Off Topic/On Politics artwork

Off Topic/On Politics

225 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 143 ratings

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.​

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Episodes

Special edition: Election Day wrap up

November 09, 2022 20:21 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MB

After a campaign that lasted more than four months and gathered heat in its final weeks, Kathy Hochul held off her Republican challenger, Lee Zeldin, to become the first woman to be elected governor of New York. In a special election edition of "Off Topic/On Politics," NY1 political reporters Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross break down the results of the election and analyze the surprisingly-competitive race for governor The discussion also touches on how the Trump factor ...

Election Day preview: Who will be the next governor of New York?

November 04, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MB

With the general election almost upon New Yorkers, the team previews the statewide races in the state. NY1 political reporters Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez give their views on what to expect on Tuesday and focus on the highly publicized, and extremely close, race for governor. Can Rep. Lee Zeldin become the first Republican governor to win an election in 16 years? Is Gov. Kathy Hochul’s last-minute pivot and push enough to keep her in office? The team weighs in on each c...

Hochul vs. Zeldin: candidates for governor take debate stage as race tightens

October 28, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MB

With just days to go until early voting begins, Spectrum News NY1 hosted a lively debate between incumbent Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Lee Zeldin. According to polls, the race has been tightening in recent weeks. How did it get so close? NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez share their takeaways of the debate. The team also examined how campaign strategies, shifting voter priorities and the candidates themselves may have New York on the cusp of ele...

Governor’s race tightens as fiscal fight breaks out​

October 21, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MB

Democratic incumbent Tom DiNapoli and Republican challenger Paul Rodríguez met on the debate stage in the race for New York State Comptroller. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez shared their takeaways of the showdown, hosted by Spectrum News 1/NY1. Civil to a point, the two men had broadly different ideas about how the state’s finances should be overseen.   Meanwhile, the race for governor appears to be tightening. Can Lee Zeldin pull ahead and become the first Republi...

Assessing housing crisis as rents continue to soar

October 14, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MB

This week, the City Council passed the controversial Bruckner rezoning project in the Throggs Neck area of the Bronx. The plan will include 348 units of housing, of which 149 will be affordable. Still, the city faces a massive housing crisis, with rents soaring across the five boroughs, including a record-high average rent of $5,000 in Manhattan. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez break down the situation, and look at why the Adams administration’s plan needs more detail...

Exclusive Spectrum News/Siena College poll: Malliotakis leads Rose

October 07, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MB

With the midterm elections around the corner, one of the more notable contests is the race for the 11th Congressional District. According to an exclusive Spectrum News/Siena College poll, Republican incumbent, Nicole Malliotakis has the lead over Democratic challenger Max Rose. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Emily Ngo take a detailed look at the rematch, which may serve as a bellwether for the rest of the country. They also dig into other results of the poll, including which issues are ...

Governor’s race hits the homestretch in New York

September 30, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MB

With less than six weeks left until the general election, a new poll shows Gov. Kathy Hochul with a double-digit lead over challenger Rep. Lee Zeldin. What can the Republican candidate do to shake up the dynamics in a heavily Democratic race? NY1’s political reporters Zack Fink, Kelly Mena and Bob Hardt look at the race and share their insights on the campaign strategies of each candidate. Meanwhile, with the influx of migrants having pushed the NYC shelter system to beyond its breaking po...

‘Art of the steal’: Letitia James sues Donald Trump

September 23, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MB

This week, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a civil lawsuit against former president Donald Trump and his company for “violating the law as part of his efforts to generate profits for himself, his family, and his company.” The lawsuit seeks $250 million in penalties and wants the Trump family to be effectively banned from doing business in New York for five years. NY1’s Zack Fink, Kelly Mena and Juan Manuel Benítez took a look at how the charges against Trump continue to mount, ...

City shelters at ‘breaking point’ as migrant crisis continues

September 16, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MB

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott continues to send asylum seekers to New York City, putting stress on the city’s shelter system. Over 11,000 migrants have arrived in the city since May, and there are more buses coming almost every day. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez take a detailed look at Mayor Eric Adams’ response to the crisis and also discuss why some sanctuary cities are suddenly being overwhelmed. Additionally, another death has been reported at Rikers Island. Courtney...

Will the governor’s race be a close one?

September 09, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.7 MB

Labor Day political season is now upon us and we are a mere eight weeks away from the gubernatorial election in New York State. Many are starting to think that Republican challenger Lee Zeldin is in a decent position to make the race against incumbent Democrat, Kathy Hochul, a close one. NY1’s political reporters Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez take a detailed look at the candidates’ campaign strategies thus far and give us their thoughts on how it may all play out in Novem...

