Month: October 2017

 

HOST INTRO: As the coffee industry has certainly exploded over the last few years, sustainability is something that consumers and industry professionals take very seriously. According to Business Insider, 90 percent of the world’s coffee production takes place in developing counties. These countries desperately need clean water and sanitation to cultivate the coffee. This year, the New York Coffee Festival launched Coffee Week NYC to raise money to support these coffee growing communities. Angie Martoccio has the story.

HOST INTRO: Anticipation was brewing in Patchogue, Long Island, for their Main Street’s closing, until last week when the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce hosted a fall festival. During the festival, there was a chili and chowder contest taking place, and the street was lined with craft vendors. Here’s reporter Annie O’Sullivan with the story.

HOST INTRO: Tens of thousands of M train riders in Brooklyn and Queens have been forced to find other ways to get to their destinations. For most of the summer, the eight stops along the Myrtle Avenue Line have been closed due to the rebuilding of the century old Fresh Pond Bridge in Middle Village. Starting in September, the MTA reopened the five stations between Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues and Middle Village-Metropolitan Ave, providing shuttle trains, but frustrated New Yorkers say these interim measures just aren’t cutting it. Aaron Salters has the story.

Docked at Pier 25 in Tribeca, the US Coast Guard Cutter LILAC looks like any other old ship to the average passerby, but it is actually America’s only surviving steam-powered lighthouse tender and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built for the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1933, the ship was responsible for carrying supplies to lighthouses, maintaining buoys and range lights that would guide ships safely through the water for nearly four decades. Catherine Chojnowski has the story.

Host intro:

We’ve all heard of legendary producers such Dr.Dre and Swizz Beatz, but what about those youngsters who are climbing their way to the top ? Adrian Toledo went deep into the South Bronx to interview two young up and coming producers to get all the details. Here’s the story.

More than a month since Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, 79% of the island is still without power. Damaged bridges and roadways continue to be a thorn on the islands side as relief efforts are being implemented. There are 51 recorded deaths due to the hurricane, with contaminated water and lack of medical supplies taking most of the blame. While Mayor Yulin Cruz of San Juan, and other representatives have criticized President Donal Trump for the government’s response, unions, small businesses and individuals on the mainland have sprung into action to fill the gap. Rolando Cruz reports from Brooklyn, which has the second largest Puerto Rican community in the 5 boroughs of New York City.

Host Intro: Over the last couple of years, the upper Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem has seen an increase in the number of white residents and newly built condominiums. These new faces are definitely attracting attention, seeing that Harlem is majority African American and Hispanic. Along with the new residents, trendy new businesses, as well as increasing rents have also made their way into the neighborhood. Also, the idea of rebranding the name of South Harlem, into “SoHa” has also raised many eyebrows. Many residents of the neighborhood are outraged at these changes, and have been attempting to make their voices and concerns heard. Imani Clement has the story.

The debate on kneeling in protest during the national anthem has been a hot topic all across America for NFL players. This past month, President Trump has continued to stoke the controversy with his usual dramatic tweets. New York City, home to the NFL headquarters, prides itself on being one of the most liberal cities in the country. Its two football teams, however, are stationed across the river in New Jersey. Evan Lewis went deep into the heart of East Rutherford to hear what fans had to say about the most talked about story in sports.

Since President Trump was elected last year, immigrants and their families say they have had more reason to fear of racism and deportation. From the end of DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, raids. For those who are immigrants or have immigrant family members it has been an emotional year. And for some ICE agents who have to conduct these raids it has been a very conflicting year. Rachel Rodriguez has the story.