NC Bathroom Bill, NYC Art & More Set for Tonight's MetroFocus on THIRTEEN

The award-winning series MetroFocus premieres new episodes in the New York and tri-state region weeknights at 5 p.m. on WLIW21, 5:30 p.m. on NJTV and 6 p.m. on THIRTEEN. All episodes are available at metrofocus.org following the broadcast.

The episodes description for tonight, Friday, April 22 follow below. Please note episode descriptions are subject to change. Please visit metrofocus.org for the latest information.

Friday, April 22 at 5:00 p.m. on WLIW21, 5:30 p.m. on NJTV and 6:00 p.m. on THIRTEEN
New Yorkers Battle North Carolina's Anti-LGBT "Bathroom Bill" - North Carolina made headlines last month after Governor Pat McCrory signed a bill limiting public restroom access for transgender individuals. This week, a federal appeals court overturned a similar anti-transgender policy at a Virginia high school, which may affect the challenges being made to the North Carolina law. Mitchell Gold, a prominent gay activist and the chairman of North Carolina-based furniture company Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, joins us to discuss North Carolina's "bathroom bill" and its broader implications.

Celebrate Earth Day - The Stinky Gowanus Canal- Today is Earth Day, and the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement. We're getting into the spirit by taking a look at one of New York City's smelliest treasures. The Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn has earned a reputation for its less-than-glamorous odor. What most people don't know though, is the role the canal played in famous chapters of American history, including the Revolutionary War and the Industrial Revolution. The author and historian of the book

Gowanus: Brooklyn's Curious Canal digs into the waterway's past and explores how the canal shaped modern-day Brooklyn.

School Metal Detectors: Harmful to Our Kids? - Every day, about one hundred thousand New York City kids make their way through metal detectors on their way to class. Metal detectors in schools have become a prominent security measure not only in New York City, but across the country. While supporters point to dangers they've prevented, proponents of their removal claim they make schools feel like prisons. Are they necessary? Greg Floyd, president of Teamsters Local 237, which represents the city's school safety officers, explores the debate.

Your Child Can Explore NYC Arts Inexpensively - Exclusive and expensive: two words often synonymous with arts and culture in New York City. But think again. NYC Inspires is a new initiative that seeks to change that perception by making city landmarks more affordable and accessible. The program is set on raising forty million dollars in funding with the aim of getting kids out of the classroom and into some of the cultural treasures across all five boroughs. New York City Council Member and Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer is a supporter, and he explains the importance of having students experience these cultural institutions.

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