Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The case, which haunted Long Island and captured national attention, took years to solve despite spanning nearly two decades.

The killing spree stretched over 17 years, with investigators and families alike left searching for answers as the case went cold. For decades, the question lingered: why did it take so long to identify and arrest the killer?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New polls show the race for governor of New York narrowing a bit. Democrat incumbent Kathy Hochul still has a big lead over Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman.

Blakeman is the current Nassau County Executive and a staunch backer of President Donald Trump. We speak with him about the race and what he would do as governor.

Meanwhile, Mayor Zohran Mamdani is in a big push for taxes on big corporations in New York City. The push is to help pay for his proposed programs and to make up for the over $5 billion deficit.

So, how is the critically important business community reacting to all this? And will some of them decide to move a portion or all of their business to low-tax states?

This morning, we talk to Steve Fulop, the former mayor of Jersey City, who is now the president of Partnership for New York City. The group represents businesses in the country's biggest city.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An Air Canada plane last Sunday slammed into a Port Authority fire truck at around 100 mph. The pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crushed cockpit.

Meanwhile, 41 others were also injured.

So, how did this happen and how do we keep it from happening again?

We talk to ABC News Aviation Expert Retired Col. Steve Ganyard and Eyewitness News helicopter reporter John Del Giorno.

Also ahead, the latest on the travel chaos for airline passengers at airports amid the partial U.S. government shutdown.

The partial government shutdown over funding the Department of Homeland Security has stretched more than 40 days.

Late Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to pay TSA workers and end the long lines at airports. Then, the Senate approved a funding measure.

So, was this crisis avoidable? This morning, we talk to New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer about it.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Pentagon is now asking for $200 billion to fund the war in Iran, that's in addition to all the money that was spent already.

As the deadly bombing and missile attacks continue, the price of oil keeps soaring. There's also worry that it could fuel inflation on other items, from flights, to groceries and much more.

Joining us to discuss is New York Congressman Tom Suozzi. He talks about the war, its impact and when President Donald Trump's deadly battle with Iran may come to an end.

Also ahead, he's a former teacher, a former principal and a former school superintendent.

You may not have heard about Kamar Samuels until now. As the current New York City Schools Chancellor, Samuels is in charge of the largest school system in the country.

This morning, we talk to the chancellor about his plans for the school system, Mayor Zohran Mamdani's push to open up 2-K and 3-K as well as mayoral control over city schools.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last weekend, the NYPD says two men tried to set off homemade bombs during a protest near Gracie Mansion, the place that houses the city's mayor.

New York City and the country have been on heightened terror alert since the U.S. and Israel jointly attacked Iran.

On Thursday, a vehicle rammed into a synagogue in Michigan and started a fire there. The driver of the vehicle was then shot and killed.

So, how real is the threat to the U.S., and how do you protect it? This morning, we talk to a security expect about this.

Plus, President Donald Trump offering a public, and at times puzzling, statement that the U.S. has already won the war with Iran.

But if that's true, why does the U.S. and Israel keep on bombing Iran? And if Iran is defeated, why does it keep firing missiles at Israel and neighboring countries?

Joining us to discuss is New York Congressman Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The U.S. and Israel continue with a war they launched against Iran. It's a war that President Donald Trump says could go on for weeks.

The reasons for going to war in the first place, and the goals the president is trying to achieve, both are still not entirely clear. The president went to war without congressional approval.

Most Republican members of Congress are standing behind the president and his decision. Democrats, however, are mostly critical that the president went to war without getting approval from Congress.

This morning, we talk to New York Congressman George Latimer, who is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Also ahead, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin is making history as the first Jewish woman to hold the job.

So, how is she getting along with the city's first Muslim mayor? Both have a mantra -- that they're working for everyone who is a New Yorker.

We talk with Menin about the budget deficits, her push to keep protesters away from houses of worship and a lot more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amid mixed approval ratings and a fight to keep Republicans in control of Congress, President Trump gave the longest State of the Union speech in U.S. history on Tuesday night.

During the nearly two-hour talk, Trump claimed the U.S. now has a roaring economy. The president also spent no shortage of time attacking Democrats.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the president "spewed lies, propaganda and hatred."

This morning, we get reaction from Democratic U.S. Senator from New Jersey, Andy Kim.

Meanwhile, there's quite a battle over the congressional seat in the Garden State left vacant after the election of Gov. Mikie Sherrill.

Democratic nominee Analila Mejia is facing Republican nominee Joe Hathaway in a special general election next month. Hathaway is currently the mayor of Randolph, New Jersey.

Bill Ritter sits down with Hathaway to discuss his campaign and message to voters.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The high court struck down most of the tariffs that Trump has been imposing on countries around the world. The president using it as a big foreign policy tool and as a lever against big business and countries that aren't doing what the Trump administration wants.

Critics say the cost of tariffs is eventually passed onto consumers in the form of high prices.

So, where do we go from here?

We talk to New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer and New York Congressman Dan Goldman about this decision.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was the seat held by Mikie Sherrill before she became governor of the Garden State.

Mejia co-founded the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and worked on Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign back in 2020. Her win marks another big victory for progressives.

So, how did she win? And what does Mejia plan to do if she's elected in a special election in April?

This morning, we ask her these questions and what she would do as a congresswoman.

Plus, the Trump administration, under huge pressure nationwide, ended its controversial surge of ICE agents in Minneapolis. But now funding for the Department of Homeland Security has been held up by Congress over ICE agents' actions and tactics, including two killings of American citizens.

New York House Rep. Adriano Espaillat weighs in on President Trump's immigration crackdown and where it goes from here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"We Need to Wake Up After Minneapolis." These words aren't from a Democrat, nor are they from someone who never voted for Trump either. Those words are from Republican New York Congressman Mike Lawler.

It came after weeks of protests over the deadly ICE shootings of two Americans: Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.

This morning, we talk to Congressman Lawler about an Op-Ed piece he wrote in The New York Times. A Republican in New York, making the case to reduce tensions of Trump's ICE strategy, and what should happen to millions of undocumented workers already in the country.

Plus, a farewell to Rick Cotton, the longest-serving executive director of the Port Authority in half a century.

After serving more than eight years on the job, transforming the major airports and other services provided by the agency, Cotton is stepping down.

We speak with Cotton about the changes he made while he was at the helm as well as what's ahead.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A judge ruled that New York's 11th congressional seat, held by Republican Nicole Malliotakis, must now be redrawn. The ruling would make it harder for New York City's only Republican to win reelection.

Congresswoman Malliotakis, who says the fight against this is not over, joins Up Close to discuss.

Also with his take: Democrat Dan Goldman, who represents neighboring Congressional District 10.

We talk with Goldman about the push to change Rep. Malliotakis' district, President Trump's first year in office and controversies over the ICE crackdown.

Also coming up: the head of New York City Emergency Management, Zach Iscol.

Iscol was appointed to the job by former Mayor Eric Adams back in 2022. Mayor Zohran Mamdani asked Iscol to stay through the winter.

So, why is the commissioner leaving next month? The outgoing NYCEM commissioner joins Up Close to talk about his decision.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He's grabbed national attention for his policy proposals and his outspoken stance on contentious issues like immigration.

In a sit-down interview with Eyewitness News anchor Bill Ritter, the mayor drew a line in the sand, maintaining that New York will remain a sanctuary city.

Mamdani also talked about personal topics, like his new home at Gracie Mansion, and whether his parents have offered him advice about the home and being mayor. He said, "yes they have."

