Power & Politics

By WRGB CBS6, Power And Politics, Tom Eschen

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Category: Government

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Episodes: 187

Description

A Murrow Award winning podcast that brings you inside the issues impacting our communities. Every week, Tom Eschen sits down with local leaders and power brokers for a frank, sometimes blunt, conversation about the current political environment and how their decisions and stances shape and alter all of our lives. Whether it’s your tax bill, public safety, schools, immigration, or healthcare – politics affects every day and every aspect of your life. From the corridors of power to the heart of the debate, this podcast aims to ask the tough questions you want answered – to hold leaders accountable, to cut through the rhetoric and the canned responses. It’s a conversation that really matters.

Episode Date
NYS Senator Kristen Gonzalez (D-Queens) and John Thickstun, Assistant Professor at Cornell University, on Artificial Intelligence, May 15th, 2026
May 15, 2026
Bonus: Lara Bryn discusses Hantavirus with NYS Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald
May 14, 2026
Lara Blume McGee, Jeffrey Epstein Sex Trafficking Ring Survivor, and Jordan Merson, Representing Jeffrey Epstein Sex Trafficking Ring Survivors, May 8th, 2026
May 08, 2026
NYS Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D) and NYS Asm. Phil Palmesano (R-Corning), May 1st, 2026
May 01, 2026
Rikki Shaw, Former Jane Doe NYS Capital sexual assault victim discusses why she came forward, April 30, 2026
Apr 30, 2026
Walter Masterson on being arrested at the NYS Capitol, April 27th, 2026
Apr 27, 2026
NYS Inspector General Lucy Lang breaks down 2025 Workers Compensation Fraud Report, April 24th, 2026
Apr 24, 2026
AI in Government Part 2 of 2: Dru Rai, New York State Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS), April 17th, 2026
Apr 17, 2026
AI in Government Part 1 of 2: Beth Noveck, InnovateUS Founder on implementing AI training in New York State, April 16th, 2026
Apr 16, 2026
Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, April 13th, 2026
Apr 13, 2026
Dr. Len Cutler, Siena University professor of political science and international relations on United States and Iran, April 10th, 2026
Apr 10, 2026
Dr. Betty Rosa, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Education, and staff, April 3rd, 2026
Apr 03, 2026
Drew Warshaw, Democratic Candidate for NYS Comptroller, March 27th, 2026
Mar 27, 2026
Dr. Emily Eisner, Acting Executive Director at the Fiscal Policy Institute on New York State and New York City Budget, March 26th, 2026
Mar 26, 2026
John D'Alessandro, Secretary of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, March 20th, 2026
Mar 20, 2026
Jackie Salvatore, Columbia County Sheriff, March 13th, 2026
Mar 13, 2026
Stuart Amoriell, NY-21 Democratic candidate, March 6th, 2026
Mar 06, 2026
"Meeting the mission" Rep Mike Lawler (R) reacts to U.S./Israel military action in Iran, March 5th, 2026
Mar 05, 2026
Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY18), on U.S. military action in Iran, March 2nd, 2026
Mar 03, 2026
A Schenectady Man Taken into ICE Custody, Increased Registration Fees, and the Future of Albany County
Feb 27, 2026
Adem Bunkeddeko, Democratic Candidate for NYS Comptroller, February 22nd, 2026
Feb 22, 2026
Peter Gannon, President & CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region, February 20th, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
Asm. Brian Cunningham (D-Brooklyn), on Budget, Mamdani, Brooklyn Democrats, immigration, February 19th, 2026
Feb 19, 2026
Tom DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller and 2026 Election Democratic Nominee, February 13th, 2026
Feb 13, 2026
Joseph Hernandez, Republican nominee for New York State Comptroller, February 11th, 2026
Feb 12, 2026
Carrie Woerner (D-Round Lake), on New York's state of sports betting, February 6th, 2026
Feb 07, 2026