Primary postmortem: winners, losers and surprises

August 26, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MB

With primary day come and gone, the “Off Topic/On Politics” team breaks down the election results and weighed in on themes from the campaign trail. NY1 political reporters, Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross, analyzed how the competitive races in 10th and 12th Congressional Districts shook out. The team discussed whether Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou could run in November on the Working Families Party line. The team also looked at the results of key state senate races and how...

Primary preview: surprise endorsements, polls and down-ballot races

August 19, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MB

With primary day approaching once again, the team previews the upcoming election one last time. NY1 political reporters Juan Manuel Benítez, Courtney Gross and Emily Ngo give their views on what to expect on Tuesday and focus on the highly publicized races in 10th and 12th Congressional Districts, including some rather surprising endorsements from a former president. They also weigh in on who is ahead in the polls and how accurate the polls are. Additionally, there are some notable down-ba...

Candidates for Congress take debate stage to make their case

August 12, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MB

With just days to go until early voting, six of the leading Democratic candidates seeking to represent the 10th Congressional District met for a live primary debate. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Bob Hardt analyzed the face-off, which was hosted by Spectrum News NY1/WNYC-Gothamist. While there’s not a lot of daylight between the candidates, the team highlighted their subtle differences and discussed which moments they found surprising. Also, Texas has been recently sending asylum s...

NY1 debate for Congress highlights experience vs. push for change

August 05, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MB

Candidates Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler and Suraj Patel met this week on the debate stage in the race for the 12th Congressional District, which recently combined large swaths of the west and east sides of Manhattan. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez shared their takeaways of the showdown, hosted by Spectrum News NY1/WNYC-Gothamist. They also offered some insight of who may have made the most impact, noting that the incumbents leaned on their many achievements, while P...

Path to a new Penn Station is back on track

July 29, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.8 MB

A long time in the making, the controversial Penn Station redevelopment picked up some steam this week after getting approval from a key state board. While there are still many questions to be answered — including the final cost — NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez took a detailed look at where the project currently stands and the pros and cons of such an enormous undertaking. Also, as early voting quickly approaches, they discussed the race for the 12th Congressional ...

Bill de Blasio pulls the plug

July 22, 2022 01:22 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MB

Struggling to pick up political traction, former Mayor Bill de Blasio abruptly ended his congressional bid. In a video released on Twitter, an emotional de Blasio also indicated he’d be leaving electoral politics completely. NY1’s Zack Fink, Bob Hardt and Kelly Mena analyze the decision to end his candidacy, as well as what this may mean for his legacy. They also weigh in on some of the criticism the GOP has been throwing at Gov. Kathy Hochul as the gubernatorial race heats up. Is she misu...

Monkeypox and COVID-19 on the rise in the five boroughs

July 15, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MB

As monkeypox case numbers continue to increase, New York City could not keep up with the demand for vaccines. In many ways, this feels eerily familiar to New Yorkers. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Bob Hardt dig into that situation, and also look at the rather alarming rise in COVID-19 cases. After that, the team weighs in on the sudden resignation of New York’s Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. Unsurprisingly, there’s more to the story than a simple retirement. How close were DiFiore’s ties...

Six months on the job, is the honeymoon over for Mayor Adams?

July 08, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MB

This past week marks six months that Eric Adams has been mayor of New York City. While many were eager to welcome a new mayor after Bill de Blasio, it’s been a very eventful half-year. NY1 political reporters Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez take an in-depth and lively look at the ups and downs of his term thus far. After that, the team weighs in on two competitive congressional races that are shaping up for New York’s 10th and 12th districts. Will people turn up to vote i...

Primary recap: low turnout leads to few surprises

July 01, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MB

This week’s primary election resulted in very few surprises and a shockingly low turnout. Was it voter apathy? Fatigue? Confusion? NY1 political reporters Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez analyzed what may have happened on election night. They also discussed why progressive candidates fared so poorly on Tuesday, despite indications that they may have a strong showing. After that, the team discussed Gov. Kathy Hochul convening a special session in Albany around New York’s g...

New York officials slam Supreme Court gun law ruling

June 24, 2022 10:57 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MB

After a jarring decision from the Supreme Court, the gun laws in New York will soon be changing. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and special guest, Bob Hardt, assess the situation and examine the initial reactions of the city and state’s elected officials. After that, the team breaks down the upcoming primary one last time. Can voter fatigue and low turnout lead to some surprises victories once the ballots are cast? Find out what potentially might happen. We want to hear from you, especi...