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump ordered a U.S. military operation in Venezuela to capture Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The Trump administration calling it a law enforcement action and insisting it's not an invasion.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department froze $10 billion in child care funds to New York and four other Democrat-led states.

While all this is going on, Obamacare health care premiums have ended for more than 20 million Americans. The Republican-led House and Senate so far resisting Democratic push to extend health care subsidies to lower skyrocketing premiums.

Joining Up Close to discuss is Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.

And New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in his second week in office continues to push for his ambitious agenda -- from free child care to free buses, to name a few.

But can the city afford Mamdani's agenda? New York City's new Comptroller, Mark Levine, gives his take.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is the start of a new era in New York City politics. Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic socialist, became the 112th mayor of New York on Thursday.

Mamdani's promises include making the city more affordable, free buses and universal child care, just to name a few. We take a look at the promises the new mayor made at his inauguration and the challenges he faces.

Joining us to discuss is Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. He had a front row seat at the inauguration.

Mayor Mamdani has been living in Queens and represented part of the borough in the New York State Assembly.

Also joining us is the only Republican member of Congress from New York City: Nicole Malliotakis.

Up Close speaks with Rep. Malliotakis about the new mayor and also the big issues facing Congress as lawmakers return to work. One of the most pressing issues facing more than 20 million Americans is the big increase in health care insurance premiums after Obamacare subsidies expired.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we get ready to bid adieu to 2025, Up Close has interviews with two prominent newsmakers who are leaving their jobs.

Up first is our interview New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. The Garden State governor opens up about his successes and challenges over the last eight years.

Also on our program: New York City Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker.

Although in the chair for less than a year and a half, Tucker has a significant impact on the FDNY.

One reason is because he wasn't a stranger to the fire department. As an adult, he raised money for them. As a young man, he was an intern for the FDNY. And as a child, Tucker followed fire trucks when he heard their sirens.

Tucker sits down with Up Close Anchor Bill Ritter to discuss his time as FDNY commissioner and his decision to ultimately step down.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

U.S. Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey is talking deeply from his heart about his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis and the journey his family is now on.

Kim's father immigrated from South Korea as a young man, came here and earned a doctorate in genetics. His father's medical research included ways to fight cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

The U.S. senator is going public now, hoping to help the millions of other families who are facing the same challenges. Up Close Anchor Bill Ritter recently caught up with Sen. Kim about being a caregiver and the new journey his family is on.

We also talk with Dr. Jim Noble, professor of neurology at Columbia University, about what people should know about Alzheimer's disease, treatment options for patients and the strides being made towards a possible cure.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Nina Pineda examines the challenges that caregivers face as they help a loved one with dementia. She discusses her experience taking the "Virtual Dementia Tour, " an experience created by the Act Now Foundation, a New Jersey nonprofit that helps caregivers of those with the condition. The tour gives caregivers immersive insights into the complex difficulties their loved ones face.

The eight minutes Nina spent in the tour were nothing short of life-changing. She discusses her experiences, as well as important tips for caregivers, with Kristine Allen, the president and co-founder of Act Now, and Cary Lopez, co-founder and executive director.

WABC-TV has partnered with Act Now for a television report and this podcast, distributed on the feed of WABC-TV's public affairs show Up Close.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can he accomplish those campaign promises, and how will he do it? And how will he deal with the New Yorkers who didn't vote for him?

On this edition of Up Close, we talk to former New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is the executive committee chair of the New York State Democratic Party.

She talks about what the new mayor has to do.

Also joining us first is Republican Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, who just won a second term less than three weeks ago. He was endorsed by President Donald Trump, but he's now considering a run for a higher office: Governor of New York.

He was endorsed by President Trump for Nassau County executive, but not for governor. So will that help or hurt him in the race for governor?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The longest shutdown in the history of the federal government ended Wednesday night after 43 days.

In order to shut down the shutdown, eight Democrats in the Senate agreed to join Republicans and allow a measure for funding to go through. What Democrats did not get, however, were subsidies for Obamacare, which expire this year.

Next year, the big increase in health premiums for more than 24 million Americans. That will happen unless Republicans agree to extend the subsidies.

Joining us to discuss what's next is U.S. Democratic Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey and House Republican Congressman Mike Lawler of New York.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 34-year-old state assemblyman will become the youngest New York mayor in more than a century. He will also be the first Muslim mayor of New York City.

It will be a lot of firsts for the mayor-elect, who enters Gracie Mansion with an incredibly ambitious agenda focused on affordability for New Yorkers.

The mayor-elect joins this special edition of Up Close to discuss what's next as he prepares to take office.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sherrill became only the second woman ever and first female Democrat to be elected governor of New Jersey.

It was a hard-fought battle and one of the most expensive in the Garden State's history. In the end, Sherrill won big and is now getting ready to lead the state with more than 9.5 million residents.

The Governor-elect joins our program to discuss the election and her next steps as she prepares to take office.

Also ahead: His name is Zohran Mamdani, and this past week in the biggest city in the country, he made history.

Mamdani is just 34 years old, the youngest New York mayor in the century. He's also the first Muslim mayor of New York City.

The mayor-elect won more than 1 million votes in November's general election -- more than 50% of the vote.

It was a race that had the biggest voter turnout in more than half a century, with Mamdani viewing himself as an agent of change.

One of the biggest questions of the morning: Will NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch say yes to the new mayor? Will she stay as the police commissioner when Mamdani takes office on Jan. 1, 2026?

And how will rank-and-file officers react to a mayor who, just a few years ago, was quite critical of the NYPD?

Joining us to discuss is Bill Bratton, who was police commissioner under two different mayors of New York City: Bill De Blasio and Rudy Giuliani.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor in Urban Studies at Queens College and former NYC councilmember from the Bronx, James Vacca joins Sade Baderinwa.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The government shutdown is now in its fourth week. It's already the second longest shutdown in U.S. history, and Americans are paying the price.

Republicans are pushing for a temporary funding plan with no strings attached. Meanwhile, Democrats are demanding restoration of some Obamacare subsidies, which are being cut in an effort led by President Trump.

Joining us to discuss what's at stake is Democratic U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey and Republican Congressman Mike Lawler of New York.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this special edition of Up Close with Bill Ritter, we continue to count down to the New York City mayoral election, which is now less than three weeks away.

Ahead of the November general election, we are sitting down with the New York City mayoral candidates to have a conversation about issues facing the city.

The Independent candidate for mayor, Andrew Cuomo, joins us on this episode.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was a feisty and contentious final debate in the race for New Jersey governor between Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherill.

We'll show you the highlights of the debate, which aired on WABC-TV. We also talk with a political analyst about how each of them did and whether they did enough to change the minds of voters in this tight race.

Meanwhile, a new poll out in the race for mayor of New York City shows Andrew Cuomo gaining, but he's still double digits behind frontrunner Zohran Mamdani.

We talk with former New York Gov. David Paterson about where the race goes from here.

But first: We are 12 days into the government shutdown, and so far, there seems to be no movement to end it.

So what impact is it having on people? Bill Ritter speaks with Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres of New York about the shutdown.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meantime, on the campaign trail, the New York City mayoral candidates are weighing in on the new charges leveled against New York Attorney General Letitia James. She's the second political figure in a span of two weeks to face prosecution after President Donald Trump's public demand that the Justice Department move "now" to charge his political enemies.

