Radio Chatskill

Ulster County will commemorate Sojourner Truth Day on Tuesday, November 26, with two free events celebrating the life and legacy of the renowned abolitionist and women’s rights advocate who escaped enslavement in the county. The day will begin with a historic marker reveal ceremony at 11:00 AM outside the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, where Truth won her son’s freedom. The event will feature remarks from Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis, Dr. Weldon McWilliams of SUNY New Paltz Black Studies, and Sojourner Truth’s sixth-generation granddaughter, Barbara Allen. In the evening, a gathering at the Ulster County Restorative Justice Center at 6:00 PM will feature a reenactment of Truth’s iconic “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech performed by Rev. Deborah Zuill, a song selection by Rev. Evelyn Clarke, and a drum selection by Ubaka Hill, a nationally-known percussionist, singer/songwriter, inspirational speaker, visual artist, teaching artist and facilitator of sacred ceremony. The event will also display court artifacts related to Truth’s life and times. Light refreshments will be served.Sojourner Truth, born in 1797 in what is now Ulster County, became the first woman to win a court case against a man and dedicated her life to advocating for abolition and women’s rights. Her powerful voice and unwavering commitment to justice continue to resonate today. Everyone is encouraged to attend these free and important events. Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the events.

The Delaware River Basin Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday to gather comments about the abnormally dry conditions throughout the four-state watershed.It was hard on the heels of New York City’s announcement on Monday that it was suspending its long-planned work on the Delaware River Aqueduct, which would plug a leak in the tunnel that carries about half of New York City’s water under the Hudson River.Meg McGuire of Delaware Currents –the news project dedicated to telling the story of the Delaware River from its headwaters in the Catskill Mountains of New York to the Delaware Bay, where it meets the ocean - appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the possibility of declaring a drought on the river.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths here in New York and across the U.S., but the American Lung Association’s 2024 “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals positive news. The lung cancer survival rate has improved 26% in the last five years. The report also presents opportunities for New York to further improve lung cancer survival by increasing access to screening and biomarker testing.We spoke to Mike Seilback, Assistant Vice President for Public Policy for American Lung Association, about the report's results.

A free Community Thanksgiving Lunch will be held on Thursday, November 28, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Blue Fox Motel (5670 NY-97, Narrowsburg, NY 12764). The event is a collaboration between Tusten Social and the Blue Fox Motel, aiming to provide a warm and festive meal for community members.Chef Bruno Carvahlo will cook a traditional Thanksgiving feast for all guests. The event is open to anyone who might find themselves alone during the holiday or simply wishes to share a meal with others. "We are delighted to partner with The Blue Fox to create a friendly and delicious experience this Thanksgiving, particularly for those who otherwise might find themselves alone during the holiday," said Greta Knutzen, Co-Founder of Tusten Social.Meg Sullivan, Co-Owner of Blue Fox Motel, added, “A strong community is built around shared experiences, and there’s no better way to connect than over a table filled with great food. We are delighted to provide a space where everyone can convene, enjoy themselves and give thanks.” The event also supports the Narrowsburg Ecumenical Food Pantry's Holiday Gift Drive. Attendees can buy $5 and $10 gift cards at the door to benefit local families in need. RSVPs are required by Monday, November 25, to guarantee sufficient food for the free event. Community members can reserve spots by emailing [email protected].

To support local farmers and connect them with consumers, Wayne County has introduced the AgroLegacy brand. This initiative helps local producers, processors, markets, and eateries amplify their voices and raise awareness about the exceptional agricultural products grown in the region. It also makes it easier for consumers to support local businesses and the families behind them, fostering a sense of community and pride in the food they eat.Zachary Jones, Co-Chair of Wayne Tomorrow!’s Ag Task Force and Sustainable Agriculture Specialist for Wayne County’s Conservation District says AgroLegacy is more than just a brand; it’s a movement to sustain and grow local agriculture for future generations.

Award-winning playwright and JACK partnership artist Camille Simone Thomas is deep into developing her powerful new play "Sweet Blood." Currently in residence at the NACL Theatre, Thomas is exploring the intricate relationship between text, song, and dance as she crafts the story of three free Black Maroon/Taino women in 18th-century Jamaica.Set in 1727, "Sweet Blood" follows these women as they face the looming threat of colonialism and the impending sugar revolution that will bring centuries of chattel slavery to the Caribbean. The women must decide how far they are willing to go to protect their land, their people, and their freedom as the British colonial forces approach. The play grapples with the realities of survival, revolution, and resistance in a rapidly changing world.On Friday, November 22, NACL will host a reading of selected scenes from this work-in-progress, followed by an audience discussion of the play’s major themes. The event provides an opportunity to witness the early stages of Thomas’ creative process and engage with the powerful questions posed by the narrative."Sweet Blood" is an exploration of how far individuals will go to challenge the oppressive forces of colonialism, capitalism, and white supremacy. It delves into the complex dynamics of survival, resistance, and the question of what it truly means to be a revolutionary in a world where freedom is under constant threat.About Camille Simone ThomasCamille Thomas is a 5th generation Detroiter and first-generation Jamaican playwright whose work often focuses on cultural legacies, ancestral wisdom, spirituality, and the struggle of Black femmes to achieve liberation. Her work interrogates how colonial and capitalist forces shape the lives of Black people, particularly women, and the ways in which they fight for their survival.Her previous work has been showcased at prestigious venues including The Connelly Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, Playwrights Horizons, Dixon Place, and the Detroit Public Theatre Company, among others. Her web series *Gro Up* was featured at the Academy Award-qualifying Reel Sisters Film Festival, the PanAfrican Film Festival, and the Martha’s Vineyard Virtual Film Festival. Thomas has been recognized for her bold voice in the theater world, receiving accolades such as the 2023 New Harmony Project finalist and the 2023 Van Lier New Voices Fellowship Semi-finalist. She is also an associate artist with the Sanguine Theatre Company and has held fellowships with the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute’s DEAR fellowship and The Theatre Producers of Color.JACK PartnershipJACK, an award-winning multidisciplinary theater space in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, is a key partner in supporting the development of Thomas’ work. JACK provides artists with access to the NACL residency center to develop new work that will ultimately be produced at the Brooklyn venue. JACK’s programming centers on artists of color and those working toward collective liberation, and they present over 75 performances a year across theater, dance, and music.

