Government Shutdown, MTV, and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

You're listening to American Ground Radio with Louis R. Avallone and Stephen Parr. This is the full show for November 7, 2025. 

0:30 We dig into the latest political bait-and-switch from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer’s new proposal to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits for another year is being sold as a move to lower healthcare costs — but it’s really a carefully timed political trap designed to corner Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms.

9:30 Plus, we cover the Top 3 Things You Need to Know. 

• Nearly 1,000 flights across the country today were canceled as the FAA's mandatory reductions take place.
• The former soviet Socialist Republic of Kazakhstan has joined the Abraham Accords.
• Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced today she's running for Governor of New York.

12:30 Get Prodovite Plus from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20.

13:00 We unpack the surprising rise of Zoran Mamdani in New York City politics — and what his victory says about shifting attitudes in America’s younger generations. We explore how Mamdani’s campaign tapped into quality-of-life frustrations, appealing to voters disillusioned by the high cost of living and the fading promise of the American Dream.

16:00 MTV is calling it quit in other countries. We ask the American Mamas if they think the same will happen in the U.S. Teri Netterville and Kimberly Burleson, reminisce about the golden age of MTV—back when music videos ruled the airwaves, A-ha played in every living room, and Cyndi Lauper and Huey Lewis were household names. The Mamas reflect on how MTV once shaped a generation, connecting fans deeply with artists’ faces, stories, and creativity—and how today’s music landscape, dominated by TikTok trends and streaming algorithms, feels far less personal. They also talk about MTV’s slow fade, the endless reruns of Ridiculousness, and whether the network could ever recapture the magic that made it a cultural phenomenon.

With humor, heart, and plenty of ‘80s memories, they ask the big question: Is there still room for real music television in America today?

If you'd like to ask our American Mamas a question, go to our website, AmericanGroundRadio.com/mamas and click on the Ask the Mamas button.

23:00 We unpack the latest congressional standoff, where Democrats’ refusal to advance legislation has effectively frozen President Trump’s agenda in place. With insights from Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, we explore how deliberate obstruction and political gamesmanship have turned Congress into a stalemate. 

25:00 We Dig Deep into why the government shutdown shows no signs of ending — and why that may be by design. After recent elections, Democrats believe they’ve found a winning formula: resist Donald Trump at all costs, even if it means keeping Washington frozen. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy joins the discussion, revealing that even one of the most bipartisan Republicans in Congress couldn’t name a single Democrat willing to cross the aisle to reopen the government. The conversation unpacks how Chuck Schumer’s own words — “every day the shutdown continues, it gets better for us” — have become a guiding strategy for Democrats seeking political advantage over progress. We explore how the party has shifted the narrative from fiscal issues to health care and anti-Trump messaging, turning the shutdown into a campaign tool rather than a policy standoff. Democrats need Trump as their foil — their political “Lex Luthor” — to keep their base energized and their message alive.

32:00 Get TrimROX from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20.

33:00 As this year’s 75-year-old, 11-ton Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree makes its way from upstate New York to Manhattan for the 93rd annual lighting ceremony, some are beginning to ask: Will this cherished event still look the same under New York’s new leadership? We take a closer look at Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s worldview, background, and what his administration might mean for New York’s cultural and religious traditions.

35:30 Plus, it's Fake News Friday! We're putting you to the test with our weekly game of headlines—are