With the city reaching the COVID-19 positivity threshold of 3%, public classrooms have officially closed for in-person learning. NY1’s Juan Manuel Benitez, Courtney Gross, and Gloria Pazmino explain how the announcement unfolded after hours of anticipation, confusion, and political drama. They also talk about Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams’s official entry into the 2021 race for mayor, joining a long list of Democratic candidates vying for the job. We want to hear from you: Twitter: #NY1OffTopic or @JuanMaBenitez, @Courtneycgross, and @GloriaPazmino Leave a message: 212-379-3440 Email: [email protected] For more information: www.ny1.com/offtopic For more information on the new coronavirus, head to www.ny1.com/coronavirus

The blame game between moderate and progressive Democrats is on after the party lost seats in the House. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross, and Juan Manuel Benitez discuss the divide and how Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez found herself in the middle of the national debate over the direction of the party. And they talk about the latest surge in coronavirus cases across the five boroughs, and new restrictions going into effect statewide. We want to hear from you: Twitter: #NY1OffTopic or @ZackFinkNews, @JuanMaBenitez, and @Courtneycgross Leave a message: 212-379-3440 Email: [email protected] For more information: www.ny1.com/offtopic For more information on the new coronavirus, head to www.ny1.com/coronavirus

As New York gets ready to begin counting absentee ballots on Monday, NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross, and Juan Manuel Benitez discussed the results so far in some key congressional races, including the battle over the 11th District, where Republican challenger Nicole Malliotakis holds a large lead over Democrat Max Rose. And they analyzed the balance of power in the state legislature, as Republicans look close to gaining several state Senate and Assembly seats. We want to hear from you: Twitter: #NY1OffTopic or @ZackFinkNews, @JuanMaBenitez, and @Courtneycgross Leave a message: 212-379-3440 Email: [email protected] For more information: www.ny1.com/offtopic For more information on the new coronavirus, head to www.ny1.com/coronavirus

New York sees a record turnout at the ballot box during the first couple of days of early voting. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross, and Juan Manuel Benitez talk about the long lines and the push to reform the city’s Board of Elections. And they go through some of the other races New Yorkers will decide, including some of the congressional campaigns in the city and state Senate races in play. To find your early voting site: https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/ And for coverage of the local races, check out the NY1 election guide: https://spectrumnews.smart.link/7k193bogj?section=/all-boroughs/decision-2020&cid=id-app108_m-social_s-social_cmp-decision2020_mkt-nyc_po-organic&page=/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/new-york-2020-election-guide We want to hear from you: Twitter: #NY1OffTopic or @ZackFinkNews, @JuanMaBenitez, and @Courtneycgross Leave a message: 212-379-3440 Email: [email protected] For more information: www.ny1.com/offtopic For more information on the new coronavirus, head to www.ny1.com/coronavirus

As early voting begins Saturday in New York, NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross, and Juan Manuel Benitez discuss what voters need to know about heading to the polls, absentee ballots, and possible issues New Yorkers may face. And they analyze the exclusive Spectrum News/Ipsos polls revealing how city residents feel about Gov. Cuomo’s and Mayor de Blasio’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. To find your early voting site: https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/ And for coverage of the local races, check out the NY1 election guide. We want to hear from you: Twitter: #NY1OffTopic or @ZackFinkNews, @JuanMaBenitez, and @Courtneycgross Leave a message: 212-379-3440 Email: [email protected] For more information: www.ny1.com/offtopic For more information on the new coronavirus, head to www.ny1.com/coronavirus

Democrat Max Rose and Republican Nicole Malliotakis go head to head in a NY1 televised debate over the 11th Congressional District, which includes Staten Island and parts of southern Brooklyn.

NY1’s Zack Fink, Emily Ngo, and Juan Manuel Benitez analyze the heated debate, the tone of the campaign, and the politics in the district.

They also talk about Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s threat to withhold funding from the city over the enforcement of coronavirus restrictions, and his new book on the state's fight against the pandemic.

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Twitter: #NY1OffTopic or @ZackFinkNews, @Courtneycgross, and @JuanMaBenitez.

Leave a message: 212-379-3440

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For more information: www.ny1.com/offtopic

For more information on the new coronavirus, head to www.ny1.com/coronavirus

As the city and the state look to get control of the coronavirus surge in parts of the city, additional restrictions go into effect prohibiting mass gatherings. The new rules caused confusion and led to protests on the streets of Borough Park, Brooklyn. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross, and Bob Hardt discuss the handling of the crisis and the community backlash. They also talk about the race for mayor, including Maya Wiley’s official launch, and how ranked-choice voting will change candidates’ campaign playbooks. We want to hear from you: Twitter: #NY1OffTopic or @ZackFinkNews, @Courtneycgross, and @BobHardt. Leave a message: 212-379-3440 Email: [email protected] For more information: www.ny1.com/offtopic For more information on the new coronavirus, head to www.ny1.com/coronavirus

Nearly 100,000 Brooklyn voters may have received incorrect absentee ballot return envelopes and are expected to receive new ones soon. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benitez discuss the city Board of Election’s error, which comes as there’s an increased scrutiny on mail-in voting across the nation. And as schools reopen and indoor dining resumes, they talk about the rise in positive coronavirus cases in several Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods and analyze Mayor de Blasio’s response.

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Twitter: #NY1OffTopic or @ZackFinkNews, @JuanMaBenitez, and @Courtneycgross

Leave a message: 212-379-3440

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For more information: www.ny1.com/offtopic

For more information on the new coronavirus, head to www.ny1.com/coronavirus

A fight over a redevelopment in Brooklyn turned into a political battle about the future of New York. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross, and Juan Manuel Benitez discussed why developers pulled the plug on their controversial effort to redevelop Industry City in Sunset Park. They also weigh in on the Trump administration’s decision to call New York an “anarchist jurisdiction.” We want to hear from you: Twitter: #NY1OffTopic or @ZackFinkNews, @Courtneycgross, and @JuanMaBenitez. Leave a message: 212-379-3440 Email: [email protected] For more information: www.ny1.com/offtopic For more information on the new coronavirus, head to www.ny1.com/coronavirus

With just days to go until students were to return to city classrooms, Mayor de Blasio delays the start of in-person instruction for the second time. NY1’s Zack Fink, Gloria Pazmino and Bobby Cuza analyze de Blasio’s last-minute decision, especially as union leaders, teachers and parents have been voicing their concerns for weeks. And then NY1 Political Director Bob Hardt joins in to discuss former Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s visit to the city and his divisive speech, in which he laid out his grievances against de Blasio over the rise in crime and outlined his vision for the city.  

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Twitter: @ZackFinkNews @CourtneyCGross @JuanMaBenitez or #NY1OffTopic

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Email: [email protected]