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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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22 episodes
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Thursday · 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.
June 4 · 45 min
Mamdani's high-stakes Upper Manhattan bet
The Democratic primary in New York's 13th Congressional District has become one of the more intriguing races of this election season, with longtime incumbent Adriano Espaillat facing a serious challenge from Darializa Avila Chevalier, who has secured endorsements from Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the city's chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. The contest has emerged as a test of generational change, shifting demographics in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, the effects of gentrification, and the evolving political influence of the district's Dominican electorate. Debralee Santos, editor of the Manhattan Times and Bronx Free Press, joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the surprisingly competitive challenge to Espaillat. Their conversation explored the rise of Dominican political power in New York, Chevalier's controversial past social media posts, Mamdani's coalition-building strategy, and the role Espaillat's leadership has played within the Dominican community.
May 28 · 29 min
How the New York Mets became the 'people's team'
A.M. Gittlitz is an organizer and writer whose work focuses on the counterculture and radical politics. He is also the author of the New York Times bestseller "Metropolitans: New York Baseball, Class Struggle, and the People's Team," a love letter to the New York Mets and a sweeping study of New York City through the electric and often calamitous history of the franchise. Gittlitz joined NY1 political anchor Errol Louis and political director Bob Hardt to discuss the book, which traces the Mets' origins back to the 1880 Metropolitans and the class-coded nature of early baseball leagues. The conversation also explored the franchise's modern founding through Robert Moses' vision for Flushing Meadows–Corona Park and the deliberate branding of the Mets that later became associated with the New Left.
May 20 · 38 min
Will businesses really leave NYC because of Mamdani?
Steve Fulop is the president and CEO of Partnership for New York City, an invitation-only organization of about 350 of the city's leading business executives and major employers. He recently succeeded longtime Partnership President and CEO Kathryn Wylde. Before joining the Partnership, Fulop served as mayor of Jersey City for 12 years and was a candidate for governor of New Jersey in 2025. Fulop joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss local CEOs' warnings of leaving New York despite major new corporate headquarters investments. Fulop argued no one is bluffing: firms must be in NYC for its unique assets and talent but can shift growth elsewhere post-COVID, amid high taxes, anti-business rhetoric, and competing incentives from other states and nearby New Jersey. The conversation also covered how losing even middle-office jobs worsens affordability and how structural reforms focusing on better schools and more housing are needed to keep young talent in the city.
May 14 · 36 min
NYT Tech Reporter Kashmir Hill on AI's role in our society
Technology expert Kashmir Hill joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and how it's already affecting all our lives. They talked about the massive investment in AI, including the construction of data centers, which is quickly becoming a flashpoint. They also discussed the technology's limitations, including AI "hallucinations." The conversation also explored AI role-playing chatbots that mimic personalities and the concerns surrounding their ability to draw in vulnerable young people.
May 13 · 36 min
I asked an expert about my biggest AI concerns
Technology expert Kashmir Hill joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and how it's already affecting all our lives. They talked about the massive investment in AI, including the construction of data centers, which is quickly becoming a flashpoint. They also discussed the technology's limitations, including AI "hallucinations." The conversation also explored AI role-playing chatbots that mimic personalities and the concerns surrounding their ability to draw in vulnerable young people.
May 7 · 27 min
One-on-one with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
In an exclusive, in-depth interview, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sat down with NY1's Errol Louis to give her assessment of Zohran Mamdani's mayoralty and where national politics stands going into this year's midterm elections. Ocasio-Cortez also gave a tough critique of a casino that's being built in her district while raising questions about the environmental impact of congestion pricing on the Bronx.
April 30 · 33 min
Fab 5 Freddy: How a kid from Brooklyn changed NYC in the '80s
Fab 5 Freddy is a New York City legend who emerged in the early 1980s as a defining figure in the rise of hip-hop and graffiti culture. In his new memoir, "Everybody's Fly: A Life of Art, Music, and Changing the Culture," he shares a firsthand account of helping shape a cultural movement that changed the world. Freddy joined NY1's Errol Louis to talk about growing up in Bedford-Stuyvesant surrounded by jazz, and how early hip-hop, graffiti and the downtown punk/new wave scenes collided and cross-pollinated. He reflected on his roles in the film "Wild Style" and Blondie's "Rapture" video alongside Jean-Michel Basquiat, and explored themes of creativity, competition and cultural evolution — from the early days of street art to its global influence today. He also weighed in on Burning Man and the impact of gentrification on New York's creative ecosystems.

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