The Big Elections to Watch This Week, and a Louvre Heist Update

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Headlines – "The Big Elections to Watch This Week, and a Louvre Heist Update"

Date: November 3, 2025
Host: Tracy Mumford (The New York Times)

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Overview

This episode focuses on the major state and local elections happening across the U.S., particularly in New York City, as well as breaking news on the Trump administration, the Louvre jewel heist in Paris, and a look at Ukraine’s unique military incentive program. The episode wraps up with highlights from the New York City Marathon.

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Key Discussion Points

1. The Major U.S. Elections to Watch

(00:48-03:37)

• Significance: Tomorrow’s elections are the first major electoral test since President Trump’s return to office. While state and local, these contests reflect the energy of the Democratic opposition and the political climate nationwide.

  • “Voters will go to the polls for the first major election since President Trump returned to office. The races are essentially all state and local... but they will offer a critical look at whether Democrats are able to energize voters as the opposition party.” — Tracy Mumford (00:48)

• Key Races Spotlighted:

  • Governor contests in New Jersey, Virginia, and California.
  • Special elections, particularly California’s Democrat-led bid to redraw congressional maps, countering GOP maneuvers in red states. Democrats have raised over $100 million for this cause.

• Growing Civic Engagement:

  • “More people are more engaged.” — Energy Secretary Chris Wright (01:29)
  • Early voter turnout in New York City is breaking records, quadrupling compared to the previous cycle.

Notable Quote

• “We want fresh blood. We want a fresh face... I don't think they want a mayor who has no experience or ability to do the job.” — NYC Resident (02:24)

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2. The New York City Mayoral Showdown

(01:59-03:37)

• Zoran Mamdani: The 34-year-old progressive is leading the NYC mayoral polls with a platform focused on the cost of living, free buses, and rent freezes. His popularity is driven by a dynamic, social media-savvy campaign.

  • Compared to left-wing versions of prominent national figures for his charisma and rule-breaking energy.

• Andrew Cuomo’s Comeback Attempt: Running as an independent after losing the Democratic nomination, Cuomo leans on his experience and prior progressive achievements but faces skepticism due to his previous resignation amid scandal.

• National Spotlight: President Trump criticized Mamdani, wrongly labeling him a communist and threatening to withhold federal funding if he wins.

  • “Well, I think I'm a much better looking person than him.” — President Donald Trump, about Mamdani (03:14)
  • “If you have a communist running New York, all you’re doing is wasting the money you’re sending there.” — President Trump (03:34)

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3. Updates on Trump Administration and SNAP Funding

(03:55-05:02)

• Federal Court Rulings: Two separate judges ruled the Trump administration must use emergency reserves to partially fund SNAP benefits (food stamps) amidst an ongoing shutdown.

  • “But now the administration has been ordered to use the emergency funds to provide at least partial payments to SNAP recipients.” — Tracy Mumford (04:18)

• Uncertainty Remains:

  • Delays in SNAP delivery are anticipated, per Trump.
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant stipulates that legal and procedural steps remain, and resolution could come by Wednesday.
    • “President Trump wants to make sure that people get their food benefits.” — Scott Bessant (04:44)
    • “So it could be done by Wednesday.”
      “Could be okay, could be.”* — Bessant (04:53)

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4. Nuclear Testing Clarifications

(05:02-05:37)

• Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified President Trump’s remarks about nuclear weapons testing, emphasizing tests are non-explosive and won’t result in actual detonations.
  • “These are not nuclear explosions. These are what we call non-critical explosion.” — Chris Wright (05:02)
  • “No, no, no, worries about that.” — Chris Wright, on whether Nevada desert residents should expect visible tests (05:34)

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5. Louvre Heist Update

(05:37-07:46)

• Breakthrough in Investigation:
  • French prosecutors have used DNA evidence to arrest five suspects and charge two in the theft of the Louvre’s crown jewels (valued at $100M).
  • DNA was found on the museum window, scooters, and the truck-ladder used in the escape. The main suspects were already known to law enforcement for prior thefts.
  • In France, refusing to give a DNA sample can mean a year in jail and a fine of about $17,000.
• Outstanding Details: The stolen jewels have not yet been recovered, underlining both the value of DNA evidence and the ongoing nature of the investigation.

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6. Ukraine’s ‘Gamified’ Military Incentive Program

(07:46-08:35)

• Program Mechanics:

  • Ukrainian soldiers earn points for verified attacks on Russian targets, with the largest rewards for destroying tanks (40 points) or killing enemy soldiers (12 points).
  • Points are exchanged for military equipment, especially drones and jamming devices.
  • “They submit those videos to a central office in Kyiv... then the unit gets the points and they can exchange them for drones, for electronic warfare, jamming equipment, things like that.” — Kim Barker (07:46)

• Purpose & Motivation:

  • The system is designed to sustain morale after a long conflict and reward the most effective units.
  • Contrasts Russia’s cash-based bounty system.
    • “What they're doing in Ukraine is they're awarding points and then plowing that back into the war.” — Kim Barker (08:19)

• Scale: Over 80,000 drones and related tech have been distributed through the program since its launch last year.

