The Brian Lehrer Show

Susan Kang, associate professor of political science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a commentator on state on local politics, offers analysis of how the Democratic Socialists of America's New York chapter figured into Zohran Mamdani's win in the Democratic mayoral primary, and how DSA will be involved in the general election.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli are vying to be New Jersey's next governor in a race that is heating up. Tom Martello, politics editor and political columnist at NJ Advance Media, discusses the latest news from the campaigns.

In an article for The Atlantic titled "A Wedding Reveals How Much Help Is Really Available to You," Julie Beck explores how asking for help can feel gratifying for both the receiver and the giver. Listeners call in to share the best, maybe even most surprising, times they've been helped or helped others.

Austin Kocher, assistant research professor in the Office of Research and Creative Activity in the S.I. Newhouse of Public Communication at Syracuse University, and Substack writer, shares the data he's collected from the Trump Administration's mass deportation policy, particularly the increasing numbers of migrants arrested by ICE and living in detention facilities across the country.

ConEd wants to raise its rates again and public hearings are underway. Samantha Maldonado, senior reporter for THE CITY, covering climate, resiliency, housing and development, discusses how rate increases work and how much more New Yorkers might pay if the hike is approved.

Jeffery Mays, New York Times reporter covering politics with a focus on New York City Hall, and Kelly Mena, Spectrum News NY1 political reporter, talk about the candidates' strategies to beat Zohran Mamdani in the general election this fall, as some big unions have announced their support for the Democratic nominee, while some big-name Democrats have withheld endorsements. 

All Of It is hosting a summer reading challenge (for adults)! Jordan Lauf, producer for All Of It and its book club Get Lit with All Of It , explains how to participate and recommends books in each of the categories in the challenge, including: a classic, an NYC book, a memoir or biography, a recent debut novel and a book published this year.

Hua Hsu, New Yorker staff writer, professor of English at Bard College and author of the memoir Stay True (September 2022), discusses what college students lose when ChatGPT writes their essays for them and what that says about our evolving understanding of the purpose of higher education.
→ What Happens After A.I. Destroys College Writing?

Zack Colman, Climate and energy reporter for POLITICO, reports on new analyses that show the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act will raise greenhouse gas emissions and scale back U.S. climate goals.

Ana María Archila and Jasmine Gripper, co-directors of the New York Working Families Party, reflect on Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's resounding win in the Democratic primary election, and look ahead to the general election.  

It's #100 in the centennial series: your  stories of how your life differs from, and what it shares with, that of your grandparents, plus a funny family story from your history.

Randy Mastro, first deputy mayor of New York City, shares highlights from the city's new budget, including a pilot for free childcare, expanded library hours, legal assistance for immigrants and more.

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them.

Brad Lander Reflects on His Mayoral Campaign (First) | An Abundance of Ticks (Starts at 32:20) | The Voters Who Turned Out for Zohran Mamdani (Starts at 46:41)

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The Fordham Tri-State Tick Risk is at 10 out of 10 this summer. Thomas Daniels, research scientist in vector ecology, director of Louis Calder Center in Armonk, the biological field station of Fordham University, talks about what led to the population surge and best practices to avoid picking up ticks outdoors and the diseases they carry.

After the next round of ranked choice voting results came in, Assembly member Zohran Mamdani's lead grew to 12 points, meaning he easily secured the official Democratic nomination. Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, reviews the data and talks about what this means for the general election.