The Brian Lehrer Show

Listeners share their nonconventional Thanksgiving recipes and traditions.

Juan Manuel Benitez, reporter at NY1 and host of Pura Política, discusses how the Democratic primary for New York governor is shaping up as more candidates join the race and differentiate themselves on policy, plus the latest official report on allegations against former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Marianna Sotomayor, Washington Post Congressional reporter covering the House of Representatives, talks about the Build Back Better bill and other news from the Capitol.

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. How Do Hunger Strikes Work? (First) | Nikole Hannah-Jones on American History (starts around 35:35) | They Might Be Giants Have a Book (starts around 1:06:16)   If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here. 

It's back and earlier than ever! Listeners call in to shout out their businesses ahead of the holidays, for a Brian Lehrer Show listener-sourced gift guide. Have something to sell that would make the perfect holiday gift? You can start now by filling out our form wnyc.org/shoplistenersignup.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio  and Meisha Porter, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, look back at the whole picture on the administration's education policies and initiatives and take calls from listeners. .@NYCMayor tells @BrianLehrer the city is now at 82,000 vaccinations for five- to 11-year-olds, representing 12 percent of that age category. Says in-school vaccination played a role in that. "We're off to a vert strong start with vaccinating our youngest New Yorkers," he said. — Madina Touré (@madinatoure) November 19, 2021 .@BrianLehrer asks @BilldeBlasio why he didn't implement year-round school here during the past 8 years.He said city could not afford it and that's why the state needs to do it. Pushes millionaire's tax to pay for itSummer Rising, paid for with fed funds, is model — Brigid Bergin (@brigidbergin) November 19, 2021

Daniel Griffin, MD, PhD, infectious disease clinician and researcher at Columbia, ProHEALTH chief of the division of Infectious Disease, senior fellow for Infectious Disease at UHG Research and Development, and president of Parasites Without Borders, shares the latest guidance on balancing risks and rewards of holiday gatherings at this phase of the pandemic. Dr. Griffin does regular clinical updates on the podcast, This Week in Virology.

Zellnor Myrie, New York State Senator (D-20th, including parts Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, and Sunset Park in Brooklyn), and Elections Committee chair, talks about his proposal for election reform across the state.

Elie Mystal, justice correspondent for The Nation, discusses the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha, WI, and the trials of three men in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia.

From young children who won't be eligible in time, to adult relatives who still refuse to get the jab, for some families vaccination status will determine who gets to gather together for the holidays. Listeners call in with their stories and worries a week out from Thanksgiving.

Sheena Wright, head of Mayor-Elect Eric Adams transition team and president and CEO of the United Way of New York City, discusses the mayoral transition process.

The annual inflation rate in the United States is running at a three decade high. Wendy Edelberg, director of The Hamilton Project and senior fellow, economic studies at The Brookings Institution, discusses the underpinning factors mostly related to the pandemic and weighs in on concern over long-term impact. 

Syra Madad, infectious disease epidemiologist, and senior director of the System-wide Special Pathogens Program at New York City Health + Hospitals, talks about recent COVID-19 headlines in the news, including why New York City and some states are giving out booster shots ahead of federal guidelines which may soon shift and what to do as parts of Europe are experiencing a 5th wave of the pandemic.

This month thousands of crypto enthusiasts flocked to New York City for NFT.NYC, a conference devoted to buying, selling, and hyping the 'nonfungible token.' Kevin Roose, technology columnist for The New York Times, talks about the NFT's increasing popularity and your calls: are NFT's a scam or a sound investment?

Nikole Hannah-Jones, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter covering racial injustice for The New York Times Magazine, creator of the 1619 Project, now a book, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story (One World, 2021), and Knight Chair in Race and Journalism at Howard University, talks about the book based on the New York Times 1619 Project, why it's become a hot-button issue, and where we go from here.