Raj Goyle, Democratic candidate for NYS Comptroller, January 30th, 2026
Jan 30, 2026
Patrick Wildes, Director of Albany Law School’s Government Law Center on FY2027 State Budget Proposal, January 22nd, 2026
Jan 23, 2026
Robert Brooks Jr., on meeting with Governor Hochul, advocating alongside End Prison Violence, January 16th, 2026
Jan 16, 2026
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D) and Rep. Mike Lawler (R) on U.S. operation in Venezuela, January 9th, 2026
Jan 09, 2026
NYS Asm. Ed Ra, (R-Franklin Square), on Zohran Mamdani's budget impact, energy policy, and Bruce Blakeman
Jan 04, 2026
Julie Tighe, President of New York League of Conservation Voters, January 2nd, 2026
Jan 02, 2026
Tom Harris. President of Times Square Alliance ahead of New Year's Eve, December 26th, 2025
Dec 26, 2025
Santa Claus on delivering presents, the Elf on a Shelf, the Grinch and more, December 24th, 2025
Dec 24, 2025
Sen. Kristen Gonzalez on pending AI legislation, data centers, Zohran Mamdani and more, December 19th, 2025
Dec 19, 2025
Sen. Julia Salazar on prison reform omnibus bill deadline, December 19th, 2025
Dec 19, 2025
Blake Washington, NYS Budget Director on State discusses fiscal status, child care, federal and Mamdani impacts
Dec 12, 2025
Dorcey Applyrs and Camoin Associates break down Albany Housing Audit, December 6th, 2025
Dec 05, 2025
Dr. Irwin Redlener, discusses CDC's change of "Autism and Vaccines" part of website, November 28th, 2025
Nov 30, 2025
Jason Palmer, Artificial Intelligence Impact Investor, on investing in Gen Z start-ups and more, November 28th, 2025
Nov 28, 2025
Dylan Hewitt, NY-21 Democratic Congressional Candidate, November 21st, 2025
Nov 21, 2025
Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive, on potential Gubernatorial Run, November 14th, 2025
Nov 14, 2025
Ken Girardin, Fellow at Manhattan Institute, discusses the fiscal impact of NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani's proposals, November 8th, 2025
Nov 08, 2025
Colin Seeberger, Senior Adviser at the Center for American Progress, on Democratic wins in 2025 Election, Zohran Mamdani, redistricting and more November 7th, 2025
Nov 07, 2025
Bobby Logan, Democratic Candidate for Saratoga County District Attorney, October 31st, 2025
Oct 31, 2025
Brett Eby, Republican Candidate for Saratoga County District Attorney, October 31st, 2025
Oct 31, 2025
Erik Hansen, U.S. Travel Association Senior Vice President and Head of Government Relations on government shutdown, October 24th, 2025
Oct 24, 2025
CBS6 Town Hall: Tiffani Silverman, Rensselaer County Executive Democratic candidate, October 22nd, 2025
Oct 23, 2025
Trent Griffin-Braaf, business leader and entrepreneur, October 17th, 2025
Oct 17, 2025
Saratoga Springs Mayoral Debate, October 9th, 2025
Oct 10, 2025
Kathy Sheehan, Mayor of Albany following proposal of final budget as Mayor, October 3rd, 2025
Oct 03, 2025
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY17) on potential Government shutdown, September 30th, 2025
Sep 30, 2025
Tom Tatun, Executive Director of the Retired Public Employees Association, September 28th, 2025
Sep 28, 2025
Natasha Pernicka, Executive Director, The Food Pantries for the Capital District on increased need and SNAP benefit changes, September 25th, 2025
Sep 27, 2025
Mary Beth Walsh, NYS Assemblymember, on political violence, criminal justice reform, and the New York State Climate Law, September 25th, 2025
Sep 27, 2025
Bonus: "Silenced Behind Bars" a CBS6 Albany special, September 22nd, 2025
Sep 23, 2025
Morgan Hook on Governor Hochul's Zohran Mamdani Endorsement, September 16th, 2025
Sep 20, 2025
Lee Miringoff, Marist Poll, on Governor Kathy Hochul's endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, September 16th, 2025
Sep 20, 2025
Lizzie Andrus, on experience of advocating for implementation of Universal School Meals in New York, September 19th, 2025
Sep 19, 2025
Terry Strada, National Chair of 9/11 Families United, September 11th, 2025
Sep 11, 2025
