Mid-week point w/ @waytooearly.bsky.social and - surprise - tons of news to update you on: ☀️ @eliselabott.bsky.social ☕️ @kevinjfrey.bsky.social 🌞 @mattklewis.bsky.social 🌅 @anthonycoley.bsky.social Tell us why you’re awake w/ us by emailing [email protected] or replying here. #waytooearly

After 4.5 yrs, today is my final day with Spectrum News NY1. What a wild, fascinating ride full of big stories, notable interviews, and more than a few lawmaker chases! Big thanks to the DC bureau team led by Colleen & Joel and our NY teams led by Bob, Mike, Mariya, & Seamus!

An immigration judge has ordered Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil deported to Syria or Algeria over omissions on his green card application. Read more: http://specne.ws/YPLQ6E 

Jeffries & House Dem leaders: "Trump & the [GOP]’s war on the First Amendment is blatantly inconsistent w/ American values. Media companies, such as the one that suspended Mr. Kimmel, have a lot to explain. The censoring of artists & cancellation of shows is an act of cowardice."

“History is history. And history will record the fact that in the year 2025, under the Trump administration, all these historical artifacts were removed in an attempt to distort history," @cbc.house.gov Chair Yvette Clarke told me ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

As the nation marks 24 yrs, advocates for the 9/11 community warn ‘chaos' at HHS is undermining the World Trade Center Health Program, which helps victims and first responders get treatment ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Ahead of the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attack, advocates for victims and first responders warn that “chaos” at the US Dept of Health and Human Services is undermining the World Trade Center Health Program. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

More than a century after they helped break down color barriers by fighting valiantly on the battlefields of WWI, the storied Harlem Hellfighters were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Dem Leader Jeffries on Rep. Nadler’s decision to retire >> Calls Nadler a “relentless fighter for justice, civil rights & liberties & the fundamental promise of equality for all” & says his “years of leadership have earned him a spot among our nation’s greatest public servants”

A ramp-up in immigration enforcement is coming to New York & other so-called "sanctuary" jurisdictions after Labor Day, Trump’s border czar Tom Homan said Thursday. The threat comes amid POTUS's controversial crackdown in DC & threats against Chicago. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Schumer: “Donald Trump knew Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would be a disastrous pick to lead health care in America and he nominated him anyway. Donald Trump made this mistake and now he must fire RFK Jr. immediately.”

After years of delays, Amtrak's new #Acela fleet officially entered commercial service today. All told, 28 trainsets will hit the rails by 2027. Ahead of the launch, I got to ride along from DC to NYC, checking out some of the new features. Recap: ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Amtrak’s new #Acelas are finally leaving the station … more than 4 years behind schedule. My recap of today’s ride along between DC and NYC, ahead of tomorrow’s official launch of revenue service >> ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Amtrak is formally unveiling its new Acela fleet ahead of its official launch into revenue service tomorrow. Their rollout has been delayed for years, originally projected to enter service in 2021. The train-sets have a NY tie: they were assembled in Hornell in upstate.

Trump during his cabinet meeting, amid comments about safety/national guard: "In New York, it's out of control. Not as bad as Illinois ... not even close."

In a new executive order, President Trump threatened Monday to withhold federal dollars from communities that offer cashless bail. The move was met with pushback from New York’s top leaders, and sparked debate on the campaign trail for NYC mayor. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Consider this my ‘out of office’ notification for the next week plus!

Trump fired 3/5 of the CPSC earlier this year, just weeks after the panel advanced lithium-ion battery regulations. “They've set back the regulation of lithium-ion batteries ... it's going to cost lives," ousted commissioner @trumkacpsc.bsky.social told me ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

After years of delays, Amtrak says that the new Acela fleet will “arrive” on Aug 28 >> www.amtrak.com/nextgenacela...

Trump fired 3/5 of the CPSC earlier this year, just weeks after the panel advanced lithium-ion battery regulations. “They've set back the regulation of lithium-ion batteries ... it's going to cost lives," ousted commissioner @trumkacpsc.bsky.social told me ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Proposed federal regulations to prevent deadly lithium-ion battery fires appear to be a casualty — at least for the moment — of Trump’s decision to fire members of the CPSC. Consumer advocates argue this leaves Congress as the last best hope for such regulations. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Inbox: Rep. Stefanik intro's a resolution condemning last week's deadly attack at an office building in midtown Manhattan. It honors the victims and praises "the bravery exhibited" by NYPD police officer Didarul Islam and the NYPD writ large.

Appearing alongside Texas Dem lawmakers in Albany, NY Gov. Kathy Hochul said "yes" she believes NY's independent redistricting commission should be changed or disbanded. “I’m tired of fighting this fight with my hand tied behind my back ... politics is a political process."

