Power & Politics

Power & Politics

By WRGB CBS6, Power And Politics, Tom EschenSociety & CultureNewsGovernment
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Power & Politics episodes

  • Dr. Len Cutler, Siena University professor of political science and international relations on United States and Iran, April 10th, 2026

    Dr. Len Cutler, professor of political science and international relations at Siena University, joined Power & Politics on Thursday, discussing the current conflict between the United States and Iran.


    1. Setting the Stage: Iran–U.S. Crisis Overview

      • [0:00:01 – 0:04:10]
      • Introduces the conflict, brief history since 1979, and Trump’s stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

      • Trump I vs. Trump II: Expanding Presidential Power

        • [0:04:10 – 0:08:21]
        • Compares Trump’s first and second terms and how constraints on presidential power have changed.

        • Congress, Impeachment Talk, and War Powers

          • [0:08:21 – 0:17:17]
          • Examines Congress’s limited role, impeachment chatter, and the practical impact of the War Powers Act.

          • The Strait of Hormuz and Global Economic Shockwaves

            • [0:17:17 – 0:22:19]
            • Explores Iran’s control of the Strait, rising costs at home, and international stakes—including China’s role.

            • Allies, NATO, and America’s Future Standing

              • [0:22:19 – 0:24:43]
              • Looks at NATO’s reluctance, evolving negotiations, looming deadlines, and what this may mean for U.S. global influence.

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                28 min
              • Dr. Betty Rosa, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Education, and staff, April 3rd, 2026

                NYS Department of Education Commissioner Betty Rosa, Senior Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey Matteson and Assistant Commissioner David Frank joined Tom Eschen on Power & Politics this week.They discussed the State's funding formula, student outcomes, Back to Basics reading implementation, Tier 6, America 250 and more

                1. Introduction & Funding vs Outcomes
                  0:00:00 – 0:02:28

                2. Funding Formula, Equity & High-Need Students
                  0:02:28 – 0:10:08

                3. Costs, Early Childhood & Universal Pre-K
                  0:10:08 – 0:17:34

                4. Science of Reading & Teacher Training
                  0:17:34 – 0:29:02

                5. Cell Phones, Classroom Tech & AI
                  0:29:02 – 0:39:23

                6. America 250 & Teaching Inclusive History
                  0:39:23 – 0:49:01

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                  53 min
                7. Drew Warshaw, Democratic Candidate for NYS Comptroller, March 27th, 2026

                  Drew Warshaw is part of a group looking to challenge New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli in the Democratic primary in June.

                  On the heels of a campaign stop at the State Capital proposing a $20 billion affordable housing fund, Warshaw joined Power & Politics.

                  He and Tom Eschen discussed:

                    1. Introduction & Campaign Overview – 00:00–00:30
                    2. $20 Billion Affordable Housing Fund – 00:30–01:32
                    3. Pension Fund Performance & Wall Street Fees – 01:32–04:06
                    4. Firing Wall Street Managers & Index Fund Plan – 04:06–06:36
                    5. Politics, Fiduciary Duty & Risky Investments – 06:36–09:21
                    6. Tier Six Pensions & Pension Reform – 09:21–11:11
                    7. Auditing Priorities: Health Care, ICE & Insurance – 11:11–13:12
                    8. Building Codes, Construction Costs & Affordability – 13:12–15:05
                    9. Utilities, PSC & Rising Energy Bills – 15:05–17:04
                    10. Climate Law, Fossil Fuels & Divestment – 17:04–18:54
                    11. Eliot Spitzer’s Support & Campaign Backing – 18:54–19:52
                    12. Statewide Campaign Strategy & Voter Outreach – 19:52–21:15
                    13. What Sets Drew Apart & Closing Message – 21:15–22:18

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                      27 min
                    15. John D'Alessandro, Secretary of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, March 20th, 2026

                      John D'Alessandro, Secretary of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, joined Power & Politics this week to discuss the state of volunteer firefighters in New York.

                      His appearance comes a few weeks after a different firefighter association, the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York, said the decline in volunteer firefighter staffing has become a "public safety crisis".


                      On Power & Politics, D'Alessandro disagreed.