Joining Eyewitness News anchor Mike Marza to talk more about this is ABC News Deputy Political Director Ben Siegel.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Educators and parents remain split, with experts noting the challenges of balancing equity with the need to challenge advanced learners. As the race tightens, the future of NYC’s Gifted and Talented programs may hinge on who voters believe has the best vision for the nation’s largest school system.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mamdani appeared on The View to sharpen his message on affordability and push back against Donald Trump, while rolling out his first upbeat TV ad. Cuomo countered with a self-deprecating, AI-assisted ad highlighting his government experience and secured new endorsements. Meanwhile, Sliwa aimed his ads squarely at both opponents while blasting the MTA over its fare hikes.

Mayor Eric Adams resurfaced publicly to tout historically low crime stats, while sources say he may even endorse Cuomo to block Mamdani’s rise.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A government shutdown could happen next week if a short-term funding bill doesn't pass. The Trump administration now threatening to fire federal workers if there is a shutdown.

Will Democrats agree to a short-term spending bill, or will they fight President Trump and risk the fallout from a shutdown?

Up Close talks with two members of Congress from New York: Adriano Espaillat and George Latimer.

Meanwhile, the race for governor of New Jersey took an interesting turn, some even calling it dirty politics.

A new poll shows the race is now tied with the election just over a month away.

We talk with a political expert about how Republican Jack Ciattarelli has closed the gap against Democrat Mikie Sherrill and where the race goes from here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Up Close, we talk to two members of Congress on different sides of the aisle, with different politics: Republican Mike Lawler of New York and Democrat Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey.

They may not agree on what to have for lunch, but they listen to each other, and they say they are still willing and wanting to work together.

Most importantly, they want the hate to stop.

Also joining us on this episode is our political team.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of Up Close, we talk to Congressman Tom Suozzi, a centrist Democrat, about the murder of Kirk, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, who had very strong opinions about that direction.

In addition, we analyze the latest polls in the New York City mayoral race.

Three new polls that have come out this past week all give Zohran Mamdani a big lead over his opponents, Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa and Eric Adams.

Independent candidate Jim Walden dropped out more than a week ago, and he's urging some others to drop out and narrow the field to beat Mamdani.

Walden came to our studio after he dropped out and talked to Eyewitness News anchor Mike Marza.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

That would make it a one-on-one race between former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani, a scenario that could make the Democratic nominee's road to victory a little tougher.

On this edition of Up Close, we talk to one mayoral candidate who just dropped out of the race: Jim Walden.

We talk to Walden about why he left the race and why he's urging some of the other candidates to do the same.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Her tough talk follows her meeting with Texas Democratic lawmakers locked in a redistricting battle in the Lone Star State.

They fled the state to avoid a vote after Texas' governor pushed to redraw districts to elect more Republicans.

On this edition of Up Close, Mike Marza talked to the only Republican member of Congress from New York City, Nicole Malliotakis.

She represents a swing district, and it could swing more blue if Democrats in Albany redraw the congressional lines.

Also joining the show is Democratic Congressman Adriano Espaillat with his take on redistricting.

He also talks about the race for New York City mayor.

In the primary, Espaillat endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo, but in the general election, he is backing Zohran Mamdani.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The governor also talked about how New Yorkers have been approaching police officers on the beat and thanking them for their service and what they are doing to protect people who live in the city, and those who work here.

In addition, she also discussed how New York has outlawed people walking around with guns, and it's time for Washington to finally outlaw the carrying of semi-automatic rifles.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Lawler decided he will not run for governor.

Bill Ritter asks him about why he bowed out, the role President Trump played in the decision, the nasty words Lawler has for Governor Hochul, and vice versa, and his words for the Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York.

Also, we hear from Congressman Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey.

He gives his take on the recent victory in Congress for Republicans, and what the Democrats need to do now to try to regain control of the House.

Up Close airs Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. on Channel 7, WABC-TV in New York City.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adams talks about the federal corruption charges against him, charges that were dropped a few months ago by President Donald Trump's Justice Department.

He also discusses the president's impact on the race for mayor.

And with the November general election just months away, Adams is not the only candidate making their case.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is shifting his campaign for mayor into high gear. The life-long Democrat is now running for office as an independent candidate.

In an interview with Eyewitness News, Cuomo talked about the lessons learned from his failed primary run, and how his strategy is different for the general election.

He called his opponent Zohran Mamdani "dangerous."

He also warned that if he and Mayor Adams are both in the race, it will be easier for Mamdani to win the mayoral election.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adams, a former long-time officer and then later captain in the NYPD, picked up key endorsements from police and corrections officers on Thursday.

The groups are calling the endorsement a united front, with a mayor who has stood with them.

It comes a day after Adams announced his campaign earned $1.5 million since June.

With so much happening in this unusual mayor's race, Bill Ritter sat down late Thursday afternoon at Gracie Mansion and interviewed Mayor Adams at length.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cuomo released a video Monday with the formal announcement three weeks after his loss in the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani.

The former governor says he grossly underestimated Mamdani right up until election night, and explained his reaction.

"Stunned. That's why I looked stunned because I was stunned," Cuomo said. "All campaign long, I was way ahead, 15 points ahead by every genius who was out there, campaign played it overly safe and yes, I was surprised. I was stunned."

He explained that he still believes he has a path to victory in the race.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is picking up more union support, with the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) being one of the latest to endorse the state lawmaker.

Meanwhile, the "Stop Mamdani" campaign is also kicking into high gear. There are growing calls to narrow the field of candidates running against Mamdani, in hopes of defeating him in November.

But is anyone willing to drop out?

President Donald Trump in the meantime has issued warnings about what he says will happen if Mamdani wins the general election.

"If a communist gets elected to run New York, it can never be the same, but we have tremendous power at the White House to run places where we have to," Trump said.

We talk to former Democratic New York Gov. David Paterson, who is among those pushing the challengers to Mamdani to unite. Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York also joins our program to discuss her view on the mayor's race, the controversial Trump budget bill and a lot more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump has tried to skewer Zohran Mamdani, this after the state lawmaker secured the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York.

On the flip side, the president has praised current Mayor Eric Adams, who's running for reelection as an independent.

So, will Republican voters in New York City support Adams, or will they support their party's nominee Curtis Sliwa? Up Close Anchor Bill Ritter speaks with Sliwa about the hotly-contested race to be the city's next mayor, and whether he's being pressured to drop out.

Also joining our program to discuss is City Comptroller Brad Lander, who finished third in the Democratic mayoral primary and has become one of the strongest supporters of Mamdani.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mamdani went from a no-name politician to the man now in the political spotlight after his stunning upset in the Democratic nomination to lead the nation's largest city.

The Socialist Democrat took his populist message to the people using social media in a grass roots campaign. His win, at least partly, came from young voters, and now it is sparking a national debate on how Democrats should try to win elections.

Mamdani got 44% of the vote, easily passing former Governor Andrew Cuomo. It came, despite millions of dollars spent by Cuomo and his Super PACs.

The 33-year-old will now be facing incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an Independent and not a Democrat in the general election.

Bill Ritter sat down with Mamdani the day after his primary win.

ABC News Political Director Averi Harper and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf also join the show to discuss their thoughts on the race for New York City mayor.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 33-year-old self-described Democratic Socialist from Queens has declared the win over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Mamdani went from being a relatively unknown state lawmaker to the presumptive Democratic nominee for New York City Mayor in just a matter of months.

Now he faces the prospect of an equally challenging task: Defeating Mayor Eric Adams and a Republican opponent - and maybe even Cuomo again - in the general election, while fending off critics who argue he is too far to the left.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The hotly-contested race to be the city's next mayor is now in its final stretch, with the primary just two days away.

Latest polling shows New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani closing in on former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo's lead in the final weeks.

Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave millions of dollars to a super PAC supporting Cuomo, this while another former mayor, Bill De Blasio, is urging voters not to support the former governor.