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7. New York City Marathon Highlights

(08:35–End)

• Dramatic Finish:

  • Benson Capruto of Kenya narrowly wins in a photo finish, clinching victory by 0.03 seconds after a premature celebration.

• Women’s Champion:

  • Helen Oberry, also of Kenya, secures her win with a 16-second lead.
    • “For the second time.” — President Trump (jokingly) (09:28)

• Memorable Moments:

  • A 91-year-old runner from Japan finished the marathon, starting his running journey only in his mid-70s.
  • Jordan Litz, starring in Broadway’s Wicked, completed his marathon before performing in two matinee shows the same day.
  • Crowd favorite signs: “Who needs toenails?” and “The government isn’t running, but you are.”

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Voters will go to the polls for the first major election since President Trump returned to office.” — Tracy Mumford (00:48)
• “We want fresh blood. We want a fresh face.” — NYC Resident (02:24)
• “Well, I think I'm a much better looking person than him.” — President Trump on Zoran Mamdani (03:14)
• “It's going to be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York because if you have a communist running New York, all you're doing is wasting the money you're sending there.” — President Trump (03:34)
• “President Trump wants to make sure that people get their food benefits.” — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant (04:44)
• “These are what we call non-critical explosion.” — Energy Secretary Chris Wright (05:02)
• “They submit those videos to a central office in Kyiv... then the unit gets the points and they can exchange them for drones, for electronic warfare, jamming equipment, things like that.” — Kim Barker on Ukraine (07:46)
• “For the second time.” — President Trump, noting Helen Oberry’s marathon win (09:28)

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Segment Timestamps

• Election Coverage & NYC Mayoral Race – 00:48–03:37
• SNAP Funding & Trump Administration Update – 03:55–05:02
• Nuclear Testing Clarification – 05:02–05:37
• Louvre Heist Investigation – 05:37–07:46
• Ukraine Military Incentive Program – 07:46–08:35
• NYC Marathon – 08:35–End

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This episode packs high-stakes political reporting, fascinating international developments, and lighter human interest moments into a concise, informative update—essential listening for staying on top of the week’s headlines.

Transcript

[American Petroleum Institute Representative]

This podcast is supported by the American Petroleum Institute. Energy demand is rising and the infrastructure we build today will power generations to come. We can deliver affordable, reliable and innovative energy solutions for all Americans. But we need to overhaul our broken permitting process to make that happen. It's time to modernize and build, because when America builds, America wins. Read our plan to secure America's future@ permittingreformnow.org.

[Tracy Mumford]

From the new York Times, it's the headlines. I'm Tracy Mumford. Today's Monday, November 3rd. Here's what we're covering.

[American Petroleum Institute Representative]

Have you seen the latest polls?

[Tracy Mumford]

We are right where we need to be, right where we need to be across the country tomorrow, from New Jersey to California. Now, what this is all about is, is Democrats getting back on our toes, not our heels. Voters will go to the polls for the first major election since President Trump returned to office. The races are essentially all state and local, so they won't directly affect Trump's tight grip on power in Washington. But they will offer a critical look at whether Democrats are able to energize voters as the opposition party. There are closely watched races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia and in California especially.

[Energy Secretary Chris Wright]

What's going on across the country, I think it's, in my eyes, has. I don't know if mobilized is the word, but more people are, more engaged.

[Tracy Mumford]

Voters are casting ballots in a special election where Democrats have raised over $100 million to try and pass a measure that would redraw the state's congressional maps. A counterpunch to efforts by Republican lawmakers in red states to do the same. Meanwhile, are we ready to win a.

[President Donald Trump]

City we can afford?

[Tracy Mumford]

Are we ready to make history? The most high profile race in the country is playing out in New York City. There, zoran Mamdani, the 34 year old state assemblyman and Democratic socialist, is leading in the polls for mayor. He's become a national figure after running a social media savvy campaign centered on the cost of living and promising progressive measures like free buses and rent freezes.

[New York City Resident or Voter]

We want fresh blood. We want a fresh face. I get it. New York City, you can have a major crisis at any given time. I don't think they want a mayor who has no experience or ability to do the job.

[Tracy Mumford]

Hamdani's main opponent is former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 after roughly a dozen women accused him of sexual harassment. He's running as an independent. After losing the Democratic nomination to Mamdani. He's been trying to highlight his record that includes Raising the state's minimum wage. Already, four times as many New Yorkers have voted early this year compared to the last mayoral election. And Mandani is 10 to 20 points ahead in most polls. Some people have compared him to a left wing version of you, charismatic, breaking the old rules. What do you think about that?

[President Donald Trump]

Well, I think I'm a much better looking person than him.

[Tracy Mumford]

Right. In an interview on 60 Minutes over the weekend, President Trump weighed in on the race, falsely framing Mandani as a communist. He's been a frequent critic of the candidate for months, even threatening to withhold billions of federal dollars from the city if Mandani wins.

[President Donald Trump]

It's going to be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York because if you have a communist running New York, all you're doing is wasting the money you're sending there. So I don't know these one and I'm not a fan.

