains what that will mean for future vaccines, including COVID-19 booster shots, plus more FDA-related news headlines.

As our centennial series continues, Bob van der Linden, commercial aviation curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, looks at the past 100 years of civilian air travel.

Mariana Simões, investigative journalist covering climate and the environment for City Limits, shares her reporting on how cuts to staff working on environmental justice issued within the Environmental Protection Agency are affecting community groups in New York City.

Rent-stabilized tenants may see increases of up to 7.75% on two-year leases, after the Rent Guidelines Board held a preliminary vote on rent increases. David Brand, housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, reports on what comes next for landlords and tenants with rent-stabilized apartments.

Kimberly Adams, senior Washington correspondent for Marketplace and the co-host of the Marketplace podcast “Make Me Smart,” talks about the latest news on tariffs, including the end of the de minimis exemption, which may lead to higher prices for consumers. Plus, Arthur Dong, teaching professor of strategy and economics at the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, offers analysis of the US-China relationship as Beijing is considering whether it should begin to negotiate with President Trump on trade.

Scott Bok, former board chair of the University of Pennsylvania, longtime CEO of the M&A advisory firm Greenhill & Co., and the author of Surviving Wall Street: A Tale of Triumph, Tragedy and Timing (Wiley, 2025), talks about his life and facing crises on Wall Street and, most recently, his resignation from the Penn Board in December 2023.=>EVENT: New York Public Library's Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library Event Center at 455 Fifth Avenue, tonight 6-7PM

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, Maria Ponce Sevilla, director of development at Mixteca Organization Inc., a community-based organization serving Mexican and Latin American immigrant communities, highlights the various regional Mexican communities that can be found all over New York City.

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them.NYC Health Department Braces for Federal Budget Cuts (First) | REAL ID, for Real This Time (Starts at 27:34) | 100 Years of 100 Things: Women in the Military (Starts at 42:14)If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here.

Randy Mastro, first deputy mayor of New York City, discusses the proposals in the $115 billion dollar budget that Mayor Adams announced, including adding seats to free after-school care, and increasing the size of the police force.

Sam Schechner, technology reporter at The Wall Street Journal, talks about his experience of feeling dumber due to relying on artificial intelligence and what he's done to retake his brain.

The Republican House leadership is confronting significant obstacles to passing a sweeping package of the Trump administration's priorities. Kadia Goba, congressional reporter for Semafor, breaks down what's in it and the latest news, including the status of the Trump-backed SAVE Act, which critics say would lead to the disenfranchisement of millions of married women.

Louisa Tatum, Career Services Manager at the New York Public Library, talks about the job and career landscape for people without college degrees—and we'll take calls from listeners who are looking for career advice.EVENT:The New York Public Library is hosting a free job fair and career expo at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building's Celeste Bartos Forum. That's on Friday, May 23, 2025, 10 AM - 3 PM. More information at the link below:https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2025/05/23/nypls-free-tech-job-fair-expo-2025-connect-learn-get-hiredSupport of WNYC’s coverage of economic mobility and opportunity is provided in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information about how the Gates Foundation supports economic mobility and opportunity, visit usprogram.gatesfoundation.org.

On May 7, in order to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building in the U.S., travelers will have to show a form of “REAL ID compliant” identification. Walt McClure, director of public information at NYS Department of Motor Vehicles, breaks down the process to get a REAL ID and how the Department of Motor Vehicles is handling the influx of new applications ahead of the deadline.

Nick Miroff, staff writer for The Atlantic who covers immigration, talks about the behind the scenes negotiations between the Trump administration and the president of El Salvador regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador without due process; plus the latest news on the Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi, who was released from immigration detention.

Sean Spiller, president of the New Jersey Education Association and a former mayor of Montclair, talks about his campaign to be the Democratic nominee for governor in the June primary and the issues that matter to voters in New Jersey.

As we continue our series about attaining upward mobility without a college degree, Marjorie Parker, CEO and president of JobsFirstNYC, talks about her work on youth and young adult economic and workforce development in New York City. And Jane Martinez Dowling, chief of student pathways at New York City Public Schools, talks about career education initiatives within the NYC Department of Education.Support of WNYC’s coverage of economic mobility and opportunity is provided in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information about how the Gates Foundation supports economic mobility and opportunity, visit usprogram.gatesfoundation.org.

As our centennial series continues, Katherine Sharp Landdeck, professor of history and director of Pioneers Oral History Project at Texas Woman's University and the author of The Women with Silver Wings: The Inspiring True Story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II (Crown, 2020), talks about American women in the military over the last century.

Blair Corcoran de Castillo, vice president of public sector and policy at Opportunity@Work, and Tony Gherardini, executive director at the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, talk about how state governments and public agencies are rethinking hiring, training, and credential requirements to open up opportunity for STARs—workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes.Support of WNYC’s coverage of economic mobility and opportunity is provided in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information about how the Gates Foundation supports economic mobility and opportunity, visit usprogram.gatesfoundation.org.

Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, and Ramsey Khalifeh, Gothamist and WNYC transportation reporter, share their reporting on how each candidate is approaching a big issue on voters' minds: public safety, crime and homelessness in the subway system.

College decision day is May 1st, but students and their families have a lot more to think about this year than in the past. Listeners call in to share how they're considering where to go to school in the fall given the political firestorm surrounding universities across the United States.

David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker and the host of The New Yorker Radio Hour, offers his assessment of the first 100 days of President Trump's second term, and the opposition that is beginning to form.

Michelle Morse, M.D., interim commissioner of health at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and an internal medicine and public health doctor, talks about the areas where the health department says it will really feel the impact of federal budget cuts, including responding to disease outbreaks, vaccine outreach and more.

Jad Abumrad, composer, musician and storyteller, creator of WNYC's Radiolab, Dolly Parton's America, and More Perfect, a professor of research at Vanderbilt University, and the co-composer and librettist for Port(al), and Dianne Berkun Menaker, Brooklyn Youth Chorus founder and artistic director and co-creator of Port(al), talk about the new site-specific work about the history of the Brooklyn Navy Yard by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. They're joined by chorus member Josie Devlin.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a tentative budget agreement almost one month late. Jon Campbell, Albany reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, reports on where the big policy issues landed, including on a cell phone ban in schools, masks and discovery laws—plus the financial details of the deal.

President Donald Trump recently asked U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to intervene in defense of the Massapequa school district, saying the school should be able to their use of Native American mascots, names and logos. Darwin Yanes, Newsday education reporter, explains the latest on the entrenched battle between the Long Island public school district, the New York Education Department — and now — the president.

As our centennial series continues, Ana Raquel Minian, associate professor of history at Stanford and the author of In the Shadow of Liberty: The Invisible History of Immigrant Detention in the United States (Viking, 2024), reviews U.S. detention of immigrants over the past century.

Andy Kim, U.S. Senator (D NJ), talks about his work in the Senate and the issues in New Jersey. Topics this week include the state of Democracy in the buildup to the midterm elections, tariffs and ceasefire in Ukraine.