New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is bringing his office to the streaming platform Twitch with a new series titled "Talk with the People." The show will feature Mamdani responding to questions submitted by viewers through the chat feature, according to a report from Polygon. The first episode is scheduled to air later today at 4PM ET.

Mamdani described the initiative as a way to meet New Yorkers where they already spend their time online. "With the launch of 'Talk with the People' we're bringing City Hall to the platforms where New Yorkers already are - speaking directly with the people," he told Polygon in a written statement.

The series is being billed as the first recurring cross-platform stream hosted by an elected official in the United States. Mamdani emphasized that the live format on Twitch will allow for a direct line of communication between the mayor and residents.

During the streams, Mamdani plans to address a range of topics submitted by the audience. The interactive nature of Twitch's chat function will enable real-time engagement, with the mayor fielding questions as they come in.

The move marks a notable expansion of Mamdani's digital outreach strategy. By leveraging a platform popular among younger demographics, the mayor aims to increase accessibility to city governance.

"Talk with the People" will stream on Mamdani's official Twitch channel. The schedule for future episodes has not been announced, but the series is expected to continue on a recurring basis.

Mamdani's office confirmed that the streams will also be shared across other social media platforms to maximize reach. The first episode airs today at 4PM ET on Twitch.

Google announced a new YouTube Shorts Remix feature that leverages Gemini Omni to allow users to creatively reimagine existing clips. The update introduces a "reimagine" option when users click the remix icon at the bottom of a YouTube Short. This tool enables prompts that transform videos into various styles, including pixel art, anime, or found-footage horror films. Users can also modify content by inflating heads, inserting background actors, dressing people in pirate costumes, or even placing themselves into the clip. Creators retain control over whether their videos can be reimagined, with an option to enable or disable the feature. This move expands YouTube's remix capabilities, which previously focused on simple editing and collaboration. The feature is rolling out to users gradually, with availability on both mobile and desktop platforms. Google has not specified a full release date but confirmed the feature is live for some users now.

Status AI, a startup aiming to reimagine social media as interactive entertainment, announced Tuesday it has secured $17 million in combined seed and Series A funding. The round was led by General Catalyst, with participation from Y Combinator, LightShed Ventures, and Abstract. The company plans to use the capital to expand its engineering team and accelerate product development.

The platform, currently in beta, moves beyond the traditional feed-based model by offering users a gamified experience where they can create and participate in interactive content. Status AI describes its product as a "new kind of social entertainment" that blends elements of social media, gaming, and live events. Users can build custom avatars, join virtual spaces, and engage in real-time activities such as trivia, polls, and challenges.

Co-founder and CEO Alex K. said the inspiration came from observing how people increasingly seek more engaging and participatory online experiences. "The passive scroll is giving way to active play," he said. "We're building a platform where social interaction is the entertainment itself, not just a backdrop." The company has been testing the platform with a small group of users since late 2024.

Status AI's approach differs from conventional social networks by prioritizing real-time, synchronous interactions over asynchronous content sharing. The platform features "rooms" where users can gather for live games, watch parties, or collaborative storytelling. A proprietary recommendation engine surfaces activities based on user preferences and social graph data.

The funding round includes $5 million in seed financing raised earlier this year and a $12 million Series A closed in December. General Catalyst partner Niko Bonatsos said the firm was drawn to Status AI's vision of making social media "more fun and less passive." He added, "The team has a strong track record in gaming and social products, which gives us confidence in their ability to execute."

Status AI plans to launch publicly in the second quarter of 2025. The company will initially focus on the U.S. market, with a mobile-first experience available on iOS and Android. A web version is also in development. The platform will be free to use, with monetization expected through virtual goods, premium rooms, and brand partnerships.

"We're not trying to replace social media entirely," Alex K. said. "We're offering an alternative for moments when you want to do something together, not just watch what others are doing." The company has 15 employees and is hiring for engineering, design, and community management roles.

Status AI's announcement comes amid a broader shift toward interactive and immersive social experiences, with competitors like Discord and Roblox also vying for users' time. However, Status AI differentiates itself by focusing on short-form, drop-in activities rather than persistent worlds or long-form communication. The company believes this approach lowers the barrier to participation and encourages spontaneous social connection.

The $17 million funding round closed in December 2024, with the company disclosing the details on Tuesday. Status AI is headquartered in San Francisco and was founded in 2023 by Alex K. and a team of former gaming and social media executives.

Two neighbouring First Nations in northwestern Ontario, Long Lake #58 First Nation and Ginoogaming First Nation, have jointly declared a state of emergency in response to a surge in drug trafficking and associated violence. The declaration, announced on Monday, highlights the communities' growing concern over the infiltration of illegal drugs and the resulting threats to public safety. Located approximately 300 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, the reserves have seen a dramatic increase in criminal activity linked to the drug trade, prompting leaders to take urgent action.

The emergency declaration cites a rise in violent incidents, including home invasions, assaults, and thefts, all tied to the trafficking of illicit substances such as fentanyl and methamphetamine. Community leaders report that drug dealers are increasingly targeting vulnerable residents, leading to a breakdown of social order. The chiefs of both nations have called for immediate intervention from federal and provincial authorities, including increased police presence and resources for addiction treatment programs.

Long Lake #58 First Nation Chief Judy Desmoulin emphasized that the crisis has reached a tipping point, with families living in fear and children exposed to dangerous situations. Ginoogaming First Nation Chief Celia Echum echoed these concerns, stating that the drug trade is eroding the cultural and social fabric of the communities. The joint declaration aims to pressure higher levels of government to provide funding and support for enhanced security measures and community wellness initiatives.

The situation in these First Nations reflects a broader trend across remote Indigenous communities in Canada, where limited law enforcement resources and geographic isolation have made them targets for drug traffickers. Similar emergencies have been declared in other Ontario First Nations, such as Kashechewan and Attawapiskat, as the opioid crisis continues to devastate rural and northern areas. The lack of access to addiction services and mental health support has exacerbated the problem, leaving communities to grapple with the fallout alone.

Residents of Long Lake #58 and Ginoogaming have reported an increase in suspicious vehicles and strangers entering the reserves, often under the cover of darkness. The drug trade has also fueled property crimes, with homes and vehicles being broken into to fund addictions. Local leaders have implemented curfews and community patrols, but these measures are seen as temporary fixes without sustained government support.

The impact on daily life has been profound, with many residents feeling unsafe in their own homes. Schools and community centres have reported heightened anxiety among children and staff. The chiefs are urging the Ontario government to deploy additional officers from the Ontario Provincial Police and to fund a dedicated drug enforcement unit for the region. They are also calling for more detox beds and long-term treatment facilities to help those struggling with addiction.

As the emergency declaration takes effect, the First Nations are preparing to meet with federal and provincial officials to discuss a coordinated response. The immediate next steps include requesting a joint task force to target drug suppliers and distributors. Community leaders are also exploring legal avenues to hold traffickers accountable under Indigenous law, though such efforts face jurisdictional challenges.

While the declaration has brought attention to the crisis, many unknowns remain about how quickly resources will arrive. The chiefs have stressed that without swift action, the violence and addiction will continue to escalate. They hope this joint declaration will serve as a wake-up call to policymakers and lead to lasting solutions that address the root causes of drug trafficking in Indigenous communities.