A weather system moving through the region on Wednesday evening is expected to bring much-needed rain, continuing overnight into Thursday morning, with scattered showers throughout the day. By Thursday evening, widespread rainfall totals of up to 1 inch are possible, with some localized areas potentially receiving up to 2 inches—significantly higher amounts than many areas have seen in the past month.In addition to the rain, colder air moving into the region may bring a mix of wet snow, particularly in the higher elevations of the Catskills and Poconos. As an upper-level low pressure system moves over New York State, it will cause rapid upward motion in the atmosphere, cooling the air and pulling in cold air from mid-levels. This could result in rain transitioning to wet snow in parts of the Catskills and the Poconos on Thursday, with some areas potentially experiencing their first accumulating snow of the season.The higher elevations of Sullivan, Western Ulster, Western Greene, and Delaware counties are expected to see the greatest snowfall totals, with some of the highest peaks possibly receiving over 6 inches. Residents in these colder, higher-elevation areas should be prepared for snowy conditions, especially Thursday night.However, the weather system remains unpredictable. Meteorologists caution that the dynamic nature of the storm means there's still a chance for wet snow to reach portions of the Hudson Valley, particularly in valley areas. There's a 20% to 30% chance that rapidly cooling air and strong upward motion could lead to a brief period of snow across the region on Thursday. For now, it's a weather event that will require close monitoring as conditions develop over the next two days.We go in-depth on this week’s forecast and talk about the winter ahead with Michael Kistner, Lead Meteorologist, National Weather Service, Binghamton.

<p><em>This article is made possible through </em><a href="https://www.spotlightpa.org/"><em>Spotlight PA’s</em></a><em> collaboration with </em><a href="https://www.votebeat.org/"><em>Votebeat</em></a><em>, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting. </em><a href="https://www.votebeat.org/newsletters/"><em>Sign up for Votebeat's free newsletters here</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s highest court has directed three counties not to include undated or misdated mail ballots in their November election results.</p><p>Such ballots have been the subject of years of litigation in various courts, and became an issue again after Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties moved to count them for the Nov. 5 election.</p><p>These are the ballots where a voter has neglected to write the date on the return envelope or written something incorrect, like their birthday. There are roughly 1,500 or so ballots in play in the three counties, likely not enough to change the outcome of the U.S. Senate race that is spurring the litigation.</p><script src="https://www.spotlightpa.org/embed.js" async></script><div data-spl-embed-version="1" data-spl-src="https://www.spotlightpa.org/embeds/newsletter/"></div><p>Still, the legal action highlights an unsettled area of policy that has long frustrated people in charge of running elections in Pennsylvania.</p><p>Attorneys for the counties had argued that officials there had constitutional concerns about rejecting the improperly dated ballots.</p><p>They pointed to Commonwealth Court, which has ruled multiple times this year that rejecting mail ballots solely for an improper date violates the state constitution’s free and equal elections clause.</p><p>On Monday, a 4-3 majority of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court <a href="https://www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/Supreme/out/136MM2024pco%20-%20106152930288600382.pdf?cb=1">told the three counties not to include undated and misdated ballots in their counts</a>. It clarified that the Commonwealth Court rulings do not apply to the Nov. 5 election.</p><p>Here’s how to understand the background leading up to the decision:</p><h2>What exactly is an undated mail ballot?</h2><p>A mail ballot in Pennsylvania comes with two envelopes: an inner secrecy envelope and an outer return envelope.</p><p>There is a field on the return envelope for the voter to write “today’s date” — meaning, the date they fill it out.</p><p>An undated ballot is one where the voter left that field blank. A “misdated” ballot is generally understood to be one on which a voter wrote a date outside a range described in a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling — between when counties begin mailing out ballots and Election Day, when they are due.</p><p>The Pennsylvania Department of State directed counties to pre-print the full year — 2024 — on the envelope to help voters avoid writing the wrong date, like their birthdays, previously one of the most common errors.</p><h2>Is counting undated mail ballots ‘illegal’?</h2><p>The first way to understand the issue is based on what state law has to say about these ballots. The Pennsylvania Election Code <a href="https://casetext.com/statute/pennsylvania-statutes/statutes-unconsolidated/title-25-ps-elections-electoral-districts/chapter-14-election-code/article-xiii-d-voting-by-qualified-mail-in-electors/section-315016-voting-by-mail-in-electors#:~:text=The%20elector%20shall%20then%20fill%20out%2C%20date%20and%20sign%20the%20declaration%20printed%20on%20such%20envelope.">requires</a> voters to date and sign the return envelope in order for the ballot to be accepted and counted. However, this enforcement of this provision has been heavily litigated over the past several years.</p><p>You may have seen headlines like <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pennsylvania-democrats-openly-admit-counting-illegal-ballots-mccormick-casey-race">this one</a> from Fox News: “Pennsylvania Democrats openly admit to counting illegal ballots in McCormick-Casey race.” Or <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/11/15/pennsylvania-senate-casey-provisional-ballots/">this one</a> from the Washington Post editorial board: “Democrats thumb their nose at the rule of law in Pennsylvania.”</p><p>These pieces reference the decisions in Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties to accept and count improperly dated ballots.</p><p>The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s order on Monday cited a ruling it made in 2022 that “the Election Code’s command” to date ballots “is unambiguous and mandatory

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Kaatscast: The Catskills Podcast visits the unique International Museum of Dinnerware Design in Kingston, New York. Founded by Margaret Carney in 2012, the museum recently found its new home, offering dedicated exhibitions that celebrate the art and history of dining.This episode highlights the museum's two inaugural exhibits, 'Dining Grails,' featuring renowned designers like Eva Zeisel; and 'Dining Memories,' showcasing a diverse array of dinnerware in nostalgic vignettes.And for an 'interactive' experience like no other, visitors can step into the Instagram-ready 'a la carte gallery' and try their hand at the famous tablecloth trick.Brett Barry hosts and produces Kaatscast from Silver Hollow Audio, in the heart of the Catskills.

With the Medicare Open Enrollment period closing on December 7, scams have been rampant.We spoke to Maria Alvarez is the Executive Director of NY StateWide Senior Action Council an organization dedicated to advocacy for the rights of seniors in New York State about how to avoid being scammed.Scammers often pretend to be from Medicare, or connected to Medicare, to try to steal your money or personal information. They might contact you and say they need your Medicare, bank account, or credit card number for your “new” Medicare card. That’s a scam — Medicare sends its cards to you automatically for free.Scammers might also say they need your Medicare number for a “medical equipment claim” you don’t remember making. That’s a scam, too. They want to file fake claims using your Medicare number.Stay clear of these and other Medicare scams during Open Enrollment, and any other time:Don’t give personal information to someone who contacts you unexpectedly and claims to be from Medicare. Medicare will never unexpectedly call, email, text, or message you on social media to ask for your Medicare, Social Security, or bank account numbers. They also won’t try to sell you anything or tell you to pay for your Medicare card. That’s always a scam.Don’t trust your caller ID. Your caller ID might show Medicare’s name or phone number. But caller ID can be faked. It could be anyone calling from anywhere in the world. If you think a call might be real, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to check.

