You Decide with Errol Louis

In 2021, New York state passed legislation aimed at limiting solitary confinement in prisons and jails. But a new report from state Inspector General Lucy Lang says that the state needs to modernize its record-keeping capabilities in order to comply with the law, known as the HALT Act. Lang joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the antiquated record-keeping systems — currently done by pen and paper — that have made it difficult to track the use of segregated confinement. They also talked about cracking down on cases of welfare fraud, as well as misconduct in the gaming industry. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to YourStoryNY1@charter.com.

The subject of autocracy is on the minds of many. We often hear about an existential threat to our democracy in the United States. But is fascism truly possible in America? Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a professor of history and Italian studies at New York University. She writes about fascism, authoritarianism, propaganda and democracy protection. Her most recent book, "Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present," explores what modern authoritarian leaders have in common and how they can be stopped. She joined NY1's Errol Louis before a live audience at Temple Emanuel of Great Neck, New York, to discuss the book, her thoughts on how dictators rise to power and what she feels are effective weapons against strongmen. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide, give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message, or send an email to YourStoryNY1@charter.com.

Since Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race, Kamala Harris has been riding a Democratic wave, raising over $200 million in a week with 66% of the donations coming from first-time donors. Vote.org said there was a massive increase in voter registration, with people under 35 making up nearly 85% of the new voters registering. And at a recent Zoom call for Harris supporters, over 100,000 people attempted to log on, which broke Zoom. All of this is welcome news for Democrats, as are the memes, the coconut trees, the social media presence and the Beyonce soundtrack. But who exactly is Kamala Harris? Alex Cohen is a Spectrum News political anchor in southern California and has been covering Harris for decades, including Harris' time as a state senator and as state attorney general of California. She joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss Harris' momentum and her record. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to YourStoryNY1@charter.com

The States Project is an organization that believes state legislatures are the strongest force for change in the country. The Democratic-aligned group was founded by former New York state Sen. Daniel Squadron in 2017 and is focused on winning governing majorities by making state legislative campaigns more effective and better funded. The actor J. Smith-Cameron and author Melissa Walker are two members of the States Project team, and they say they're starting to see the fruits of their grassroots efforts. Smith-Cameron and Walker joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the States Project's goals for this election year. They also explained the power of state legislatures and how, unlike congressional races, they usually don't require massive fundraising for victory. Smith-Cameron also talked about her role on the smash hit television show "Succession" and her many years as a New York stage actor. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to YourStoryNY1@charter.com

This week marks the 10-year anniversary of the death of Eric Garner, a man who was placed in an illegal chokehold by police who were arresting him for selling cigarettes illegally on a Staten Island street. Garner's dying words to police, "I can't breathe," became a rallying cry for protesters who were outraged at the police brutality. Debi Rose was a former Staten Island councilwoman whose district included the block where Garner was killed. Reverend Kirsten Foy is an activist who was a major organizer around the Garner case. They both joined NY1's Errol Louis to tell the story of Garner's killing and the many attempts by his family to fight for justice. They also discussed what, if anything, has changed in the ensuing decade. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to YourStoryNY1@charter.com

When it comes to local politics, it's already been a sticky summer. From congestion pricing being put on hold to the 2025 mayoral race already heating up, there's been plenty of major news in New York City beyond the fight for the White House. This week, NY1's Errol Louis was joined by two journalists who cover City Hall: Katie Honan from the news outlet The City and Jeff Mays from The New York Times. They examine the events of early summer, as well as looking at the mayor's complicated relationship with the media and why Gov. Kathy Hochul's decision to cancel congestion pricing could backfire politically. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to YourStoryNY1@charter.com

The Jewish community in New York was devastated by the surprise attacks that took place in Israel on Oct. 7. With over 1.3 million Jewish residents, New York City has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. As the Israel-Hamas war continues, the rise in hate crimes and antisemitism has had a profound impact on the community. The fallout from the conflict in Gaza has also played a part in key congressional battles and the race for president. Jacob Kornbluh is the senior political reporter at The Forward. He joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss how Jewish New Yorkers have become re-engaged in politics, what's next for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the pro-Palestinian campus protests and why two-term incumbent Jamaal Bowman lost to George Latimer in a congressional primary last month. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to YourStoryNY1@charter.com

Early detection of cancer remains the single-best way to combat a disease that is the second-leading killer in the world. But many of the resources in the fight against cancer are devoted to relatively ineffective late-stage treatments. Bruce Ratner, known by many New Yorkers for his real estate projects, is entering the cancer battlefield, co-authoring a book that's calling for a new approach to combating the disease. Ratner, who sits on the board of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, is making a push for better cancer screening. He joined NY1's Errol Louis in front of a live audience at the Center for Brooklyn History to discuss his book, "Early Detection: Catching Cancer When It's Curable," and how the death of his brother from metastatic cancer brought him to write it. They also talked about the importance of early screenings and expanding access to cancer screenings in poor communities. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to YourStoryNY1@charter.com

Karen DeWitt has been covering the statehouse since 1986. She joined the press corps at a time when very few women were in the industry, and quickly became a trusted voice on New York public radio, covering multiple governors, budgets, scandals, a pandemic and more. Recently, she announced that she'd be retiring and stepping down from her role as Capitol Bureau chief for the New York Public News Network. Dewitt joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss her long and storied career in journalism. They also touched on the many campaigns she has covered, if her retirement is indeed final, how she longed to see one presidential campaign without having to report on it and how Mario Cuomo influenced her to quit while she's ahead. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to YourStoryNY1@charter.com.

Protesting is American as apple pie; it's right there in the First Amendment. Regardless of what side of the aisle they are on, many Americans at some point in their lives have taken to the streets. Most recently, pro-Palestinian student protesters set up encampments at colleges across the country in a bid to get their universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel. One person who knows a great deal about demonstrations and encampments is Marisa Holmes. Holmes is an author, organizer and professor at Rutgers University and Fordham University and was one of the core organizers of the Occupy Wall Street movement. She joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the history of protests globally, the pro-Palestinian occupations, why she thinks traditional demands no longer work, and how these movements can exercise autonomy. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to YourStoryNY1@charter.com.