This week, two incumbent city councilmembers squared off on NY1 for a spirited debate to represent the newly-drawn District 47 in South Brooklyn, which links Bay Ridge and parts of Dyker Heights to Bath Beach and Coney Island. Democrat Justin Brannan and Republican Ari Kagan are both currently representing adjoining districts, and are now vying for the seat. While Brannan is more moderate than many of his Democratic City Council colleagues, Kagan clearly staked out more conservative turf at the debate. NY1 political reporters Bobby Cuza, Bernadette Hogan and Ayana Harry weigh in on the matchup and look at who may have fared better in the showdown and why.

After that, Donald Trump briefly took the stand in his civil fraud trial and was fined $10,000 for violating the gag order that was imposed on him by the judge. The “Off Topic" team discusses the trial with detailed insight from Ayana Harry, who has been covering it from inside the courtroom.

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Justin Brannan, Ari Kagan face off in City Council District 47 debate

Judge in Trump's N.Y. civil fraud case stands by $10,000 fine