100 episodes

What happens when three New York reporters sit in a (small) room and talk politics? Join the NY1 political team each week for a conversation where no topic is off-limits and everything is on the record.​

Off Topic/On Politics Spectrum News NY1

    • News
    • 4.6 • 149 Ratings

What happens when three New York reporters sit in a (small) room and talk politics? Join the NY1 political team each week for a conversation where no topic is off-limits and everything is on the record.​

    Close to the edge: A violent week in NYC

    Close to the edge: A violent week in NYC

    This week, a series of shocking acts of violence occurred in the city, including the fatal shooting of a police officer in Queens. Mayor Eric Adams, who ran his 2021 campaign on a public safety message, continues to say crime is down, but as headline-grabbing incidents persist, New Yorkers understandably feel less safe. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political director Bob Hardt and political reporter Bobby Cuza weigh in on the recent surge of violence and the mayor’s proposal for "electromagnetic weapons detection systems" in New York City’s subways. 
    After that, the controversial congestion pricing plan got one step closer to going into effect this summer. The MTA board approved the plan this week — which will charge most drivers $15 a day to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. The “Off Topic” team looks at this massive change coming to our streets and the opposition it continues to face.
    Leave a message: 212-379-3440
    Email: yourstoryny1@charter.com

    • 31 min
    Survey says: New Yorkers are not happy!

    Survey says: New Yorkers are not happy!

    This week, new details emerged from a sexual assault allegation against New York City Mayor Eric Adams by a former NYPD aide. The woman claims that Adams in 1993 demanded sexual acts in exchange for helping her with her career in the department. The mayor vehemently denied the allegations, saying he doesn’t even recall ever meeting the woman who filed the lawsuit. NY1 political reporters Bobby Cuza, Kelly Mena and Dan Rivoli weigh in on the allegations as well as the somewhat-muted reaction from city lawmakers.
    After that, a new survey from the Citizens Budget Commission found that just 30% of New Yorkers are happy with their quality of life – a sharp decline from when the poll was last taken in 2017. The “Off Topic” team looks at the poll and discusses why New York got a bad report card from so many residents.
    Leave a message: 212-379-3440
    Email: yourstoryny1@charter.com

    • 31 min
    Santos returns while Adams and Hochul are partners in (fighting) crime

    Santos returns while Adams and Hochul are partners in (fighting) crime

    Saying he wants to return to Congress, George Santos sat down with NY1’s Ayana Harry for his first TV interview. The disgraced former lawmaker is targeting a different Long Island district for his comeback, even as he faces a 23-count federal indictment on corruption charges. Ayana is joined by NY1 political reporter Bobby Cuza and NY1 statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan to discuss Santos’ quasi-campaign.
    Also this week: Mayor Adams and Gov. Hochul appeared at a press conference together to take on “ghost cars” that use fake license plates. Their appearance comes after the two leaders were notably not on the same stage last week when talking about plans to fight crime in the subways. The “Off Topic’ team looks at this week’s show of solidarity between Hochul and Adams and explores their working relationship.
    Leave a message: 212-379-3440
    Email: yourstoryny1@charter.com

    • 30 min
    Hochul deploys the National Guard underground

    Hochul deploys the National Guard underground

    This week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she will deploy the National Guard and New York State Police into the subway system to increase security and conduct bag checks following a spate of violent crimes in transit. The surprise announcement has been met with a mixed response by New Yorkers. The deployment is just one part of what the governor called a five-point plan to crack down on subway crime. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan and political reporter Bobby Cuza weigh in on the plan and lawmakers’ reaction to the governor’s announcement.
    After that, this week, the city's budget director said the massive jails complex on Rikers Island would not be closed by 2027, blowing a deadline to open four new borough-based jails.  The “Off Topic’ team looks at the potential consequences, or lack thereof, of the city not making this deadline.
    Leave a message: 212-379-3440
    Email: yourstoryny1@charter.com

    • 33 min
    Mayor Adams challenges NYC's sanctuary city laws (again)

    Mayor Adams challenges NYC's sanctuary city laws (again)

    This week, Mayor Eric Adams made headlines when he announced that he thinks changes need to be made to New York’s sanctuary city laws. This time, the mayor called for expanded cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities, attacking the current city policies that limit such communication and calling them detrimental to public safety. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan and political reporter Bobby Cuza weigh in on the mayor’s remarks and how his comments have received support from Republican lawmakers throughout the city.
    After that, the seemingly endless redistricting story took another turn this week, as the state legislature approved new congressional district maps that made small changes to the lines but did not go nearly as far as they did in 2022. The “Off Topic” team looks at what this means for House races in the fall.
    Leave a message: 212-379-3440
    Email: yourstoryny1@charter.com

    • 32 min
    Hochul gets tough on shoplifting, City Council gets tough on Adams

    Hochul gets tough on shoplifting, City Council gets tough on Adams

    The City Council filed a motion this week to intervene in a lawsuit against Mayor Eric Adams' administration over the city's housing voucher program, known as CityFHEPS. The Adams administration has been against implementing the new rules citing high costs, as officials believe “the law goes beyond the City Council's authority, and that it's actually preempted by existing state law”. Also, this week, Adams canceled more budget cuts that were slated for April. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan and political reporter Dan Rivoli weigh in on a busy week at City Hall, and how these developments may affect the mayor’s alarmingly low polling numbers.
    After that, Gov. Kathy Hochul has a plan to tackle retail theft, a major theme of her State of the State address in January. The “Off Topic” team discusses Hochul’s proposed joint efforts between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. They also talk about how businesses have been impacted by the steady rise in shoplifting across the state.
    Leave a message: 212-379-3440
    Email: yourstoryny1@charter.com

    • 35 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
149 Ratings

149 Ratings

Blakeful ,

Great show for non tv watchers

These guys do a great public service keeping us informed of city issues and what local politicians are thinking. Everyone should have a show like this in their city.

Beattyful ,

Courtney is insufferable

Updated: It’s time for an overhaul to the ENTIRE panel. // Keep Juan, get rid of the other 2. Courtney comes off as incredibly privileged, entitled and out of touch. I’d bet a million bucks she’s heard that feedback before. I can’t even remember the other guy’s name. And we need at least one progressive voice on this show. Ideally a Black progressive.

Kelaeryyr ,

Oh no

I listened for Grace Rauh, I guess I stay to hear the most braindead identity politics imaginable from Juan

Top Podcasts In News

The Daily
The New York Times
Serial
Serial Productions & The New York Times
Up First
NPR
The Ben Shapiro Show
The Daily Wire
Pod Save America
Crooked Media
The Megyn Kelly Show
SiriusXM

You Might Also Like

You Decide with Errol Louis
Spectrum News NY1
The Brian Lehrer Show
WNYC
Max Politics
Max Politics
FAQ NYC
FAQ NYC
Political Gabfest
Slate Podcasts
FiveThirtyEight Politics
ABC News, 538, FiveThirtyEight, Galen Druke