Arun Venugopal

Arun Venugopal, a senior reporter for WNYC's Race & Justice Unit, dives into the heated debate surrounding New York City's final three casino licenses. He discusses the economic promises made by developers versus the community's concerns about local disruption. Arun highlights the contentious process, including public hearings and community pushback, especially regarding a proposed casino in Coney Island. He explains worries about job promises not benefiting local residents and how new casinos could impact Broadway and tourism dynamics.

Arun Venugopal, a senior reporter for WNYC's race & justice unit, dives into the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on NYC tourism. He reveals how these policies are projected to cause a drop of 3 million visitors, hitting local businesses hard. The discussion spans the economic significance of tourism, the decline in visitors from key countries, and the effects of political rhetoric on travel perceptions. Venugopal also contrasts the struggles of hotels with the success stories of Airbnb hosts adapting to changing trends.