We talk to voters about their top issues, and also ask some borough presidents about what the next mayor's top priorities should be.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just like in the last several years, it's another crowded field of candidates for mayor of New York City.

Primary day is just nine days away, and when he was elected four years ago, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams called himself the face of the new Democratic Party. Adams, however, is no longer running as a Democrat, deciding to run as an Independent in the race after the Trump Justice Department dropped its felony federal corruption charges against him.

Meanwhile, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned after allegations of sexual harassment, is now trying to make a political comeback in the Democratic primary. Cuomo faces several other candidates in the race for the Democratic nomination.

The winner will face Eric Adams in November - the 110th mayor who is fighting for a second term.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the first time in eight years, there is no incumbent in the race, as current Gov. Phil Murphy can't run again because of term limits.

The biggest number of candidates running in this gubernatorial primary election: the Democrats. Out of the six Democrats running, two are members of Congress and two are mayors.

Whoever wins the Democratic primary will likely face a tough fight from Republicans, including from the state GOP's no. 1 candidate: Jack Ciattarelli.

Ciattarelli came surprisingly close to winning the general election against Gov. Murphy four years ago, only losing by about three points. Meanwhile, four other Republicans are also running for governor, but it's businessman Ciattarelli who is backed this time in this election by President Donald Trump.

With the election just days away, will the president's support help in this race? Up Close takes a close look at all the leading candidates in the Garden State.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The protests are in response to the detention of a man from Venezuela who is seeking asylum in New York. The 20-year-old, identified as Daniel, is a New York City high school student, who also had a job to help his mother and siblings. An undocumented worker, like nearly half a million others in New York.

As for NYC Mayor Eric Adams, he says he can't do anything about it.

Joining Up Close to discuss is Alexa Aviles, chair of the NYC Council's immigration committee. We also speak with a legal expert on what anxious immigrants can do as the Trump administration ramps up its crackdown.

Also on our program, remembering former U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel, the lion of Harlem who served 46 years in Congress.

Rangel became one of the most powerful members of the House who used his influence to push legislation that helped his community and struggling communities across the country.

We look back at Rangel's interview with Up Close back in 2016, when he was getting ready to finish his last term after spending nearly half a century in Washington.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The president has already cut major federal programs and made big changes by signing a flood of executive orders.

So, how do Democrats fight back? We speak with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York about her party's response.

Meanwhile, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested a few weeks ago and charged with trespassing at a Trump administration ICE immigration center.

The charges against Baraka were later dropped by federal prosecutors of the Trump administration. One of his colleagues, a congresswoman from New Jersey, also protested but her charges weren't dropped.

So, what's the difference, and what happened? Bill Ritter speaks with the mayor about the situation and why he also wants to be the next governor of the Garden State.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's been two weeks of travel woes at Newark Liberty International Airport, and now there's concerns that the chaos could continue well into the summer season.

Old technology and a shortage of air traffic controllers are just some of the big issues involved.

So, will the new plan by President Donald Trump's transportation department fix the problem anytime soon? And how concerned should people be about flying in and out of Newark and other airports?

We speak with ABC aviation expert John Vance about the recent events.

Meanwhile, Steve Fulop, the mayor of Jersey City for 12 years, is running for a new job: governor of New Jersey.

We speak with the mayor about issues facing the Garden State and how he plans to fix them if he wins the primary.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the mayor unveils what he calls the best budget ever. The $115 billion plan includes more New York police officers, free after school programs for all kids and a lot more.

On this edition of Up Close, Bill Ritter talks to Mayor Adams about the budget, the race for mayor, the issues confronting the city and how he's getting along with President Trump.

Meanwhile, the new chancellor of New York City schools, for her first time on Up Close, offers insight on how she plans to continue to build the country's biggest and most expensive public school system -- from continuing to increase the percentage of graduates, to getting students ready for college and for dealing with cellphones in the classroom.

We have our first interview with the chancellor and veteran school expert, Melissa Aviles-Ramos.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump has taken action on a number of issues, including immigration, raising tariffs to try to restore the American manufacturing base and trying to broker peace in the three-year Russia-Ukraine war, earning praise from supporters.

But he has come under fire on a number of fronts, including his economic and immigration policies and is locked in a trade war with China.

We will take a look at what it all means for you, your wallet, your safety and your security.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He has been president just over three months now, and recent polling shows only 37% of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the economy, while 59% disapprove of his tariffs on good for most other countries.

The polls suggest more than disapproval - it's fear from Americans about where the country is heading. The president says he won the 2024 election in a landslide, but it was only by about two million votes.

Trump has backtracked on some of his actions, but where are we as a country right now? Where are the Democrats, and what are they doing to in light of the concern?

The highest-ranking Democratic official in the country, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, joins our program to discuss.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the president having ICE agents setting up shop at Rikers Island to deal with deportation of undocumented immigrants, to possible cuts in the New York City budget because of the Trump administration, it is top of mind for a city that, like many Americans, are worried about the economy and what happens to people without money.

On this edition of Up Close, we get an inside look from New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is hip deep in all this, and she's more than concerned about it all.

We'll also take a new look at how our lives in New York are about to change -- and fast.

In about four years, 25% of New Yorkers will be 60 or older. That's one out of four of us.

We speak to the commissioner of Aging in New York, Lorraine Cortes Vazquez, who is thinking about this a lot, and deeply. She offers an amazing look at the future, and what we can do in the present.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether it's affording groceries, buying a new car or figuring out how to pay rent, it was a presidential attempt to change the way that the U.S. does business with other countries.

Americans witnessed President Trump threaten other countries around the world with an avalanche of tariffs, slapping huge amounts of taxes on goods trying to get into the U.S.

The president then put most tariffs on pause. Many people were shocked, but the president and his aides insisted this was good business.

Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, joins our program to discuss, including how this affects New York City and even the race of mayor.

Plus, former ABC News investigative reporter Richard Esposito with the first-ever biography on one of the most famous reporters in NYC history: Jimmy Breslin.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump continues to escalate his global economic trade war, announcing a new round of expansive tariffs on what he dubbed as "Liberation Day."

But the day after Trump's announcement, there was another sell-off on Wall Street, and one of the biggest ever. The tariffs sent waves of worry through the financial markets and Americans across the country.

The president, who campaigned and won on promises of cutting inflation as soon as possible, now faced with real fears of big price hikes on consumer goods.

New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer joins our program with his reaction to the tariffs.

We also speak with Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of Partnership for New York City, which represent businesses in NYC.

Wylde weighs in on the economy and also discusses her organization's latest study on the return of workers to offices since the pandemic and what it means.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump this past week declared a new tariff, this one on imported cars. Meanwhile, more federal workers are being forced off the job while sanctuary cities are facing a Trump order to stop what they're doing.

The big deal of the week: a major breach over a meeting at the Pentagon that allowed a reporter to be part of a unsecure chat group reportedly discussing war plans. The president is insisting the media is making too big of a deal over the situation.

Among those speaking out includes New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim. The Garden State senator joins our program to discuss.

Plus, what's ahead for New York City Mayor Eric Adams?

Adams is currently low in the ratings, all while his political future remains in question. If he loses the Democratic primary in June, many are wondering what will he do next. Will he run as an independent come time this fall?

We speak with the mayor about these questions and more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, he took executive action to gut the federal Department of Education.

Joining us on this edition of Up Close is Michael Mulgrew, the president of the United Federation of Teachers, who represents educators in New York City. He talks more about the big move taken by the president and what that means for schools.

