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You Decide with Errol Louis

Spectrum News NY1

NY1's Errol Louis has been interviewing powerful politicians and cultural icons for years, but it's when the TV cameras are turned off that things really get interesting. From career highlights, to personal moments, to stories that have never been told, join Errol each week for intimate conversations with the people who are shaping the future of New York and beyond. Listen to "You Decide with Errol Louis" every Wednesday, wherever you listen to podcasts.

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29 episodes
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Thursday · 25 min
What the rise and fall of a legendary newspaper says about the media crisis today
The New York Daily News was America's first tabloid and quickly became the country's best-selling newspaper, reaching millions of readers and reshaping how Americans consumed the news. A new book, "The People's Paper: The Rise & Fall of the NY Daily News" by Matthew Pressman, explores how the Daily News both reflected and shaped a changing New York City. Pressman joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the book along with the incredible story behind the famed tabloid. They also touched on the paper's bitter rivalry with the New York Post, Rupert Murdoch's price-cutting strategy at the Post, and damaging business decisions made by former News owner Mort Zuckerman.
October 14 · 24 min
The part of the spicy Hochul-Blakeman debate you didn't see
Errol Louis and co-moderator Susan Arbetter discussed the first and only debate in New York's gubernatorial race between Gov. Kathy Hochul and her Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, which was produced and aired by NY1 and Spectrum News. They offer a behind-the-scenes look at preparations that began in August, with a roughly 10-person team developing and refining questions for a 60-minute televised debate with commercial breaks. They also assess the candidates' experience in elected office and their ability to articulate their ideas, while discussing how moderators balance breaking news, such as the sexual assault investigation at Cornell, with policy issues like taxes and Medicaid.
October 8 · 19 min
Riding the Staten Island Ferry with Mamdani: Out of Office with the Mayor
In the second installment of NY1's exclusive series "Out of Office with the Mayor," Mayor Zohran Mamdani rode the Staten Island Ferry with NY1 political anchor Errol Louis to the only borough he lost on Election Day. They discussed Pete Davidson's doubts about the mayor, coastal resiliency 14 years after Hurricane Sandy, his meeting with President Donald Trump at Gracie Mansion, the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, his role in the governor's race and how he plans to celebrate turning 35.
October 1 · 34 min
Mamdani, the midterm elections and New York's race for governor
Jeff Coltin is editor-in-chief of City & State NY, recently returning to the magazine and news site where he spent a decade building his career covering New York politics. The magazine is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special edition examining the city's power players from a variety of perspectives. Coltin joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss his return to City & State and the magazine's two decades of political coverage. They also explored the upcoming midterm elections, New York's gubernatorial race and how Zohran Mamdani has fared in his first nine months as mayor of New York City.
September 24 · 29 min
About 150,000 people die every day. He picks 3 to 4 to be remembered
Sam Roberts is a longtime New York urban affairs journalist and an obituary writer for The New York Times. His new book, "Are They Dead Yet? The Art of the Obit" chronicles the craft of writing obituaries and the stories behind them. Roberts joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the differences between obituary writing and long-form biography, the taboo against speaking ill of the dead, the use of euphemisms, and the challenge of crafting accurate, compelling leads under deadline. He also explained how advance obituaries are prepared and how editors select just a few notable lives from the many candidates who die each day.
September 17 · 38 min
Why you've never heard of the judges on your ballot
Hundreds of judges sit on the bench in New York City, deciding the fate of criminal defendants. But how did they get their jobs in the first place? It's a surprisingly complicated question that NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross explores in her special series, "Building the Bench." She examined how local political parties control the process and select favored judicial candidates, often leaving voters with no real choice. Courtney joined NY1 political anchor Errol Louis to discuss why she pursued the series and what she learned along the way. They explored whether the current system is truly the best way to select judges for state Supreme Court, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani's upcoming judicial appointments for Family Court and Criminal Court. They also discussed allegations of patronage and nepotism, concerns about lawyers who help "make" judges, oversight by the state Commission on Judicial Conduct. They also looked at how the system has also helped diversify the bench, leading to historic firsts in Brooklyn and Queens.
September 10 · 31 min
Why Bruce Blakeman thinks New York needs a Republican governor
Republican candidate for governor Bruce Blakeman joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss why he believes New Yorkers are "miserable" under Gov. Kathy Hochul, pointing to high taxes, rising electric bills, the state's economic outlook, the loss of residents and businesses and billions of dollars spent on asylum seekers. The Nassau County executive talked about how he differs from past Republican gubernatorial candidates, his 9/11 experience as a Port Authority commissioner, and even how he feels about his ex-wife marrying Paul McCartney.
