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Mamdani’s 100th day
IT’S ZO TIME: Mayor Zohran Mamdani crisscrossed the city on his 100th day in office, relishing a milestone in a mayoralty that for much of last year seemed like an impossibility.
He started the day in Queens at a graduation ceremony for Department of Correction recruits, hopped over to the Bronx to celebrate trash cleanup efforts with a youth cheerleading squad and a garbage-can mascot, and then scooted to Harlem to perform home lead inspections.
But Day 100 was also marked by a budding scandal. POLITICO reported today that Mamdani’s Department of Probation commissioner allegedly had a prior romantic relationship with the agency’s general counsel, and the chief investigator who reported it to the city’s watchdog says she was fired the next day for blowing the whistle, according to court documents.
“I take any allegations of misconduct incredibly seriously,” Mamdani said this morning, with cheerleaders behind him. “New Yorkers should rest assured that there is an investigation.”
In April 2025, New Yorkers were still confused whether the “ZM” they intended to vote for went by Zellnor or Zohran: “A woman came up to me at a forum and said she was so excited to vote for me, and then referred to me as Zellnor Mamdani,” Mamdani told Playbook last year. (The other ZM in question is past mayoral hopeful and current state Sen. Zellnor Myrie.)
Now in City Hall, the festival of 100 days is in full swing. The mayor has been on a media tour of sorts leading up to today, doling out interviews to the The New York Times, POLITICO, City & State, THE CITY — and even a 20-minute sit-down with Al Jazeera — as he reflects on the milestone.
“The first feeling is that of gratitude that I get to have 100 days as mayor,” Mamdani told us. “This is truly the dream of a lifetime, to have this position and to be trusted by New Yorkers to deliver on it.”
The ritual significance of 100 Days — highlighted by Mamdani’s advance team, which places a flippable day-counter in the background of his press conferences — has also led to some blunt evaluations.
The New York Post — which seemingly was not given an interview — marked the day with a laundry list of ways the mayor has backtracked on the lefty (and lofty) promises he made on the trail. The tabloid even got the president to weigh in on Mamdani’s milestone: “Gotta lower taxes or everyone’s leaving. It’s very simple,” President Donald Trump said.
The New York Times more soberly analyzed the status of Mamdani’s campaign promises: free buses? (stalled); rent freeze? (TBD); free child care? (on track); Department of Community Safety? (try Office of Community Safety); city-owned grocery stores? (unstarted); taxing the rich? (stalled); fighting for an expanded rental assistance program? (reversed). We’re also tacking on one more to the list: relinquishing mayoral control of city schools (abandoned).
But, according to his own accounting, the mayor still has lots of time to fulfill his biggest promises — frozen rent, free buses and free child care — possibly even until 2034. Earlier this week, we asked him if he thinks he has one or two terms to complete those three goals.
“Inshallah, it’s two terms,” he said. — Jason Beeferman
From the Capitol
LETTER TO CMS: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services admitted Friday that its analysis of fraud in New York’s Medicaid program included errors, according to reports from the Associated Press.
The admission comes in response to a 78-page letter Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration sent to the federal agency criticizing its miscalculation of state Medicaid data.
State officials rejected claims from CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz that the state’s $124 billion Medicaid program is riddled with fraud, waste, and abuse. In a lengthy response shared with Playbook last night, the state Department of Health accused the federal government of conflating increasing Medicaid costs as proof of foul play.
The dispute reflects a broader tension over how aggressively the federal government should police state Medicaid programs as costs rise. CMS has flagged several high-cost areas — including personal care, behavioral health and transportation — as particularly susceptible to fraud. But the agency’s glaring miscalculation in New York represents a hit to the Trump administration’s “fraud-busting” campaign.
“CMS wildly overstates utilization in areas like personal care. CMS also appears to conflate critical investments with fraud, misconstruing New York’s historic commitment to expanding access to behavioral health,” state Health Department spokesperson Cadence Acquaviva said in a statement to Playbook.
READ MORE from POLITICO Pro’s Katelyn Cordero here.
100-FOOT RULE REPEAL: Hochul is signing a chapter amendment today to delay implementation of the so-called 100-foot rule repeal for a year.
For decades, New York required ratepayers to subsidize gas hookups for new residential buildings. If a new building was within 100 feet of a gas main line, utilities would connect the building and pass the cost onto other consumers.
