Off Topic/On Politics Spectrum News NY1

Almost 50 years in the making, congestion pricing in New York City was dealt a shocking blow this week when Gov. Kathy Hochul “indefinitely” paused the plan to toll people driving into Midtown and lower Manhattan. Hochul’s decision — just weeks before the plan was going into effect — has New Yorkers scratching their heads as to what led to her decision. Was it just policy or was politics behind the governor’s move? NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and political director Bob Hardt discuss the possible reasons for Hochul’s last-minute postponement.
After that, it’s Adams v. Adams yet again. Mayor Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams are at odds, this time over a piece of legislation that would give local lawmakers confirmation powers over 21 mayoral appointees. The “Off Topic” team discusses the latest City Hall power struggle.

After 11 hours of deliberation, 12 men and women found former President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony charges of falsifying business records in his New York City criminal hush-money trial. This is the first time a former president has been convicted of a crime. Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, only four days before the Republican National Convention. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, and political reporters Ayana Harry and Bobby Cuza recap this monumental event in American history, including Ayana’s observations from the trial as she was in court each day. They also discuss the former president’s unconventional press conference at Trump Tower and the political ramifications of this historic decision.
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At the end of March, NYPD officers shot and killed a 19-year-old in Queens who was apparently facing a mental health crisis. The death of Win Rozario once again put scrutiny on how the NYPD handles mental health calls and whether the city’s non-police response program is working. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and Dan Rivoli discuss the complicated nature of the city's response to mental health calls and Courtney details the findings of her new investigation.
After that, Andrew Cuomo was back in the news after he gave a fiery speech on Mayor Adams’ home turf of Brooklyn. The former governor bashed the city’s handling of possible arsenic contamination at a New York City public housing complex in the East Village. Adams was quick to push back on Cuomo, but many are speculating that Cuomo may be planning to challenge Adams in a run for mayor next year. The “Off Topic” team looks at the possibility of Cuomo returning to politics as well as other potential candidates. 
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This week, both Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul broke out their passports. The mayor went to Rome to attend a conference, and the governor went to both Italy and Ireland to speak at conferences. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan discuss Adams’ and Hochul’s international travel and what it may mean for them in the long run.
 
After that, three years into what has been called a disastrous rollout of legal weed, the governor is overhauling the state Office of Cannabis Management. It comes as the city has announced there are up to 2,900 illegal smokeshops across the city. The “Off Topic” team looks at the problems the legal weed program has faced and how this restructuring can potentially help.
 
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Mayor Eric Adams may be facing a new challenger in next year’s mayoral primary, this time from his home borough of Brooklyn. This week, State Sen. Zellnor Myrie announced he is exploring a bid for mayor in 2025. Myrie is the second potential Democratic challenger Mayor Adams could face, as former city comptroller Scott Stringer also launched an exploratory committee earlier this year. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena discuss whether Myrie is a viable candidate and if he will run as a progressive.
After that, NYPD top brass has been using social media to criticize opponents, protesters at college universities and City Council members. Now, those social posts are the subject of an inquiry by the city Department of Investigation, at the request of the Legal Aid Society and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. The “Off Topic” team looks at the probe and talk about whether the NYPD is in fact improperly using official social media accounts.
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This week, the NYPD descended upon Columbia University, the City College of New York and Fordham University, arresting hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters. The department has faced scrutiny over the move, as the Adams administration points to “outside agitators” being key to organizing the protests. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Dan Rivoli examined the protests, the actions of the NYPD and the response by university officials. They also discussed if the protests drew attention to the cause or whether the dialogue has only been about how the protestors were dealt with.
After that, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office asked for a retrial for Harvey Weinstein, after the movie producer’s 2020 rape conviction was overturned by an appeals court last week. The “Off Topic” team discussed the potential difficulty the prosecution faces, as well as how overturning this case is a significant blow to the #MeToo movement.
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