This week, both Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul broke out their passports. The mayor went to Rome to attend a conference, and the governor went to both Italy and Ireland to speak at conferences. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan discuss Adams’ and Hochul’s international travel and what it may mean for them in the long run.

After that, three years into what has been called a disastrous rollout of legal weed, the governor is overhauling the state Office of Cannabis Management. It comes as the city has announced there are up to 2,900 illegal smokeshops across the city. The “Off Topic” team looks at the problems the legal weed program has faced and how this restructuring can potentially help.

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Mayor Eric Adams may be facing a new challenger in next year’s mayoral primary, this time from his home borough of Brooklyn. This week, State Sen. Zellnor Myrie announced he is exploring a bid for mayor in 2025. Myrie is the second potential Democratic challenger Mayor Adams could face, as former city comptroller Scott Stringer also launched an exploratory committee earlier this year. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena discuss whether Myrie is a viable candidate and if he will run as a progressive.

After that, NYPD top brass has been using social media to criticize opponents, protesters at college universities and City Council members. Now, those social posts are the subject of an inquiry by the city Department of Investigation, at the request of the Legal Aid Society and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. The “Off Topic” team looks at the probe and talk about whether the NYPD is in fact improperly using official social media accounts.

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This week, the NYPD descended upon Columbia University, the City College of New York and Fordham University, arresting hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters. The department has faced scrutiny over the move, as the Adams administration points to “outside agitators” being key to organizing the protests. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Dan Rivoli examined the protests, the actions of the NYPD and the response by university officials. They also discussed if the protests drew attention to the cause or whether the dialogue has only been about how the protestors were dealt with.

After that, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office asked for a retrial for Harvey Weinstein, after the movie producer’s 2020 rape conviction was overturned by an appeals court last week. The “Off Topic” team discussed the potential difficulty the prosecution faces, as well as how overturning this case is a significant blow to the #MeToo movement.

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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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