In 2021, extending gas service to new residential customers cost ratepayers about $500 million, according to an analysis by the Public Utility Law Project of New York.
“I have made affordability a top priority and doing away with this 40-year-old subsidy that has outlived its purpose will help with that,” Hochul said in a statement last December when she signed the legislation.
Repealing the 100-foot rule was a priority for environmental advocates last session. The provision was originally included in the NY HEAT Act, legislation that aimed to transition the state off of gas infrastructure. That bill would have amended gas utilities’ “obligation to service” and put a 6 percent income cap on utility bills for low-income customers. But when it became clear the bill would not become law, advocates spun out the 100-foot rule provision as a standalone bill that had the support to make it across the finish line. — Mona Zhang
FROM CITY HALL
MORE DOIMAGE CONTROL: Mamdani is scrambling to shore up support for a key appointment whose fate rests with the New York City Council — another twist in the mounting tensions between the mayor and the body of lawmakers meant to be a check on his power, POLITICO Pro reports this afternoon.
Mamdani’s team has been working behind the scenes to set up one-on-one meetings between Council members and his pick to lead the Department of Investigation, Nadia Shihata, according to four people with knowledge of the outreach granted anonymity to discuss private conversations.
The hope is the meetings will assuage lawmakers’ concerns about her past political support for the mayor and a longstanding social relationship with Mamdani’s top legal adviser.
The administration’s overtures — which come just days before lawmakers are set to vote on the nomination next week — indicated to at least one Council member that the mayor and his staff are worried about Shihata’s path to confirmation for the DOI commissioner post.
“Otherwise they don’t call,” said Council member Gale Brewer, who was among at least four lawmakers who received offers to meet with Shihata.
The sudden obstacle for Shihata’s nomination lands in Mamdani’s lap amid a broader and increasingly pitched budget feud between Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin, as the mayor grapples with a $5.4 billion funding gap with few palatable options to close it.
The revelations about the tug-of-war over Shihata also come as POLITICO’s scoop about the DOI probe into Mamdani’s Department of Probation commissioner put a damper over what the mayor had hoped would be a celebratory weekend to mark his 100th day in office.
Read the story from Chris Sommerfeldt and Joe Anuta in POLITICO Pro.
FROM THE BALKANS
THE ADAMS OF ALBANIA: Former Mayor Eric Adams is now a citizen of Albania.
His spokesperson Todd Shapiro confirmed the former mayor received an “honorary Albanian citizenship” and said the mayor thanks the country’s prime minister, Edi Rama, for the distinction.
“The decision by the Republic of Albania to grant Mayor Adams citizenship reflects that enduring relationship and mutual respect,” Shapiro said. “Leaders around the world — including mayors and presidents — have historically been recognized with honorary or dual citizenships as a symbol of international partnership and shared values.”
Adams was indicted on foreign bribery charges — which he denies — during his time as mayor, but the charges were dismissed after Trump’s Department of Justice intervened.
In an interview with Fox News that aired last week, Adams reflected on his life as a private citizen and said there’s “a great world out there waiting for me.”
“Because of my time as mayor, I spent a lot of time inviting foreign dignitaries to the city,” he said. “Now all of that has turned into some good communications and relationships.” — Jason Beeferman
FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME: Rev. Al Sharpton isn’t ruling out an endorsement for Jack Schlossberg in the crowded Democratic primary for NY-12.
Schlossberg and Sharpton met for breakfast last week where they talked about the Kennedy family, politics and faith — but not an endorsement, Page Six reported.
“I told him that what Trump is doing is trying to overturn everything his grandfather, President John Kennedy started in the early 1960s,” Sharpton wrote on social media. “It’s in Jack’s blood to fight this backlash.”
Playbook caught up briefly yesterday with Sharpton on the second day of his National Action Network conference, where he reemphasized that Schlossberg didn’t ask for an endorsement in the race and their meeting was to get to know each other.
When asked if he would endorse Schlossberg, Sharpton said it isn’t off the table.
“I like guys that show up,” Sharpton said. “None of his opponents have.”
Schlossberg spoke at the conference Wednesday, with Sharpton introducing him as a “new friend.”
“You are doing so much more than anyone that I know to advance the cause of civil rights,” Schlossberg said as he stood on stage next to the reverend. “You’ve been doing it my whole lifetime. You did it a whole lifetime before I was born, and you’re still doing it. It just gives us all — young people especially — someone to look up to, an example to learn from.”