Meanwhile, attempts to shut down the Department of Education is just one of many controversies sparked by Trump since he took office.

He also scored an extension on government funding with help from a political foe, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, which split the Democratic party.

So, do Democrats fight Trump or try to make a deal with him? Does he even want a deal?

Mike Marza talks to Congressman Laura Gillen, a Democrat from Long Island.

On another front, the Trump administration has continued the crackdown on immigrants, even those with legal status.

Columbia grad student Mahmoud Khalil has a permanent residency visa and is married to an American citizen, but the government is trying to deport him for his role in pro-Palestinian protests at the university last year.

We talk to the New York Civil Liberties Union Assistant Director Bobby Hodgson about the rights of both documented and undocumented immigrants.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While the president says he's got it under control, the stock market and many Americans are concerned about the current state of the U.S. economy.

Meanwhile, the president continues to have a hold on the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, waging a domestic agenda that's costed a huge percentage of the federal government to lose their jobs.

As for Democrats, what can they do to respond to all this? We speak with Democratic first-year New York congressman George Latimer about this issue.

Back in New York City, the federal deadline to end congestion pricing is just a few days away.

The MTA is fighting in court to keep the plan alive, but how is congestion pricing performing in the 2 1/2 months since it was implemented?

Transportation expert Sam Schwartz, also known as "Gridlock Sam," joins Up Close to discuss.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump made it clear he is determined to go through his agenda, and he seemed not interested at all in a compromise with Democrats.

But will some Republicans start to get antsy about some of these proposals?

On this edition of Up Close, Republican Congressman Mike Lawler of New York joins us to weigh in.

As for the Democrats, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, who gave the democratic Spanish response to the president last Tuesday, reflects on Trump's speech, and talks about what he said to his Spanish-speaking constituents.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The reaction isn't just from one party. Both parties in Congress approve bills that spend money, and people from both parties react when money they voted on is suddenly reversed.

We talked to New York Congressman Tom Suozzi, a middle of the road Democrat, for his take on these last several weeks.

And from running the federal government, to running the biggest city in the country, we also look at the situation shaping up now in the race for mayor of New York.

Eric Adams still insists he is running for re-election, this as he waits for a judge to decide if the federal felony corruption charges against him are thrown out at the request of Trump's Justice Department. He has been under fire from critics claiming the Justice Department action is designed to get Mayor Adams' support for President Trump's crackdown of undocumented workers.

After weeks of political speculation, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo over the weekend announced he is running for mayor.

Meanwhile, the current City Council Speaker Adrianne Adams has formed an exploratory committee to run for mayor, and there is already at least six other candidates in the race.

Here to help us break it all down is former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. She is now the CEO of Women in Need, which provides services to homeless women and children, and she's the executive committee chair of the New York Democratic Party.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul decided not to remove Mayor Eric Adams. Instead, Hochul says she is using "extraordinary intervention" to limit the mayor and his powers.

Another question to consider: will Hochul's intervention also limit the New York powers of President Donald Trump? The president has long had a controversial and dramatic relationship with his native city.

Former NY Governor David Paterson and City Comptroller Brad Lander join Up Close to discuss.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently took legal action against New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and others, claiming they were trying to resist the federal crackdown on undocumented workers.

And is the president now also calling the immigration shots for New York City Mayor Eric Adams?

Immigration has been the host of dramatic actions taken by President Trump during his first month in office.

Former Republican New York Governor George Pataki and Democratic NY Congressman Dan Goldman join Up Close to discuss.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In week three of Donald Trump's presidency, we've seen non-stop actions and controversies, from proposals to remove Palestinians from Gaza, to banning transgender athletes, to Elon Musk's influence in the new administration.

So, how do Democrats respond, especially those who believe in bipartisanship?

In this edition of Up Close, we talk to Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, who's also running for governor of the Garden State. He gives us a status report on the new president.

Meanwhile, the impact of Trump's crackdown on undocumented workers presents a slew of problems, especially for big cities, which tend to be sanctuary cities. They prohibit the use of city resources for immigration enforcement.

Joining us with more on this issue is New York City Council Member Alexa Aviles. The councilwoman represents District 38, which includes several neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and is also the chair of the Immigration Committee.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump has used his executive powers and actions to follow through on what he promised he would do during his campaign.

With Republicans in control of the House and the Senate, Trump appears to be in an uber-strong position, but the majority party is filled with people who don't have the exact same politics.

Some members of Congress are not so much in a red or blue section of the state, but some are in a purple section. One of them is Republican Congressman Mike Lawler of New York.

Lawler joins Up Close to talk about what he discussed this week with President Trump and other moderate Republicans.

Also joining us on this show is Democratic Congressman Adriano Espaillat of New York.

Together we dig deeper into the Trump crackdown of undocumented immigrants, with hundreds of people rounded up in the first few days of his administration.

Espaillat, who was undocumented when he came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic as a child and is the first undocumented person in the U.S. to later be elected to Congress, knows this issue firsthand.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the beginning of week three for the controversial and emotionally-charged Manhattan driving plan. The plan currently charges drivers a $9 daily fee to drive during peak hours below 60th Street.

On top of mind for many: Has congestion pricing reduced traffic? Are more people taking the subway and buses? And will Donald Trump and some members of Congress try to stop federal funding to the MTA?

We ask MTA CEO Janno Lieber about the plan's implementation so far.

Meanwhile, Trump is set to be sworn in once again as the president of the United States on Monday.

It will be only the second time in history when a president has been elected to a nonconsecutive term in office. So, how will Trump's second term compare to his first?

We speak with one of the president-elect's most loyal Republicans, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Perhaps, that discussion should include the catastrophe in Los Angeles this week, and the instantaneous fire explosions in the nation's second largest city, the loss of lives and so many homes leveled.

With that as prelude, New York Congressman Tom Suozzi from Long Island, joins us as our first guest.

Also joining our show is George Helmy, who late last year, became a U.S. senator from New Jersey. Helmy offers an interesting perspective on the Senate and the U.S. government.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Laura Gillen, who won the 4th Congressional District seat on Long Island, and George Latimer, who won the 16th Congressional District after serving as Westchester County executive, both ran as centrist Democrats who said they were willing to work with Republicans to try to get the people's work done.

But these two members of the freshmen class of the 119th Congress will have their work cut out for them.

They are Democrats in a Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

They talk about what that's like, and what it will be like for two years.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What a busy year it's been in the city, and for the mayor.

Politically, and personally, there have been no shortage of challenges for the city, and for the mayor.

For the third consecutive year, Bill Ritter sat down with the Mayor Adams and talked about the year gone by, and the year ahead.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Prosecutors in Manhattan are now working on extraditing the suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, from Pennsylvania to face murder charges in New York. He's accused of shooting and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside an investor's day conference in Manhattan on Dec. 4.

This case has raised concerns about protection for other company executives, and it has sparked a disturbing debate on social media, where many posts have expressed sympathy for Mangione and his railing against the health insurance company.

We talked to former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce about how the case unfolded.

Also joining us is criminal defense attorney Michael Bachner, once an assistant district attorney in Manhattan, who weighs in on how to defend a case like this.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams just worked closely with Mayor Eric Adams to pass the "City of Yes" measure which promises to create 80,000 more housing units in a city that really needs them.

But a lot of contentious issues are ahead. Among them: how will the city respond to the Trump administration when it comes to deportation of undocumented immigrants, a controversial move that the incoming president has promised he would implement.

And in New Jersey, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, just elected to another term, is now running for a new job.

She has entered the Democratic race for governor.