Three candidates square off in only Democratic primary debate for lieutenant governor

June 17, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MB

The three candidates for lieutenant governor, Ana María Archila, Diana Reyna and Antonio Delgado, met for the first and only Democratic primary debate on Spectrum News. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez share their impressions of the showdown and take a look at who may have scored the most points with viewers. Additionally, prior to the upcoming Republican debate on NY1, the team looks into the GOP candidates for governor, and how that race may play out in the weeks ahe...

How did Mayor Adams fare in the NY1/Siena College poll?

June 10, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MB

The results of the exclusive Spectrum News NY1/Siena College Poll were released this week, and there’s a lot to gather regarding the public perception of Mayor Eric Adams, as well as the current state of New York City. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez break down the outcome of the poll, and what it might mean for the mayor.   And with the primary election fast approaching, they take a look at the races for governor and lieutenant governor, including a lively detour...

Suozzi and Williams face off on NY1’s televised Democratic gubernatorial debate. Notably absent: Kathy Hochul.

June 03, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MB

Two of the Democratic candidates for governor, Tom Suozzi and Jumaane Williams, met tonight for a Democratic primary debate on NY1, where they touched on some of their policy proposals, as well as both going after the conspicuously absent incumbent, Kathy Hochul. Political reporters Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez analyze the highlights of the televised event, and share their thoughts on some of the night’s more surprising moments. Additionally, they discuss the end of th...

New York looks to tighten its gun laws after mass shootings

May 27, 2022 08:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MB

As we approach the close of the state legislative session, the recent tragedies in Texas and Buffalo have put a focus on the debate over gun control. But can any of the proposed laws lead to any change, or are they merely symbolic gestures? NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez discuss how there are no easy answers to what is a rapidly growing problem. Also, with the new congressional lines finalized late last Friday, the gang digs into which races seem particularly notab...

City on high alert as COVID cases jump

May 20, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MB

In the past few weeks, the city has seen a rise in positive COVID cases, raising the alert system to high, a designation that warns about the virus’ threat to New Yorkers. But there is no indication that the Adams administration will return to the use of any mandates. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez discussed Mayor Adams’ messaging and hesitancy to renew masking requirements. And as a state court prepares to finalize newly proposed districting maps, they talked abou...

New York grapples with a spike in traffic fatalities

May 13, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 20 MB

Over the last year, the number of fatal traffic accidents in the city has gone up by almost 20%. This spike is pushing Mayor Adams to call for the expansion of the speed camera program across the five boroughs. As Ny1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez explain, he would need support from the state legislature to get it done. So why are some lawmakers opposing the idea? They also weigh in on the unraveling crisis on Rikers Island, where four detainees have died so far this ...

What reversing Roe v. Wade would mean for New York

May 06, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MB

Following the leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion that would put an end to abortion rights at the federal level, NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez discuss what such a reversal could mean for the political landscape in New York, with many anticipating a sudden influx of women from all over the country seeking abortion care. They also get into the confusing process that culminated with Rep. Antonio Delgado as the incoming lieutenant governor and how his rushed appoint...

A guide to marijuana legalization in New York

April 22, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MB

As legal sales of adult-use recreational marijuana get underway in New Jersey, NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez explain what this means for New York and comment on the steps the state is taking to launch its own legal cannabis industry. They also discuss Mayor Eric Adams’ busy week. After ending COVID isolation, he’s been all over the city touting some of his accomplishments and launching new pilot programs. So what does his visibility say about his leadership style?...

A mass shooting in the subway shocks New York

April 15, 2022 08:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MB

More than two dozen people were hurt following a mass shooting on a Brooklyn subway train, sending shock waves across the city and beyond. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez discuss the aftermath of the attack and weigh in on Mayor Eric Adams’ response. And in another huge news story, Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin resigned after being arrested on federal corruption charges. Zack, Juan and Courtney explain what this means for Governor Kathy Hochul’s election campai...

Looking inside the state budget: Cheaper gas, bail changes and a football stadium

April 08, 2022 22:48 - 32 minutes - 22 MB

A week overdue, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democrats in the state legislature finally reached a massive budget agreement. As NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez explain, the $220 billion deal includes changes to the controversial bail reform laws approved just a few years ago, as well as funding for a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills, which will be partially financed by taxpayers. But is this massive budget a victory for Governor Hochul as she gears up for primary season? Z...

