Mireya Navarro writes in The New York Times a New York state judge ruled Tues., Feb. 21, the town of Dryden in Tompkins County can ban natural gas drilling within its boundaries. It is the first ruling in New York to affirm local powers in the ongoing controversy over the process commonly known as hydrofracking. In August, Dryden used its zoning laws to ban the process within the town limits. A month after the ban went into effect, Colorado-based driller Anschutz Exploration filed a lawsuit, arguing the town lacked the authority to ban or regulate gas drilling. Anschultz has 22,000 acres under lease in Dryden. In the decision, Justice Phillip R. Rumsey of the State Supreme Court said state law “does not preclude a municipality from using its power to regular land use to ban oil and natural gas production.” Read the full story in The New York Times.
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Tags: Dryden, hydrofracking, NYS Supreme Court
Chris Hawley writes for the Associated Press that New York City Police Department surveillance of Muslim students was far more widespread than previously known. City police monitored Web sites from Buffalo and Albany to Syracuse and Stony Brook, and student names were recorded for reports submitted to city Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly. Documents obtained by the Associated Press show police placed undercover officers at Muslim student associations at colleges within the city limits, and also used a student informant in Syracuse. Muslim student organizations in Syracuse, Clarkson University and SUNY campuses in Buffalo, Albany, Stony Brook and Potsdam were monitored on a daily basis. Kelly and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said police only follow legitimate leads about suspected criminal activity. Read the full AP story.
Tags: Muslims, NYPD, police surveillance, students
Tom Casey reports in the Register Star the Hudson Common Council is considering how best to fund a proposed expansion of the senior addition to the city Youth Center. The center is located at Third and Union streets on the city’s south side. At its informal meeting, Mon., Feb. 13, the Council considered a proposal directing that money from the general fund be used to cover an estimated budget overrun of $130,000. Council President Don Moore said use of the general fund was preferable over other forms of financing if the project expansion is approved. The decision to expand the original plan and add a second floor to the new wing of the center will be made at the Council’s formal meeting, Tues., Feb. 21. Read the full story in the Register Star.
Jimmy Vielkind is reporting on the Times-Union Capitol Confidential blog that U.S. District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe has now set the state’s political calendar for Congressional races. In a decision and order dated Thurs., Feb. 9, Sharpe picked the dates submitted by State Board of Elections Democrats and chided “state officials for their persistent bickering.” Sharpe pointed out that SBOE Republicans submitted a partial calendar and applied current electoral deadlines to the new primary date. The complete calendar submitted by the Democrats specified a petition period from March 20 to April 16, 10 days shorter than previous years. The submission also reduced the number of signatures required to secure a spot on the ballot by 25 percent. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential.
Jim Planck writes in The Daily Mail that the Town of Catskill is looking for additional funds to repair damage caused by Tropical Storm Irene. At the Town Board meeting Tuesday, Feb. 7, Councilman Kevin Lennon reported a documentation package was submitted to the U.S. National Conversation Resources Service, Jan. 31. Lennon said the NCRS is expected to send a task force to Greene County to examine flood damage not covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Sites identified for possible NCRS assistance include: Woodstock Ave. in Palenville, Drummond Falls Road and bridge, the junction of Route 23A and Bogart Road, and the culvert on Pennsylvania Ave. NCRS could cover up to 75 percent of the repair costs. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Tags: FEMA, flood damage, Irene
The Times-Union’s Casey Seiler writes about a large lawsuit New York’s Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is bringing against several of the nation’s largest banks. The suit charges that the creation and use of a nationwide Mortgage Electronic Registry System has resulted in “a wide range of deceptive and fraudulent foreclosure filings in New York state and federal courts, harming homeowners and undermining the integrity of the judicial foreclosure process.” In broad terms, the suit alleges that the banks used MERS as a front for millions of home loans so that they could easily securitize those mortgages. The AG further alleges that MERS has fraudulently identified itself as the plaintiff in foreclosure actions without the documentation to claim ownership of the loans in question. MERS has been the target of numerous legal actions, including ongoing actions by Massachusetts and Delaware. Unlike many of those suits, this one alleges fraudulent practices as opposed to questioning MERS’ business practices, or its very existence as structured. Suits questioning the company on that basis have encountered resistance from many state courts, most recently in Idaho. The lawsuit was filed in State Supreme Court in Brooklyn on Friday. It seeks “a declaration that the alleged practices violate the law,” as well as injunctive relief, damages for harmed homeowners, and civil penalties” The AG released a statement identifying Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Wells Fargo as defendants and “MERS certifying officers” accused of having “repeatedly submitted court documents containing false and misleading information that made it appear that the foreclosing party had the authority to bring a case when in fact it may not have.” The paper reports that the suit was in development long before Schneiderman was tapped by President Barack Obama to co-chair a special task force to investigate the mortgage securities industry. Read about the lawsuit in the Times Union.