We talk to her about the big issues facing the state and also what's ahead when Republicans take control of the House, Senate and the White House.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She joins us to talk about the challenges ahead at a time when concern over crime remains high, even if some of the crime numbers are lower.

Also, when lawmakers return to Washington in January, Democrats will be in the minority in the House and the Senate. Come Jan. 20, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president.

So where do the Democrats go from here? We'll talk to New York Congressman Dan Goldman.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams, which will make it her second position under the mayor after serving as the city's sanitation commissioner.

So, how will Commissioner Tisch deal with a department that has seen turmoil at the top, while dealing with increasing worries about crime on the streets?

We talk to former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton, who led the department under two different mayors, about that subject.

Meanwhile, Josh Gottheimer, who was just reelected to Congress, joins our show to talk about him running for another job: the governor of New Jersey.

He discusses the issues facing the state, how he plans to deal with them and how he will deal with the new Congress that starts in January.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the January 6 insurrection, and after all the criminal cases against him, including guilty verdicts involving felonies, Trump won big.

Feeling emboldened by his victory, the president elect has made some controversial cabinet choices, including nominating former Congressman Matt Gaetz for attorney general.

In this edition of Up Close, we talk to New York Congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican who held on to his seat, about what Trump's reelection means.

Democratic New York Congressman Ritchie Torres also joins the show to talk about the progressive agenda and what Democrats will do going forward.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democrats are trying to flip several Republican-held seats this upcoming election, in hopes of once again gaining control of the House of Representatives.

One of the hard-fought races includes New York's 4th Congressional District on Long Island. Republican incumbent Anthony D'Esposito is being challenged by Democrat Laura Gillen.

It's a rematch from two years ago, when D'Esposito beat Gillen. But this time, one new poll shows Gillen has a double-digit lead.

Bill Ritter speaks with both candidates about their campaigns ahead of Election Day in this special edition of Up Close.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Up Close, Bill Ritter talks to the candidates for Menendez's seat, Democratic Congressman Andy Kim and Republican businessman Curtis Bashaw.

Kim has represented the 3rd Congressional District in New Jersey since 2019, and is now running for the U.S. Senate seat.

Meanwhile, Bashaw, a businessman, has spent his career in real estate and hospitality industries.

Bill also speaks with ABC News Deputy Political Director Averi Harper about where the presidential election stands between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ten of Mayor Eric Adams' top aides have resigned in the last few weeks, some reportedly at the urging of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, but one new appointment and promotion has gotten widespread report.

In this episode of Up Close, we're joined by Maria Torres-Springer, the city's new deputy mayor who will be guiding day-to-day city operations and services.

The daughter of Filipino immigrants, Torres-Springer, she went to Yale and to Harvard, and has served in the administrations of mayors Michael Bloomberg, Bill de Blasio and Adams. She was the deputy mayor for housing, economic development and workforce before being named the first deputy mayor.

We also dive deeper into the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which landed in Florida as a Category 3 storm and cut a deadly path through the state.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A divided government, like we have now, could mean more gridlock. But a sweep of the House, Senate and the White House by either party could lead to major, and consequential changes, one way or the other, depending on ones political leanings.

We focus on New York's First Congressional District on Long Island.

Bill Ritter talks to both incumbent Republican Nick LaLota, and his Democratic challenger John Avlon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The five-count indictment accuses the 110th mayor of a series of charges, including accepting illegal contributions and bribery. He is accused of having foreign governments pay for expensive trips for himself.

Prosecutors claim the crimes started before Adams became mayor, and continued after he was elected.

Adams, on the other hand, showing defiance and insisting he has done nothing wrong.

Former New York Governor David Paterson and former NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn join our program to discuss the federal charges against Mayor Adams.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Polls show Trump is behind Vice President Kamala Harris by double digits in New York, but that isn't stopping the former president from trying to persuade his supporters that he has a chance of winning the state. A win by a Republican presidential candidate in New York has not been done since Ronald Reagan back in 1984.

Trump recently addressed a packed crowd at the Nassau County Coliseum last Wednesday, aimed at helping local congressional candidates on Long Island.

Meanwhile, some local Democrats are questioning and criticizing the massive cost to taxpayers for the security of the rally. They say the Trump campaign should have paid for it.

Bill Ritter speaks with Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and New York State Democratic Committee Executive Chair Christine Quinn for both sides on this issue.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Edward Caban's resignation went into effect on Friday, Thomas Donlon, a retired FBI official, was sworn in as interim NYPD commissioner.

Caban faced calls to step aside after federal agents took his phone last week as part of a criminal investigation.

Caban officially resigned from the department he served for more than three decades, as he vowed to protect New Yorkers. He served 14 months as the city's top cop after he was appointed back in July of last year.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chancellor Banks addresses the controversial challenge, and how New York City plans to unveil the new school year as summer break comes to an end.

Meanwhile, a new book could shine profound light on fighting one of the medical and mental maladies of our time: loneliness.

The amazing Dr. Ruth Westheimer, who led a revolution over honesty in sex, is now tackling honesty about loneliness. It was her last project, despite her being 95 years old years and her suffering a stroke.

She wrote a book in the past year, and she died just after she finished it, less than two months ago. One of the people who helped her write the book is Allison Gilbert, a long-time journalist, who joined Up Close.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden has passed the torch to his vice president, Kamala Harris. She accepted the party's nomination at this past week's Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Democrats who had worried about Biden have quickly rallied for his vice president.

One of the people Biden met with before ending his re-election bid was New York's senior U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. He is also the Senate Majority Leader and worked with Harris as vice president and when she was in the Senate.

We also talk to former Republican governor of New Jersey, Christie Todd Whitman.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Four weeks ago, most Americans – regardless of politics – were wondering how the mess of the Democratic party could quickly rebound from the withdrawal of President Joe Biden from the race for the White House. But the race has quickly evolved, as Vice President Kamala Harris rises in the polls against Donald Trump after replacing Biden on the party's ticket, along with her running mate Tim Walz.

The mayor of New York is a Democratic party delegate who will be in Chicago for the convention that starts Monday. He joins the show and provides his insight on the DNC the presidential race.

We also highlight a big change to the FDNY. A new commissioner was appointed by Mayor Adams earlier last week, his second FDNY commissioner in the more than two and a half years of his administration.

Robert Tucker was sworn in as the 35th commissioner in the country's biggest fire department. He joins the show to talk about his first week on the job, and what he has in mind for the department.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Walz seemed to come out of nowhere and land the VP nomination, beating out Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, the charismatic leader of a key battleground state, and Senator Mark Kelly, an astronaut, a Navy combat veteran, and husband to gun violence survivor and former Rep. Gabbie Giffords.

So, what was it about Tim Walz that made him the right pick for Harris, and how does it change the foundation of the race for the White House? Mike Marza gets the perspective of both parties, talking to Democrat Congressman Ritchie Torres representing New York's 15th district in the Bronx, and Republican Congressman Anthony D'Esposito representing New York's 4th district.

In addition, we dive deeper into the drones launched this week by New York City Emergency Management, equipped with messages warning people in the city's low-lying areas about the risk of flooding. It's a tool that could save lives.

Joining us is Christina Farrell, New York City Emergency Management First Deputy Commissioner.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill Ritter talks to Congresswoman Mikie Sherill of New Jersey, one of the first Democrats from the Tri-State area to call for President Joe Biden to end his election campaign.

She talks about how Democrats have been energized since he dropped out, and how her party quickly united behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

She gives her take about the presidential race, the nastiness that's consuming a big part of it and the major issues in the November election.

