Human Race: A socialist at city hall

Self-proclaimed socialist Zohran Mamdani swept to victory in November, trouncing Democrat-turned-independent candidate Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani, New York City’s youngest mayor in a century and its first Muslim leader, won 50.4% of the vote to Cuomo’s 41.6%. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa trailed with 7.1%.

Mamdani captured national attention with his bold socialist proposals aimed at lowering living costs for working-class New Yorkers. His youthful appearance and growing popularity led some to consider him a potential path forward for a Democratic Party struggling to regain its footing in the wake of President Donald Trump’s reelection. The former state assemblyman proposed freezing rents on more than half of the city’s housing units and eliminating the fare on city buses. Mamdani also pledged to provide free child care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old and establish a network of city-run grocery stores focused on keeping prices on basic foodstuffs low instead of making a profit. The new mayor proposed paying for his plan by slapping a flat 2% tax on New Yorkers who make more than $1 million and hiking corporate tax rates.

Critics pointed out that Mamdani does not have the power to change tax law and must convince state lawmakers to approve his plan. Though Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed the young socialist, she has criticized policies that would increase taxes and might drive wealthy New Yorkers out of the state. His opponents also warned his plan to freeze rents could strangle the housing supply and drive up prices in the long run.

Tuition payment

Billionaire businessman Jeff Yass has given the fledgling University of Austin $100 million, marking the beginning of a $300 million ­campaign aimed at keeping the school permanently tuition-­free and free from relying on government funds. Co-founded in 2021 by journalist Bari Weiss, the school hopes to build a “community based on the lively clash of ideas and opinions,” according to its website. Yass, who announced his donation on Nov. 5, reportedly appreciates the school’s commitment to free speech. Initially, the ­university said it planned to charge $32,000 per year, but students have never paid ­tuition. School leaders say keeping the campus tuition-­free will encourage innovation since graduates won’t be encumbered by heavy student loans. —Bekah McCallum

Royally disgraced

King Charles III stripped his brother Andrew of his remaining royal titles on Oct. 30, relegating him to full commoner status over his ties to disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The former prince, Queen Elizabeth II’s second-­oldest son, will now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The king also kicked Andrew out of his home at the Royal Lodge mansion near Windsor Castle. Andrew surrendered his title, Duke of York, earlier this year amid new accusations of abuse from Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who claimed Epstein introduced her to Andrew when she was still a minor. Giuffre committed suicide in April, but her posthumous memoir hit bookstores in late October. —Leigh Jones

Ready to retire

Nancy Pelosi announced Nov. 6 she will not seek reelection once her current term ends in January 2027. Pelosi, 85, has represented San Francisco for 38 years. She rose through the ranks from House Democratic Whip to leader and eventually two-time speaker of the House, the first and only woman to hold the position. The California Democrat helped craft the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, during her ­tenure from 2007–2011, and presided over two impeachments of President Donald Trump during her second speakership from 2019–2023. Pelosi’s critics accused her of being an out-of-touch coastal elite who took advantage of her political power to make millions of dollars trading stocks. —Addie Offereins

Top space man

President Donald Trump renominated Jared Isaacman, 42, to serve as his NASA director on Nov. 4, months after abruptly rescinding the original nomination over the tech billionaire’s political leanings. Trump withdrew Isaacman’s nomination in May after “a thorough review of prior associations.” He said he was surprised to learn that Isaacman, a private astronaut endorsed by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, was a “blue-blooded Democrat.” In his Nov. 4 announcement, Trump made no ­mention of the previous nomination and withdrawal, calling Isaacman “ideally suited” for leading NASA. If confirmed, Isaacman would succeed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has served as the space agency’s interim leader since July. —Mary Jackson

Free at last

Iran released two French professors from the infamous Evin prison after more than three years in captivity, according to French President Emmanuel Macron. Iranian authorities arrested Cécile Kohler, 41, and her partner, Jacques Paris, 72, during a tourist trip in May 2022 and convicted them of spying charges in October. France’s foreign minister confirmed Kohler and Paris arrived safely at the French Embassy in Tehran, but negotiations are still ongoing for their return to France. Their release comes two weeks after French authorities conditionally released an Iranian woman, Mahdieh Esfandiari, held on charges of inciting terrorism online. Western countries have long accused Iran of taking tourists and dual nationals hostage as diplomatic bargaining chips, with dozens detained since 2010. —Grace Snell

Pain and suffering

Abby Zwerner, a first grade teacher shot by one of her students in 2023, won a $10 million civil verdict against her former school’s assistant principal on Nov. 6. The Virginia jury agreed with Zwerner’s claim that Ebony Parker ignored repeated warnings that the 6-year-old ­student had a gun before he pulled it out of his backpack during class. The bullet he fired at Zwerner as she sat at a reading table went through her hand and lodged in her chest, narrowly missing her heart. She spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and endured six surgeries to repair the damage. She still does not have full use of her left hand. Parker also faces a criminal trial on eight counts of felony child neglect. She was the only defendant in the civil lawsuit. A judge previously dismissed claims against the district’s super­intendent and the school principal. A jury sentenced the child’s mother to four years in prison over the ­incident. —Leigh Jones