No budget deal in Albany, in spite of deadline

April 02, 2022 01:57 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MB

After intense negotiations this week, state lawmakers made the rare move of leaving the Capitol before reaching a budget agreement, even though the deadline was just hours away. NY1’s Zack Fink, Emily Ngo and Juan Manuel Benítez discuss some of the obstacles getting in the way of a budget deal and explain how the dysfunction might hurt Gov. Kathy Hochul’s election bid. They also weigh in on Mayor Eric Adams’ strategy to curb homelessness. He spent part of his week defending his decision to...

Why is Mayor Adams lifting the vaccine mandate for athletes?

March 25, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MB

In a polarizing move, Mayor Eric Adams is lifting the vaccine mandate for professional athletes and entertainers. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez weigh in on the controversy and explain why labor leaders are blasting the decision. And just months away from the primary, Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing the legislature to change the state’s bail laws. But, as Zack, Courtney and Juan discuss, Democrats fought hard to get those same laws enacted just three years ago. So why...

Mayor Adams brings back a controversial police unit

March 18, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MB

Fulfilling a campaign promise, Mayor Eric Adams is deploying a revamped police unit that he says will help tackle gun violence in the city. But as NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez explain, the new unit is already causing controversy. Critics argue that the “Neighborhood Safety Teams,” as the NYPD is officially calling them, are too similar to the Street Crime Unit that was disbanded a couple of years ago, following complaints of abusive policing. Plus, is former Gov....

Should Mayor Adams maintain control of city schools?

March 11, 2022 09:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MB

Mayor Eric Adams is asking the State Legislature to let him maintain control of city schools for four more years. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez explain why he wants an extension of what he’s calling “mayoral accountability” and whether or not this is likely to happen. And as New Yorkers start feeling the ripple effect of the War in Ukraine, with soaring gas prices and skyrocketing inflation, Zack, Courtney and Juan also discuss how local politicians are responding...

At state convention, Republicans go after the Democratic leadership in New York

March 04, 2022 09:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MB

As this year’s election season gets underway, New York Republicans gather on Long Island to make their case to an electorate that is predominantly Democratic. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez discuss some of the key takeaways from the state’s Republican Convention, where candidates pledged to tackle rising crime, lower taxes, push back against COVID-19 restrictions and reach out to minority communities. Zack, Courtney and Juan also weigh in on Mayor Eric Adams’ decis...

Explaining the city’s plan to remove homeless people from the subways

February 25, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MB

As the city bounces back from the pandemic and more straphangers go back to the subways, the mayor is implementing a new strategy focused on stopping homeless people from taking shelter on trains and platforms. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez discuss the details of the plan and explain why some critics say that it doesn’t offer real solutions for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. They also weigh in on the controversy surrounding some recent appointments to the ...

A political celebration for Gov. Hochul at the New York State Democratic Convention

February 18, 2022 21:45 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MB

Just like at the national level, every four years New York Democrats gather for a convention where they choose the candidates they’ll support in the November elections. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Emily Ngo comment on this year’s festivities, which were all but a political coronation ceremony for Gov. Kathy Hochul. In just a few months, she has gone from the little-known lieutenant governor to a widely popular and powerful incumbent. But shouldn’t Democrats encourage competition with...

Is outdoor dining here to stay?

February 11, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MB

The outdoor dining program that has kept many New York City restaurants alive during the pandemic could be made permanent. But not everybody is on board with the idea. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Gloria Pazmino weigh in on the debate and discuss what’s likely to happen next. They also comment on Mayor Adams’ testimony before the state legislature earlier this week. The mayor made his case for changes he wants to see in New York’s criminal justice laws, particularly when it comes to...

What is Mayor Adams doing to fight rising gun violence in New York?

February 10, 2022 03:12 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MB

In the wake of a series of high-profile crimes — including the fatal shooting of two police officers — Mayor Eric Adams is launching a new effort to confront gun violence in the city. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez get into some of the details of the plan, including the mayor’s calls for Congress to take action to shut the pipeline of illegal guns coming into New York from other states. They also put the recent uptick in crime in perspective. Is the city really getti...

Biden on efforts to curb gun violence in New York: “We’re about funding”

February 04, 2022 05:46 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MB

In his second visit to New York City since taking office, President Joe Biden met with Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul and other top officials to discuss joint efforts to combat rising gun violence, both in the five boroughs and beyond. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez weigh in on his visit and discuss what this show of unity could mean for Democrats, as they gear up for the midterm elections. They also take a look at the redistricting process, which happens ever...

