Up Close with Bill Ritter

Oct 27 2024 41 ep. 30 mins
Up Close with Bill Ritter Podcast artwork

“Up Close” is a politics podcast from the No. 1 TV station in the United States, WABC-TV. Hosted by Eyewitness News veteran anchor Bill Ritter, Up Close gets to the heart of the matter, whether it’s about how things are working in government - or how they’re not working. It shows you how public-policy decisions are made.

This Eyewitness News podcast goes beyond the headlines and underneath the surface of politics. Sound bites don’t do that – conversation does.

Our guests – varied and diverse - are from both sides of the aisle.

In addition to full episodes of Up Close, I'm going to be sharing extra content -- interviews, perspective, news digests and more.

  News
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


Anthony D'Esposito, Laura Gillen battle in NY congressional race on Long Island

Oct 27 2024 29 mins  
The battle for control of Congress could very well go through New York. Democrats are trying to flip several Republican-held seats this upcoming election, in hopes of once again gaining control of the House of Representatives. One of the hard-fought races includes New York's 4th Congressional District on Long Island. Republican incumbent Anthony D'Esposito is being challenged by De

Andy Kim, Curtis Bashaw make their case to fill Bob Menendez's Senate seat

Oct 20 2024 29 mins  
The 2024 Presidential Election is two weeks from Tuesday, and while that campaign consumes much of the airtime, there are so many other important races, like the U.S. Senate race in New Jersey for the seat formerly held by Democrat Bob Menendez. In this episode of Up Close, Bill Ritter talks to the candidates for Menendez's seat, Democratic Congressman Andy Kim and Republican busi

Getting to know NYC's newly appointed deputy mayor

Oct 13 2024 29 mins  
A slew of resignations has slammed the Adams administration amid a federal investigation that could land New York City's mayor in prison if found guilty. Ten of Mayor Eric Adams' top aides have resigned in the last few weeks, some reportedly at the urging of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, but one new appointment and promotion has gotten widespread report. In this episode of Up Close

Republican incumbent LaLota, Democratic challenger Avlon talk NY congressional race

Oct 06 2024 29 mins  
In this edition of Up Close, we take a deeper look at the House and Senate, which could have major implications on the next president's agenda, depending on who controls the two legislative branches. A divided government, like we have now, could mean more gridlock. But a sweep of the House, Senate and the White House by either party could lead to major, and consequential changes,

Former NY Governor discusses the federal indictment of NYC Mayor Eric Adams

Sep 29 2024 29 mins  
In this edition of Up Close, we dive deep into the five-count federal indictment of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The five-count indictment accuses the 110th mayor of a series of charges, including accepting illegal contributions and bribery. He is accused of having foreign governments pay for expensive trips for himself. Prosecutors claim the crimes started before Adams became

Can Donald Trump win NY? Impact of his Long Island rally on 2024 presidential race

Sep 22 2024 29 mins  
In this edition of Up Close, we examine the state of the race for the White House following former President Donald Trump's rally on Long Island. Polls show Trump is behind Vice President Kamala Harris by double digits in New York, but that isn't stopping the former president from trying to persuade his supporters that he has a chance of winning the state. A win by a Republican pr

A sitdown with former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton to discuss NYPD shakeup

Sep 15 2024 29 mins  
In this episode, Bill Ritter sits down with former commissioner Bill Bratton to discuss the major shakeup in the NYPD. After Edward Caban's resignation went into effect on Friday, Thomas Donlon, a retired FBI official, was sworn in as interim NYPD commissioner. Caban faced calls to step aside after federal agents took his phone last week as part of a criminal investigation. Caba

David Banks addresses challenges heading into new school year

Sep 01 2024 29 mins  
In this edition of Up Close, New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks addresses the biggest debate in schools across the country: how to keep kids in class from paying to their smart phones instead if their teachers. Chancellor Banks addresses the controversial challenge, and how New York City plans to unveil the new school year as summer break comes to an end. Meanwhile, a n

Kamala Harris accepts the Democratic nomination for president

Aug 25 2024 29 mins  
The democratic transition is official. President Biden has passed the torch to his vice president, Kamala Harris. She accepted the party's nomination at this past week's Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Democrats who had worried about Biden have quickly rallied for his vice president. One of the people Biden met with before ending his re-election bid was New York's seni

Mayor Adams talks DNC as Harris-Walz campaign gains momentum

Aug 18 2024 29 mins  
On the heels of the Democratic National Convention, Mayor Eric Adams joins Up Close with more on the message from Democrats and whether or not they can win pivotal swing states in the presidential election. Four weeks ago, most Americans – regardless of politics – were wondering how the mess of the Democratic party could quickly rebound from the withdrawal of President Joe Bid