This week, a New York City jury found Marine veteran Daniel Penny not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jordan Neely. The jury’s verdict came days after the judge dismissed the top count of manslaughter against Penny, after jurors said they were deadlocked on it. The trial captivated New Yorkers and the country — and was seen as an example of the mental health crisis facing the city. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Dan Rivoli weighed in on the verdict and what it may say about race and subway safety.

After that, with the presidential election behind us, New Yorkers have turned their attention to the mayor’s race. New candidates are jumping in, hoping to unseat the incumbent. The “Off Topic” team shared the latest on where things stand in the 2025 race, as well as whether Mayor Adams will be eligible to receive public matching funds due to his legal issues.

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This week, Mayor Eric Adams announced he will work with the Trump administration on immigration policy. Trump has picked Tom Homan as his border czar, and the mayor seems willing to meet with him. Adams also suggested the Department of Justice is biased after fielding a question about Hunter Biden's pardon. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and political director Bob Hardt weigh in on the mayor’s recent support of the president-elect, as well as how far he will go before losing New York City Democrats, if he hasn't already.

After that, jurors have been sitting in a courtroom in Lower Manhattan for weeks hearing hours of testimony regarding the death of Jordan Neely — a homeless man with mental illness who was killed on the subway last year. Daniel Penny is accused of criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter in the case. NY1 political reporter Dan Rivoli has been in the courtroom every day, and he joins the “Off Topic’ team for an inside look at the trial ahead of a verdict.

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After several months of searching, Mayor Adams has picked a new police commissioner, Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who will officially take over the NYPD next week. This is the fourth police commissioner for Mayor Eric Adams in less than three years. What does her appointment say about where the Adams administration wants to go with policing? NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena discuss Tisch’s career in city government and how it led to this position.

After that, this week saw a horrific series of deadly stabbings that were allegedly committed by a homeless man with a lengthy criminal record. The stabbing spree, which left three people dead, shocked the city. Mayor Adams claims the murders are more about how society handles people with serious mental illness than the actual safety of the city. The “Off Topic” team looks at how New Yorkers are feeling in the aftermath of these tragic killings.

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This week, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she was reviving New York City's congestion pricing plan with a reduced base fare. Under the new plan, the toll for private vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street will be set at $9 for E-ZPass users. If greenlit by the federal government, the toll would begin in January. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan weigh in on the governor’s decision to revisit the plan and the divided reactions from lawmakers across the state.

After that, the City Council has passed a bill requiring landlords to pay brokers directly, unless their prospective tenant hires a broker independently. The Real Estate Board of New York opposed the measure, claiming landlords footing the fees will result in much higher rents for tenants. The “Off Topic” team looks at this new initiative and how it will affect New Yorkers.

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Many New Yorkers were perplexed by Donald Trump's decision to appear at Madison Square Garden a week before the election, but it appears the move may have paid some political dividends in New York. The president-elect made serious inroads in the city, improving on both his 2020 and 2016 numbers. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and political director Bob Hardt look at Trump’s victory and the reasons behind his improved performance in New York City.

After that, there was some positive news down-ballot for New York Democrats. Following big midterm losses in 2022, Dems flipped three House seats back on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley. The "Off Topic" team discuss the results further down the ticket. 

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Election Day is just around the corner and control of the U.S. House of Representatives may run right through New York. There are several competitive races across the state that deserve scrutiny. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and Washington correspondent Kevin Frey weigh in on some key congressional races, as well as the six ballot measures on the back of the ticket.

After that, Mayor Adams has been very reluctant to criticize Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. In his recent rally at Madison Square Garden, Trump raised eyebrows when he praised the mayor. So what’s behind the niceties between the two politicians and what might the mayor have to gain by staying on Trump's good side? The “Off Topic" team looks at Adams’ willingness to all but break from his party right before Election Day.

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The City Council held a six-hour hearing this week, questioning city officials about Mayor Adams’ "City of Yes" housing plan. The mayor wants to change zoning codes to allow for more housing, but critics say the plan would destroy the character of their neighborhoods and put pressure on infrastructure that is already crumbling. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena discuss the proposal, as well as the reactions from local communities.

After that, Spectrum News hosted the only debate this year between the two major candidates in New York’s U.S. Senate race. Democratic incumbent Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Republican challenger Mike Sapraicone sparred on stage at the University at Albany. The debate tackled hot topics, including immigration, crime and the economy. The “Off Topic” team weighs in on the candidates’ performances in New York’s capital city.

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Mayor Eric Adams continues to clean house. Last week, he announced a new first deputy mayor. This week, he appointed a new deputy mayor for public safety, Chauncey Parker. There is also a new schools chancellor, Melissa Aviles-Ramos. Gov.  Kathy Hochul has praised the mayor for removing controversial staff members and seems to be working with him to ride out this storm. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Ayana Harry discuss the many personnel changes at City Hall as well as the mayor’s recent fundraising woes.

After that, NY1 and Spectrum News hosted a fiery debate in the 18th Congressional District in the Hudson Valley between Congressman Pat Ryan and Republican challenger Alison Esposito. This race is example of the kinds of clashes taking place in swing districts across the state and the country. The “Off Topic” team shares their takeaways from the debate as well as other notable congressional races across New York.

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There have now been 11 departures from the Adams administration in the last month. Departures in the past week included First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Deputy Mayor Phil Banks and Winnie Greco, the mayor’s embattled head of Asian affairs. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan discuss the mass exodus inside City Hall and the recent federal investigation into the mayor’s liaison to the Muslim community.

After that, former President Donald Trump is planning a rally at one of the city’s biggest venues, Madison Square Garden. The rally is slated for later this month, just nine days before Election Day. The “Off Topic” team looks at Trump’s decision to hold an event in Manhattan, as well as New Yorkers’ reactions to the announcement.

This week, Mayor Eric Adams made it clear that he has no plans to step down — even with a federal indictment hanging over his head. The exodus of his top aides continued, as advisor Tim Pearson became the fifth high-ranking member of the administration to announce their departure in just three weeks. Are the recent changes a response to a warning from Gov. Kathy Hochul? NY1 political reporters Bobby Cuza, Kelly Mena and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan discuss the likelihood of Adams surviving the indictment and the changes within his administration in the past week.

After that, much has been made about the mayor’s legal strategy. His lawyers tried to get the bribery charge against him thrown out and accused prosecutors of leaking details of the case. The feds, meanwhile, say it’s possible the mayor will face even more charges and that it’s likely others will be indicted. The "Off Topic" team looks at celebrity lawyer Alex Spiro’s strategy thus far and discuss how the feds still haven’t cracked the password on the mayor’s phone.

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