[Tracy Mumford]

Now a couple more quick updates on the Trump administration. Two federal judges in two separate rulings have found the administration acted unlawfully in refusing to tap emergency reserves to keep funding the country's food stamps program. Money for SNAP, which roughly 42 million Americans rely on for help buying groceries, was set to start running out over the weekend due to the government shutdown. But now the administration has been ordered to use the emergency funds to provide at least partial payments to SNAP recipients. Still, President Trump has warned that people's November benefits will be delayed. And in an interview on cnn, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said there are still legal issues that have to be worked out in court.

[Interviewer or Journalist]

Is the administration going to appeal the ruling by the judge? Is that what you mean by the courts need to weigh in because the courts have weighed in?

[Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant]

No, but there's a process that has to be followed. So we got to figure out what the process is. President Trump wants to make sure that people get their food benefits.

[Interviewer or Journalist]

So it could be done by Wednesday.

[Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant]

Could be okay, could be. And five Democratic senators could cross the aisle and open the government by Wednesday.

[Energy Secretary Chris Wright]

Also, I think the tests we're talking about right now are system tests. These are not nuclear explosions. These are what we call non critical explosion.

[Tracy Mumford]

Energy Secretary Chris Wright went on Fox News over the weekend and clarified President Trump's earlier comments about nuclear testing. He said the tests that Trump has ordered would not involve detonations, but rather testing, quote, the other parts of a nuclear weapon.

[Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant]

So this is not something where people who live in the Nevada desert should expect to see a mushroom cloud at some point.

[Energy Secretary Chris Wright]

No, no, no, worries about that? No worries about that.

[Tracy Mumford]

The US Last conducted an explosive test of a nuclear weapon in 1992, and neither China nor Russia has carried out a confirmed detonation since the 90s, either. The only country that's done nuclear tests in the past quarter century is North Korea. In Paris, prosecutors giving an update on the heist at the Louvre have said DNA has been essential in tracking down the suspects. So far, five people have been arrested and two have been charged. The lead prosecutor said they found the DNA of two men on the window that they climbed through and on one of the high powered motor scooters the thieves used to get away. She said investigators also found DNA of an accomplice on the truck mounted ladder used to reach the museum's balcony. The thieves tried unsuccessfully to light that truck on fire before they fled. All three of those suspects already had their DNA on file because of their criminal histories. Most the of mostly for theft. It's underscored how essential DNA has become to investigators. Like the US France has a database of millions of DNA profiles collected from people suspected or convicted of crimes over the last several decades. Notably in France, people who refuse to give a sample face at least a year in prison and a fine of around $17,000. Despite the arrests, investigators are still looking for the missing crown jewels worth an estimated $100 million. In Ukraine, the Times has been covering how the military is leaning into an incentive program that rewards soldiers based on the targets they hit. The program revolves around armed drones, which are responsible for a vast majority of casualties on the front lines. And there's now a whole point system for attacks captured on video. Wound a Russian soldier 8 points, kill a Russian soldier 12, destroy a tank that's worth 40 points.

[Kim Barker]

They submit those videos to a central office in Kyiv that then verifies that. So after a target is verified, then the unit gets the points and they can exchange them for drones, for electronic warfare, jamming equipment, things like that.

[Tracy Mumford]

My colleague Kim Barker has been covering the gamification of the war in Ukraine. She says the programs reward units that are particularly effective with their drone attacks by giving them even more resources to buy equipment. And she spoke with officials who said the program has helped motivate soldiers after more than three years of grueling battle.

[Kim Barker]

Russia has its own incentive program, but they just pay a bounty. They'll pay a certain amount for his hitting a helicopter, or they'll pay a certain amount for hitting a tank. What they're doing in Ukraine is they're awarding points and then plowing that back into the war.

[Tracy Mumford]

So far, since the competition launched last year, the Ukrainian military has distributed more than 80,000 drones and other electronic warfare systems through the incentive program. And finally, he's coming for it. Oh goodness the New York City Marathon came down to a photo finish yesterday, the closest ever in the race's history. Benson Capruto of Kenya was so confident in his lead that he raised his arms just short of the finish line, seemingly unaware that another runner was hot on his heels. That little celebration almost cost him, but he managed to get across the line three hundredths of a second faster. The women's winner, meanwhile, Helen Oberry, champion.

[President Donald Trump]

For the second time.

[Tracy Mumford]

Helen Oberry, also of Kenya, had a cool 16 second lead over her closest competitor. They were racing in front of huge crowds that gathered to cheer on the more than 50,000 runners. Some good inspirational signs this year included who needs toenails and the government isn't running, but you are. Other notable participants this weekend included a 91 year old man from Japan, this year's oldest runner. He told the Times he didn't even get into running until his mid-70s when he signed up for a 5K. And the award for packing the most into your marathon day might go to Jordan Litz. He's currently starring as Prince Fiero in Wicked on Broadway. So he had to run the race finish fast enough to give himself time to get back to his dressing room for the Sunday matinee. Just, you know, two back to back Broadway shows after running a full marathon. Sure, no sweat. Those are the headlines. I'm Tracy Mumford. We'll be back tomorrow.