NYC Rezoning Projects Featured on Next METROFOCUS

A new edition of the award-winning MetroFocus premieres in the New York metro area Wednesday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. on WLIW21 and Thursday, November 21 at 8:30 p.m. on THIRTEEN and at 10:30 p.m. on NJTV.

Watch preview video here

The next edition of MetroFocus features a look at one of the most contested rezoning projects facing New York City. Mayor Michael Bloomberg withdrew his proposals for the densely packed East Midtown neighborhood and now Mayor-Elect Bill de Blasiowill have to decide whether or not to tackle the controversial plans. Laura Kusisto, a reporter for The Wall Street Journaltells host Rafael Pi Roman "The real estate community did pretty well under Bloomberg, he pushed through a lot of rezonings that had opposition in the community but were good at generating real estate development, economic activity and I think there was sort of a message that we the community, we the city council are going to drive a harder bargain in the future."

The upstate New York town of Kingston has created a unique way to provide health care for artists. Albany Public TV's Innovation Trail reporter Jenna Flanagan reports on the O+ Festival where artists trade their talents and artwork for medical care.

The New York Times video reporter Erik Olsen heads out to sea with scientists from Rutgers University who are launching a worldwide ocean research project using underwater drones. The drones are already sending back new data about temperatures and currents that could help predict and understand violent storms like Typhoon Haiyan.

How do you make a masterpiece? Rebecca Eaton, executive producer of the long-running hit series "Masterpiece" on PBS tells Pi Roman the Inside Story just as "Downton Abbey" is about to begin its fourth hit season. Among other stories from her new memoir, "Making Masterpiece," Eaton admits she initially turned down "Downton Abbey" but tells Pi Roman, "I must be the luckiest woman in show business because it went around the circle of other American television executives to co-produce and nobody picked it up."

And for the first time ever, New Jersey evergreen trees will grace the White House this Christmas season. The Star-Ledger video reporter Andre Malok introduces us to seventh-generation New Jersey growers at the Wyckoff's Christmas Tree Farm as White House officials make the visit to select this year's winners.

Website: thirteen.org/MetroFocus (full episode available to view after 11/20 broadcast) Facebook: facebook.com/MetroFocus Twitter: @MetroFocus MetroFocus Series Overview MetroFocus is an award-winning multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. The MetroFocus television program features interviews, in-depth reporting, content from many partners and solutions-oriented reports from the community. Major areas of coverage include sustainability, education, science and technology, the environment, transportation, poverty and underserved communities. MetroFocus.orgamplifies that reporting with daily updates and original stories that also cover culture, government and politics, the economy, urban development and other news in the metropolitan region. More information at:thirteen.org/metrofocus/about-us-faq/ MetroFocus is a production of WLIW21 in association with WNET, parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21. For 50 years, THIRTEEN has been making the most of the rich resources and passionate people of New York and the world, reaching millions of people with on-air and online programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites students of all ages to have fun while learning. MetroFocus is made possible by James and Merryl Tisch, the Ford Foundation, Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, Charlotte and David Ackert, Jody and John Arnhold, Betty and John Levin and the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation. Corporate funding is provided by Mutual of America.

Don't Miss a TV News Story Sign up for all the news on the Fall season, discounts & more...