<p><em>Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization reporting on voting access and election administration across the U.S. </em><a href="https://votebe.at/pennsylvanianewsletter"><em>Sign up for Votebeat Pennsylvania’s free newsletter here.</em></a><em></em></p><p>At least three Pennsylvania counties are accepting and counting mail ballots from last week’s election that lack a proper date on the envelope, prompting a new legal clash in a long-running disagreement over how to handle these ballots.</p><p>The Republican National Committee and the Pennsylvania Republican Party filed a lawsuit Thursday asking the state Supreme Court for an immediate ruling on the issue.</p><p>Counties are in the last stage of counting their ballots and finalizing their original election results as they prepare for a recount in the U.S. Senate race starting next week. What the counties do with ballots that are undated or that have an incorrect date is a particular concern because of how close that race is. As of 4 p.m. Friday, fewer than 23,000 votes separated Republican Dave McCormick and incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, according to results from the Department of State’s website.</p><p>And the two campaigns are taking an active role in the dispute over which ballots should be counted.</p><script src="https://www.spotlightpa.org/embed.js" async></script><div data-spl-embed-version="1" data-spl-src="https://www.spotlightpa.org/embeds/newsletter/"></div><p>The GOP lawsuit names Philadelphia, Bucks, and Centre counties as having opted to count the undated and misdated ballots. Centre County Administrator John Franek said that the county did not count any undated ballots but that officials counted three challenged ballots that had issues with how the date was filled out.</p><p>At least one other county, Montgomery, has also confirmed it is counting them, after its board of elections voted 2-1 to approve the move Thursday.</p><p>“The issue for us is, and the reason that I'm voting yes, is because we’re talking about constitutional rights,” said Neil Makhija, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Elections, at Thursday’s meeting. “I cannot take an action to throw out someone's ballot that is validly cast otherwise over an issue that … we know is immaterial.”</p><p>The Pennsylvania Department of State declined to say what the other 63 counties in the commonwealth are doing. Votebeat and Spotlight PA have confirmed that at least five, Allegheny, Snyder, Chester, Lycoming and Mercer, are not accepting the ballots to be counted.</p><p>Republicans, in their emergency petition Thursday, called for the Supreme Court to declare that the date requirement on ballots is mandatory and that counties shouldn’t count such ballots in this election.</p><p>“Regrettably … the recalcitrant rulings of these county boards, issued in the wake of a hotly</p><p>contested election in which millions of Pennsylvanians cast their ballots and made</p><p>their voices heard, require the Court to [act],” the Republican groups wrote.</p><h2>Enforcement of the date requirement contested for years</h2><p>Pennsylvania’s election code requires voters to sign and date the outer return envelope of their mail ballots and return the ballot in a secrecy envelope in order for it to be counted.</p><p>But enforcement of the dating requirement has been in dispute for years, with opponents, such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, arguing that it is immaterial to a voter’s eligibility to vote and that rejecting on that basis violates their constitutional rights. Litigation has gone on continually since 2020.</p><p>The three most recent cases, resolved in the last three months, did not bring much clarity to the issue from the state’s highest courts.</p><p>First, in August, <a href="https://www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania/2024/08/30/undated-mail-ballots-case-commonwealth-court-ruling-aclu/">the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled</a> in a case brought by the ACLU and Public Interest Law Center that the dating requirement violated voters’ right to vote under the state constitution. But the state Supreme Court <a href="https://www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania/2024/09/13/supreme-court-voids-ruling-on-mail-ballot-envelope-date-requirement/">quickly voided that order</a> on technical grounds, though it did not rule on the merits of the constitutional question.</p><p>After that ruling, the state Supreme Court <a href="https://www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania/2024/09/25/aclu-supreme-court-lawsuit-mail-ballot-envelope-date-requirement">declined to take up</a> the constitutional issue directly.</p><p>Then, a mid-September spe

An alcohol-only diet would likely confuse most species, but new research indicates that hornets can survive—seemingly without any negative effects—on a diet consisting solely of an 80 percent ethanol sugar solution.Joe Johnson is our resident science guy and he’s here with the story of those wasps that can thrive on just alcohol without getting buzzed and other science stories that caught his eye, including ice melting in Norway that has revealed an Iron Age medieval mountain pass littered with near-perfectly preserved artifacts and scientists finding a seismic role in formation of large gold nuggets.