Tom DiNapoli, NYS Comptroller on budget projections, federal funding, Mamdani policies, September 5th, 2025
Sep 05, 2025
Christina Keim, Author: “UNWANTED: The Causes and Effects of America’s Horse Population Crisis”, August 28th, 2025
Aug 29, 2025
Jon Campbell, WNYC and Gothamist Reporter on his reporting into the aftermath of the death of Peanut the Squirrel, August 22nd, 2025
Aug 22, 2025
Jacqueline Franchetti, Kyra's Mother, Child Advocate, on meeting with Governor's Office, August 18th, 2025
Aug 18, 2025
Antonio Delgado, NYS Lt. Governor, Gubernatorial Candidate, calls for special session, August 14th, 2025
Aug 15, 2025
Bonus: Dr. James McDonald, Commissioner of the NYS Department of Health, speaks with CBS6's Briana Supardi, August 12th, 2025
Aug 12, 2025
Bonus: Morgan Hook, a partner at Bluejacket Strategies and Democratic consultant, analyzes NYS gerrymandering possibilities, August 11th, 2025
Aug 11, 2025
Dr. Cynthia Leifer, Cornell University immunologist, reacts to RFK Jr.'s plan to cancel $500 million in mRNA vaccine contracts, August 7th, 2025
Aug 08, 2025
Dr. Elias Zerhouni, former National Institutes of Health Director, on new memoir "Disease Knows No Politics" July 31st, 2025
Aug 01, 2025
Brendan Cox, Interim Albany Police Chief on juvenile crime, July 24th, 2025
Jul 25, 2025
Bonus: Tackling Youth Violence-A Community Discussion, July 21st, 2025
Jul 21, 2025
Dr. James McDonald, Greg Olsen break down Master Plan for Aging, July 17th, 2025
Jul 18, 2025
Sen. Julia Salazar (D), on accompanying immigrants, utility rate increases, Raise the Age, the New York's Special Session, July 10th, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Rep. Mike Lawler (R), on House passage of "Big Beautiful Bill"
Jul 04, 2025
Bonus Live: Asm. John McDonald (D) on "Big Beautiful Bill" impact on New York State, July 3rd, 2025
Jul 04, 2025
Paul Tonko, NY Rep, (D) discusses Iran, Big Beautiful Bill negotiations, and Zohran Mamdani, June 27th, 2025
Jun 28, 2025
Mike Lawler, NY Rep (R) discusses Iran, SALT Cap negotiations, and Zohran Mamdani discusses Iran, SALT Cap negotiations, and Zohran Mamdani, June 27th, 2025
Jun 28, 2025
Morgan Hook analyzes Tuesday's primary success for Zohran Mamdani, Working Families Party, and lawmakers reaction, June 26th, 2025
Jun 28, 2025
Dorcey Applyrs, Albany Democratic Mayoral nominee, Live on Election Night June 24th, 2025
Jun 27, 2025
Sam Fein, Winner of Albany Democratic Chief City Auditor Primary, June 26th, 2025
Jun 27, 2025
Carolyn McLaughlin, Albany Democratic Mayoral Candidate, the Final Word, June 19th, 2025
Jun 20, 2025
Corey Ellis, Albany Democratic Mayoral Candidate, the Final Word, June 19th, 2025
Jun 20, 2025
Dan Cerutti, Albany Democratic Mayoral Candidate, the Final Word, June 19th, 2025
Jun 20, 2025
Dorcey Applyrs, Albany Democratic Mayoral Candidate, the Final Word, June 19th, 2025
Jun 20, 2025
Bonus-Part 2: Lucy Lang, New York State Inspector General on 10-year anniversary of Dannemora Prison Escape, Part 2 , June 13th, 2025
Jun 16, 2025
Alan Sealls, President-Elect of the American Meteorological Society, June 18th, 2025
Jun 16, 2025
Bonus: Lauren DesRosiers, Director of the Immigration Law Clinic at Albany Law School, June 13th, 2025
Jun 14, 2025
Eva Bass, Founder of Bridge Tha Gap Resource and Outreach, June 13th, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
David O'Rourke, New York Racing Association CEO live from Belmont Stakes Festival, June 5th, 2025
Jun 06, 2025
Lucy Lang, New York State Inspector General on 10-year anniversary of Dannemora Prison Escape, June 5th, 2025
Jun 06, 2025
Natasha Pernicka, Executive Director at The Alliance for a Hunger-Free New York, on SNAP Cuts, NYS Budget funding, 5/27/2025
Jun 02, 2025
Murad Awawdeh, New York Immigration Coalition President and CEO on ICE Activity in New York, May 29th, 2025
May 30, 2025
Bonus: Dr. Seanelle Hawkins, Chair of the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies, May 29th, 2025
May 29, 2025
