The Hell Gate Podcast

Holly and Max are joined by left-whisperer and election-knower Michael Lange (The Narrative Wars) to preview Tuesday's general election. We discuss how much Kathy Hochul owes Zohran Mamdani, whether Dems have a shot in the North Country, and why some local races are way more interesting than you might think. Also, we name a bunch of towns and businesses in the Adirondacks to prove that we can.

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This week on the podcast, we talk about how Nikole Hannah-Jones absolutely ripped into Mamdani's schools chancellor about segregation in our schools (although credit to Kamar Samuels who was nice enough to show up for this absolute demolishment). Then, we pivot and discuss the never-ending madness that are the Brooklyn Democrats. Also, a hot duck! And the Knicks are back! So is Max!

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In the aftermath of an ICE shooting and a litany of police blunders, Mayor Zohran Mamdani's allies on the left are calling on him to get rid of NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch once and for all. Will he do it? Not anytime soon.

Then, a much needed breakdown of another kind of controversy. The Hell Gate team provides an analysis of the epic struggle between Kelly Clarkson and a boutique curio shop over a $15,000 ($15 million?) automatonic singing bird.

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Our fearless podcast host traveled to Wisconsin Rapids to find out how residents fought back against a data center that was being pitched by the former mayor of New York City.

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Governor Kathy Hochul joins the Hell Gate Podcast for a very special episode filmed at the legendary downtown Irish pub T.J. Byrne's. As the governor faces re-election next month, we get her on the record about her reluctance to tax the rich, what can be done to close loopholes related to the Cornell 7 case, and whether she's moved leftward in her general election race. ALSO: We talk about her axe-throwing skills, why she wants young people to have a future in NY, and her message to Palestinian New Yorkers on October 7.

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Join us for a special bonus episode of the Hell Gate Podcast, where we crossover (get it? basketball??) with our friends at Defector's Nothing But Respect to discuss the ongoing WNBA playoffs and the imminent NBA season. Topics discussed include: how Eric Adams needs to go on Curious Mike, James Dolan's loathing of the city of New York and its talismanic basketball team, Max's proposal to save the Nets, and so much more. Big thanks to Patrick Redford and Harry Krinsky from Defector for joining us in Studio H!

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This fall, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier will (almost certainly) be new members of Congress from New York City. We got them in the studio to talk about being a transplant, Latinidad, how the left can build power, what they said to Hakeem Jeffries, and whether they believe in aliens. These two are not very keen on labels like "the Squad," but we are nevertheless soft-launching "Clairializa," this week on the Hell Gate Podcast.

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It's a wild week in New York City as our mayor goes international, the president pays a visit and ogles Gracie Mansion, and Mamdani breaks bread with fellow socialist world leaders. Meanwhile, closer to home, the Brooklyn Democrats are up to their usual absolute nonsense, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman is stealing people's faces.

Just audio this week—no video…for reasons! Be careful cutting avocados, folks!

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What begins as a quaint story about an upstate bookstore morphs into a depressing vision of the future. Is there anyone who can stop the AI apocalypse? Luckily, Hell Gate has consulted its own AI agent on the matter, and they've told us we're in the clear. Just to be safe, Jessy checks in with the mayor about this as well.

Then, Nick (who is not AI) discusses his new reporting on how NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch keeps transferring cops with misconduct on their records to the NYPD's most problematic and secretive unit. Finally, we give an update on the Brooklyn Dems, whose drama will almost certainly outlive the end of the Earth.

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As Hell Gate surveys the conversation surrounding the 25th anniversary of 9/11, certain (awful) people are spewing 2002 vintage bigotry. The latest scandal: Our mayor passed a pen to a guy. Meanwhile, New York City mayors not named Mamdani lied to New Yorkers about the toxic dust at Ground Zero.

In the back half of the episode, Max brings us up to speed on Mt. Sinai’s betrayal of trans kids in NYC. Finally, Julianne considers (a bit wistfully) the scrapped proposal for a building that has a lot more to say than what we got with 1 WTC.

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This Labor Day weekend Hell Gate is celebrating with an episode on the very 2026 form of labor that is social media. Is Mamdani’s Signal group chat with 200 influencers as scandalous as it sounds? Why can’t a guy like Chris Robbins just enjoy @7SoulsDeep graffiti in peace? (Katie has an answer.)

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Is Robert Moses smiling down on Mamdani’s BQE? Why didn’t Frank Seddio bring cannolis to the Brooklyn Dems function? And what did we uncover when we requested the transcripts from a weird New York Times interview with Governor Kathy Hochul?

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Editor Holly Pretsky dove into NYC-DSA’s caucuses and found rumblings of a 2028 where charismatic DSA members might try their hand at higher office. Editor Christopher Robbins updated us on the state of gambling in New York—from prediction markets to "dead facades." Start placing your Kalshi bets now. Then, Jessy Edwards on ICE getting sued by the septuagenarian they maced—And finally Alisha Allison, our intern, looks back on the summer she turned Hell Gate.

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Well-connected NIMBYs score another unexpected victory in New York City as the fight over Elizabeth Street Garden reaches its apparent final chapter. Low-level arrests are as high as ever and Mamdani seems happy to let NYPD boss Jessica Tisch run the show. Plus, Katie gives an (anti-)recommendation.

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Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams has taken on a new role as a traveling salesman. ICE has been crawling around and macing elderly people, harassing children, and hiding behind face coverings. And the e-bike wars rage on. New York City journalists from Hell Gate break it all down in the latest episode of the Hell Gate Podcast.

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This week: Mamdani’s pied-à-terre “hit list,” God’s most beautiful creature (sharks), and some apartment hunting tips for Lebron James.

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Zohran Mamdani stole headlines once again, proclaiming he was looking into arresting war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu…which he quickly admitted he couldn't. But are the mechanics of an arrest really the point here? Jessy, Max, Adlan, and Chris discuss. Then we go deep into the murky world of dark PAC money. And finally, we've launched Cultural Capital, our culture newsletter. Adlan talks about why basically if you don't sign up for this newsletter, you're going to have no idea what anyone is talking about.

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From the brand new Studio H, Max, Jessy, Julianne, and Nick take on Mahmoud Khalil’s lawsuit against the federal government, a conflict of interest playing out in housing court, and Albania’s rebellion against Eric Adams in the name of flamingos. Everything is normal in New York City, and Hell Gate is growing once again.

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Broadcasting from Rippers at Beach 86th street, Katie, Adlan, and Max contemplate their commune with the infinite. Then Rockaway's first female chief lifeguard tells them about diving, sports cars, and strawberry daiquiris.

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The tall ships are lowering their anchors on Friday, but for now NYC can rejoice in finally having a budget negotiated. In a big win for Mayor Mamdani, that translates to no austerity and no new cops.

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