Off Topic/On Politics

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.