The Brian Lehrer Show

Listeners express their struggles about voting decisions, revealing their ambivalence towards candidates and ballot questions. A caller weighs the experience of Cuomo against the energy of Mamdani. Discussions turn to concerns over national politics affecting local choices. New Jersey voters share skepticism over negative campaign strategies and demand clearer candidate positions. One caller debates the pros and cons of syncing city elections with federal ones, while another voices confusion over misleading charter revision proposals. The segment wraps up with advice and encouragement.

Grace Yarrow, a food and agriculture policy reporter for POLITICO, and Karen Yi, a local reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, discuss the looming impacts of the government shutdown on SNAP benefits. They highlight how millions could miss payments, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. Grace explains the federal contingency fund's limitations, while Karen shares how New York plans to allocate $11 million for food banks. The conversation reveals urgent community needs and explores local resources for those affected.

Joyce Vance, a legal analyst for MSNBC and former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, University of Alabama School of Law professor, and author of the Civil Discourse Substack, and of the new book, Giving Up Is Unforgivable:  A Manual for Keeping a Democracy (Dutton, 2025) talks about the rule of law and offers legal and historical context for the current moment in American history as she calls for citizens to uphold the Constitution.

Nick Corasaniti, New York Times reporter covering national politics, with a focus on voting and elections, talks about how both Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill say they would deal with President Trump if they are elected governor, and other ways the president's influence is being felt in the tight race.

Rosemary Misdary, WNYC and Gothamist health & science reporter, explains the statewide ballot question about preservation in the Adirondacks and expanding skiing facilities.

New York City voters will see several questions on their ballots that aim to make it easier to build housing. Alec Schierenbeck, executive director of the Charter Revision Commission argues in favor of the measures, and Lincoln Restler, New York City Council member (District 33, Greenpoint, Northside Williamsburg, South Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Boerum Hill, Vinegar Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Navy Yard), explains why much of the City Council is opposed to the changes. Then, Andrew Berman, executive director of Village Preservation, shares why his group is opposed to ballot questions 2 through 4.

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them.30 Issues in 30 Days: ICE in the City  (First) | 30 Issues in 30 Days: The Case for a Free CUNY (Starts at 17:50) | 30 Issues in 30 Days: Climate and Energy Policy (Starts at 33:13)If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here.

Julia Ioffe, a journalist and founding partner at Puck, dives into the rich feminist history of Russia in her new book, *Motherland*. She reveals how Soviet policies initially boosted women's roles in professions like medicine and STEM, while discussing early Bolshevik reforms that aimed for gender equality. Ioffe also examines Putin's adoption of traditional gender roles and anti-LGBTQ policies. With insights on gender dynamics, Soviet failures, and contemporary reactions to the war in Ukraine, this conversation sheds light on the complexities of Russian feminism today.

Samantha Maldonado, a senior reporter for THE CITY, dives into the NYC mayoral race and the complexities surrounding it. She analyzes the implications of Eric Adams’s surprise endorsement of Cuomo and Mamdani's unique approach to tackling Islamophobia. The conversation also highlights critical down-ballot races voters should watch during early voting. With concerns about public safety and policy tensions between candidates, Samantha offers insightful takes on the evolving political landscape.

Listeners share heartwarming stories about their beloved pets, from a cat trained to use the toilet to a three-legged rescue cat with a huge social media following. A chihuahua mix surprises everyone with his marathon walks around Manhattan, while a giant fish named Andre enjoys a good head pat. There's a dog who sings and another that saved its owner from a gas leak. Plus, tales of elderly cats and a unique house spider add to the charm. It's a delightful celebration of the special bonds between pets and their humans!