We talk local politics with William Smith, Harlem’s 68th State Assembly District Democratic leader, and the AudioFiles team hits the streets to hear what issues brought New Yorkers to the polls this year.

Also in this episode of AudioFiles:

  • After more than a year of remote hearings, criminal arraignments have returned to being in person across New York City. Observers from a watchdog organization called Court Watch are also back.
  • Good Co. Bike Club aim to widen access and promote equity in cycling, which has surged in popularity during the pandemic.
  • The HOPE Program is making an environmental difference in the South Bronx, where reflective white paint is being applied to roofs to help reduce buildings’ summer energy consumption and even lower ambient heat in a neighborhood.
  • The record number of deaths of people incarcerated on Rikers Island this year has spotlighted the movement to close the infamous jail and end cash bail.   
  • The co-hosts of the Knicks, Jets, Etc. podcast chat about how the decision by Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving to skip the COVID-19 vaccine will affect the team.

Host Sarah Molano
Producer Aaron Tremper
Associate Producer K. Jared Wright
Reporters Denny Jacob, Olivia Bensimon, Hannah Fullmer, Yessenia Moreno, Emily Nadal, Harry Parker, Yvonne Marquez, Angela Palumbo, Syed Haq
Guests William Smith, John Meleka, Alex Trataros

More on AudioFiles at audiofilespodcast.com and  soundcloud.com/newmarkjschool/sets/audio-files-2021