Good Morning, New York! The prison strike is officially over, and 2,000 CO’s have been fired, an aide to Eric Adams has taken a plea deal in a straw donor scheme, and Hochul reportedly plans to stall Stefanik’s special election. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Tuesday, March 11th, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In Albany for a Youth Mental Health Roundtable and to make an announcement on Distraction Free Schools.

WHERE’s ERIC: In NYC for in person media availability and the New York Board of Rabbi’s award reception.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— Outrage is brewing in Manhattan after ICE grabbed Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia grad student and activist, revoking his visa and green card. The arrest, which some are calling political oppression, sparked a protest of around 1,000 people. (NY Daily News)

MEANWHILE: A federal judge has stepped in to block the immediate deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist with a green card who was detained at Columbia University. ICE claims Khalil supports Hamas -- a charge his lawyers deny, saying he was targeted for criticizing Israel. Meanwhile, Trump and Rubio vowed to deport 'terrorist sympathizers,' and Khalil's pregnant wife is pleading for his release. (ABC News)

— Mohamed Bahi, a former aide to Mayor Eric Adams, has reached a plea deal in connection to the straw donor scheme. This comes amid an ongoing investigation into Adams's 2021 campaign finances. Details of the plea agreement haven't been released. (The City)

Capitol Gains

— The prison strike that paralyzed New York's correctional facilities is officially over, but not without consequences. The state Corrections Commissioner announced that 2,000 striking officers who refused to return to work will be fired. While thousands of National Guard troops will stay deployed and the state launches a hiring spree, 5,000 officers did meet the deadline to return, preventing even greater staff shortages. (Times Union)

— Canada is retaliating against President Trump's tariff policy with a new 25% surcharge on electricity exports to New York. Ontario Premier Doug Ford claims this will cost the state $400,000 per day, but the exact impact is unclear, and NY might be able to find cheaper electricity elsewhere. Gov. Hochul and Sen. Schumer are calling on Trump to reverse the initial tariffs and want state agencies and utilities to assess the impact on consumers. (WGRZ)

— Turns out scandals have a price, and for New York taxpayers, it's nearly $60 million in legal fees related to Andrew Cuomo's controversies. A state comptroller review revealed that the money went to law firms defending Cuomo and state agencies in probes involving sexual harassment, nursing home deaths, and his book deal. As some call for the funds to be cut off, Cuomo's team claims some of the spending was actually for investigations into Cuomo, not his defense. His mayoral rival Brad Lander is demanding Cuomo promise not to spend more on his cases. (NBC4)

Trail Mix

— With the House GOP clinging to a razor-thin majority, sources say Gov. Hochul is likely to stall the special election to replace Elise Stefanik, who's up for a UN ambassadorship. This move mirrors similar tactics by Texas Gov. Abbott regarding a vacant Democratic seat, highlighting the high stakes of every congressional seat. Hochul could face legal challenges if she waits too long, and pressure will mount as next year's election approaches. (Semafor)

— The New York Times is shaking things up in its opinion section, reducing the number of editorials and offering some editorial board members new roles or a buyout. Mara Gay, Brent Staples, Jesse Wegman, and Farah Stockman are reportedly among those facing this choice. This move comes after Paul Krugman's public criticisms of opinion leadership, alleging censorship before his departure. (NY Post)

— Andrew Cuomo's mayoral campaign is gaining momentum with a new endorsement from the electrical workers' union, Local 3 IBEW. The union, which previously backed Mayor Adams, praised Cuomo's support for union jobs and infrastructure projects. This endorsement follows similar moves by other unions and political figures who are switching their allegiances to the former Governor. (NY Daily News)