Steven Greenberg, Pollster with the Siena College Research Institute, May 23rd, 2025
May 23, 2025
Bonus: Kristen Gonzalez, NYS Senator on House's Proposed AI Legislation Moratorium, May 16th, 2025
May 17, 2025
Rob Hayes, Director of Clean Water at Environmental Advocates, May 16, 2025
May 16, 2025
James Skoufis, NYS Senator (D-Cornwall), on Hochul's budget approach, May 8th, 2025
May 09, 2025
Albany Chief City Auditor Democratic Primary Debate, May 6th, 2025
May 08, 2025
Phil Steck, NYS Assemblymember (D-Colonie), on NYS Budget, Stock Transfer Tax, Naloxone Cuts, May 2nd, 2025
May 02, 2025
Albany Mayoral Democratic Primary Debate, April 30th, 2025
May 02, 2025
James Murphy, Former Saratoga County Judge and District Attorney, April 24th, 2025
Apr 25, 2025
Lee Kindlon, Albany County District Attorney takes a deep dive into Discovery, 4/18/2025
Apr 18, 2025
Blair Horner, Senior Policy Advisor at NYPIRG April 10, 2025
Apr 11, 2025
Rep. Mike Lawler (R) on Trump economic policies, New York's budget, Elise Stefanik and tariffs, April 4th, 2025
Apr 03, 2025
Bonus: Blake Gendebien reacts to withdrawal of Rep. Stefanik's UN nomination, March 28, 2025
Mar 31, 2025
Blake Gendebien, Democratic nominee in potential NY-21 special election, March 20, 2025
Mar 29, 2025
Elise Stefanik's UN nomination withdrawn, instant analysis with Lee Miringoff, March 27th, 2025
Mar 28, 2025
Rennie Glasgow, Local 3343 Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees, March 25th, 2025
Mar 25, 2025
A System Under Siege: Fight for Prison Reform, March 19th, 2025
Mar 19, 2025
NYS Senate Minority's Response to Passed One-House Budget with Sen. Jake Ashby (R-Castleton), March 14th, 2025
Mar 14, 2025
Deshanna Wiggins, CEO-Albany Black Chamber of Commerce, March 13th, 2025
Mar 13, 2025
Clyde Vanel, NYS Assemblyman (D-Queens), March 7th, 2025
Mar 07, 2025
Diane Mbombo-Tite, President Congolese Association of Albany (and fellow compatriots), March 6th, 2025
Mar 07, 2025
Antonio Delgado, New York Lieutenant Governor, February 26th, 2025
Feb 27, 2025
Thomas Gant, Center for Community Alternatives, February 24, 2025
Feb 25, 2025
P&P Top 3 February 21, 2025: Trump vs. Hochul...Congestion Pricing Edition, Hochul doesn't fire Adams, New York's "coincidental" prison strikes
Feb 23, 2025
Ta-Sean Murdock, Director-Center for Law and Justice, February 17th, 2025
Feb 17, 2025
P&P Top 3: February 15, 2025 AG Bondi vs NY, Adams' Future in Flux, NY-21 Special Election drama
Feb 16, 2025
Dan Cerutti, Albany Mayoral Candidate, February 10th, 2025
Feb 10, 2025
P&P Top 3: February 7th, 2024, New York's Special Election timeline, Sanctuary City federal funding threat, Trump and the Gaza Strip
Feb 07, 2025
Dan McCoy, Albany County Executive, February 3rd, 2025
Feb 03, 2025
P&P Top 3 January 31st, 2025: D.C. Plane Crash, Federal Funding Freeze/UnFreeze Fallout, Sen. Hassan speaks out at RFK Jr. hearing
Jan 31, 2025
Corey Ellis, Albany Mayoral Candidate and Common Council President, January 27th, 2025
Jan 27, 2025
P&P Top 3: President Trump's Executive Orders, Hochul says "Elections have consequences", Tik Tok gets political, January 24th, 2025
Jan 24, 2025
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO New York Immigration Coalition, January 20th, 2025
Jan 20, 2025
P&P Top 3: Hochul's State of the State, Trump Cabinet Confirmation Hearings, Isreal-Hamas Ceasefire? January 17th, 2025
Jan 17, 2025
Will Barclay, Assembly Minority Leader, reacts to Governor Hochul's 2025 State of the State, January 14th, 2025
Jan 15, 2025
Michael Gianaris, NYS Senate Deputy Majority Leader, January 13th, 2025
Jan 13, 2025
P&P Top 3: California wildfires, NYS legislature "Trump-proofing?", Trump's "Gulf of America" proposal, January 10th, 2025
Jan 10, 2025
Prenatal Leave: Lara Bryn interviews Roberta Reardon, New York State Department of Labor Commissioner, January 9th, 2025
Jan 09, 2025
Brendan Cox, Albany Interim Police Chief January 6th, 2025
Jan 06, 2025
P&P Top 3: Attack in New Orleans/Truck explodes in Vegas, Speaker vote begins, New Year-New Laws, January 3rd, 2025
