About New York NOW
New York NOW is the state's Emmy-winning, in-depth public affairs program.
Welcome to New York NOW, New York's only locally-owned, independent, non-profit public affairs program, more than 50 years running.
Each week, 'New York NOW' invites politicians, civil servants, journalists and others to the program, taking you beyond the headlines to deepen your understanding of the issues and debates that matter most to Empire State residents. Our coverage has won three awards in recent years, including an Emmy and "Best Public Affairs Program" and "Best Locally Produced Television Show" from the New York State Broadcasters Association. New York NOW is made possible through WMHT and PBS.
For tips, comments, or questions, email the team here.
| MEET THE TEAM
Managing Editor and Host Shantel Destra
Shantel Destra is the Managing Editor and Host for the Emmy Award-winning public affairs program New York NOW, which airs on PBS stations across New York state.
Most recently, Destra worked as a reporter for City & State, where she covered national politics and public policy issues that affect New York. During the 2022 midterm election season, she did extensive reporting on competitive New York state Senate and Assembly races. She also covered New York-based congressional elections, including their collective role in determining control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Destra earned her master’s degree at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, where she covered the national politics beat and reported long-form stories on the Biden administration, Congress, and policy issues ranging from gun violence to housing and education. She also served as co-president of the Columbia chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.
A native of Brooklyn, Destra earned a dual bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism and marketing management from the S.I. Newhouse and Whitman Schools at Syracuse University. She has previous reporting experience with THE CITY and Politico’s Summer Journalism Institute.
Multimedia Journalist Elise Kline
Kline is a multimedia journalist with New York Now. Most recently she worked at WENY TV News as their Albany Bureau correspondent where she covered public policy issues that impact New Yorkers. She has done extensive reporting on policy around the issue of period poverty—New Yorkers' access to menstrual products. She also covered the 2022 election, specifically the Governor's race.
Before the start of her reporting career in New York, Kline earned her master's degree in journalism and public affairs at American University in Washington, D.C. where she reported several long-form stories on the protests following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. She also covered national politics ranging from issues such as gun violence to election security.
Kline earned her Bachelor's degree in communications at Emmanuel College in Boston, MA. She also served as vice president of the Her Campus chapter at her university.
In addition to her passion for journalism and storytelling, Kline loves to get lost in art museums and spend time with her fluffy black cat, Thackery Binx, named after her favorite Halloween movie.