Five takeaways from a fiery New York City Democratic mayoral debate

The gloves are off. With less than three weeks until New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, the eight leading candidates came together on Wednesday night for their first in-person debate -- a salty affair that included a series of tense, often personal clashes that underscored just how wide open the race remains after months of campaigning.

With less than three weeks until New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, the eight leading candidates came together on Wednesday night for their first in-person debate -- a salty affair that included a series of tense, often personal clashes that underscored just how wide open the race remains after months of campaigning. The gathering began amid a spike in violent crime across the city and increased concern over what kind of educational system its children will return to when full-time in-person schooling resumes this fall.