Jan 03, 2025
Lukee Forbes, formerly incarcerated activist on the death of Robert Brooks, 12/31/2024
Dec 31, 2024
Department of Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball, December 30th, 2024
Dec 30, 2024
James McDonald, New York State Department of Health Commissioner, December 23rd, 2024
Dec 23, 2024
P&P Top 3: "President Elon Musk", Hochul's CDPAP confrontation, Cuomo sues with eyes on the prize? December 20th, 2024
Dec 20, 2024
Rep. Mike Lawler (R), NYS 17th Congressional District
Dec 16, 2024
P&P Top 3: Governor Hochul's Grocery Bill, Luigi Mangione and the health care conversation, Donald Trump: Time Person of the Year, 12/13/2024
Dec 13, 2024
Rep. Pat Ryan (D), NYS 18th Congressional District
Dec 09, 2024
P&P Top 3: President Biden pardons Hunter Biden, Supreme Court hears arguments on gender-affirming care for minors, Anthem calls off anesthesia coverage change 12/6/2024
Dec 06, 2024
P&P Top 3: Trump/Sheinbaum's border call, Mexican, Canadian, Chinese Tariff Wars?, Hochul says she's governing...Rep. Torres says she's Biden
Nov 29, 2024
Andrea Chrisjohn, Haudenosaunee Woman, Iroquois Museum Trustee
Nov 28, 2024
Natasha Pernicka, Executive Director, Food Pantries of the Capital District
Nov 25, 2024
PNP Top 3, November 22nd, 2024
Nov 22, 2024
David Sirota, Former Bernie Sanders speechwriter, Founder of The Lever News, Oscar Nominee-Don't Look Up
Nov 18, 2024
P&P Top 3: Congestion Pricing, NY-21 Contenders, Matt Gaetz
Nov 15, 2024
Phil Steck, newly reelected to NYS 110th Assembly District
Nov 08, 2024
Marc Molinaro, Republican incumbent in 19th Congressional District race
Nov 01, 2024
Pat Fahy Town Hall
Oct 31, 2024
Alvin Gamble, NYS Senate 43rd District Democratic Candidate
Oct 25, 2024
Jake Ashby, NYS Senator, 43rd District Republican Candidate
Oct 24, 2024
Minita Sanghvi, NY 44th Senate District Candidate
Oct 18, 2024
Jim Tedisco, NYS Senator, 44th District
Oct 17, 2024
Anthony Constantino, StickerMule Founder/CEO
Oct 11, 2024
Paula Collins, NY-21st District Democratic Candidate
Oct 04, 2024
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik
Sep 27, 2024
Albany County District Attorney Debate
Sep 26, 2024
Rep. Tom Suozzi, Democrat Long Island Congressman
Sep 20, 2024
Marcella Goheen, Essential Care Visitor Founder
Sep 13, 2024
Pete Buttigieg, U.S Transportation Secretary
Sep 11, 2024
John King, SUNY Chancellor
Sep 06, 2024
Paul Tonko, Democratic Congressman, In-Studio
Sep 05, 2024
Dr. Alice Green, Remembering Civil Rights Leader
Aug 30, 2024
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan from the DNC in Chicago
Aug 23, 2024
Independent Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Aug 23, 2024
NYS Congressman Brandon Williams
Aug 23, 2024
NYS Congressman Marc Molinaro from the U.S. Capitol
Aug 23, 2024
Columbia County Sanctuary Movement
Aug 23, 2024
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from the U.S. Capitol
Aug 23, 2024
NYS Congressman Paul Tonko from the U.S. Capitol
Aug 23, 2024
NYS Republican 109th Assembly District Primary Winner Alicia Purdy
Aug 23, 2024
NYS Democratic 109th Assembly District Primary Winner Gabriella Romero
Aug 23, 2024
Albany County District Attorney David Soares
Aug 23, 2024
Albany County District Attorney Candidate Lee Kindlon
Aug 23, 2024
NYS Assemblywoman Pat Fahy
Aug 23, 2024
Bonus: Legendary Track Announcer Tom Durkin Live from Belmont at Saratoga
Aug 23, 2024
NYS Assemblyman Scott Bendett
Aug 23, 2024
Redburn Development Principal Jeff Buell
Aug 23, 2024
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus
Aug 23, 2024
NYSUT President Melinda Person
Aug 23, 2024
NYS Assemblyman John McDonald
Aug 23, 2024
Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello
Aug 23, 2024
Albany County Legislator Carolyn McLaughlin
Aug 23, 2024
Albany Mayoral Candidate Dorcey Applyrs
Aug 23, 2024
Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford
Aug 23, 2024
State Senator Neil Breslin
Aug 23, 2024
Introducing Power & Politics
Aug 05, 2024