Good Morning, New York! Hundreds of corrections officers strike in Albany in 15th day of strike that has left 7 prisoners dead across the state, and Eric Adams finds a new deputy mayor. This is your Tammany Times AM Briefing for Wednesday, March 5th, 2025.

WHERE’S KATHY: In NYC, delivering remarks at the McKinsey Future of New York Summit.

WHERE’s ERIC: In Washington DC to testify before the House Oversight Committee.

TIPS? Email me: [email protected]

Front Pages

Hall Monitors

— The mayor is set to testify before House Republicans about New York City's sanctuary city status, likely facing tough questions about the city's policies regarding undocumented migrants. Adams says he wants to highlight the important role immigrants play in the NYC community as well as his actions to curb the migrant crisis. (The City)

— Looks like Mayor Adams is set to tap Rudy Giuliani alum Randy Mastro as his new top deputy, despite Dems blocking Mastro's appointment as corporation counsel last year. Four deputy mayors resigned recently over concerns about Adams' leadership amid a DOJ corruption probe, so Mastro's arrival could shake things up. Unlike the last post, this one doesn't need City Council approval, so Mastro is likely in. (NY Daily News)

— The G train just got a major upgrade! The MTA has rolled out its new 'open gangway' train cars on the Brooklyn-Queens line, letting riders freely move between cars. According to MTA officials, the new models are more reliable and spacious, offering improved accessibility, lighting, and safety features, but the 160,000 daily riders will be the final judge of that. (amNY)

Capitol Gains

— Wildcat strikes by corrections officers have plunged New York's prisons into chaos, leaving at least seven inmates dead. As the strikes enter their 15th day, prisoners are allegedly being denied hot food, showers, and vital medical and mental-health care. Meanwhile, over 7,000 deployed National Guard members report feeling unprepared and ill-equipped for the situation. (NY Times)

— Hundreds of correction officers rallied at the state capital yesterday. Despite a tentative deal between Gov. Hochul and the union leadership to suspend solitary confinement limits and ease overtime, striking guards are holding firm, demanding further concessions. Meanwhile, the state has begun firing striking guards and cutting off their health insurance. (NY Post)

— A Trump loyalist with no experience as a prosecutor, John A. Sarcone III, is set to become the U.S. Attorney for Upstate NY. Sarcone, who worked on Trump's 2016 campaign, previously expressed controversial views about Democrats, calling their party "evil." Questions are now being raised about whether Sarcone meets the residency requirements for the position. (Syracuse)

Trail Mix

— Andrew Cuomo just trashed 'defund the police.' In a recent interview with Stephen A. Smith, the mayoral hopeful slammed the movement for rising crime rates, a stark contrast to his past support for police reform. While Cuomo's spokesperson claims his past statements were taken out of context, critics are calling it a convenient flip-flop as he enters the mayoral race. (NY Post)

— Adrienne Adams is coming for Eric Adams and Donald Trump in a preview of what her messaging could look like in a city-wide mayoral campaign. In her State of the City address, the NYC Council Speaker slammed Trump's policies and criticized the mayor's leadership, saying it has eroded public trust. Hinting at a possible run, Adams pitched herself as the antithesis. She also stated that his corruption indictment and the lingering scandals have left city government in a risky place. (NY Daily News)

— Slow news day today, so check out these funny political news snippets from historic Northern NY newspapers! Thanks to Maury Thompson from the New York Almanack for putting these together. (New York Almanack)