<p dir="ltr"><em>This story originally appeared in <a href="https://nysfocus.com/2024/11/12/new-york-hochul-donald-trump-plan-deportations">New York Focus</a>, a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York. </em><a href="https://nysfocus.com/newsletter?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=website" target="_blank"><em>Sign up for their newsletter here</em></a><em>.</em></p><hr><p><b>ELECTIONS</b> · November 12, 2024</p><h1>Will Hochul Fight Trump’s Plan for ‘Mass Deportations’?</h1><h2>Trump is poised to ramp up deportation activity in northern states like New York, which has few statewide policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.</h2><h3>By <a class="yellow-underline" href="https://nysfocus.com/author/chris-gelardi">Chris Gelardi</a> , New York Focus</h3><figure><img src="https://imgproxy.gridwork.co/gAsBlCoQ48kTv1Qp_oCXb7qxFKGaxn9uyTmdDSEupUE/w:820/h:615/rt:fill/g:fp:0.5:0.5/q:90/el:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9zMy51cy1lYXN0LTIuYW1hem9uYXdzLmNvbS9ueXNmb2N1cy9Ib2NodWwtZmlnaHQtVHJ1bXBzLWRlcG9ydGF0aW9uLXBsYW5zLnBuZw.png" alt="A photo illustration showing Governor Kathy Hochul's face and migrants walking down a NYC street." /><figcaption>Despite New York’s immigrant-friendly reputation, the state isn’t set up to counter Donald Trump’s “mass deportation” campaign. / Images via Marco Postigo Storel; Flickr, Gov. Kathy Hochul; NY Focus</figcaption></figure> <p dir="ltr">President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear: His administration will aggressively pursue “mass deportations.”</p><p dir="ltr">States may seem powerless in the face of such an agenda. Immigration is the purview of the federal government, which, in just over two months, will seek to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/how-trump-would-crack-down-immigration-second-term-2023-11-14/">flood communities</a> with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers (and perhaps the <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-suggests-hell-use-the-military-on-the-enemy-from-within-the-u-s-if-hes-reelected"><span class="caps">US</span> military</a>) to detain and deport <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-homan-ice-border-czar-7dea915b5ea43896390b8020d254f887">as many</a> people as possible, whether those communities and their state and local officials like it or not.</p><p dir="ltr">But deportations are a logistical game, and state and local governments hold some of the cards. For a removal campaign as massive as what Trump is promising, states can aid <span class="caps">ICE</span>’s efforts to find, apprehend, and lock up deportable people. Or they can throw a wrench in the agency’s plans.</p><p dir="ltr">Despite New York state’s immigrant-friendly reputation, the jury’s out on which role it will play. The direction it goes depends heavily on whether state lawmakers and Governor Kathy Hochul take quick action.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the wake of the first Trump presidency, under then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York enacted some policies that restricted federal immigration enforcement in the state. Executive orders and legislation now prohibit immigration arrests at <a href="https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/S425">courthouses</a> and within state <a href="https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/EO_170.1.pdf">government facilities</a>, and state agencies are largely barred from coordinating with immigration authorities.</p><p dir="ltr">But unlike <a href="https://www.ilrc.org/state-map-immigration-enforcement-2024">other blue states</a> — like New Jersey, Illinois, and Oregon — New York hasn’t extended those prohibitions to local and county governments. That means local authorities are mostly free to deal with immigration issues as they see fit, including by helping feds facilitate deportations.</p><p dir="ltr">“We don’t have a statewide law that is protecting immigrant New Yorkers, or anybody traveling in New York, no matter where in the state they are,” explained Yasmine Farhang, director of advocacy at the Immigrant Defense Project.</p> <div id="wisepops-embed-newsletter-variant2"></div> <p dir="ltr">Legislators have proposed those kinds of laws: namely, the <a href="https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S987">New York for All Act</a>, which was first introduced in 2020 and would prohibit local law enforcement from colluding with <span class="caps">ICE</span>. Part of the reason those laws haven’t passed is misconceptions about immigration and public safety, according to Senator Andrew Gounardes, a lead sponsor of New York for All.</p><p dir="ltr"><span class="caps"&gt

Nina Burleigh is an award winning journalist and author, most recently, of the novel Zero Visibility Possible.She’s also a contributing editor at The New Republic and has written this week’s cover story for the magazine: Trump 2.0: Here Comes the Night.Image Credit: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Catskill Mountainkeeper, a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting the Catskill Region, is emphasizing the importance of community involvement following the recent election. The organization stresses the need for grassroots action to address critical issues facing the region, particularly climate change, which is it says it "a nonpartisan challenge that affects us all."Catskill Mountainkeeper plans to engage with newly elected officials to advocate for the Catskills' needs at the local, state, and federal levels. The organization's first step will be to meet with newly elected members and representatives to discuss its top priorities for 2025.Jason Dole spoke to Ramsey Adams, Executive Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, about the presidential election's outcome on local and state climate goals.

Dr. Sean Wall-Carty is Councilman for the Town of Fallsburg, NY and he's also an author. His new memoir is called “What Did You Learn?: Understanding the Benefits of Humor and Laughter in Leadership” It captures his journey through a multifaceted career in education, public service, and professional development. He appeared on Radio Chatskill to talk about the importance of finding joy in the workplace and beyond.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that the Skinners Falls Bridge, carrying Route 1002 over the Delaware River in Wayne County, will be dismantled before the end of the year. The decision comes after a recent inspection revealed the bridge’s condition necessitates its removal for public safety, particularly for river traffic.Appearing on Radio Chatskill, PennDOT Engineering District Executive Rich Roman explained that dismantling the bridge and storing its components for potential future use does not necessarily mean they will be used to rebuild the current structure. The materials could be repurposed for other projects, such as in a park or along a rail-to-trails route. He also mentioned that the option of constructing a new bridge is still being considered. However, the dismantling process is expected to take around five to six months. Afterward, there will be a significant delay before any new project can begin, as the team will need to navigate regulations in two states and secure funding.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a statewide burn ban through the end of the month due to increased fire risk. That word came today (November 12) as Hochul visited Greenwood Lake in Orange County, where first responders continue to battle wildfires.The Democrat met with Orange County executive Steve Neuhaus and other local officials near a large wildfire still burning by the village of Greenwood Lake.Neuhaus says the fire has burned more than 5000 acres between New York and New Jersey since starting near the border a few weeks ago.An 18 year old park ranger was killed Saturday while helping to establish a fire line around the blaze.Hochul says fire departments and park rangers from across the state have pitched in with controlled burns and bucket drops via helicopter.Officials say the fire is currently about 20% contained.Neuhaus expects efforts to fight the fire will continue for at least a few more weeks as there is little rain in the forecast. The Greenwood Lake fire is one of several fires to pop up in recent days as dry conditions and strong winds feed sparks across the northeast.Much of the region is under a red flag warning and Hochul ordered a statewide burn ban in response to the fires.Meantime, Ulster County executive, Jem Metzger says firefighters have now contained 95% of the White House fire in the town of Denning Metzger says as of nightfall Monday, it has burned 630 acres.Image: A statewide burn ban is now in effect as wildfires consume thousands of acres of land in the Hudson River Valley.( Credit: WCBS)

The Trans Support Initiative is composed of people from all walks of life who are committed to address the need in Sullivan and Wayne Counties for gender-affirming safe spaces and support services for Trans+ community members, family, and friends. Paul and Miro from the Trans Support Initiative appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the group's mission to provide services, education, and advocacy for the local trans community.

She Moves in Search of Feeling is a short film exploring the close relationships people form with objects. Filmed in the Catskill Mountains, the film follows a woman as she moves through natural landscapes, encountering familiar treasures, and ultimately finds her way home.Director John Sorensen-Jolink appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the intersection of art and objects.