Bill also talks to New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who has announced that he's running for mayor.

The election is more than 450 days away – but there are already so many Democrats running against incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.

Lander weighs in on his campaign.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this edition of Eyewitness News Up Close, we discuss the race between former president and Republican nominee Donald Trump against presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

There has been no shortage of attacks and vitriol in what promises to be a tough campaign, to put it politely.

It will also be the shortest presidential race in modern history.

We talk with New Jersey Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer and the head of the Republican Party in New York, Ed Cox. 

Plus, ABC News Political Director Rick Klein and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf weigh in on the race for the White House.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former President Trump accepted his party's nomination for another run at the White House. 

Trump said he rewrote the speech after the assassination attempt. So, what did we learn from his speech?

Bill Ritter spoke to Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, who gave her take on Trump at the Republican National Convention.

For the Democratic perspective, Bill also spoke to Congressman Dan Goldman of New York.

And in her first television interview after announcing she is stepping down as the New York City's first woman fire commissioner, Bill spoke to Laura Kavanagh, who answered the obvious question: "why are you leaving?"

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A bullet piercing his ear, leaving him bleeding and a nation stunned.

This morning, we get reaction from several people, including New York Republican Congressman Mike Lawler.

We also talk to former FBI official Richard Frankel and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf on how this could happen.

Also on our program, we remember and celebrate the life and legacy of America's sex therapist, Ruth Westheimer, better known to generations as Dr. Ruth.

An orphan of the Holocaust, Dr. Ruth shot to fame in her 50s for her direct, frank and honest talk about sex. Bill Ritter has more on her remarkable journey.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this edition of Up Close, we have more on the growing calls for Biden to step down from his re-election campaign, and also get a former New York governor's take on what this all means.

New Jersey Congresswoman Mikie Sherill is one of nearly a dozen Democrats in Congress who have publicly thanked Biden for his service but say he should not be running for a second term. Many of the Democratic leaders are publicly saying the decision to run is up to President Biden. 

Actor George Clooney, who has been a big fundraiser for Democrats, also called for President Biden to bow out.

Joining us is former New York Governor David Paterson, a Democrat who is no stranger to the intrigue of New York and national politics, and who has his pulse on Democratic politics and the party's leaders.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There have been successes, and there have been challenges, and more of each to come.

We talk to es David Banks about the challenges of the last year -- and what's in store for the upcoming school year.

And will it include a ban on cellphones in schools, like others have done or contemplated?

We also talk to Dr. Jen Ashton, who has appeared dozens of times on Up Close to help New Yorkers through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Ashton is stepping down as ABC's chief medical correspondent for a new venture to help women.

We talk to her about that, and also about other medical issues, including the increasing popularity of weight-loss drugs.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With about 200,000 migrants now in New York City, immigration is a hot issue in the 2024 race for president.

So, what should the policy be for people trying to come to the U.S. without proper papers? How do you secure the border?

Bill Ritter sits down with New York House Representative Adriano Espaillat to discuss.

Plus, one of the benefits to congestion pricing was supposed to be improved emergency response times. But it turns out the problem is actually worse outside of the proposed tolling area.

Investigative reporter Dan Krauth has more on the 7 On Your Side Investigation.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 16th District represents Westchester County and parts of the Bronx.

Millions of dollars have already spent on the race for the Democratic nomination, much of it on ads.

Bill Ritter sits down with both candidates as we ask New Yorkers to share their top concerns. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As this anniversary nears, WABC-TV Channel 7, the broadcast partner of the 2024 NYC Pride March, is showcasing stories of Pride with a special edition of the Up Close podcast.

Host Bill Ritter introduces you to Ronald Porcelli, the director of the NYC Unity Project, Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice. In his efforts, Porcelli works closely with the co-owners of the Stonewall Inn, Stacy Lentz and Kurt Kelly, who over 18 years have transformed the cradle of the movement into a source of Pride year-round, an accessible part of American and world history.

Lentz and Kelly share the stories of what inspired them to buy the Stonewall, what the process of reviving it entailed, the challenges they face and what the future holds for this institution, while sharing their own stories of embracing their identities and living their truths.

Porcelli gives us a rare look into how City Hall is working with diverse communities to make New York a more equitable and fair place for all of its people during a time of heightened societal polarization.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He’s the first former president to become a felon.

But he's still running for president as the Republican candidate. 

So how will these guilty verdicts affect the race for the White House?

Our guests this morning are former Republican New York Congressman Lee Zeldin and Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi.

Plus, analysis from our political team – ABC News political director Rick Klein and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Those who have backed congestion pricing insist the additional tolls are designed to reduce air pollution and traffic below 60th street in Manhattan, but the cost to drivers is hefty.

The start date is Sunday, June 30, but there are a number of lawsuits that have been filed to try to block it. The controversy isn't over, some believe.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump's criminal trial continues in Lower Manhattan.

One of the star witnesses, Stormy Daniels, went into salacious details about how she says she had sex with Trump and how she received money to stay quiet. The former president was in court listening to it all. He's still denying that he had a relationship with her.

ABC News executive editorial producer John Santucci, who has covered Trump for quite a while, joins the show.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Now the House of Representatives has passed a bill broadening the definition of antisemitism, but there are some, who very much fight hate at every turn, who ask if this bill goes too far?   

We talk to two of the sponsors of the measure, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey) and U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-New York), who are trying to push bipartisanship.

...

New York City has announced a curriculum on hate crimes and their impact, and New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks is set to testify to Congress this week about hate and antisemitism in schools. He joins us.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this edition of Up Close, we go one-on-one with Mayor Eric Adams, who talks about the demonstrations that started at Columbia University and spread across the city.

The NYPD was called into action by the colleges themselves.

The division in the city has grown larger for so many reasons, from antisemitism, the linkage with terrorist groups, to the role of the police.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized Columbia for calling the NYPD and the arrests that followed. 

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson traveled to the campus from Washington, saying he's ready to call out the National Guard.

Mayor Adams joined the show to address all those issues.

Meanwhile, another issue plaguing New York has been the squatter problem.

State lawmakers passed, and Governor Kathy Hochul signed a measure, changing the law for the better, thanks to Eyewitness News reporting.

But landlords still face some challenges in getting their homes back.

Investigative reporter Dan Krauth has more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do we know about the jurors and what we can expect as testimony gets underway?

We talked to a former prosecutor about the case and also to our political team about the trial's impact on the presidential race.

But first a major development in an Eyewitness News investigation.

Criminal charges are filed against one of the accused squatters, who prosecutors say not only took over a home but rented out rooms.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Diller was killed during a traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens. 

Between the accused gunman and the driver of the car who was charged with gun violations, they had nearly three dozen arrests before being charged in this case.

Another recent case involved eight migrants found squatting in the Bronx and facing drug and gun charges.

Despite a request from prosecutors in the Bronx for high bail, most were all released without posting any bail.

This morning we talk to Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark about that and continued gun violence.

***

While the fear of crime in New York City seems to be high, newly released numbers for the first three months of the year show crime is actually down on the streets and in the subway system. We talk to the NYPD’s chief of patrol John Chell. 

***

Plus WABC-TV chief meteorologist Lee Goldberg on Monday's eclipse, the forecast for viewing and what to expect during the rare event.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many drivers are not happy in the slightest to pay to drive on public streets. 

It's set to start in June, unless the state of New Jersey and several groups can get a court to derail a plan that would bring the MTA about $1 billion in new revenue. 

We talk to transportation consultant Sam Schwartz, known as Gridlock Sam, and New Jersey U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who has been one of the plan's loudest critics.

