FAQ NYC

Greg Smith rejoins the pod to explain how he found out about the city tests showing arsenic in the water at NYCHA's Jacob Riis houses before anyone informed Mayor Adams or the tenants about them, and to break down everything we still don't know about what happened here—starting with why the city decided to look for heavy metals in the first place. It's a mess that says a lot about how the other half (still) lives.

Something in the buttermilk doesn't smell right, says Professor Christina Greer, and it doesn't help that he keeps dipping his toe into political races he keeps losing.

The great Ben Max of Gotham Gazette joins Chrissy, Katie and Harry for an early assessment of the winners and losers on a rough night for Mayor Eric Adams’ preferred candidates in a weird August election with nearly as many losing candidates as voters.

In our 213th episode, Christina and Katie talk to New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie about his recent Daily News op ed "How N.Y. Dems should think about crime," his ongoing efforts to uphold bail reform, and his latest legislative accomplishments.

Some “personal news” for the pod: After 211 episodes FAQ NYC is now officially part of The City, the nonprofit newsroom all about New York and for New Yorkers. And for our 212th episode, we talked with Alvin Bragg, the district attorney representing the 212, about becoming a national figure of suspicion just after taking office, his accomplishments so far including the exoneration of Steven Lopez—the nearly forgotten sixth teen, just 15 when he was arrested, who went to prison after being accused in the infamous Central Park jogger case and then pleading out to a lesser charge—and much more.

Professor Christina Greer has a lot to say about the Jerry Nadler-Carolyn Maloney face-off in the new NY 12 and how Suraj Patel could end up deciding that race, the thus far one-sided public fight Jessica Ramos is trying to start with fellow leftist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and much more.

De Blasio is out, sharks are in, and lieutenant paramedic Anthony Almjoera joins the pod to talk about Riding the Lightning, his new book about his wrenching pandemic year, how he thinks the FDNY let down and left behind medical first responders, and much more. WARNING: This episode includes conversation about suicide and suicidal thoughts.

From secret lairs to Covid lessons not learned in 20 minutes flat.

Reporter George Joseph joins Katie and Harry to discuss his reporting on the Brooklyn Democratic machine and a tough election for its boss, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn.

The great Ben Max breaks down what just happened with Chrissy and Harry.