This week, tensions have risen at Columbia University as students continue protesting the Israel-Hamas War. Negotiations between students and faculty to dismantle the encampment that students have set up on campus have been ongoing. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, House Republicans joined Speaker Mike Johnson on campus to call for the resignation of Columbia University’s president, Minoushe Shafik. All this, as faculty and students of the university senate are expected to vote to censure Shafik. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena weigh in on the campus protests and how the NYPD and city have reacted to them.

After that, Mayor Eric Adams released his executive budget on Wednesday, which included restorations of cuts made to the NYPD but did not include restored library funds.  Many city lawmakers pushed back and said the Adams administration’s budget announced months ago had too many unnecessary cuts, and library advocates warn these cuts will lead to reduced service. The “Off Topic” team discusses the budgeting dance between City Council and Adams, and what this means for libraries going forward.

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This week Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she finally “had the parameters of a conceptual agreement” for the $237 billion state budget, claiming that only minor details need to be negotiated. Some lawmakers said they were caught off guard by the announcement. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan and political reporter Bobby Cuza discuss the reaction on the legislative side to Hochul’s announcement, as well as the issue of what’s in and what's out of the deal. They also touch on the mysterious cyberattack that was directed at the New York State Bill Drafting Commission that may delay matters even further.

After that, the commotion surrounding Donald Trump moved uptown this week when the former president visited a Harlem bodega while here in Manhattan for his hush money trial. Why was Trump in Harlem? And will this trial serve as an extended campaign stop for the Republican presidential candidate? The "Off Topic" team weighs in on the latest twists and turns of Trump’s stay in the city.

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For the first time in history, a former president will be sitting in a courtroom next week as a criminal defendant. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Ayana Harry and Kelly Mena weigh in on the upcoming trial of Donald Trump and what we should expect in a Manhattan courtroom in the weeks ahead. They also discuss how the trial may set a precedent for his other upcoming criminal cases.

After that, the investigation into Mayor Adams’ campaign fundraising is once again making headlines. Federal prosecutors are reportedly looking into upgrades the mayor received on flights with Turkish Airlines. Adams this week was asked by reporters about the investigation and continued to dodge questions. The "Off Topic" team looks at the investigation and also discussed why the administration is requesting elected officials fill out a seven-page form to get an audience with city commissioners.

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This week, Mayor Eric Adams defended top police officials who went on social media repeatedly to attack Daily News columnist Harry Siegel for an op-ed he wrote about subway safety. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena weigh in on the NYPD’s fiery online attacks and the mayor’s defense of their behavior.

After that, the New York state presidential primary found Joe Biden and Donald Trump easily winning their respective races. But as part of a protest against Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, some Democratic voters left their ballots blank. The “Off Topic” team looks at the results of the primary and these protest non-votes. 

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This week, a series of shocking acts of violence occurred in the city, including the fatal shooting of a police officer in Queens. Mayor Eric Adams, who ran his 2021 campaign on a public safety message, continues to say crime is down, but as headline-grabbing incidents persist, New Yorkers understandably feel less safe. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political director Bob Hardt and political reporter Bobby Cuza weigh in on the recent surge of violence and the mayor’s proposal for "electromagnetic weapons detection systems" in New York City’s subways. 

After that, the controversial congestion pricing plan got one step closer to going into effect this summer. The MTA board approved the plan this week — which will charge most drivers $15 a day to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. The “Off Topic” team looks at this massive change coming to our streets and the opposition it continues to face.

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This week, new details emerged from a sexual assault allegation against New York City Mayor Eric Adams by a former NYPD aide. The woman claims that Adams in 1993 demanded sexual acts in exchange for helping her with her career in the department. The mayor vehemently denied the allegations, saying he doesn’t even recall ever meeting the woman who filed the lawsuit. NY1 political reporters Bobby Cuza, Kelly Mena and Dan Rivoli weigh in on the allegations as well as the somewhat-muted reaction from city lawmakers.

After that, a new survey from the Citizens Budget Commission found that just 30% of New Yorkers are happy with their quality of life – a sharp decline from when the poll was last taken in 2017. The “Off Topic” team looks at the poll and discusses why New York got a bad report card from so many residents.

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Saying he wants to return to Congress, George Santos sat down with NY1’s Ayana Harry for his first TV interview. The disgraced former lawmaker is targeting a different Long Island district for his comeback, even as he faces a 23-count federal indictment on corruption charges. Ayana is joined by NY1 political reporter Bobby Cuza and NY1 statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan to discuss Santos’ quasi-campaign.

Also this week: Mayor Adams and Gov. Hochul appeared at a press conference together to take on “ghost cars” that use fake license plates. Their appearance comes after the two leaders were notably not on the same stage last week when talking about plans to fight crime in the subways. The “Off Topic’ team looks at this week’s show of solidarity between Hochul and Adams and explores their working relationship.

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This week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she will deploy the National Guard and New York State Police into the subway system to increase security and conduct bag checks following a spate of violent crimes in transit. The surprise announcement has been met with a mixed response by New Yorkers. The deployment is just one part of what the governor called a five-point plan to crack down on subway crime. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan and political reporter Bobby Cuza weigh in on the plan and lawmakers’ reaction to the governor’s announcement.

After that, this week, the city's budget director said the massive jails complex on Rikers Island would not be closed by 2027, blowing a deadline to open four new borough-based jails.  The “Off Topic’ team looks at the potential consequences, or lack thereof, of the city not making this deadline.

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This week, Mayor Eric Adams made headlines when he announced that he thinks changes need to be made to New York’s sanctuary city laws. This time, the mayor called for expanded cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities, attacking the current city policies that limit such communication and calling them detrimental to public safety. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan and political reporter Bobby Cuza weigh in on the mayor’s remarks and how his comments have received support from Republican lawmakers throughout the city.

After that, the seemingly endless redistricting story took another turn this week, as the state legislature approved new congressional district maps that made small changes to the lines but did not go nearly as far as they did in 2022. The “Off Topic” team looks at what this means for House races in the fall.

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The City Council filed a motion this week to intervene in a lawsuit against Mayor Eric Adams' administration over the city's housing voucher program, known as CityFHEPS. The Adams administration has been against implementing the new rules citing high costs, as officials believe “the law goes beyond the City Council's authority, and that it's actually preempted by existing state law”. Also, this week, Adams canceled more budget cuts that were slated for April. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan and political reporter Dan Rivoli weigh in on a busy week at City Hall, and how these developments may affect the mayor’s alarmingly low polling numbers.

After that, Gov. Kathy Hochul has a plan to tackle retail theft, a major theme of her State of the State address in January. The “Off Topic” team discusses Hochul’s proposed joint efforts between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. They also talk about how businesses have been impacted by the steady rise in shoplifting across the state.

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Democrat Tom Suozzi emerged victorious against Republican newcomer Mazi Pillip in a special election to replace disgraced Congressman George Santos. Is there a national significance for Suozzi’s win or is his victory more of a lesson in local politics? NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kevin Frey weigh in on the race and the implications it may have for the Democrats in an election year.

After that, Mayor Adams is taking on social media companies including TikTok and YouTube for what he says is their damaging mental health impact on children. In an unprecedented move, the Adams administration is suing these companies to recover some of what it spends on mental health. The “Off Topic” team discusses the mayor’s actions and the possible outcome.

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