Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A six-year-old girl’s death in a tidal current off Long Island has New Yorkers rethinking how safe they really are in the water. Mental health reporter Christina Caron explains why even strong swimmers can’t fight currents, shares Red Cross research showing many Americans overestimate their swimming skills, and stresses the importance of floating and not rushing in after someone who’s being swept away. She also describes how Venezuelans in New York are coping with grief after the earthquakes by raising money, organizing donation sites and spreadsheets, and seeking support, and how new, structured social clubs like a “Critical Thinking Club” and a jigsaw‑puzzle group are helping residents confront loneliness and build real community. Then Metro reporter Ed Shanahan joins to mark 50 years of The New York Times' Metropolitan Diary, explaining what makes a great 300‑word New York story, why the column avoids politics but leans into kindness, humor and quirky encounters, and how Agnes Lee’s black-and-white drawings have become an essential part of its charm.
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Guests:
Recording Date
Get closer to this week’s important issues and events. Veteran Times correspondent Sam Roberts returns to television to discuss the big stories with journalists covering them and with leading newsmakers. Preview articles that will appear in The New York Times over the weekend, discover the back stories and savor the conversation that has distinguished the program for 25 years.
For more The New York Times Close Up with Sam Roberts, visit http://tv.cuny.edu/show/nytcloseup
Subscribe to the CUNY TV channel: bit.ly/2GmGb13
Subscribe to the Series Playlist: bit.ly/2VwQGt1NYTCU09037
NYTCU09037
A six-year-old girl’s death in a tidal current off Long Island has New Yorkers rethinking how safe they really are in the water. Mental health reporter Christina Caron explains why even strong swimmers can’t fight currents, shares Red Cross research showing many Americans overestimate their swimming skills, and stresses the importance of floating and not rushing in after someone who’s being swept away. She also describes how Venezuelans in New York are coping with grief after the earthquakes by raising money, organizing donation sites and spreadsheets, and seeking support, and how new, structured social clubs like a “Critical Thinking Club” and a jigsaw‑puzzle group are helping residents confront loneliness and build real community. Then Metro reporter Ed Shanahan joins to mark 50 years of The New York Times' Metropolitan Diary, explaining what makes a great 300‑word New York story, why the column avoids politics but leans into kindness, humor and quirky encounters, and how Agnes Lee’s black-and-white drawings have become an essential part of its charm.
Follow CUNY TV:
Facebook: facebook.com/CUNYTV
Twitter X: twitter.com/cunytv
Instagram: instagram.com/cuny.tv
YouTube: youtube.com/@cunytv
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cunytv
Find more from CUNY TV at https://tv.cuny.edu
Guests:
Recording Date
Get closer to this week’s important issues and events. Veteran Times correspondent Sam Roberts returns to television to discuss the big stories with journalists covering them and with leading newsmakers. Preview articles that will appear in The New York Times over the weekend, discover the back stories and savor the conversation that has distinguished the program for 25 years.
For more The New York Times Close Up with Sam Roberts, visit http://tv.cuny.edu/show/nytcloseup
Subscribe to the CUNY TV channel: bit.ly/2GmGb13
Subscribe to the Series Playlist: bit.ly/2VwQGt1NYTCU09037
NYTCU09037
