Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier on Building Power, AOC, and 'Squad 2.0'

This fall, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier will (almost certainly) be new members of Congress from New York City. We got them in the studio to talk about being a transplant, Latinidad, how the left can build power, what they said to Hakeem Jeffries, and whether they believe in aliens. These two are not very keen on labels like "the Squad," but we are nevertheless soft-launching "Clairializa," this week on the Hell Gate Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a wild week in New York City as our mayor goes international, the president pays a visit and ogles Gracie Mansion, and Mamdani breaks bread with fellow socialist world leaders. Meanwhile, closer to home, the Brooklyn Democrats are up to their usual absolute nonsense, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman is stealing people's faces. Just audio this week—no video…for reasons! Be careful cutting avocados, folks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What begins as a quaint story about an upstate bookstore morphs into a depressing vision of the future. Is there anyone who can stop the AI apocalypse? Luckily, Hell Gate has consulted its own AI agent on the matter, and they've told us we're in the clear. Just to be safe, Jessy checks in with the mayor about this as well. Then, Nick (who is not AI) discusses his new reporting on how NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch keeps transferring cops with misconduct on their records to the NYPD's most problematic and secretive unit. Finally, we give an update on the Brooklyn Dems, whose drama will almost certainly outlive the end of the Earth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Hell Gate surveys the conversation surrounding the 25th anniversary of 9/11, certain (awful) people are spewing 2002 vintage bigotry. The latest scandal: Our mayor passed a pen to a guy. Meanwhile, New York City mayors not named Mamdani lied to New Yorkers about the toxic dust at Ground Zero.In the back half of the episode, Max brings us up to speed on Mt. Sinai’s betrayal of trans kids in NYC. Finally, Julianne considers (a bit wistfully) the scrapped proposal for a building that has a lot more to say than what we got with 1 WTC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Labor Day weekend Hell Gate is celebrating with an episode on the very 2026 form of labor that is social media. Is Mamdani’s Signal group chat with 200 influencers as scandalous as it sounds? Why can’t a guy like Chris Robbins just enjoy @7SoulsDeep graffiti in peace? (Katie has an answer.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Robert Moses smiling down on Mamdani’s BQE? Why didn’t Frank Seddio bring cannolis to the Brooklyn Dems function? And what did we uncover when we requested the transcripts from a weird New York Times interview with Governor Kathy Hochul? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Editor Holly Pretsky dove into NYC-DSA’s caucuses and found rumblings of a 2028 where charismatic DSA members might try their hand at higher office. Editor Christopher Robbins updated us on the state of gambling in New York—from prediction markets to "dead facades." Start placing your Kalshi bets now. Then, Jessy Edwards on ICE getting sued by the septuagenarian they maced—And finally Alisha Allison, our intern, looks back on the summer she turned Hell Gate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well-connected NIMBYs score another unexpected victory in New York City as the fight over Elizabeth Street Garden reaches its apparent final chapter. Low-level arrests are as high as ever and Mamdani seems happy to let NYPD boss Jessica Tisch run the show. Plus, Katie gives an (anti-)recommendation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams has taken on a new role as a traveling salesman. ICE has been crawling around and macing elderly people, harassing children, and hiding behind face coverings. And the e-bike wars rage on. New York City journalists from Hell Gate break it all down in the latest episode of the Hell Gate Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: Mamdani’s pied-à-terre “hit list,” God’s most beautiful creature (sharks), and some apartment hunting tips for Lebron James. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.