Hell Gate's March Madness of NYC Hot Takes continues! Thanks to our readers' bracket picks, only the spiciest takes have risen to the top, and this week we're squaring off over the Elite Eight. We also chat with $20 Dinner writer Scott Lynch about the new, incredibly useful and interactive $20 Dinner Map, and what he's learned covering more than 100 New York City restaurants for Hell Gate.

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It's that time of year again—Hell Gate is proud to present the 2025 March Madness of NYC Hot Takes! This week, we preview some of the takes we think have the heat to go all the way. (Did you fill out your bracket yet?) We also break down the twisty "jail saga" of Brooklyn comedian William Banks.

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The ICE detention of former Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil sent shockwaves across the city this week. We break down how our local political leaders responded. And we talk about a new book on the death of the artist Michael Stewart, who was beaten and killed by Transit Police officers in 1983, and how it sheds light on the psyche of Mayor Adams, who began his career as a transit cop in the early '80s.

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It finally happened—Andrew Cuomo is officially running for mayor. So is City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. Wait, and is Eric still running? We're here to break down the state of this chaotic race. Plus: Mayor "no quid pro quo" Adams made an awkward appearance at a congressional hearing on "sanctuary city" policies, where he got roasted by members of his own party.

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The mayor says he can't govern effectively while under federal prosecution. But Eric Adams says that actually isn't a problem? Things keep getting weirder as more people contemplate jumping into the mayor's race. Plus, why is the Brooklyn Museum broke? Too much Hannah Gadsby? Or not enough?

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Yes, Eric Adams is still our mayor. This week, we discuss his bizarre dismissal hearing, and Governor Hochul's decision not to remove him from office. Which...may be smart politics, but doesn't exactly jibe with her recently professed love of the 1982 Rambo movie "First Blood."

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Imagine you're the mayor of New York City, sitting down to a nice steak dinner with a Republican billionaire, when you find out that the Justice Department has ordered local prosecutors to drop the charges that could land you in federal prison. Yay! But wait, there's a catch...you're now entirely beholden to President Donald Trump. This week, we're of course talking about what might be next for Eric Adams, as well as this year's Westminster Dog Show, and, just in time for Valentine's Day, Bill de Blasio's new girlfriend.

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This week we're talking about NYU Langone and Mount Sinai's decisions to cancel gender-affirming care appointments for trans youth, and how the Adams administration is rolling over for Trump's immigration crackdown. Plus: Why did Eric Adams lie about a colonoscopy? Why does Jenifer Rajkumar suddenly want to become the public advocate? And what's up with Daniel Penny's new VC job?

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Rumors were swirling as Mayor Adams took some mysterious PTO earlier this week. Was it...norovirus? Or was he just too excited by some promising news coming out of the Department of Justice? We also break down what's going on with hyperlocal news site Bushwick Daily, and what Paragon's upcoming closure says about New York nightlife.

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From Mar-a-Lago to the inauguration's MMA overflow room to a giggly sit-down with Tucker Carlson, Eric Adams has been hustling harder than ever for a pardon during Trump’s first days in office. Plus: What’s in—and out—of Kathy Hochul’s "affordability" budget.

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