A Sharpton endorsement would be a prominent boost for Schlossberg, who already has former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s backing — and could help further legitimize his candidacy beyond his celebrity. Some have criticized his lack of political experience compared to opponents like state Assemblymembers Micah Lasher and Alex Bores. Despite that, sparse polling has shown Schlossberg with a lead. — Madison Fernandez
IN OTHER NEWS
— LANDER SAYS NO TO ISRAELI AID: Congressional candidate Brad Lander now says he opposes all aid to Israel, including for its missile defense system, as he seeks to represent NY-10. (The Forward)
— GREEN COSTS BITE: New York City business leaders are urging the state to scale back parts of its climate law, saying compliance costs are becoming unsustainable. (CBS News)
— ICE COLD: A Poughkeepsie landlord is facing charges after threatening tenants with immigration enforcement officials. (Times Union)
— REP. ENGEL PASSES: Eliot Engel, who represented areas of the Bronx and Westchester in Congress for over 30 years, has passed away at age 79. (LoHud)
Missed this morning’s New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
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Becca Kufrin and Thomas Jacobs are expanding their coven.
The Bachelor in Paradise stars welcomed their second baby together, a baby boy named Steven Jon, over two years after they welcomed their…
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Prince Harry has been in court a lot lately, having filed multiple high-profile lawsuits against the publishers of media outlets like the Daily Mail.
But the Duke of Sussex will soon find himself on the other side of the equation, as he’s now being sued by Sentebale, the charity that he helped co-found in 2006.
Yes, the charity’s current board is accusing Harry of libel and slander, one year after he stepped down as the organization’s royal patron.
According to Page Six, top brass at Sentebale filed the defamation claim against Harry at London’s High Court on March 24.
The organization is also suing Mark Dyer, who served as a trustee of Sentebale before he and Harry stepped down after clashing with CEO Dr. Sophie Chandauka.
Chandauka has accused Harry of asking the organization to defend his wife, Meghan Markle, following bad press surrounding a photo op at an event hosted by Sentebale.
“I said no, we’re not setting a precedent by which we become an extension of the Sussex PR machine,” Chandauka told the Financial Times in a March 2025 interview.
A follow-up investigation uncovered no “widespread or systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny or misogynoir” at the organization.
Harry issued a statement when he and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stepped down, and he did not deny that he had clashed with Chandauka.
“With heavy hearts, we have resigned for our roles as patrons of the organization until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees,” the princes wrote, adding:
“It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair.”
Harry and Seeiso explained that they will not cut ties with the charity entirely, explaining, “Although we may no longer be patrons, we will always be its founders, and we will never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when it is in the right care.”
They went on to “categorically reject” Sentebale’s “offensive and damaging claims.”
“It is extraordinary that charitable funds are now being used to pursue legal action against the very people who built and supported the organisation for nearly two decades, rather than being directed to the communities the charity was created to serve,” a spokesperson for the pair continued.
Harry stated that he was “heartbroken” to step away from the organization that he founded to honor his mother, but he added that he was in an “untenable situation” due to a conflict at Senetable.
“What’s transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this,” said Harry and Seeiso in a joint statement.
We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
Prince Harry Sued By Charity He Co-Founded to Honor Late Mother was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
As the Artemis II begins its journey back to Earth, the bravery of the astronauts on board will be commended with armfuls of this classic prepackaged snack.
Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
Kacey Musgraves had a very out-of-the-ordinary moment on a flight recently, and now she’s opening up about what she saw with proof of unexplained objects spotted in the sky that she’s calling the “craziest f**king orb UFO experience.”
The country star admits she’s seen plenty of “crazy” and unexplainable things in her life, but this encounter is one she won’t forget anytime soon. In a new Instagram story, Musgraves shared that she was flying from Fort Worth to Nashville with one of her managers when something outside her window immediately caught her attention as she was getting ready to take a nap. According to her, she saw a set of lights that “just didn’t look normal.”
“We just watched these orbs, there were three of them,” she recalls. “I watched them for a minute and they were definitely trailing each other…they were about 50,000 feet up.”
The Grammy-winning star says she first noticed the orbs while flying over Little Rock, Arkansas and continued to keep an eye on them for about 45 minutes. She was able to catch some of the objects on video, however the quality of her iPhone 17 made it difficult to clearly make out the phenomenon.