NY Gov Kathy Hochul statement, as some Texas Dems head to Albany amid their redistricting fight:

This weekend, the Senate confirmed two notable New Yorkers to positions in the Trump admin: - fmr Westchester County DA turned Fox host Jeanine Pirro as the US Attorney for DC, 50-45 - fmr Congressman Marc Molinaro as Federal Transit Administrator, 71-23

Small earthquake shakes the New York area; USGS says magnitude was 3.0 ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

New York has some of the toughest gun laws in the country. But after Monday’s mass shooting in Manhattan, gun safety advocates acknowledge those regulations can only accomplish so much when other states have more relaxed gun laws. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Excited to be nominated for two New York #Emmys ... for both political reporting (a craft category) and my 3-part profile of Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

POTUS says he’s been briefed on the Manhattan shooting and says he trusts law enforcement to “get to the bottom of why this crazed lunatic committed such a senseless act of violence.”

Trump's OBBB eliminates a federal residential #solar tax credit years ahead of schedule, at the end of 2025. The CEO of Brooklyn SolarWorks tells me he's seeing a sudden surge in demand as consumers "panic buy" — but he's preparing for it to be short-lived. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

USDOJ filed a lawsuit against New York City and Mayor Eric Adams Thursday, claiming the city’s sanctuary policies are impeding federal immigration enforcement. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

When Trump returned to office, Dem Leader Jeffries pledged that he would not "swing at every pitch," anticipating 4 yrs of turbulent news cycles. But, as the Jeffrey #Epstein saga has dominated headlines, Jeffries has not shied away from swinging — again & again. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

#NY17 Dem candidate @bethdavidson.bsky.social on Lawler's decision: “This morning Mike Lawler confirmed what we all knew: he does whatever Donald Trump tells him to do. I welcome him to the race. I welcome him to the fight. Because he’s in for one."

#NY17 Dem candidate @caitfornewyork.bsky.social on Lawler's decision: “Whether voting to cut Medicaid after he lied to NYers or chickening out on running for gov, it's no shock that Mike Lawler remains an obedient lapdog to his DC bosses. The only person Lawler looks out for is himself"

In #NY17, SEVEN Democrats have already thrown their hats into the ring to take on Rep. Lawler next year. I spoke with 6 of candidates (a 7th had not yet announced) in that crowded field earlier this year. Extended interviews here: ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

With just days to go until fmr Rep. George Santos must report to prison, a source familiar says that neither a pardon nor commutation is under consideration at the White House

New from us today: Americans largely oppose recent efforts by Donald Trump’s administration to scale up its deportation program, with a rising majority saying the president has gone too far in carrying out deportations. www.cnn.com/2025/07/20/p...

A brewing fight between #NYC leaders and federal authorities over #subway safety boiled over on Capitol Hill this week, with Rep. Nadler and USDOT Sec. Duffy each accusing the other of lying. Some key data points in the graphics below. Story here: ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Manhattan Rep. @nadler.house.gov, during a hearing Wednesday, called US Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy a “liar,” accusing him of mischaracterizing crime rates on the NYC subway. Duffy, in return, said Nadler was “lying.” A look at the exchange & numbers >> ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

When asked where he stands on the phrase “globalize the intifada,” Mamdani told @errollouis.bsky.social the distance between what some intend and what others hear is “a bridge that is too far,” and it is why he now discourages its use. ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

The Wednesday meeting in DC offered @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social a chance to share with national Democrats details on his winning campaign and communications strategy. It also gave those Democrats a chance to take his measure. #NYC ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Across New York, local PBS and NPR stations count on federal dollars from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — some (particularly in smaller, more rural communities) more than others. This week, Trump-backed legislation is pending in Congress to claw back $$ from CPB.

NEW: @repespaillat.bsky.social, a prominent voice in Upper Manhattan & the Bronx, has endorsed @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social for mayor, further consolidating his support ahead of the Nov general election. In the June primary, Espaillat endorsed fmr Gov. Cuomo ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Dems have installed ~120 replicas of a plaque honoring law enforcement that responded on Jan. 6 as part of a pressure campaign to get the GOP to install the real thing on Capitol Hill. “You could have put up the one plaque … You now have dozens,” @morelle.house.gov told me ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Trump suggested Tuesday that his admin might “run” NYC if the Democrats’ nominee for mayor — @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social — wins in November. Mamdani’s campaign, in reply, accused the president of insulting the city’s voters and treating democracy “like a suggestion.” ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

We called this the Loser Protection Program in the run-up to the inauguration, with Trump tapping a litany of Republicans who recently lost their races for administration posts (as long as those Rs stood by him, that is). www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...

Trump suggested Tuesday that his admin might “run” NYC if the Democrats’ nominee for mayor — @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social — wins in November. Mamdani’s campaign, in reply, accused the president of insulting the city’s voters and treating democracy “like a suggestion.” ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

This tactic only works if 41 Senate Dems are willing to hold firm and filibuster a gov’t funding deal in the event that a rescissions package passes. We saw that wasn’t the case back in March, when Ds folded and accepted a GOP-written funding bill crafted without their input.

Voted out of office last year, three former NY Republican congressmen are awaiting Senate confirmation to jobs in the Trump administration: - Anthony D'Esposito - Marc Molinaro - Brandon Williams ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Voted out of office last year, three former NY Republican congressmen are awaiting Senate confirmation to jobs in the Trump administration: - Anthony D'Esposito - Marc Molinaro - Brandon Williams ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...