Off Topic/On Politics

A new poll this week shows that former Gov. Andrew Cuomo continues to be the frontrunner in this year's crowded Democratic mayoral primary. Since announcing his candidacy, Cuomo has remained at the top of the pack while continuing to deploy a rose garden strategy. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams has finally begun to confront this tough political reality by taking on the former governor in his most pointed language yet. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena break down all the latest news in the race for mayor.

After that, Columbia University has agreed to sweeping policy changes on campus in an attempt to appease the Trump administration. The changes include hiring more public safety officers, cracking down on discipline and reviewing its Middle Eastern Studies Department. This comes as another New York institution, the law firm Paul Weiss, has capitulated to the Trump administration after the president had signed an executive order attempting to limit the firm's ability to litigate. The "Off Topic" team looks at these dramatic examples of Trump's influence on our city.

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As the June primary in the mayor's race gets closer, there was a pivotal campaign finance deadline for the candidates this week. Andrew Cuomo, not surprisingly, pulled in $1.5 million in less than two weeks. But filings showed that Mayor Eric Adams only raisied about $19,000 in the last two months.

Meanwhile, Adams is flirting with the idea of running on an independent line in the general election — perhaps a backup plan if he loses the Democratic primary. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena break down the latest in the race for mayor.

After that, a highly anticipated report on the closure of Rikers Island was released this week, aimed at charting a path to close the troubled jail complex for good. The plan to build smaller borough-based jails to replace it is far behind schedule, and much of it will be left to the next administration to tackle. The "Off Topic" team looks at the seemingly endless issue of what to do about Rikers Island.

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Mahmoud Khalil, who helped lead protests at Columbia University last year, was detained by immigration authorities Saturday and is now in an immigration jail in Louisiana. The arrest of Khalil, along with the Trump administration's plans to deport the 30-year-old graduate student, has sparked outrage from many high-ranking New York officials, with the notable exception of Mayor Eric Adams. NY1 political reporters Bobby Cuza, Kelly Mena and Ayana Harry weigh in on Mahmoud's detainment and the response from local politicians.

After that, as the race for mayor heats up, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been racking up endorsements despite the united anti-Cuomo messages from his opponents. Many of the endorsements find him cutting significantly into sitting Mayor Eric Adams' base. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who also recently entered the race, may be the biggest challenger to the former governor. The "Off topic" team looks at this very crowded primary, including where Eric Adams fits into the field.

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Andrew Cuomo finally made it official: he's running for mayor. The former governor jumped into the race and instantly became the frontrunner. A Quinnipiac poll found him with a double-digit lead over his closest rival – incumbent Eric Adams. Another new entrant, however, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, could shake things up a bit. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan discuss the very crowded race.

After that, New York's sitting mayor, Eric Adams, was in Washington D.C. this week, testifying before the House on sanctuary city policies. His deal with the Justice Department also got scrutiny — and it came from fellow Democrats. Political director Bob Hardt joins the "Off topic" team to weigh in on Adams' Capitol Hill grilling.

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While Mayor Adams says he's running for reelection, his already-crowded field of rivals may be getting bigger — with both former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and political director Bob Hardt weigh in on the mayor's reelection chances, while also discussing the political strengths and weaknesses of the two new quasi-candidates.

After that, for the first time in decades, state correction officers have walked off the job. At at least 38 of the state's 42 prisons, correction officers are on a wildcat strike — a walkout not sanctioned by their union. The strike could have significant implications for the future of state prisons and Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration. The "Off Topic" team discusses how these events might shape New York's political landscape.

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After meeting with top Democrats this week about the future of Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a plan to set up new restrictions on Adams but emphasized that it was "not a power grab." NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan and political reporter Dan Rivoli break down Hochul's proposals, which include giving City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, City Comptroller Brad Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams more power.

The "Off Topic" team also gets into the latest with congestion pricing, as the Trump administration looks to pull the plug and the MTA sues to keep the tolling program in place.

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This week, Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove directed the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York to drop the corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams. But she refused and stepped down. Elected leaders across New York have cast doubt on whether Adams can govern impartially now, saying the charges could resurface at any point, which could compel him to cooperate with Trump's policies on immigration and other issues.

Also this week, the U.S. attorney general called a press conference to blast the state of New York and announce the federal government is suing the governor and the state. Additionally, FEMA has rescinded more than $80 million in funding to New York City, money meant to cover hotels for migrants. NY1 political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena and political director Bob Hardt weigh in on an unbelievably busy week in New York City politics.

After that, with the corruption scandal temporarily behind him, the mayor seems to be focusing on his reelection campaign. Support among Democrats is wearing thin. Will Adams switch parties and run as a Republican? The 'Off Topic' team looks at the mayor's complicated path to reelection.

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It was another week of palace intrigue for the mayor. A day after testifying in Albany about the city's needs, the mayor revealed to the press corps that he underwent anesthesia for a colonoscopy last month. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena weigh in on Adams' mystery illness and his trip to the capital.

After that, the Trump administration's policies are spilling over into New York politics. The mayor is set to testify next month in Washington D.C. about the city's sanctuary city policy. Meanwhile, is the mayor downplaying the fear some immigrant families are feeling, which has led some of them to keep their kids home from school? The "Off Topic" team looks at the Trump effect on the five boroughs.

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Mayor Eric Adams called out sick this week — spending much of his time holed up in Gracie Mansion. Aides said he was undergoing routine medical tests but details on his condition have been sparse. His absence sparked rumors of a possible resignation, which he vehemently denied when he emerged on Thursday for an event with the NYPD. The mayor's dramatic week comes as senior Justice Department officials have been discussing with federal prosecutors the possibility of dropping the corruption case against Adams. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, and political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan discuss this unusual week for the mayor.

After that, New Yorkers are already starting to feel the effects of the new administration in Washington. This week, the new secretary for homeland security, Kristi Noem, was in the Bronx, watching as federal agents arrested who they said was the leader of a vicious Venezuelan gang. Meanwhile, there may be other Trump effects — like potentially withdrawing federal approval of congestion pricing. The 'Off Topic' team looks at the immediate impact of Trump's second term on New York.

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Mayor Eric Adams raised plenty of eyebrows this week when he decided to skip Martin Luther King Jr. events in New York City so he could attend the inauguration of President Trump. Adams had nothing to say to reporters on the following day after the president pardoned more than 1,500 Jan. 6 insurrectioners and tried to end birthright citizenship. That night, conservative media pundit Tucker Carlson released an interview he taped with the mayor in which Adams said the Democratic party has abandoned him. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan discuss the firestorm of criticism Adams has received from New York Democrats and then examined what the mayor's already-bleak political future might entail.

After that, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released her $252 billion budget this week, which included tax breaks for middle-class families, inflation rebate checks, and a new mandate for millions of school kids — no phones in the classroom. The "Off Topic" team breaks down the hefty new budget.

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