“It looks like I filmed them on a f–king toaster, but that’s the quality we’re working with,” she noted. “It was hard to focus because they were far off and it’s nighttime.”
She already ruled out that it could have been any other normal aircraft, just based off the flight patterns and the abnormally colored lights that they were giving off.
“These orbs were not moving like any craft that we can control. They were intermittently coming and going, forming triangle patterns,” she explained. “Sometimes they would get extremely bright and change color, change size.”
🚨 Country music artist Kacey Musgraves filmed three orb UFOs that followed her plane from Arkansas to Tennessee
“They were 50k feet up, we watched them for 45 minutes. These orbs were vehemently coming and going, forming triangle patterns. They were following the plane.
We… pic.twitter.com/80H4jGmbc7
— Red Panda Koala (@RedPandaKoala) April 10, 2026
Musgraves goes on to say was that the “craziest thing” was that the orbs continued to follow them all the way from Little Rock to their destination in Nashville.
“We were like oh my God this is insane.”
Once the plane had safely landed, she finally got the chance to ask the pilots of they had witnessed the same thing.
“We’re like, did y’all just see something weird?” she asked.
Strange enough, both pilots recalled seeing the exact same three orbs.
“They were laughing kind of and were like ‘yeah, we have seen these every single night and all the other pilots are seeing them too and nobody knows what they are.’”
The story doesn’t end there because she says when she got home, the “Golden Hour” singer saw yet another strange orb. This just adds to her growing list of “strange and unexplainable” experiences. However Musgraves seems to just have accepted that she continues to have these moments in her life and now wonders if anyone else has similar experiences.
“S–t is weird, but I’m here for it. I’m open to it, I’m here for it.”
She ended her message by saying, “Keep it weird, y’all,” before adding the video and photo proof she attempted to catch from the plane window. The clips were pitch black except for the lights eliminating from the city below and the individual particles in the sky.
Aside from the orbs that captured her focus momentarily, Kacey Musgraves has been busy promoting her new album, Middle of Nowhere, which she just announced will be arriving May 1st, 2026. She has already shared a look into the project through the first single, “Dry Spell”.
Fans can expect to hear stories rooted in Texas and inspired by a chapter of reflection and clarity that she found after a breakup, resulting in her “leaning intentionally into open space and traditional western elements.” The collection of 13 tracks also includes collaborations with Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert, Billy Strings, and Gregory Alan Isakov.
Middle of Nowhere will follow 2024’s Deeper Well, which earned Kacey Musgraves her biggest debut sales week, landing at No. 1 on the Top Album Sales chart and her fifth No. 1 debut on the Top Country Albums chart.
“…I became so at ease with being in the “middle of nowhere” in many senses and sitting in the un-comfort of the undefined,” she says of the time period that inspired the album. “I had a lot of time for creative ambling and leaning into myself in different ways; horses, humor, writing with my early collaborators again, and living out my very simple, inspired life between Texas, Tennessee, and Mexico.”
The post Kacey Musgraves Claims She Spotted Three UFOs On Flight From Texas To Tennessee appeared first on Country Now.
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Emily Ann Roberts‘ signature country charm comes to life in her brand-new release, “My Future.”
Out now, the song is about falling in love at first sight and instantly feeling like you’ve met “the one.” In just a short moment, the narrator is already imagining a full future together, from marriage to kids to a shared life at home.
Roberts says her husband, Chris Sasser, provided inspiration for the song.
“The idea for ‘My Future’ actually came from my husband, Chris,” Roberts shared. “He thought it would be a great song idea after seeing so many comments on social media saying, ‘I think I see my future.’ I started daydreaming about it and fell in the love with the idea of a girl seeing a guy and planning their whole life together in a matter of minutes. A little crazy? Yeah maybe, but when a woman knows what she wants, she knows!”
“My Future” showcases everything fans have come to love about Emily Ann Roberts: clever songwriting, a touch of East Tennessee country twang, and a healthy dose of humor. She paired the release with a visualizer that finds her stepping into the role of the narrator, playing a love-struck girl already planning her future with a man she just met. In the video, she sits on the floor surrounded by scrapbook clippings, photos, and arts and crafts as she imagines and pieces together the life she’s already dreaming up for them.
“One look was all it took/ Ain’t you Mr. Right-Outta-the-Blue? Little crazy? Well, maybe/ But when you know, you know, and I know it’s you/ All you said was hello, and five minutes ago/ I didn’t know who you were/ And now I think I see my future,” she sings.
