Episode: 9 Air Date: October 23rd, 2025

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Editor’s Note: This podcast reflects the opinions and perspectives of the host and guests and is not a product of our editorial staff, including Central Current’s editors and reporters. The program may be edited in post-production for length and clarity.

With an annual budget of over $250 billion, New York State’s public spending exceeds that of most countries. Decisions made in Albany impact New Yorkers across the state in nearly every aspect of their lives. Akash Mehta wants to close the distance between state residents and their representatives in Albany by providing accessible and in-depth coverage of state government.

At 22 years old, Akash launched New York Focus — an independent nonprofit newsroom. Over the past five years they have built a staff of 15 and have broken stories, ranging from Andrew Cuomo being charged in 2021 with forcible touching to secretive state senate committees exerting a heavy hand on which bills make it to the floor for a vote.

New York Focus Editor-in-Chief Akash Mehta joins Central Current’s Executive Director Maximilian Eyle on this episode of It’s Happening Here. Read New York Focus’ coverage and sign up for their free newsletter at nysfocus.com.

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Maximilian Eyle is the executive director of Central Current, overseeing the business side of the organization. He has more than a decade of experience working in the communications sector with a focus...