FOX 5 Politics Unusual with Morgan McKay

Fox 5 New York
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Think of Politics Unusual as your weekly debrief on the circus that is local and national politics. Host Morgan McKay skips the "politician-speak" to get the real story from the people making the rules. Whether you’re a policy nerd or just wondering why your taxes are doing that again, join us for a deep dive into the strange, the messy, and the definitely-not-usual world of politics.

  1. Jun 23

    Mayor Mamdani on Rent Freeze & Budgets + NYC Primary Roundtable

    On this episode of Politics Unusual, FOX 5 NY’s political reporter Morgan McKay gets an exclusive sit-down with Mayor Zohran Mamdani. We cover the recent rent freeze vote, the city budget, and the impact of the mayor’s endorsements ahead of the primaries. Later in the show, political strategist J.C. Polanco and Democratic strategist Trip Yang join the roundtable to break down the hottest races in the NYC primaries, focusing on the shifting dynamics in NY-7, NY-10, NY-12, and NY-13. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  2. May 25

    New York Lt. Governor Candidate Adrienne Adams

    New York Lt. Governor Candidate Adrienne Adams sit down with Morgan McKay as the primary approaches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  3. May 11

    NY Budget Fallout & The First Responder Buffer Zone

    The state budget is late, and the ripples are being felt across all five boroughs. Are businesses quietly packing their bags, and what will it take to get them to stay? This week on Politics Unusual, Morgan McKay convenes a heavy-hitting Reporter Roundtable featuring New York Times City Hall Reporter Sally Goldenberg and New York Post City Hall Bureau Chief Craig McCarthy. They break down exactly how the budget delays are impacting NYC, the devil in the details of the proposed pied-à-terre tax, and the uphill battle business leaders face in keeping jobs in the Empire State. Plus, they analyze Assemblymember Mamdani’s influence over the budget and weigh the odds of a rent freeze for rent-stabilized apartments as the Rent Guidelines Board vote looms. Then, Morgan sits down with Scott Munro, President of the Detectives' Endowment Association. Munro details his aggressive push for the HALO Act—a bill that would create a strict 15-foot buffer zone around police officers, firefighters, and EMS workers. He explains the penalties for violating the zone, his upcoming lobbying efforts in Washington D.C., and the ongoing fight to make changes to Tier 2A pensions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  4. May 4

    Self-Funding, State Budgets, and the Struggle for a Ceasefire

    Is New York losing its competitive edge? Congressman Dan Goldman joins the pod to defend his stance on wealth taxes and explain why he’s using his own fortune to fund his campaign against challenger Brad Lander. From the geopolitics of Iran and Israel to the local politics of the Mayoral primary, no stone is left unturned. Senator Steve Chan also stops by to discuss his transition from the NYPD to the State Senate and his mission to make public transit safer through increased criminal penalties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  5. Apr 24

    War in Iran, DHS Shutdown & New York’s 4 AM World Cup Plan

    On this episode of Politics Unusual, Robert Moses digs into a heavy week of national security and local celebration. First, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joins to discuss the escalating conflict with Iran and the fallout of the DHS partial shutdown. Plus, he breaks down the long-awaited rate cut coming to Connecticut electric bills. Then, we shift gears to the pitch. Justin Brannan, Governor Hochul’s Senior Director of Major Event Operations, stops by to explain New York’s massive World Cup 2026 playbook—including new 4:00 AM closing times for bars, simplified permits, and how the state is turning local neighborhoods into global fan zones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  6. Apr 19

    Guns, Garages, and the $30 Minimum Wage

    Three years after a fatal parking garage collapse, New York City is racing to inspect thousands of structures—but many are falling behind. This week, DOB Commissioner Ahmed Tigani joins Morgan McKay to discuss the enforcement crisis, the push to remove sidewalk sheds, and a controversial proposal to allow building inspectors to carry firearms. Then, Councilmember Harvey Epstein stops by to advocate for the city’s workforce. From the ambitious push for a $30 minimum wage and Amazon worker protections to the debate over taxing luxury pied-à-terre apartments, we explore the legislative battles shaping the cost of living in NYC. Infrastructure: Why Manhattan and Brooklyn garages are missing inspection deadlines. Safety: The debate over giving DOB inspectors arrest powers. Labor: Can NYC really sustain a $30 minimum wage? Real Estate: Why the pied-à-terre tax is back on the table. Listen in for a deep dive into the safety and silver of New York City. Quick Hits: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  7. Apr 6

    Tax Wars & Crisis Calls: Is NYC Pushing Business to the Brink?

    Are the "Big Apple’s" biggest employers looking for the exit? This week on Politics Unusual, Morgan McKay dives into the high-stakes battle over the New York State budget and a new vision for public safety under the Mamdani administration. Part 1: The Corporate Exodus?First, Morgan sits down with Steven Fulop, the new CEO of the Partnership for NYC. As state lawmakers negotiate a massive budget, Fulop reveals why the Partnership is launching a seven-figure ad campaign to fight proposed tax hikes on high earners and businesses. While titans like JP Morgan might never fully leave, Fulop warns of a "quiet quitting" of the city—where growth and new jobs are being funneled to Texas and Florida instead of the five boroughs. We discuss the "tipping point" of affordability and how the business community views Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first 100 days. Part 2: Reimagining the 911 Response Then, we shift to the front lines of the city's mental health crisis. Brian Stettin, former senior adviser on severe mental illness, joins the show to break down Mayor Mamdani’s new Office of Community Safety. Stettin weighs in on the B-HEARD program’s limitations and argues that the city is facing a "false choice." Does it have to be police or social workers? Stettin explains why a "Co-Response" model might be the key to saving lives during a mental health emergency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  8. Mar 29

    Fast Food Paybacks, Debt Collection Rules, & NYC's Massive Budget Gap

    Are your workplace rights protected, and is the city running out of money? This week on Politics Unusual, Morgan McKay dives deep into the financial realities facing both everyday New Yorkers and the city at large. First, Morgan sits down with Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Sam Levine. They break down a massive recent settlement with Dunkin' and Taco Bell franchisees that is finally putting hard-earned money back into workers' pockets. Commissioner Levine also pulls back the curtain on ongoing investigations into worker violations, explains how new proposed funding cuts to the DCWP could put future investigations at risk, and unpacks what the city’s brand-new rules around debt collection mean for you. Then, we shift focus to the city's wallet. Sarita Subramanian, Senior Research and Strategy Officer at the Independent Budget Office (IBO), joins the show to discuss a staggering new report. With New York City staring down a projected $7 billion budget gap over the next two years, Sarita explains exactly how we got here—and more importantly, the tough choices and strategic ways the city can close that massive gap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Think of Politics Unusual as your weekly debrief on the circus that is local and national politics. Host Morgan McKay skips the "politician-speak" to get the real story from the people making the rules. Whether you’re a policy nerd or just wondering why your taxes are doing that again, join us for a deep dive into the strange, the messy, and the definitely-not-usual world of politics.

Information

  • Creator
    Fox 5 New York
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Copyright
    © 2026 FOX 5 NY