What happens when three New York reporters sit in a (small) room and talk politics? Join host Zack Fink and the NY1 political team each week for a conversation where no topic is off-limits and everything is on the record.
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.