Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Why is New York’s Second Avenue subway to East Harlem once again on the brink, and what does the MTA’s rare lawsuit against the Trump administration reveal about how power really works in New York? Host Jeff Mays sitting in for Sam Roberts, talks with Times transit reporter Stefanos Chen about the MTA’s decision to sue over nearly $60 million in frozen federal funding, the broader $18 billion infrastructure clash, and what it all means for riders, union jobs, and “transit deserts” in East Harlem. They also dig into Governor Kathy Hochul’s car insurance reform push, the politics of congestion pricing, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s stalled promise of fast, free buses. Then City Hall reporter Sally Goldenberg pulls back the curtain on Mamdani’s governing style, from his quiet deal-making with Hochul and Trump to the sharp-elbowed primary plays and 911 reforms testing his progressive brand inside City Hall. Watch the full conversation, subscribe for more in‑depth New York politics coverage, and explore our playlist on Mamdani’s City Hall and the future of NYC transit.
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Guest List
Stefanos Chen-,City Transit Reporter, The New York Times
Sally Goldenberg- City Hall Reporter, The New York Times
Recording Date 03/12/2026 First Air Date 03/13/2026
Get closer to this week’s important issues and events. Veteran Times correspondent Sam Roberts returns to television to discuss the big stories with journalists covering them and with leading newsmakers. Preview articles that will appear in The New York Times over the weekend, discover the back stories and savor the conversation that has distinguished the program for 25 years.
For more The New York Times Close Up with Sam Roberts, visit http://tv.cuny.edu/show/nytcloseup
Subscribe to the CUNY TV channel: bit.ly/2GmGb13
Subscribe to the Series Playlist: bit.ly/2VwQGt1
NYTCU09023
Why is New York’s Second Avenue subway to East Harlem once again on the brink, and what does the MTA’s rare lawsuit against the Trump administration reveal about how power really works in New York? Host Jeff Mays sitting in for Sam Roberts, talks with Times transit reporter Stefanos Chen about the MTA’s decision to sue over nearly $60 million in frozen federal funding, the broader $18 billion infrastructure clash, and what it all means for riders, union jobs, and “transit deserts” in East Harlem. They also dig into Governor Kathy Hochul’s car insurance reform push, the politics of congestion pricing, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s stalled promise of fast, free buses. Then City Hall reporter Sally Goldenberg pulls back the curtain on Mamdani’s governing style, from his quiet deal-making with Hochul and Trump to the sharp-elbowed primary plays and 911 reforms testing his progressive brand inside City Hall. Watch the full conversation, subscribe for more in‑depth New York politics coverage, and explore our playlist on Mamdani’s City Hall and the future of NYC transit.
Follow CUNY TV:
Facebook: facebook.com/CUNYTV
Twitter: twitter.com/cunytv
Instagram: instagram.com/cuny.tv
YouTube: youtube.com/@cunytv
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cunytv
Find more from CUNY TV at https://tv.cuny.edu
Guest List
Stefanos Chen-,City Transit Reporter, The New York Times
Sally Goldenberg- City Hall Reporter, The New York Times
Recording Date 03/12/2026 First Air Date 03/13/2026
Get closer to this week’s important issues and events. Veteran Times correspondent Sam Roberts returns to television to discuss the big stories with journalists covering them and with leading newsmakers. Preview articles that will appear in The New York Times over the weekend, discover the back stories and savor the conversation that has distinguished the program for 25 years.
For more The New York Times Close Up with Sam Roberts, visit http://tv.cuny.edu/show/nytcloseup
Subscribe to the CUNY TV channel: bit.ly/2GmGb13
Subscribe to the Series Playlist: bit.ly/2VwQGt1
NYTCU09023
