As our centennial series continues, Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University and former press secretary for Governor McGreevey, looks back at a century of the Star-Ledger, once the Newark Star-Ledger, which ends its print edition in February.

Listeners call in to share any news they learned at holiday parties over the weekend...and which topics in the news were the most discussed. 

After a contentious City Council hearing on a proposal to license all e-bikes and scooters, Gale Brewer,  NYC Council Member (District 6, Central Park, Lincoln Square, Upper West Side, Clinton), talks about the issue and an alternative plan that would focus on commercial e-bikes.

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them.The Latest From Damascus (First) | Analysis of the Daniel Penny Verdict (Starts at 27:30) | Shop Listener 2024: The Suburbs (Starts at 48:00) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here.

Radiolab and the International Astronomical Union recently announced the seven finalist names for their Quasi-Moon Naming Contest. Latif Nasser, co-host of Radiolab from WNYC, and Kelly Blumenthal, member of the International Astronomical Union, explain the phenomenon of quasi-moons, and walk us through the possible names rooted in mythology from cultures around the globe.

As our centennial series continues, Valerie Paley, former chief historian at New York Historical, now senior vice president and director of its library, as well as the founding director of its Center for Women’s History, talks about several of NYC's Christmas traditions that date back to the early and mid-20th century, like the Macy's parade and the Rockefeller tree, as listeners share their families' favorites.

President Biden has issued pardons and commuted the sentences of hundreds of people -- on the heels of his controversial pardon of his son, Hunter. Meryl Kornfield, politics reporter for The Washington Post, reports on the latest pardons, plus the pressure on the president to issue preemptive pardons ahead of Trump taking office, and President-elect Trump's pledge to pardon people convicted of crimes related to the insurrection on January 6, 2021.

With the end of the year approaching, there are still hundreds of bills in Albany awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul's signature, including one crucial piece of climate legislation. Jon Campbell, Albany reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, discusses the legislative landscape as deadlines draw near.

Nancy Solomon, an accomplished WNYC reporter and host of the call-in show, invites New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to discuss pressing issues. They dive into a new bill aimed at curbing book bans in schools amidst ongoing censorship debates. The conversation shifts to the complexities of education funding, particularly the impact of potential changes at the federal level. They also touch on Governor Murphy's musical favorites, revealing how his playlist reflects his New Jersey roots and personal experiences.

Listeners share their favorite local food and drink businesses to support during the holiday season. Entrepreneurs promote unique offerings, like special coffee blends and delivery services from wine shops. The importance of community engagement shines through as experiences from the restaurant industry highlight the challenges faced by small establishments. A cookie company owner reveals the secrets to their delicious deliveries, showcasing popular flavors and inviting collaboration among local businesses. It's a festive celebration of supporting local!