NYC Tax War, Billionaire Backlash, Trump’s Ukraine Failure & The Culture Shift No One Wants to Admit Why does New York City bend over backward to protect billionaires while everyday people struggle to survive? Mayor Zohran Mamdani is threatening a 9.5% property tax increase if Albany blocks a proposed wealth tax. He calls it a “last resort.” But let’s be honest — why is it always the middle class paying the bill while the ultra-rich get protected? Meanwhile in Napa Valley, famed French Laundry chef Thomas Keller and other wealthy Yountville business owners are pushing to pause an affordable housing project — citing parking and density concerns. But is it really about traffic… or keeping middle-income families out of Wine Country? And remember when Trump said he’d end the Ukraine war in a day? Russian attacks are up. Civilian deaths are rising. Peace talks are dragging. Another promise collapsing under reality. Plus — why is Wuthering Heights suddenly thriving at the box office? Why is steamy drama dominating streaming? Are cultural tastes shifting — and are women now driving the same kind of on-screen sexual demand long associated with men? This episode connects politics, power, wealth, war, and culture — and asks the uncomfortable questions no one else is asking. The Karel Show streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30 AM PST. Subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel Support the show at patreon.com/reallykarel #NYCPolitics, #WealthTax, #Billionaires, #ZohranMamdani, #NewYorkCity, #PropertyTaxes, #AffordableHousing, #ThomasKeller, #FrenchLaundry, #NapaValley, #WineCountry, #ClassPolitics, #Trump, #UkraineWar, #RussiaUkraine, #Geopolitics, #PoliticalCommentary, #CultureShift, #WutheringHeights, #StreamingWars, #MediaAnalysis, #EconomicInequality, #TaxTheRich, #LiberalPolitics, #ConservativePolitics, #CurrentEvents, #TheKarelShow, #LGBTQVoices, #LasVegasBroadcaster, #IndependentMedia https://youtube.com/live/S7ihb5dAl98

The 61-year-old reality star faces eight charges total, including Driving a Vehicle While Impaired by Alcohol and Driving a Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol.

"I have reached out to every one of you; none of you has reached out to me."

Thomas Keller is a legendary chef. Chronicle critic MacKenzie Chung Fegan hadn’t met him, until she went to the French Laundry and he asked her to leave.

After working at Gramercy Tavern and the French Laundry, chef Elliot Bell opened Charlie's Napa Valley, a popular St. Helena eatery known for fried chicken.

With a buttery deep-dish crust, silky egg custard, and thyme-scented sautéed mushrooms, this show-stopping mushroom quiche recipe from chef Thomas Keller is worthy of a special occasion.

Thomas Keller's Brownies.