Off Topic/On Politics

Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first week in office brought both major announcements and minor controversies. On Thursday, the mayor unveiled a joint plan with Gov. Kathy Hochul for a statewide push to expand universal pre-K and create new 2-K child care initiatives. On the other side of the ledger, questions arose over the appointment of Cea Weaver to lead the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants in the wake of past tweets she has made. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena break down an eventful first week at City Hall. After that, City Hall officially welcomed a new leader of the City Council. Upper East Side Councilmember Julie Menin was elected speaker unanimously on Wednesday. The "Off Topic" team looks ahead at what her leadership could mean for the Council and the city.

In a day of firsts at City Hall, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor in front of a large crowd of supporters. Now officially holding what's often called "the second toughest job in America," Mamdani faces a daunting set of challenges. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and political anchor Errol Louis look back on a monumental New Year's Day and what this new era could mean for New York City. Editor's note: We misattributed Eric Adams' elevator comments to a lightning-round question from a mayoral debate. It actually came from Nayeema Raza's "Smart Girl Dumb Questions" podcast episode featuring Adams.

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is facing new scrutiny and criticism after his newly-appointed director of appointments resigned just hours into the job. Catherine Almonte Da Costa stepped down Thursday afternoon following the resurfacing of antisemitic statements she posted more than a decade ago on social media — raising questions about the Mamadani team's vetting process. Meanwhile, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams is making a series of last-minute appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board that could complicate Mamdani's pledge to freeze rents once he takes office. NY1 political reporters Bobby Cuza and Ayana Harry, and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan break down the developments at City Hall, and what they mean for the incoming administration. After that, Gov, Kathy Hochul says she plans to sign legislation legalizing medically-assisted suicide next year, after pushing lawmakers to add a series of new "guardrails" to the bill.The "Off Topic" team looks at this initiative, first introduced in 2016 but stalled for years amid opposition from the New York State Catholic Conference and other groups.

Eric Adams leaves his mayoralty behind in just 20 days, prompting many to ask: What kind of mayor was he? What were his accomplishments and his failures, and what will his legacy be? NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena break down his four years in office. After that, the race for governor is already heating up. As Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul prepares to launch her reelection campaign, Republicans are gearing up for a primary of their own, with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman jumping into the race to challenge upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik. The "Off Topic" team takes an early look at where the race stands.

This week, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met with outgoing Mayor Eric Adams at Gracie Mansion as part of efforts to ensure a smooth transition next month. Mamdani also joined Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and protesters outside a Park Slope Starbucks, where they alleged unfair labor practices. With inauguration day only weeks away, NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza, and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan break down what to expect before Jan. 1 from the incoming mayor. After that — casinos! While it's not a done deal yet, a state board issued its final recommendations this week on which projects should receive a gaming license. The "Off Topic" team explains where the three casinos are going and what they're offering.

This week, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced that he will keep NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch in her role when he takes office in January. Tisch, the department's 48th commissioner, has led the NYPD with what Mamdani's team calls a renewed focus on accountability and transparency, overseeing a historic drop in violent crime. The decision signals Mamdani's willingness to make top appointments based on experience rather than ideology. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Ayana Harry break down Mamdani's biggest decision so far.   After that, the midterms are already taking shape in our own backyard. This week, Chi Ossé, a progressive councilman, filed paperwork to challenge House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Mamdani has come out against the move, saying it's "not the time" for that kind of primary. The "Off Topic" team takes an early look at next year's races.

New York City is one week into the transition from Mayor Eric Adams to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, and the administration is starting to take shape. This week, Mamdani named Dean Fuleihan as first deputy mayor and Elle Bisgaard-Church as chief of staff. NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan break down what we can expect from these changes at City Hall. After that, there's already another race to watch, the contest for City Council speaker. Five candidates are vying for the position held by Adrienne Adams. The "Off Topic" team will tell you where things stand.

Zohran Mamdani has been elected New York City's 111th mayor, making history as the city's first Muslim mayor and the youngest in more than a century. He defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in an election that drew the highest turnout for a New York City mayoral race in decades. Mamdani's meteoric rise was powered by a campaign focused on the city's affordability crisis, earning him more than one million votes, the most for a mayoral candidate since John Lindsay in 1969. NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporters Bobby Cuza and political anchor Errol Louis break down a historic night in New York politics.

With new polls showing Zohran Mamdani holding a sizeable lead in the mayor's race, he's poised to become the city's first Muslim mayor. But with most polls being wrong about the Democratic primary in June, can they be trusted this time? NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan break down what the numbers could mean for the final stretch of the campaign. Then, the "Off Topic" team wraps up its special election series with a closer look at Mamdani in the final installment of their profile series on the leading candidates.

Just days before New Yorkers head to the polls, the three major candidates in the race for mayor squared off in a 90-minute debate sponsored by Spectrum News NY1, WNYC/Gothamist and THE CITY. Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, Democrat Zohran Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa took part in a spirited exchange at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in Queens. So how did the candidates do? NY1's Courtney Gross, Bobby Cuza and Ayana Harry break down the final showdown in the race for mayor.

Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani apologized to the NYPD for making a social media post in 2020 in which he called the police force racist and homophobic. Meanwhile, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is changing his tune about Rikers Island and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa is promising to take off the beret if elected. As election day nears, can Cuomo close in on Mamdani with another mayoral debate next week? NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Ayana Harry break down the latest in the race for mayor. After that, as we hit the final stretch before Election Day, the "Off Topic" team takes a closer look at the leading candidates: their visions for New York City, the policies they're pushing and how each could reshape the city's future. This week's installment focuses on Andrew Cuomo, who Harry was been covering.