President-elect Donald Trump has named former Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency in his upcoming administration. New York environmental advocates and others are tempering their expectations as to how Zeldin’s leadership might affect the regional environment. Scenic Hudson Executive Director of Policy, Advocacy and Science Pete Lopez says the appointment of Zeldin to the EPA makes sense to him after working with him in the state legislature and when he was the EPA Region 2 administrator while Zeldin was in Congress.“He understands New York. My sense is that he has awareness and sensitivity to the region from a very broad perspective,” Lopez said.Protect The Adirondacks Executive Director Peter Bauer expects a very difficult time ahead.“I expect Lee Zeldin to be very zealous in gutting the Environmental Protection Agency. I don’t think that since the EPA has been around over the last 50 years, I don’t think we have ever encountered a leader of that agency who will be so strongly at odds with its historic mission and wants to completely change its role in public policy and environmental policy,” opines Bauer. “I think the combination of Zeldin and Trump is very worrying on a lot of levels.”At the Adirondack Council, spokesman John Sheehan says the nomination gives them some concerns but they want to keep an open mind.“The fact that he is from New York makes us hopeful that he will understand some of the issues facing the Adirondacks. While we haven’t always agreed in the past in terms of policy issues, I think there is an opportunity for access and for conversation to take place that could benefit the Adirondacks long term,” Sheehan said. “But ultimately, I think we want to do everything we can to keep things from moving backwards in terms of environmental protection and public health. And we’re going to have some work to do in the years ahead.”New York State Conservative Party Chair Jerry Kassar is delighted that Zeldin will lead the EPA, calling it a well-deserved appointment after Zeldin’s near miss in the 2022 gubernatorial race.“He has a real background in environmental issues. Coming from eastern Long Island that should come as no surprise. But he has a balance. A balanced approach that respects the need for the economics of this country with the environmental needs,” Kassar said. “We believe the country is over-regulated particularly as it affects some of the oil industry and some of the auto industry as well as some of the just general business regulations that do not necessarily follow the science. And we think Lee understands that and he will be a perfect EPA administrator for the Conservative Party.”Meanwhile, Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve Managing Partner David Gibson feels Zeldin is being appointed to the post due to loyalty and sees it as a signal that the White House will expect appointees to toe the line.“Former Congressman Zeldin is a loyalist and I think that’s the criteria that’s prime top of mind on all of the nominees that Trump is making,” believes Gibson. “Now, Mr. Zeldin may prove to be an independent administrator as much as he can. That’s certainly possible. But I’m not expecting it.”Lopez reminds anyone who is concerned about potential Trump Administration environmental policies that New York state has the ability to set more stringent standards.“Whatever the federal regulatory and statutory framework looks like moving forward, that the state does have the ability to set its own standards that are more stringent than federal. So that is a power that New York state and other states have,” notes Lopez.Zeldin was the second New Yorker to be nominated to a position in the incoming Trump administration. New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of the 21st district was tapped as UN ambassador.Image: File photo of New York Congressman and 2022 Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin in Colonie, NY (Credit: WAMC/Ashley Hupfl)

The Hudson Valley and Catskills regions are experiencing moderate drought conditions and is under a Drought Watch, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).A "watch" is the first of four levels of state drought advisories ("watch," "warning," "emergency" and "disaster"). There are no statewide mandatory water use restrictions in place under a drought watch, but residents are strongly encouraged to voluntarily conserve water. Local public water suppliers may require conservation measures, depending upon local needs and conditions.The region is currently running 6 to 8 inches below average in rainfall for the 60-day period, with an average rainfall of nearly 9 inches. The dry conditions are contributing to increased fire danger, prompting regular "Red Flag Warnings" across the region.We spoke to Alex Marra, CEO and Founder of Hudson Valley Weather, about how long this dry pattern might last.

New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a Republican, has been selected by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as UN ambassador in his upcoming administration. If she is confirmed, that would trigger a special election throughout 15 counties in the northern New York district.Congresswoman Stefanik, the House Republican conference leader, was first elected in 2014 and easily won another term Tuesday. Trump announced Stefanik as his pick for UN ambassador Monday.Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship Professor of Political Science Grant Reeher is not surprised.“She has been moving up in the House pretty fast and she’s in line, arguably, for the top spot at some point in the future. And so by leaving Congress she does take herself out of that mix. But Ambassador to the U.N. would be a particularly good role for her and I think it fits her well,” Reeher said. “Because you’re there to advocate for and represent the United States, particularly in a body that has become increasingly hostile to the United States. And so she would be in the advocate role and I think she’s already proven that she is a strong voice and could be a strong voice based on what she’s done in some of these Congressional hearings.”If Stefanik leaves her seat, New York Governor Kathy Hochul must call a special election. SUNY Plattsburgh Professor of Political Science Harvey Schantz explains there would not be a primary.“The special election would give the date. In the interim the Democrats from New York 21 and the Republicans from New York 21 would hold a meeting. The people who want to run for the seat would lobby the county chairs to get their support at the party meeting,” explained Schantz. “Now we have a big district, maybe 14, 15 counties. So there would be 14 or 15 county leaders for the Democrats and Republicans and they would vote towards who would be the nominee of the party.”Stefanik, who was considered to be Trump’s running mate, said for months she would be honored to serve in a Trump administration, and there is already chatter about who might run in a special election. Schantz notes there is already considerable speculation as to who will run.“The people who would have an inside track to run for New York 21 would be Republicans and also Democrats who are in the state legislature who would like to advance to the U.S. Congress. For the Democrats the presumption is that Paula Collins, because she just ran and plans to run again in 2026, would have some backing to be the party nominee,” predicted Schantz.Plattsburgh Mayor Chris Rosenquest is leaving office and is among the more high-profile Democrats in the eastern portion of the district. He gave a very definitive answer when asked if he would consider running.“No, no, no. I did my stint in politics. You know my job is to take care of my family and to focus on my family here, focus on my business. That’s why, that’s really why I’m not running for re-election and I’ll do that,” insisted Rosenquest. “And honestly the district itself, I’m no political analyst, but the district itself is probably not leaning towards blue. And I think that if anybody it would be somebody like Dan Stec who might step into that role or somebody else who might step into that role. It’s not me.”Stec, the Republican state senator representing the 45th district, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Republican Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin could be another possible candidate.