“I brought the idea to Shane Minor and Micah Wilshire. I remember the day being so inspiring because we were just having fun and writing what made us grin. Brandon Hood produced the track and knocked it out of the park,” Roberts explained. “It is full of personality and exactly what I dreamed it would be. I hope fans have as much fun listening to it as I did making it!”
The release of “My Future” comes just one day after Emily Ann Roberts was named a nominee for New Female Artist of the Year at the upcoming 61st ACM Awards. She shared her family’s sweet reaction to the news on Instagram, admitting she was “speechless” over the moment.
In addition to her nomination, Roberts is also set to perform ahead of the ACM Awards at the ACM Next Wave Showcase, where she’ll be highlighted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry NextStage Class of 2026.
Following a breakout performance at C2C Festival in Germany and the U.K., it was recently announced that Roberts will join Thomas Rhett on his SOUNDTRACK TO LIFE TOUR, which includes major stops at Nashville’s Geodis Park and Hershey Park Stadium alongside Niall Horan. She’ll also continue headlining select dates throughout the year before heading back overseas this fall to support Cody Johnson on his European tour.
The post Emily Ann Roberts Delivers Daydream Romance With New Release ‘My Future’ appeared first on Country Now.
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Country Songs That Were Inspired By Space
These country songs are out of this world! Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
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Country Songs That Were Inspired By Space
These country songs are out of this world! Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
George Strait made his long-awaited return to the stage on Thursday evening (April 9). Donning his signature starched Wranglers and black Resistol hat, he appeared in front of 15,000 fans at the Moody Center in Autin, TX and delivered his first show of 2026.
The same arena where the country music icon previously opened with Willie Nelson in April 2022 welcomed him back with arms wide open. To celebrate his first performance in the venue in nearly four years, it was fully decked out with special Strait Moody Center signage.
Austin fans also showed up just as ready for what turned into a two-hour set featuring a massive 28-song setlist, packed tunes spanning his legendary career, including many of his 60 No. 1 hits. As the tunes lit up the speakers, the attendees kept the energy high by singing along and two-stepping through the aisles to classics such as “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” and shuffling along to “I Just Want To Dance With You.”
Midway through the set, Strait paused to take in the crowd, saying, “I see we got some cowboys out there tonight, I love it.”
“I love seeing you cowboys out there because you bring the cowgirls with you; this song is for all you cowgirls,” he added, setting the tone for his performance of “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls,” which appears on his 2007 album, It Just Comes Natural.
Texas native William Beckmann opened the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s performance and is set to return for his next concert in Moody Center, taking place Saturday, April 11. Carter Faith will also join Strait for his upcoming Moody Center shows on May 15 and 16, which will close out his limited seven-show run at the venue.
In between his Austin appearances, the country music icon will take his show to Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas and Death Valley in Clemson, SC.
Last night served as yet another reminder of why Strait holds the title of “King of Country Music.” Throughout his legendary career, he has garnered more than 100 million RIAA-certified units, over 60 major industry awards, and a record-breaking streak of Top 10 hits spanning more than three decades.
The Texas native might not spend as much of his time on the road anymore, but he hasn’t completely slowed down. Fans got the latest taste of new music from the Texas native last year when he released his 31st studio album Cowboys And Dreamers. He was also recently inducted into the Texas Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.
Beyond the stage, Strait has used his platform to give back. In addition to his recent Strait to the Heart benefit, which raised more than $7 million for flood relief efforts in Texas, the Jenifer Strait Foundation, established by him and his wife, Norma, continues to preserve the memory of their daughter by raising millions of dollars for children’s organizations over the years.
Any fans hoping to score a ticket to see George Strait live on stage should act quickly as limited seats remain available for his remaining 2026 shows. Learn more at georgestrait.com.
Remaining 2026 George Strait Shows:
Saturday, April 11 Austin, Texas Moody Center
Friday, April 24 Lubbock, Texas Jones AT&T Stadium
Saturday, April 25 Lubbock, Texas Jones AT&T Stadium
Saturday, May 2 Clemson, SC Death Valley
Friday, May 15 Austin, Texas Moody Center
Saturday, May 16 Austin, Texas Moody Center
The post George Strait Makes Triumphant Return to the Stage at Austin’s Moody Center appeared first on Country Now.
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