Off Topic/On Politics

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Could New York City have the most powerful positions in Congress? Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

Early voting kicks off this weekend. Could two politicians from Brooklyn soon lead the House and Senate?

If Democrats flip the House, Hakeem Jeffries could become the country's first Black speaker. Retaking the Senate could put Chuck Schumer back in charge of that chamber. Key House races in the Hudson Valley, on Long Island and in Queens could help determine whether Democrats regain control.

Political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena and political director Bob Hardt break down the battle for Congress just days before the midterm elections.

Who REALLY won the Blakeman vs. Hochul debate? Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

This week, Spectrum News NY1 hosted the first and only debate for governor in New York, live from its Chelsea studios. Incumbent Kathy Hochul faced off against her Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Who had the most to gain from the matchup, and whose approach proved most effective? Political reporters Bobby Cuza and Dan Rivoli and political director Bob Hardt broke down a feisty debate just weeks before Election Day.

After that, following decades of political battles, a bill to ban horse-drawn carriages is headed for the finish line. The City Council is set to vote next week after revisions were made to the proposed legislation, aimed at addressing the impact on industry workers and medallion owners. The "Off Topic" team examined what finally moved the legislation forward and how the Transport Workers Union is responding.

Is AOC campaigning for Hochul, or is it the other way around? Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

As the race for governor heats up, Gov. Kathy Hochul teamed up with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the campaign trail in the Hudson Valley. The politicians found common ground by fighting data center construction, despite sometimes being on different ends of the Democratic spectrum. With less than one month until Election Day, Hochul appears to be looking to boost her polling numbers by appealing to more left-leaning voters, while Ocasio-Cortez continues to increase her political reach upstate. The "Off Topic" team discussed who is really helping whom.

After that, Mayor Zohran Mamdani rode the Staten Island Ferry with NY1's Errol Louis in the second installment of NY1's exclusive series, "Out of Office with the Mayor." The "Off Topic" team went behind-the-scenes of that conversation, discussing Mamdani's campaign promises of NYPD reform, his plans to campaign with Hochul, and the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel.

Can Mamdani's new plan bridge the divide with Jewish New Yorkers? Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

This week, Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a 33-page plan to combat antisemitism, including increasing funding for synagogue security, public awareness campaigns, and museum trips. But the plan drew criticism from some Jewish groups that wanted a concrete definition of antisemitism to be included in the blueprint, which also largely omitted issues surrounding Israel-related protests.

Also, a Staten Island judge ruled this week that New York City must redo the rollout of its second-home, or pied-à-terre, tax. City Hall says it will appeal while maintaining the existing timeline: exemption applications are due Oct. 6, bills arrive in November, and payments are due in January. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena discuss a rocky week for the mayor.

After that, the "Off Topic" team previews three highly anticipated debates for statewide office that Spectrum News will host this month. Each hour-long debate will be co-moderated by political anchors Errol Louis and Susan Arbetter. On Oct. 1, Democratic state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli faces Republican challenger Joseph Hernandez. On Oct. 8, state Attorney General Letitia James takes on Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy. The main event comes Oct. 13, when Gov. Kathy Hochul faces Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

Trump likes him, Netanyahu attacked him: Inside Mamdani's wild week Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Continuing their surprising political bromance, President Donald Trump and Mayor Zohran Mamdani met at Gracie Mansion this week ahead of the president's speech at the United Nations. It was the first visit to the mayoral residence by a sitting president since Ronald Reagan met with then-Mayor Ed Koch in 1981. The U.N. gathering also brought renewed tension between Mamdani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who harshly criticized the mayor during his address.

NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena discuss an eventful week in city politics, with the U.N. General Assembly as the backdrop. After that, the "Off Topic" team looks at a City Council hearing on the Mamdani administration's use of an encrypted app to communicate with social media influencers. They discuss questions about preserving public records and the line between government messaging and political promotion.

Hochul's $200 energy rebate checks: Relief or election-year politics? Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

Starting later this month, over 8 million New York households can expect to receive an energy rebate check worth up to $200 — courtesy of Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature. But the governor's critics are questioning why the checks are arriving so close to Election Day. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Dan Rivoli and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan weigh in on Hochul's initiative and the high cost of energy in New York.

After that, with the midterm elections just months away, New York's 17th Congressional District in the Hudson Valley is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched races in the nation, as incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Lawler faces Democratic challenger Cait Conley. And on Long Island, two congressional races could be tightening. The "Off Topic" team examines these regional races that could help determine which party controls the House next year.

Mamdani released 170k pages of 9/11 records. Now what? Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Just before the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the city released more than 170,000 pages of records detailing its response to the terror attacks, including documents related to air quality following the collapse of the World Trade Center. After years of court battles and advocacy over what officials knew about the toxic conditions in Lower Manhattan, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the records could provide new insight into the city's response. Investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Kelly Mena and Bobby Cuza discussed the release and what it could reveal about prior administrations.

After that, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said he was "offended" that Mamdani would attend this week's 9/11 memorial service. Giuliani, who was mayor during the Sept. 11 attacks, also made broader claims about Muslims seeking to take over the United States and Europe. Former Gov. George Pataki and City Council Member Vickie Paladino have also said Mamdani should not attend. The "Off Topic" team weighed in on the fight.

Team Trump tries to tackle New York's top Democrats Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

This week, two Trump administration officials came to New York to take aim at the city and state's top Democrats, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler criticized Hochul and Mamdani on issues ranging from crime and immigration to Mamdani's plan for city-owned grocery stores. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Dan Rivoli discuss the visit from Trump's camp and the response from the governor and mayor.

After that, with school starting next week, Mamdani announced a one-year moratorium on the use of AI by students in 2K through eighth grade, a policy that will affect nearly 600,000 students. The administration is also restricting individual screen time for the city's youngest students, from 2K through second grade. The "Off Topic" team looks at the mayor's new approach to AI and technology in the classroom.

Why Brooklyn Democrats are fighting each other for power Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

This week, progressive challengers seeking to take control of the Brooklyn Democratic Party suffered a setback after embattled party chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn won enough votes to change the organization's rules. Reformers say the changes stack the vote to keep Bichotte Hermelyn in power despite widespread criticism from prominent Democrats. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan weigh in on the latest Kings County clash over control of the Brooklyn Democratic Party.

After that, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to a landmark legal settlement that includes a payout of up to $18 billion and new restrictions on how children can use its social media platforms. The settlement, announced this week, stems from a lawsuit first brought in 2023 by attorneys general across the country, including New York. The "Off Topic" team discusses what the settlement could mean for social media companies and young users.

Mamdani is vacationing upstate. Meanwhile, Brooklyn Democrats are feuding. Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

This week, Mayor Zohran Mamdani took a weeklong vacation with his family in upstate New York, though City Hall didn't specify the area.

The mayor leaving town hasn't always gone smoothly, but so far there has been little drama. First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan is overseeing daily operations until Mamdani returns. There were, however, a couple of potential headaches back at City Hall, including a lawsuit over bonuses for paraprofessionals and a City Council oversight hearing on the bumpy rollout of the pied-à-terre tax, which administration officials did not attend amid ongoing litigation. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Kelly Mena and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan weighed in on the mayor's trip and looked back at some of the issues travel has caused past mayors.

After that, the battle is heating up for control of the Brooklyn Democratic Party — one of the largest county parties in the country. Reformers with the New Kings Democrats claim they have the votes to oust current party chair, State Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. In response, Bichotte Hermelyn is proposing a new rule change that could upend those plans. The "Off Topic" team digs into the fight between Brooklyn Democrats.

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