Tags: Eric Schneiderman, foreclosures, MERS
The New York World set out to answer two basic questions: How exactly do districts get gerrymandered – that is, have their boundaries manipulated to benefit a political party or group? And where is this happening in New York? The result is “Redistricting and You,” an interactive guide to gerrymandering, produced with ProPublica and the Center for Urban Research. The page allows viewers to overlay the map of current New York state Senate districts and the proposed 2012 lines, just released. The guide also defines redistricting tactics — “cracking,” “kidnapping,” “diluting,” “dividing,” “decoying” — and shows where those tactics are allegedly being employed.
Tags: gerrymandering, LATFOR
Amy Halloran writes in Metroland about two rallies in support of independent farmers and locally grown/raised food, scheduled to take place in Albany. The first, sponsored by Food & Water Watch, will take place Wed., Feb. 8, at the Capitol and will appeal to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to support a fair Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is due for reauthorization by Congress this year. Food & Water Watch, according to the article, supports a variety of measures intended to level the playing field between independent small farmers and large agri-business. The American Farmland Trust of New York organized the No Farms, No Food rally for Wed., Feb. 15, to urge state legislators to support measures that back farms, farmers and local food production. Those measures include: Farmland-protection programs; restoration of funds for the New York Farm Viability Institute; increased funding for the New York State Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program; and funding for incentives to increase use of SNAP (food stamp benefits) at farmers markets. Read the full story in Metroland.
Tags: farm bill, farmers markets, Federal Farm Bill, Food and Water Watch, GIPSA, Sen Kirsten Gillibrand, SNAP
Weather right now
READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in studio.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.
Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Palenville, in Greene County.
The National Weather Service predicts Palenville will be mostly sunny Friday, with a high near 40. Friday night should be partly cloudy, with a low around 21. The weekend forecast:
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 36, low around 19.
• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 41, low around 25.
• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 45, low around 27.
Town meetings today
Today is the first Friday of the month. WGXC does not know about any town meetings.
The skies above
SUNRISE/SUNSET 7:05 a.m./ 5:14 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 1:14 p.m. / 3:39 a.m.
Last night/Today’s big games
(Hosts: Read scores in the a.m. only, and schedules in the p.m.)
Scores
NBA: Chicago Bulls 105 at New York Knicks 102; Amare Stoudemire 34 points.
Schedules
FRI NBA: New York Knicks at Boston Celtics, 8 p.m. (TV: ESPN)
SAT NBA: New Jersey Nets at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (TV: YES/MSG)
SUN NFL: New York Giants and New England Patriots, 6:29 p.m. (TV: NBC)
WGXC Program Notes
Special Programming Fri. Feb. 3:
• “Pure Moods,” Noon-2 p.m.: Shannekia McIntosh plays all sorts of music.
Audio clips for WGXC programmers
This information is not meant to be read on-air.
The information below are options of pre-recorded material hosts can choose to play.