New York Democrats came into the election working feverishly to flip several key House seats, and they largely succeeded. But that was a rare bright spot during a huge performance for Republicans and once and future president Donald Trump, who made gains in New York and nationwide as part of his decisive win.From the New York Public News Network, WAMC's Ian Pickus spoke Thursday with Jay Jacobs, Chair of the New York State Democratic Committee.What's your key takeaway from this election result? Well, I think on the local level in New York state, I think we did very well. You know, there was certainly a lot of disappointment two years ago when we lost four congressional seats that Joe Biden had won in the previous election. And we made it a major priority, of course, to win those seats back. And we won four seats back. We started that with Tom Suozzi’s special election after George Santos had to vacate his seat, and then we added to it on Tuesday with another congressional seat in Nassau County. So now both of Nassau County's seats went from red to blue, and then we've got Josh Riley, who is likely to be elected in the Hudson Valley, and you've got John Mannion in CD-22, so we did very well here. Of course, nationally, we're not too happy, and even in New York State, we see that Trump made some significant gains with voter blocs and for whatever reason, and we're analyzing it now, the voter turnout wasn't as strong as we had like would have liked.Now in the 17th district, you were hoping to win that seat back from Mike Lawler, who was able to win a second term against Mondaire Jones. There's a lot of speculation that he might be ready to run for governor now. Do you agree with that? Well, I don't know. I mean, there's nothing for me to agree or disagree. I don't know what he's going to do. I would say to you from the start, when we looked at that district, we knew that was going to be a tough district for us, the toughest of them all. Again, holding Pat Ryan's seat was important to us, and that was a concern. We're glad we did that. But, yeah, you know what Congressman Lawler decides to do, that I can't predict. So you mentioned some of the gains that Trump made in places that were a little surprising, frankly, like New York City and some of the suburbs. How concerned are you about that dynamic? Well, look, you know, it has to go to the fact that he ran on a platform of really anger and fear. That's, the typical Republican playbook, and it happened to resonate with far too many voters who are angry and have good reason to be angry, whether it's economic issues that anger them or cultural, social issues that anger them. And you know, they're fed up, and so they voted for him. And as a party, we have to listen carefully and understand what it is that voters were trying to tell us and we've got to make some changes. I know part of your job is to project optimism for Democrats’ chances and performance and so on. But were you very surprised by what you saw Tuesday? Yes. Yes, I was. I'm not going to make any bones about it. I'm surprised about it in my own county. I'm surprised about it in New York state, and I was surprised about it in our country, I just…I listened to Donald Trump. I listened to some of those rallies. I saw what he had to say. Never mind what people around him were saying, you know, at Madison Square Garden. And for me, I listened to those things and to the threats he makes to have this mass deportation of non-citizens and sometimes citizens. And he talks about, you know, Haitians taking people's pets and eating them and all of that business. And I just could not imagine that a majority of American voters, certainly in our state and my county, in particular, and of course, across the country, would feel that’s someone they want to put back in the Oval Office, and yet they just did it. So for me, I have to, you know, recalibrate some of my thinking, not that I have to agree with what he has to say, but I have to understand that there are voters who are willing to discount things that are so important to me because they've got issues that are more important to them. Do you think that there was any universe in which Joe Biden would have overperformed what Vice President Harris did in the election? Hard for me to predict that, honestly, and I've given that some thought and I can't come up with an answer to that. I can go both ways on that one. First of all, I think Joe Biden did a great job as president. I mean, I think that the economic condition he leaves the country in… after remember where we started off? You know, worrying about going into a deep recession, coming out of COVID, getting people vaccinated, and the CHIPS Act and American Rescue Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, all of those things, the infrastructure bill, $1.2 trillion going into building up our infrastructure across this country. I think these are fabulous things that he did. I think that perhaps where he could have done bett

One person is dead as firefighters continue to battle a wildfire near the Orange County village of Greenwood Lake. New York State Police say 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez — a park ranger with the state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation — died Saturday while responding to the fire in the Sterling Forest. In Ulster County, firefighters continued working throughout the day yesterday to establish a control line around the perimeter of the Whitehouse Fire in the Town of Denning and achieved 90% containment by nightfall yesterday. The affected area, including the established control line, is approximately 600 acres. Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said, "With help from last night's rain, we expect significant progress toward 100% containment today. We have 139 personnel from 18 fire departments deployed today to continue this work."Metzger added, "We want to again extend our gratitude to NYS DEC Forest Rangers and the many local volunteer firefighters from Ulster, Sullivan, Delaware and Greene counties who have been working on the ground to suppress this fire, as well as the NYC Department of Environmental Protection and NYS Police Aviation for the bucket drops on Saturday and Sunday, and all of the agencies involved in this coordinated effort. We also want to thank the many people and local businesses that donated food for our firefighters.”Image Credit: Ulster County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team

Since October 2023, members of the community have gathered on the Narrowsburg-Darbytown Bridge calling for peace in Gaza. Radio Catskill's Rosie Starr spoke with some of them and has this report.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has declared a drought watch for 15 counties across the state, due to significantly reduced rainfall and declining water levels in streams and groundwater, including Delaware, Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster.While no mandatory restrictions are in place under a drought watch, the DEC is urging residents, particularly those relying on private groundwater wells, to conserve water immediately.NYC Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner Paul Rush appeared on Radio Chatskill with an update on the drought watch, its impact on the watershed and the Delaware Aqueduct repair.

In the wake of a long election season and the transition to a new administration, Janus Adams, host of The Janus Adams Show on Radio Catskill, shared her thoughts on the election outcome and her vision for the nation's future. In a conversation with Radio Catskill’s Tim Bruno, Adams discusses her personal reaction to the results and offers her perspective on what lies ahead. Her show airs every Saturday at 11 a.m., where she continues to explore critical social and political issues.

Nina Burleigh is a journalist, best-selling author, documentary producer, and publisher of a substack on politics called American Freakshow, a weekly newsletter keeping an eye on MAGA extremism. Appearing on Radio Chatskill, Burleigh reacts to the 2024 Presidential Election and tells listeners what to expect in a "Trump 2.0" administration. Burleigh will be in conversation with journalist Illya Marritz on November 10 at 3pm at The Darby just across the bridge from Narrowsburg, NY about her debut novel, "Zero Visibility Possible."

Artists and arts organizations in Sullivan County can now apply for funding through the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA). The DVAA, which serves as the arts council for the county, administers Arts for Sullivan, a regrant program funded by the New York State Council for the Arts. Three grant programs are available: community arts, arts education, and individual artist fellowships. Community arts grants, ranging from $500 to $5,000, support nonprofits presenting arts and cultural programming throughout Sullivan County. Eligible projects include theater, music, dance, literary arts, folklore, installation and visual arts. Arts education grants also support nonprofit organizations and artists working with community partners to provide arts education programs for pre-K to grade 12 students and community members. These grants require a curriculum and assessment tools. Six artist fellowships, each providing $3,000, will be awarded to artists living and working in Sullivan County to support the creation of new work in visual, literary, and compositional arts. A community engagement component is required for fellowship recipients. The deadline for fellowship applications is January 30, 2025. All other applications are open until November 30, 2025. Mini-grants of $500 are also available to first-time Arts for Sullivan applicants for new or existing cultural projects. For guidelines, grant information, information session registration, and one-on-one meetings, visit delawarevalleyartsalliance.org (under “Empower”). For further information, contact Tanner Simon at 845/252-7576 ext.1004 or @ArtsforSullivan on Instagram.

