U.S.WEEKEND INTERVIEW
Archaeologists race to map New York's secret immigrant ritual baths
Archaeologists are racing to map the hidden ritual baths used by New York's immigrant communities; one senator is already holding the scissors.
Watch it as it aired: Gloria Vance on this story, from Weekend Edition at 7:43 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are cristinaiglesias.com's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by cristinaiglesias.com: “Beneath Manhattan: Archaeologists Race to Map New York’s Secret Immigrant Ritual Baths”.
- Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 7:43 AM ET on Weekend Edition, by Gloria Vance.
- Topics: New York.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorArchaeologists are racing to map secret immigrant ritual baths beneath Manhattan. With me is State Senator Fiona Haldorsen-Bell, who has some thoughts on credit.

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSenator, these baths were found by researchers. Did your office have any part in that?
Fiona Haldorsen-BellYes, absolutely. These baths were discovered on my watch, and I want that on the record. My watch began in twenty twenty-two.

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSo you knew they were down there?
Fiona Haldorsen-BellI knew in spirit. These gold scissors have been ready for this day for years, and I'm holding them up right now.

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWho is paying for the archaeologists to map them before they're lost?
Fiona Haldorsen-BellThat's a complicated question, and I'd say a team effort. On my watch, which began in twenty nineteen, we valued the team greatly.

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorTwenty nineteen. A minute ago it was twenty twenty-two.
Fiona Haldorsen-BellMy watch is a long one. And whatever is wrong with these baths, that was the previous administration, which was also me.

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorNothing is wrong with them. I'll ask again: did your office fund the mapping, yes or no?
Fiona Haldorsen-BellNo. But I'd have funded it, on my watch, which began in nineteen ninety-eight, and these scissors are very sharp.

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorNineteen ninety-eight.

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSenator, the archaeologists found the baths. You found the ribbon. Brock, is there anything underground in your forecast?
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