September 3 · 46 min
They covered 9/11, and what they saw will never leave them
It's been 25 years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. NY1 is marking the anniversary in a variety of ways, including a special episode of "You Decide" in which Errol Louis was joined by two longtime NY1 journalists who covered the attacks that day: Pat Kiernan and Cheryl Wills. Kiernan recalled learning that the first plane had struck the World Trade Center during his "In the Papers" segment and quickly switching to live pictures from Lower Manhattan. What followed was continuous, wall-to-wall coverage with no commercials for days. He described the initial confusion over what had happened, efforts to get NY1 crews downtown, and CNN carrying NY1's feed, which included the first live interview with then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Wills, then a health reporter, recalled seeing smoke from the World Trade Center while riding the LIRR, arriving at NY1, and racing downtown by motorcycle. She also discussed repeatedly working amid the smoke without a mask, later joining the World Trade Center Health Program, and reporting in the years that followed on the lasting health effects of 9/11 and the sensitive issues surrounding how the attacks are memorialized.
August 27 · 34 min
Why young Americans are giving up on the American dream
Spectrum News 1 North Carolina political anchor Tim Boyum and NY1's Errol Louis have a combined 50 years of experience covering politics and have witnessed countless changes in the political landscape. One recent movement that has caught their attention is the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America. Boyum joined Louis to discuss why the DSA has gained popularity, particularly among younger voters, and whether its influence can spread beyond New York City. They also compared notes on how political journalism and campaigns have changed over the course of their careers, including the evolving role of debates in the election process.
August 20 · 34 min
Inside the Trump White House: Maggie Haberman tells all
Maggie Haberman is a White House correspondent for The New York Times. The New York City native is the author of "Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America." She is also the co-author, with Jonathan Swan, of a new book, "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump," which lays out the first year of President Trump's second presidency. Haberman joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss her new book. She explained how she and Swan began the project in 2023 as a "last act" Trump story but instead witnessed a dramatic shift that they came to see as a form of domestic "regime change, " marked by court-style politics, expanded executive power and the erosion of independence at the Department of Justice. Haberman also described an administration divided into fiefdoms controlled by powerful figures, including Stephen Miller, Elon Musk through DOGE and USAID and others.
August 13 · 37 min
Inside the life of City Council Speaker Julie Menin
In a plan that's now being echoed by the Trump administration, New York City has helped close to 400,000 public school students and their families pay for college by creating savings accounts, which include start-up seed money. Joining NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the program was City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who helped launch NYC Kids RISE in 2015 when she was the city's Consumer Affairs Commissioner. In their conversation, Menin also reflected on her career and her path into politics, including her work rebuilding Lower Manhattan after the Sept. 11 attacks and her push to release long-withheld 9/11 files. She also outlined her responsibilities as council speaker and her current priorities, including an oversight hearing on Legionnaires' disease; a proposed ban on horse-drawn carriages; and the creation of an office dedicated to insurance accountability.
August 6 · 37 min
Why state politicians could be the tail that wags the dog
Former N.Y. state Sen. Daniel Squadron believes that state legislatures are becoming successful laboratories for smart politics and good policy. Since leaving Albany, Squadron helped found The States Project, an organization that works to strengthen state legislatures by helping build better-funded, more effective state legislative campaigns. Squadron joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss his new book, "The Fourth Branch," which is part history, part handbook and part personal narrative. The book argued that while state legislatures are often overlooked, they are among the most powerful forces shaping public policy, passing tens of thousands of laws each year and serving as the focus of intense lobbying and influence from special interests.
July 30 · 35 min
What's it like inside an employee-owned media company?
Journalist David Roth left the popular sports and culture website Deadspin during the staff's 2019 mass resignation after its new owners pushed for less political commentary and a greater focus on sports. Roth and many of his former colleagues went on to launch Defector Media, a worker-owned, subscription-based publication. Roth joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the split from Deadspin, building a worker-owned newsroom, and the story behind the name "Defector." They also talked about his political writings on Andrew Cuomo and Donald Trump, why he's reluctant to write more about Trump, his view that prediction markets are a scam and his thoughts on political corruption in New York, former Mayor Eric Adams and political organizing.
July 23 · 24 min
NYC's first female chief lifeguard fought waves… and the system
In 1988, Janet Fash made history as New York City's first female chief lifeguard. She recounted her journey in a new memoir, "Lifeguard: A Love Story," which is making waves across the city. Fash joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss her working-class upbringing in Park Slope, how she discovered Rockaway's ocean-beach culture, the demands and dangers of lifeguarding and the safety protocols she helped implement. Much of the conversation centered on Fash's clashes with Peter Stein, who was dubbed the "Boss of the Beach" for his powerful role in the city's lifeguard union.