Fresh off dropping his reelection campaign, Mayor Eric Adams went on an unexpected trip to Albania. Back home, the three remaining major mayoral candidates marked the anniversary of Oct. 7, while former Gov. Andrew Cuomo surprised many by reversing course on his earlier support for closing Rikers Island. NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Dan Rivoli break down another eventful week in the race for mayor. Later, as we head into the final stretch before Election Day, the "Off Topic" team begins taking a closer look at the leading candidates and what they're proposing for New York City. The first installment focuses on Republican Curtis Sliwa.

This week, Mayor Eric Adams announced in a nearly nine-minute video that he was dropping his struggling reelection bid. While some were surprised, others saw it as inevitable. What does his exit mean for the rest of the field and how are the remaining candidates pivoting? The team also looks at how this move shapes Adams' legacy. NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena break down the latest from the campaign trail. Later, the federal government shutdown continues with no end in sight, as the Trump administration looks to strip New York of billions in transportation funding. What impact will this have on the Empire State? The "Off Topic" team digs into the president's decision to withhold funds and what it means for New Yorkers.

This week, NY1 presented a special podcast event — "New York Decides: Live from Chelsea", featuring a crossover episode of its political podcasts "Off Topic/On Politics" and "You Decide." Hosted by Errol Louis, Courtney Gross and Bobby Cuza, the discussion centered on the latest developments in the New York City mayoral campaign, including the stunning announcement by Mayor Eric Adams that he's dropping out of the race. The program also featured interviews with Emmy Award–winning actress and activist Cynthia Nixon and J.C. Polanco, a professor of law and former president of the New York City Board of Elections — who had very different takes on Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani.  Rounding out the evening, Spectrum News New York political director Bob Hardt joined the panel to provide historical perspective on this year's race.

This week, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa leveled bribery accusations against rival Andrew Cuomo, while Mayor Eric Adams surprised many by repeatedly weighing in on the city's transgender bathroom policy. NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan break down what it all means for the closing stretch of the campaign. Meanwhile, another high-stakes competition is playing out this fall: the race for three state-issued gaming licenses. Proposals for three Manhattan-based casinos have been rejected, but bids in Yonkers and Queens are advancing. The "Off Topic" team looks at the logistical challenges and neighborhood implications of placing casinos in these locations.

This week, Zohran Mamdani scored a key endorsement from Gov. Kathy Hochul, who had spent months on the fence about whether to fully embrace the Democratic candidate for mayor. State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie also lined up behind Mamdani, who is leading in the polls over his rivals. NY1 political reporters Bobby Cuza, Ayana Harry and Kelly Mena break down the latest developments and analyze Hochul's endorsement. Plus, the team discusses Andrew Cuomo's shifting views on the war in Gaza.  Then, Mayor Eric Adams announced an unexpected proposal to ban horse carriages in the city, something his predecessor, Bill de Blasio, promised but never delivered. The "Off Topic" team takes a closer look at Adams' sudden push to reign in the industry and the expected battle he will face by the City Council.

We're now less than two months from Election Day, and a new round of polls shows Zohran Mamdani holding a comfortable lead over Andrew Cuomo. But a lot can shift in the weeks ahead and the numbers suggest Mamdani's margin would narrow considerably in a one-on-one matchup with Cuomo. So the big question is: can anyone catch Mamdani? NY1 political reporters Bobby Cuza and Ayana Harry are joined by political director Bob Hardt to weigh in on whether Mamdani is truly untouchable. Plus, straight from the campaign trail: will Mayor Eric Adams actually drop out of the race? How is Andrew Cuomo trying to turn the 9/11 anniversary into a political moment? And what's behind Mamdani's viral video of him playing soccer? The "Off Topic" team breaks down another busy week in the mayor's race.

This week, there were two separate reports that Trump administration officials are considering offering Mayor Eric Adams a job if he drops his reelection bid, possibly helping Andrew Cuomo against Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani in the mayoral race. But after Mamdani soundly defeated Cuomo in the Democratic primary, would such a move even work? And where does Republican Curtis Sliwa fit into this unpredictable mayoral mix? NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena break down a chaotic week in the mayor's race. After that, Manhattan Rep. Jerry Nadler, a liberal lion and Capitol Hill veteran, announced his retirement after more than three decades in office. What does this mean for the future of Democratic leadership in New York and who might step up to fill his shoes? The "Off Topic" team looks at Nadler's lengthy career in New York politics.

As summer winds down, the mayoral campaign season is kicking into high gear. This week, Mayor Eric Adams is trying to resuscitate his campaign following last week's indictment of a former top aide. Meanwhile, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani met with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, though no endorsement came from the meeting. And, focusing on Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo held an entire press conference to attack the frontrunner. Looking at all of the developments, NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza, and Statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan discuss what voters should watch for this fall as the general election approaches. After that, President Donald Trump is hinting that the National Guard needs to patrol New York. How is Gov. Kathy Hochul responding to Trump's threats? The "Off Topic" team discusses the working relationship between two "frenemies" — the governor and the president.

This week saw another political bombshell at City Hall. Mayor Eric Adams' former top aide, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, was hit with four new indictments tied to sweeping bribery schemes during her time in the administration. Six others were charged as well, including Lewis-Martin's son, another Adams aide and real estate developers. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan break down how this latest wave of scandal could shape the mayor's chances in the November general election. Then, the "Off Topic" team dives into the rest of the campaign trail, from the debate over legalizing sex work to President Donald Trump's potential involvement in the race.