Residents and local officials in the Catskills are celebrating an agreement that puts an end to part of a decades-long land acquisition program by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to protect the watershed of the city’s reservoirs in upstate New York. For more details, we spoke to Meg McGuire, the founder and publisher of Delaware Currents, the news project dedicated to telling the story of the Delaware River from its headwaters in the Catskill Mountains of New York to the Delaware Bay, where it meets the ocean.Ric Coombe, chairman of the Coalition of Watershed Towns, which was formed in 1991 to bargain with the DEP, confirmed that the parties had reached an agreement for the city to stop purchasing land in the majority of the Catskills watershed.“This will be a turning point in reducing” land purchases, Coombe said. “It will take away that pressure to upstate communities that the city’s purchasing land has applied.”The DEP also confirmed the decision to Delaware Currents.“There will be no more priority three and four acquisitions, which is most of the Greene County land area in the watershed, but additional focus on priority areas one and two,” John Milgrim, a DEP spokesman, said in an email. “Through a collaborative process and guided by science, DEP intends to focus resources on programs and acquisitions most beneficial to water quality protection while continuing investments to enhance the socio-economic vitality of our community neighbors.”Priorities are shiftingPriority areas three and four make up the majority of the Catskills, including Greene and Schoharie Counties.The majority of Delaware County is also part of these areas, as well as smaller chunks of Sullivan and Ulster Counties. Priority areas one and two are smaller in size and include parts of Ulster and Sullivan Counties near the Roundout Reservoir and in Delaware County near the Cannonsville Reservoir.Read more: How the town of Cannonsville became the Cannonsville Reservoir“The priority areas have been identified based on the location and makeup of the lands and the direct potential to threaten the New York City water supply,” the Delaware County Board of Supervisors said in a statement.“Priority areas one and two include lands that are contiguous to the reservoirs and the infrastructure supporting the water transmission systems, making them more sensitive and therefore requiring substantially greater protection,” the supervisors said. “Therefore, the program will allow for NYC DEP to solicit lands for acquisition and advance contracts from willing sellers in these priority areas.”Coombe attributed the long-awaited breakthrough to a change in New York City personnel. “The city recognized that the core land-acquisition plan did need to change, which they had told us previously that they were going to change it … but they were seeking patience because they needed to change their approach to watershed protection,” he said.Read more: Marist College students create a video about New York City’s reservoirsLand purchase plans stirred opposition and concernsNew York City in 1997 rolled out the program across Delaware, Greene, Sullivan, Schoharie and Ulster Counties to protect its drinking water supply, which serves over nine million people and provides 1.1 billion gallons of water a day to the city and Hudson Valley communities. From the beginning, critics worried about stunted economic growth of the area and a loss in property tax revenues. A lot has changed since a landmark memorandum of agreement was reached in 1997 after many years of complex and difficult negotiations between the city DEP and the affected counties.One of the biggest turns in the process came when the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine conducted a full review of the watershed protection program that revealed that approaches like stream bank protection work and riparian buffer plantings could be more useful in protecting the city’s water than land acquisition.The findings aligned with concerns of local residents and served as the backbone of continuing conversations.“It was a good third party that led all parties to understand the science behind it,” Coombe said. “The report helped reinforce our position, especially when it came to the lower priority land of areas three and four.”The Delaware County Board of Supervisors said that “the shift in policy is a result of many years of analysis and a comprehensive understanding of how land acquisition benefits water quality and the impacts it has had on community vitality.”Read more: Tensions persist over NYC reservoir land protection more than 25 years after pactTalks continueEarlier this year, officials nodded to a light at the end of the tunnel between New York City and Catskills localities about the city’s land-buying to protect its watershed in the region.Coombe told Delaware Currents in February that negotiations were “moving in good faith” and that both sides had made “very encouragin

The White Sulphur Springs (NY) Fire Department is hosting its annual clam chowder soup sale on Election Day, as residents make their voices heard in the polling location for Liberty District 4. Beginning at 9:30am until sold out, the fire station will be serving up clam chowder, made by fire department members and local volunteers. The White Sulphur Springs Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting their bake sale at the same time. One fire department member said, "We start serving in the morning, but I wouldn't wait too long." During last year's Election, Jason Dole visiting the White Sulphur Springs Fire Department for a first hand report. Proceeds from the soup sale will go towards funding new equipment for the fire department and supporting local outreach programs.

One Small Step brings strangers with different political views together to record a 50-minute conversation—not to debate politics, but to learn who we are as people. Created by StoryCorps, One Small Step is an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us—even those with whom we disagree.Radio Catskill is one of just seven stations selected nationally to host One Small Step in 2024. With participant permission, these conversations will be preserved for future generations at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.Participants Camille and Brett recorded a One Small Step conversation at our Liberty studios earlier this summer. We spoke to them on Radio Chatskill about their experience and listened to a clip of their conversation.Listen to Alex and Tom’s full conversation and others on the StoryCorps Archive HEREImage: One Small Step participants Camille and Brett at our Liberty studios.

Family caregivers in the Mid-Hudson Valley are stressed and cutting work hours or even leaving jobs because they do not have enough help, according to a new A-A-R-P New York surveyThe survey of voters 40 and older in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties paints the same picture as in the rest of the state, where family members shoulder much of the responsibility for keeping an aging loved ones at home, while all too often doing so without adequate support from the state. Tim Bruno spoke to David McNally, AARP New York’s Senior Director of Advocacy.

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger joins Radio Catskill as the community heads into election season and the county gears up for its 2025 budget discussions. Metzger outlined the county's plans for community-centered investments and share insights on early voting trends, which indicate a high turnout so far.Metzger recently highlighted Ulster County’s financial health, underscored by a solid “AA” bond rating from S&P Global—a positive signal for the county's fiscal stability heading into the next budget cycle.

A coalition of nearly 250 environmental and community groups released a letter last week calling on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to cap low-income residents’ energy bills.The letter also asks the state to reduce fossil fuel use by ending a policy that requires ratepayers to subsidize the cost for gas companies to expand gas pipelines.Those were both elements of a previous piece of legislation called the New York HEAT Act. Parts of the bill received support from Hochul and the state Legislature during the last legislative session, but it ultimately failed to pass.The HEAT Act is meant to encourage utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. It would also cap the cost of energy bills at 6% of household income for low-income New Yorkers.Some lawmakers have said that Hochul’s last minute decision to cancel congestion pricing, which would have charged fees to vehicles entering certain parts of Manhattan, derailed negotiations over the bill earlier this year.The letter asks Hochul to ensure that the HEAT Act passes next year. It also asks her to prioritize reducing New York’s dependence on fossil fuels and to meet the commitments laid out in the state’s climate law.“We write to express our frustration with ever-rising energy costs driven by irresponsible fossil fuel infrastructure spending,” the letter reads, which is addressed directly to Hochul. “We urge you, therefore, to take immediate action to protect struggling families and businesses by ending wasteful spending on fracked gas pipelines and instead make smart investments in building decarbonization.”The state’s climate law, which passed in 2019, requires New York to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. Recent reports have found the state is behind on meeting that target.