                      1. Intro & Who Protects New York
                        [00:00:01] – [00:03:26]

                      2. Recruitment & Retention Challenges
                        [00:03:26] – [00:09:21]

                      3. More Calls, Changing Communities
                        [00:09:21] – [00:13:41]

                      4. Different Ways to Volunteer
                        [00:13:41] – [00:17:10]

                      5. Incentives & the VOLY Plan
                        [00:17:10] – [00:21:06]

                      6. Volunteers as the Backbone of Public Safety
                        [00:21:06] – [00:22:17]

                      7. Mental Health and 9/11 Impacts
                        [00:22:17] – [00:25:37]

                      8. Budget Priorities & Why It Matters to Taxpayers
                        [00:25:37] – End

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                        33 min
                      9. Jackie Salvatore, Columbia County Sheriff, March 13th, 2026

                        Jackie Salvatore, the first woman of color to be elected Sheriff in New York State, joined Power & Politics for a wide ranging interview on Thursday evening.

                        Salvatore, a Democrat who had been Columbia County Undersheriff since 2022, was elected in November 2025. 

                        Chapters:

                        1. Historic First & Early Months in Office

                          • [0:00:00 – 0:04:30]
                          • Becoming sheriff, being the first woman of color sheriff in NYS, key breaks in her career.

                          • Women in Policing & Personal Identity

                            • [0:04:30 – 0:06:30]
                            • Changes for women in law enforcement, stereotypes, and separating the job from who you are.

                            • Immigration, Warrants & Technology

                              • [0:06:30 – 0:12:30]
                              • Philosophy on ICE cooperation, jail vs. traffic-stop policies, and use of cameras for investigations—not immigration.

                              • Community Roots, Culture & Recruitment

                                • [0:12:30 – 0:21:00]
                                • Being from Hudson, expectations of deputies, body cameras, community events, morale, and recruiting through positive engagement.

                                • Race, Representation & Public Perception

                                  • [0:21:00 – 0:25:00]
                                  • Growing up with parents from segregated schools, becoming the sixth Black woman in NYSP, and seeing “people as people.”

                                  • Mental Health, Training & Safety

                                    • [0:25:00 – 0:27:30]
                                    • Mobile crisis response, why officers should still be present, and ongoing training with county mental health.

                                    • Opioids, Harm Reduction & Treatment in Jail

                                      • [0:27:30 – 0:31:00]
                                      • Overdose trends, medically assisted treatment in jail, access issues, and Narcan/harm-reduction philosophy.

                                      • Scams Against Seniors & Community Protection

                                        • [0:31:00 – 0:33:30]
                                        • Common scams, financial safeguards, and encouraging seniors to call police.

                                        • Vision for Columbia County & Success

                                          • [0:33:30 – 0:36:56]
                                          • Post‑COVID population shifts, why the job is rewarding, specialized units, and her definition of a successful department.

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                                            38 min
                                          • Stuart Amoriell, NY-21 Democratic candidate, March 6th, 2026

                                            Stuart Amoriell, a Democratic candidate running in New York's 21st Congressional District, joined Power & Politics this week, discussing his background, his campaign and some of the major issues facing New Yorkers, and Americans right now.

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                                            30 min
                                          • "Meeting the mission" Rep Mike Lawler (R) reacts to U.S./Israel military action in Iran, March 5th, 2026

                                            Congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican representing New York's 17th Congressional District, speaks with CBS6's Tom Eschen about the United States and Israel's military action in Iran. They discuss the legality of the move by the Trump Administration, the messaging the by the federal government and Congress, along with his push to pass DHS funding to provide safety at home.

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                                            17 min
                                          • Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY18), on U.S. military action in Iran, March 2nd, 2026

                                            New York House Rep. Pat Ryan (D) , a veteran who represents New York's 18th Congressional District, is opposing the Trump Administration's military action in Iran, saying he doesn't see a clear strategy, and that he's concerned history will be repeating itself.

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                                            15 min

                                          About Power & Politics

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                                          A Murrow Award winning podcast that brings you inside the issues impacting our communities. Every week, Tom Eschen sits down with local leaders and power brokers for a frank, sometimes blunt,…

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