Deadly Times Square subway shove puts spotlight on safety underground

January 21, 2022 09:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MB

Following the death of a woman who was pushed in front of a train in Times Square, NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez discuss what Mayor Adams and other elected leaders need to do to make sure New Yorkers and tourists feel safe on the subways. They also explain why Governor Hochul’s record-setting $216 billion budget proposal puts her in a very favorable position ahead of the Democratic primary this June. We want to hear from you, especially what you think about the ...

After a devastating fire, a Bronx community copes with tragedy

January 14, 2022 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MB

Following an apartment high-rise fire in the Bronx that killed 17 people and left dozens displaced, NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez discuss the city’s response and look at what might have led to one of the deadliest blazes in recent memory. They also talk about the impending expiration of the state’s eviction moratorium. Governor Hochul has made it clear that there won’t be an extension, so housing advocates and state lawmakers are looking for alternative solutions....

Governor Hochul promises a 'New era for New York'

January 07, 2022 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MB

In a State of the State address full of symbolism, Gov. Kathy Hochul made history and some big promises, trying to distance herself from her former running mate, Andrew Cuomo. NY1’s Zack Fink, Emily Ngo and Juan Manuel Benítez analyze Hochul’s tone and discuss some of her proposals, such as bringing back to-go drinks and creating a new rail service that would connect Brooklyn and Queens. They also weigh in on the first week of the Eric Adams administration. He hit the ground running right ...

How will Bill de Blasio go down in history?

December 24, 2021 05:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MB

After eight years in office, Mayor de Blasio is getting ready to say goodbye to City Hall in just a few days. NY1’s Zack Fink, Gloria Pazmino and Juan Manuel Benítez spend some time evaluating the legacy of a man who was often much less popular than his policies. They also look ahead to the incoming Eric Adams administration. Before even taking office, the soon-to-be mayor is already clashing with many of the members of the City Council over his support for punitive segregation. Is this a...

The NYPD’s first woman commissioner will be walking a delicate line

December 17, 2021 05:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MB

Keechant Sewell will soon become the first woman — and only the third Black person — in history to lead the NYPD. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez dive into the significance of this appointment, and explain why this job is as much about politics as it is about public safety. They also weigh in on the contentious race for City Council speaker. The two finalists have both declared victory. So what is happening behind the scenes? And, as a bonus segment, they also e...

Why is de Blasio announcing new vaccine mandates?

December 10, 2021 09:00 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MB

Just weeks away from leaving office, Mayor Bill de Blasio is announcing new vaccine mandates for all private sector employees, in a move that seems to have taken business leaders by surprise. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez comment on the new measures and the mayor’s intentions behind them. Is he doing this to reactivate the city’s economy and get employees back to the office? Or is he gearing up for a potential run for governor? They also weigh in on a controversia...

Tom Suozzi tries to thread the needle to the Governor’s Mansion

December 03, 2021 05:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MB

The race for governor is already in full swing, with candidates picking up endorsements and laying out their vision for New York. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Emily Ngo look at the growing field of candidates, which now includes Rep. Tom Suozzi, who represents parts of Queens and Long Island. He’s pitching himself as a “common sense Democrat” who cares less about ideology and more about delivering results. Can his message resonate with New Yorkers? They also weigh in on May...

Could Jumaane Williams be New York’s next governor?

November 19, 2021 05:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MB

Fresh off his reelection victory to be New York City’s Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams is jumping into the crowded Democratic race for governor. Meanwhile, Mayor Bill de Blasio continues to flirt with a possible candidacy, launching a new statewide education plan. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross explain why many are interpreting this move as the unofficial launch of de Blasio’s gubernatorial campaign. They also discuss what Williams’s announcement means for the othe...

Explaining the Cuomo transcripts and why they were released

November 12, 2021 05:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MB

Following a months-long investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York Attorney General Letitia James released hundreds of pages of transcripts from the inquiry that culminated in his resignation. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross discuss the details of the transcripts and explain why they’re significant. They also comment on Eric Adams’s first week as mayor-elect. Besides traveling to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Rep...

What happened on election night in New York City

November 05, 2021 08:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MB

It’s been a pivotal week for the city. New Yorkers elected their second Black mayor in history and for the first time ever, women will make up the majority in the City Council – and a super majority at that. But, as Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross explain, this week’s election was also significant because Republicans gained ground in certain parts of the city and completely dominated on Staten Island. And, now that top Democrats are gathering in Puerto Rico for the annual...

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