July 16 · 41 min
Mamdani's New York seven months in
This year, New York City under Mayor Zohran Mamdani has looked like a different city after Eric Adams' turbulent term. The contrast is stark: Adams-era crises have given way to a wildly popular first six months for Mamdani, which includes excitement around the World Cup and a long-awaited New York Knicks championship. Katie Honan, who covers City Hall for newsoutlet The City Reporter and co-hosts the "FAQ NYC" podcast, joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss Mamdani's first year in office and recent budget negotiations, including a new housing voucher program. They also dug into City Hall's growing use of influencers for messaging and the misinformation risks that come with it. Honan also outlined some of Mamdani's stalled campaign promises amid fiscal constraints and shared her reporting on sports books losing $48 million after the Knicks' victory.
July 9 · 33 min
Do union endorsements still matter?
Is labor union influence in New York shifting? Recent elections have raised new questions about the political value of a major labor union endorsement. Andrew Cuomo secured backing from many prominent unions in the 2025 mayoral primary but lost to Zohran Mamdani, while Antonio Reynoso fell to Claire Valdez in a congressional race despite broad labor support. NY1 statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan joined NY1 political anchor Errol Louis to examine what a union endorsement means for candidates in 2026. They discussed how an endorsement's value depends on more than a logo: unions must invest money, mobilize members, and build a real turnout operation for their support to matter. The conversation also explored the union-backed Working Families Party, its tensions with the Democratic Socialists of America, and its challenge of maintaining ballot status while deciding whether to align with Gov. Kathy Hochul in this November's election. They also considered Mamdani's high popularity as he approaches consequential contract negotiations with powerful public-sector unions.
July 2 · 29 min
It took 33 years to overturn his double murder conviction
In 1995, Allen Porter was convicted of a double murder in Queens. He spent nearly 34 years in prison, maintaining his innocence every step of the way. On Jan. 30 of this year, a Queens judge vacated his conviction, but the case is far from over. Porter, who is out on bond and wearing an ankle monitor, and his attorney, Charles Linehan, joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss why Porter remains in legal limbo as the Queens district attorney appeals the ruling. Linehan explained the judge's findings that prosecutors suppressed significant exculpatory evidence, including notes documenting that a witness said Porter was not at the scene. The prosecutor acknowledged that the evidence had not been disclosed to the defense. Porter reflected on earning his degree from Bard College while incarcerated, his plans to study finance at Baruch College, and what life has been like since his release. They also discussed what comes next in Porter's fight to fully clear his name.
June 25 · 36 min
Steve Kornacki breaks down the future of New York politics
Steve Kornacki is the chief data analyst at NBC News and a familiar face to anyone who watches election night coverage. He joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss this week's surprising New York Democratic primary, where multiple democratic socialist candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani won, including Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, while several incumbents suffered unexpected defeats. Kornacki also explained his "KornackiCam" livestream, which tracks election results in real time, and broke down the night's biggest surprises, particularly Chevalier's victory, which significantly outperformed expectations.
June 18 · 37 min
Patrick Gaspard: Mamdani and Obama adviser weighs in on the problem with Democrats
Patrick Gaspard has worn an array of political hats — from U.S. Ambassador to South Africa to President Barack Obama's political director to special assistant to New York City Mayor David Dinkins. An adviser to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Gaspard was recently appointed the chairman of the Mamdani administration's Commission on Government Efficiency, also known as COGE, which began holding public hearings across the five boroughs last week. The newly formed Charter Revision Commission is made up of more than a dozen close allies of Mamdani. Gaspard joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the commission, but their conversation also covered national politics, including why Gaspard expects Democrats to have a strong showing in the midterm elections this fall. He also argued that Democrats must launch an affirmative economic agenda and address perceived weaknesses on inflation, immigration and foreign policy.
June 11 · 37 min
Who won the NY-12 debate?
The five leading candidates in the Democratic primary for New York's 12th Congressional District in Manhattan squared off this week in a spirited debate hosted by NY1, seeking to draw sharp contrasts ahead of Election Day. The debate was moderated by NY1's Errol Louis, WNYC host Brian Lehrer and WNYC senior political reporter Brigid Bergin. Bergin joined "You Decide" to discuss the behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped the debate, including the need to focus on a handful of key federal issues such as the state of the Democratic Party, affordability, Israel and healthcare. They also assessed the candidates' performances, examined who gained the most from the debate, and highlighted important questions that didn't make it to the stage.

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