NYS Assembly Member Robert Rodriguez

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Washington Post national baseball writer Chelsea Janes about the upcoming World Series.

As of 7:15 Thursday evening, the NYPD reports that eight people died as a result of the massive explosion on 116th St. in East Harlem. WNYC reporter Stephen Nessen updates the news about yesterday's fatal gas explosion that leveled two buildings on Park Avenue. Also, Robert Rodriguez, New York State Assembly Member (D-68th) representing East Harlem, talks about the emergency response and resources available to those affected by the explosion in his district, and any policy response that may be proposed. Plus, Irwin Redlener, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at the Earth Institute at Columbia University, offers advice for preparing for and responding to disasters like yesterday's gas explosion.

Later, Jonathan Bowles, executive director of the Center for an Urban Future returns to discuss their report on NYC's aging infrastructure and the role it might have played in the explosion.