April Mae & The June Bugs are bringing their 'Boogie BOO!' show to Delaware Valley Opera in Lake Huntington, NY on Thursday. Inspired by themes of the supernatural, enchantment, the folklore and archetypes of Halloween and Samhain, the show highlights the music of their popular double album of the same title.April Mae appeared on Radio Chatskill.

Early voting is underway in New York…More than 700,000 people took part in the first weekend of early voting for general elections, according to state Board of Elections numbers.A good percentage of those — 257,860 — came from New York City voters. About 447,840 came from voters in the other parts of the state.More people have voted early so far than in the first weekend of early voting during the last presidential election in 2020, which was the first time New Yorkers had the opportunity to vote early in a contest for the White House.With just days until Election Day, polls will be open for early voters until Sunday, November 3rd.New York state officials reassured voters Monday that their ballots are safe, and they’re on the lookout for misinformation and voter intimidation. From The New York Public News Network, Desiree Diorio reports.State attorney general Tish James says her office is ready to tackle any instances of voter suppression or electioneering so that New Yorkers can feel safe when they head to the polls.And in the age of artificial intelligence, James has this warning: “You should never rely on AI chat bots to answer questions about elections or voting and if you receive a phone call with information about voting or elections, be vigilant - that information may be inaccurate or fake. Remember to verify information with official sources.”The state’s Election Protection Hotline opened on Saturday. Those with questions or concerns can call 866-390-2992 or submit an online complaint. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th.

The Callicoon Theater is showing a 104-year-old movie with a brand new soundtrack. Ambient Barn will be performing a haunting new score to the classic German Expressionist silent film, "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari," on Tuesday, October 29. Jason Dole spoke to Mark Partridge, who performs as Ambient Barn and hosts a show of the same name on Radio Catskill, about how this chilling fusion of sound and cinema came to be.

Carter Walker of Votebeat PA with the latest update on he’s watching in the most-watched state this election, including the latest court rulings that will affect how the vote is counted in Pennsylvania.

This Halloween, you might be thinking about the perfect costume or the best candy. The National Fire Protection Association wants people to think about something different this year, though: safety. String lights and cobwebs are fun and festive, but these decorations can also pose a potential fire safety risk. Radio Catskill’s Nia Watson met with the Sullivan County Fire Coordinator to learn more about staying safe this Halloween.

In her new book "Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner," NPR producer Meghan Keane demystifies several myths our culture perpetuates about romantic relationships. She also provides tools to learn how to nurture the most important relationship we’ll ever have — with ourselves.

In the latest edition of Kaatscast: The Catskills podcast….Brett Barry sat down with historian Samantha Misa in the ⁠Frisbee family cemetery⁠ to uncover some witchy tales from our collective Catskills past, just in time for Halloween.Misa shares some haunted encounters from Delaware County's Frisbee House and recounts tales from her book, "Witches of the Catskills."Plus, Misa recounts the challenges of researching historical witchcraft, using old newspapers and archival records to reconstruct the tales. Kaatscast is a biweekly series featuring Catskills culture, history, sustainability, local interviews, literature, and the arts. Shows are hosted by Brett Barry and produced by Silver Hollow Audio, in the heart of the Catskills. Voted “Best Regional Podcast” 3 years in a row.

Sullivan County Legislators reviewed an analysis of the county’s child welfare policies and procedures Thursday during a meeting of the Health and Human Services Committee.Commissioned by the Legislature at the request of County Manager Joshua Potosek, the review was conducted by the Bonadio Group earlier this year. It followed investigations by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and a Sullivan County Grand Jury into the tragic death of a toddler last year. Sixteen-month-old Akasha Luvert died on May 2, 2023, from an apparent overdose of fentanyl and xylazine while staying with her family at a Knights Inn motel in Liberty, NY.Dan Hust, Communications Director for Sullivan County Government, shared insights about the 60-page report on Radio Chatskill. The report highlighted both the strengths and areas for improvement in the county’s child welfare programs, which encompass Child Protective Services, Preventive Services, Foster Care, and related legal support.

One Small Step brings strangers with different political views together to record a 50-minute conversation—not to debate politics, but to learn who we are as people. Created by StoryCorps, One Small Step is an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us—even those with whom we disagree.Radio Catskill is one of just seven stations selected nationally to host One Small Step in 2024. With participant permission, these conversations will be preserved for future generations at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.Participants Alex and Tom recorded a One Small Step conversation at our Liberty studios earlier this summer. We spoke to them on Radio Chatskill about their experience and listened to a clip of their conversation.

As presidential candidates crisscross the battleground state of Pennsylvania, early voting is underway with more than half a million ballots cast across the Commonwealth. Early voting in Pennsylvania is called in-person mail ballot voting and with this option, voters can visit their county elections office, apply for a mail ballot, fill it out, and return it on the spot.Nadeen Manzoni is the Director of the Pike County Bureau of Elections and she reports her office's regular business hours are consumed with processing in-person voting this election cycle.

The 27th Annual Rosendale International Pickle Festival is Sunday, October 20, at the Ulster County Fairgrounds.This celebration of small cucumbers preserved in salt and/or vinegar began in 1997 as a small gathering of pickle eating friends and has now grown into an event that draws around 5,000 visitors to this part of New York each year.Victoria Coyne spoke about the history of the Pickle Festival and the Pickle Triathalon event on Radio Chatskill.

The Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter will hold their largest fundraiser on Saturday,October 26 in Montgomery, NY.The walk supports free local Education, Care and Support programs for families and neighbors affected with Alzheimer’s or another form of Dementia.Tina Eckert, Walk Manager, appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the event.

Small Town Country 4-H, a local 4-H group located in Hortonville, NY, is collaborating with 4-H kids in North Carolina to help with Hurricane Helene relief efforts. They are collecting needed supplies for their "Fill the Truck" initiative which will be delivered to Wilkes County Cooperative Extension for dispersal to the mountain areas of western North Carolina hard-hit by the hurricane. Several of the Small Town Country 4-H group appeared on Radio Chatskill to talk about this community service effort.

Veterans and their families are invited to a free event, "ALIVE AGAIN for Veterans," on Saturday, October 19th at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center (HPAC). The event, a collaboration between STEAM Fund, ATI (Action Toward Independence), and HPAC, will offer a day of support and practical tools for personal growth and well-being.Gary Siegel of the STEAM Fund appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the event.