***

Plus, former New York governor David Paterson joins us to discuss congestion pricing, how to fight crime in New York City, and a lot more.

***

Finally, ABC News political director Rick Klein and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf discuss the week in politics. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Up Close, we dive into the issue and the long process that can take close to two years to result in an eviction of the alleged squatters.

Investigative reporter Dan Krauth joins the show with details on his coverage of a property owner who confronted a group of people she said moved into her million-dollar home in Queens.

Several people were taken away in handcuffs, and one of those arrested was the homeowner.

New York State Assemblymember Jake Blumencranz also joined the show to discuss the push to change the law in New York to stop squatters from taking homes that don't belong to them.

Meanwhile, we take a look at the state of the city's economy four years after COVID's arrival here, and how businesses are dealing with the growing concerns about crime.

Joining us with more is Kathryne Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Restaurants and bars were closed, along with schools and so many businesses. The nation's biggest city soon looked like a ghost town. 

So what lessons did we learn from the pandemic, and exactly how is the economic recovery going?

We talk to New York Mayor Eric Adams and ABC's Dr. Jen Ashton. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Biden and former president Donald Trump have entered the longest general-election campaign since the presidential race of 2000, George W. Bush versus Al Gore.

Polls show many voters did not want a Biden-Trump rematch, but that's the race the country has.

We talk to Republican Congressman Mike Lawler and Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman.

Plus, our political panel analyzes Biden’s performance, and entertainment reporter Sandy Kenyon gives us a preview of the Oscars, which Sandy is labeling the "battle of the blockbusters."

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The democrats won back a crucial congressional seat previously held by embattled former Congressman George Santos, with Suozzi's victory over Mazi Pilip last month.

Suozzi's new job comes at a time when Congress is dealing with a range of huge and highly debated issues, from the seemingly ongoing threat of a government shutdown, a border crisis, an unfunded war in Ukraine and the endless violence in Gaza.

Congressman Suozzi sits down with Bill Ritter on Up Close to discuss those issues.

Our second guest, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander talks about the city's finances as it deals with the migrant crisis and an economy trying to recover after getting hit hard from the COVID pandemic.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

***

We explore the U.S. Senate race in New Jersey.

Andy Kim represents the 3rd Congressional District. As he runs for the U.S. Senate seat to replace the scandal-enmeshed Bob Menendez, one of the battles Kim is facing involves who gets the top spot on the primary ballot.

In New Jersey, party leaders in each county decide. Many key party leaders support one of his challengers, first lady Tammy Murphy. She was on “Up Close” recently. Now, we meet Kim, who discusses his candidacy.

***

Bill Ritter talks to the Rev. Al Sharpton, who could be called the nation's senior civil rights advocate. Listen to the previous episode of “Up Close” on this feed for the full interview.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're about to see and hear civil rights activist, the Rev. Al Sharpton, in a way you maybe haven't seen or heard him before.

Sharpton, 69, is perhaps looking at his life in a way that he didn't before.

Trust me, that happens to people of a certain age.

It's a healthy exercise, and after decades of being in the spotlight of the fight for civil rights, Alfred Charles Sharpton Jr., while still very much the activist, is now also a kind of senior leader for a movement that has lasted more than a century and a half.

When I sat down with him, we talked about the meaning of Black History Month, the state of Black youth in a society that focuses more on smartphones and social media than on collective issues and problems.

My conversation with Rev. Sharpton, who has focused so much on issues and problems, was, I think, illuminating. And I hope you feel the same way.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

They're now one of the leading cause of fires and fire deaths. Just last week, the FDNY busted an operation makes and sells the cheaper, dangerous batteries.

We talk to FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh.

***

As many as 70 workers at the New York City Housing Authority – NYCHA – are accused of taking bribes in exchange for contracts. It was the largest single-day bribery takedown in the history of the U.S. Department of Justice. 

We talk to U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, who has introduced legislation to force NYCHA to reveal more information about contracts and contractors.

***

Our political panel, ABC News political director Rick Klein and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf, takes on President Joe Biden’s damage control after the special counsel’s report portrayed him as a well-meaning but memory-challenged old man. How the issue of age – one that also applies to Donald Trump – has taken front and center in this presidential election year. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A total of 42 of the 51 council members voted to override the mayor's veto of the How Many Stops Act, despite powerful warnings from the mayor. 

Adams says more paperwork for NYPD officers means less time to fight crime.

So what impact will the new law have on efforts to fight crime? 

We talk to former New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton.

Plus, our political panel discusses the Trump-fueled threat to what had been a bipartisan border deal. How the deal could be sunk, and what it could mean for the 2024 election. That and more analysis from ABC News political director Rick Klein and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a House of Representatives with a bare Republican majority, it's a crucial contest. 

Our guest today, former Congressman Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, is trying to win back his old seat. But this time it could be tougher to win with more Republicans in the newly redrawn district.

Meanwhile, the Republicans have chosen Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip. She is an Ethiopian jew who served in the Israeli army.

We invited Pilip to appear on Up Close. Her campaign did not respond. We had also offered to host a debate here in our studio. Suozzi said yes while Pilip's campaign turned down that offer. 

***

Switching now to New York City politics. The mayoral primary election is still a year and a half or so away, but Mayor Eric Adams' approval ratings are lower than he would like, prompting talk of fellow Democrats challenging him in the primary next year.

One of those people exploring a run for mayor is Scott Stringer, the former New York comptroller who lost the Democratic mayoral primary last time. He joins us on “Up Close.”

***

With former President Donald Trump winning the New Hampshire primary and Iowa caucuses, is there any way for Nikki Haley to stop him? We talk to our political team next, ABC News political director Rick Klein, and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why hasn't there been a solution for an immigration situation that is - to put it mildly - out of control, and lacking in both common sense and humanity. 

It’s been years without consensus.

Bill Ritter talked to U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman about that, and the latest vote to stop the government from shutting down.

Also, we discuss the Gilgo Beach serial murders that have mesmerized people for more than a decade.  

The accused serial killer, Rex Heuermann, has been charged with the murder of a fourth woman.

The body of Maureen Brainard Barnes was found in 2010.

Prosecutors this week revealed new details about the investigation that led to these new charges.

Eyewitness News reporter Josh Einiger, who has covered the story since the first bodies were found, joins us to discuss the new development and the new series Eyewitness to Gilgo Beach, which debuts as a podcast next week.  

Finally, we are joined by our political team, ABC News political director Rick Klein and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf, who discuss the GOP race and the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oh what we didn't know back then. 

More than 168,000 migrants have come to this sanctuary city since spring of 2022, and thousands more arrive every month.

It is a crisis, a costly one. Where to house them? How to provide the services they need? And how to pay for all this? 

As NYC Mayor Eric Adams starts his third year in office, we sit down with him to talk about the migrant crisis, the impact it is having on other city programs and services, and what he's hoping to accomplish in the rest of his term.

Then, we talk with our political team, ABC News political director Rick Klein and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf to discuss the Iowa Caucuses, Donald Trump and more.  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

• What to do about the migrant crisis at the southern border, and the impact it’s having on New York and several other cities.

• The battle over more funding for Ukraine in its war against Russia, and military aid, Israel following the October terror attack and how to pay for all that.

• If that wasn't enough, the deadline to reach a budget agreement to avoid a partial government shutdown is now less than two weeks away. 

We talk to two members of Congress: Democrat Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot who is on the House Armed Services Committee.

Also joining us is Nicole Malliotakis, the only Republican member of Congress from New York City who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices