Episodes

  • The 2024 presidential race is on between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris

    The 2024 presidential race is on between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris
    Jul 28 2024
    With just 100 days until Election Day, the 2024 presidential race is on and heating up. In this edition of Eyewitness News Up Close, we discuss the race between former president and Republican nominee Donald Trump against presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. There has been no shortage of attacks and vitriol in what promises to be a tough campaign, to put it politely. It will also be the shortest presidential race in modern history. We talk with New Jersey Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer and the head of the Republican Party in New York, Ed Cox. Plus, ABC News Political Director Rick Klein and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf weigh in on the race for the White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 mins
  • Breaking down race for the White House; FDNY commissioner on why she's leaving

    Breaking down race for the White House; FDNY commissioner on why she's leaving
    Jul 21 2024
    In this edition of Up Close, we discuss the race for the White House and where Donald Trump and President Joe Biden stand, and sit down with FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh in her first television interview since announcing she's stepping down. Former President Trump accepted his party's nomination for another run at the White House. Trump said he rewrote the speech after the assassination attempt. So, what did we learn from his speech? Bill Ritter spoke to Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, who gave her take on Trump at the Republican National Convention. For the Democratic perspective, Bill also spoke to Congressman Dan Goldman of New York. And in her first television interview after announcing she is stepping down as the New York City's first woman fire commissioner, Bill spoke to Laura Kavanagh, who answered the obvious question: "why are you leaving?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump

    The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump
    Jul 14 2024
    On this edition of Up Close, we take a closer look at the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania. A bullet piercing his ear, leaving him bleeding and a nation stunned. This morning, we get reaction from several people, including New York Republican Congressman Mike Lawler. We also talk to former FBI official Richard Frankel and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf on how this could happen. Also on our program, we remember and celebrate the life and legacy of America's sex therapist, Ruth Westheimer, better known to generations as Dr. Ruth. An orphan of the Holocaust, Dr. Ruth shot to fame in her 50s for her direct, frank and honest talk about sex. Bill Ritter has more on her remarkable journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Ex-New York governor weighs in on Biden's campaign woes

    Ex-New York governor weighs in on Biden's campaign woes
    Jul 14 2024
    President Joe Biden says he's in the race to stay, but not every Democrat is backing him. In this edition of Up Close, we have more on the growing calls for Biden to step down from his re-election campaign, and also get a former New York governor's take on what this all means. New Jersey Congresswoman Mikie Sherill is one of nearly a dozen Democrats in Congress who have publicly thanked Biden for his service but say he should not be running for a second term. Many of the Democratic leaders are publicly saying the decision to run is up to President Biden. Actor George Clooney, who has been a big fundraiser for Democrats, also called for President Biden to bow out. Joining us is former New York Governor David Paterson, a Democrat who is no stranger to the intrigue of New York and national politics, and who has his pulse on Democratic politics and the party's leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Will NYC schools ban cellphones? Chancellor Banks reflects on academic year

    Will NYC schools ban cellphones? Chancellor Banks reflects on academic year
    Jun 30 2024
    The largest school system in the nation wraps up another year of school. There have been successes, and there have been challenges, and more of each to come. We talk to es David Banks about the challenges of the last year -- and what's in store for the upcoming school year. And will it include a ban on cellphones in schools, like others have done or contemplated? We also talk to Dr. Jen Ashton, who has appeared dozens of times on Up Close to help New Yorkers through the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Ashton is stepping down as ABC's chief medical correspondent for a new venture to help women. We talk to her about that, and also about other medical issues, including the increasing popularity of weight-loss drugs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • President Biden announces protections for immigrant spouses, children of US citizens

    President Biden announces protections for immigrant spouses, children of US citizens
    Jun 23 2024
    President Joe Biden recently signed his latest executive order to protect undocumented spouses of American citizens. With about 200,000 migrants now in New York City, immigration is a hot issue in the 2024 race for president. So, what should the policy be for people trying to come to the U.S. without proper papers? How do you secure the border? Bill Ritter sits down with New York House Representative Adriano Espaillat to discuss. Plus, one of the benefits to congestion pricing was supposed to be improved emergency response times. But it turns out the problem is actually worse outside of the proposed tolling area. Investigative reporter Dan Krauth has more on the 7 On Your Side Investigation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Bowman vs. Latimer: The battle for the 16th Congressional District

    Bowman vs. Latimer: The battle for the 16th Congressional District
    Jun 16 2024
    It's one of the most hotly contested congressional races in New York, the primary pitting incumbent Jamaal Bowman versus fellow Democrat George Latimer, the current Westchester County executive. The 16th District represents Westchester County and parts of the Bronx. Millions of dollars have already spent on the race for the Democratic nomination, much of it on ads. Bill Ritter sits down with both candidates as we ask New Yorkers to share their top concerns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Pride 2024 Special: The inside story of Stonewall Inn's revival and a look at NYC's bold equity efforts

    Pride 2024 Special: The inside story of Stonewall Inn's revival and a look at NYC's bold equity efforts
    Jun 13 2024
    June 28 will mark the 55th anniversary of the start of the multiday Stonewall uprising, which represents the birth of the LGBTQIA+ movement and stands as a watershed moment in the quest for a more equitable world. As this anniversary nears, WABC-TV Channel 7, the broadcast partner of the 2024 NYC Pride March, is showcasing stories of Pride with a special edition of the Up Close podcast. Host Bill Ritter introduces you to Ronald Porcelli, the director of the NYC Unity Project, Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice. In his efforts, Porcelli works closely with the co-owners of the Stonewall Inn, Stacy Lentz and Kurt Kelly, who over 18 years have transformed the cradle of the movement into a source of Pride year-round, an accessible part of American and world history. Lentz and Kelly share the stories of what inspired them to buy the Stonewall, what the process of reviving it entailed, the challenges they face and what the future holds for this institution, while sharing their own stories of embracing their identities and living their truths. Porcelli gives us a rare look into how City Hall is working with diverse communities to make New York a more equitable and fair place for all of its people during a time of heightened societal polarization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min