Audio clips to play
New PSAs/STATION IDs
• A OFF PSA 20120210 Coop Ext – Maple Syrup workshop
• A_OFF_PSA_20120313_irene_lee_flood_grants
Audio headlines for top of the hour
• 5 a.m.: WGXC News 3:58 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 2:58
• 6 a.m.: WGXC News 3:58 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 2:58
• 7 a.m.: WGXC News 3:58 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 2:58
• 9 a.m.: WGXC News 3:58 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 2:58
• 4 p.m.: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
• 5 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News headlines, through fsrn.org
• Midnight: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
Ariel Zangla in The Daily Freeman reports that Greene County lawmakers will borrow up to $20 million to pay for repairs to the county’s infrastructure as a result of Tropical Storm Irene. At a special meeting Wed., Feb. 1, the Legislature voted to issue $20 million in bonds. The Federal Emergency Management Agency should reimburse 75 percent of costs to municipalities under a disaster declaration, and the state should cover another 12.5 percent of those costs. “We’re going to have a cash flow problem,” County Administrator Shaun Groden said. “So, this whole issue right now is just to get us through cash flow issues. As soon as FEMA makes reimbursements to us, we use that money to pay down these bonds and hopefully by year end, they go away.” Read the full story in The Daily Mail.
Joseph Spector in the Politics on the Hudson blog reports that Senate Democrats sued in state court Tuesday challenging the creation of a new Senate seat by the task force drawing district lines. The plaintiffs, who include Senate Democrats and citizens, allege that Republicans violated the state constitution when they created a 63rd district to bolster their narrow hold on the chamber. Republicans hold a slim 32-29 seat majority in the state Senate with one vacancy. The new seat covers all of Greene County, parts of Ulster, Albany, and Montgomery counties. The lawsuit will complicate matters for the state Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment, which is trying to finalize 213 legislative lines. New Yorkers are still waiting to see the boundaries for the 27 seats in the U.S. House of Representative. Read Politics on the Hudson for more on the suit over the 63rd.
Tags: 63rd District, LATFOR, state democrats
A bill to expand the state’s DNA database passed the state Senate on Tuesday but Democrats, who control the Assembly, have expressed concern about whether the law will do enough to help the wrongfully convicted. Law enforcement groups as well as legislators from both parties agree with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to take DNA samples from people convicted of any crime. But Democrats in the Assembly want defense attorneys to have greater access to the DNA database, and they want the state to adopt other criminal justice reforms. Governor Andrew Cuomo appears to support the bill, S5560A, sponsored by Republican Sen. Steve Saland (R-Poughkeepsie), who represents much of Columbia County in Albany. Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta), who represents Greene County also supported the bill. It passed in the Senate by a 50 to 10 vote, and Cuomo released a statement Tuesday, calling it “an important step in protecting New Yorkers and modernizing the state’s criminal justice system.” Barry C. Scheck, a founder of the Innocence Project, said that if supporters of DNA expansion were serious about preventing wrongful convictions, they should promote measures like requiring videotaping of interrogations or changing the way lineups are done. Read about the DNA database bill in the Times Union.
Tags: criminal records, DNA evidence, James Seward, Steve Saland
Weather right now
READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in studio.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.
Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Hillsdale, in Columbia County.
The National Weather Service predicts Hillsdale will be partly sunny Thursday, with a high near 36. Thursday night should be mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 20. The weekend forecast:
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 34, low around 20.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 33, low around 16.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34, low around 16.
Town meetings today
Today is the first Thurssday of the month.
ANCRAM Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
AUSTERLITZ Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall, 812 Route 203, Spencertown (392-3260).
CAIRO New York Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald speaks about Gov. Cuomo’s budget at 5:30 p.m. at Cairo Town Hall, on Main St., in the meeting room.
CAIRO An explanation and discussion of the Tax Cap. Public attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions. Tax Cap information is also available at www.cairodurham.org. 6 p.m. in Cairo Durham High School Auditorium at Cairo-Durham High School, 1301 Route 145, Durham. 518-622-8543
COPAKE Planning Board meets at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GHENT Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
KINDERHOOK Zoning Board of Appeals meets at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
WINDHAM Town board meets at 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).
The skies above
SUNRISE/SUNSET 7:06 a.m./ 5:13 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 12:24 p.m. / 2:46 a.m.
Last night/Today’s big games
(Hosts: Read scores in the a.m. only, and schedules in the p.m.)
Scores
NBA: Detroit Pistons 96 at New Jersey Nets 99, Deron Williams 26 points.
Schedules
NBA: Chicago Bulls at New York Knicks, 8 p.m. (TV: TNT)
WGXC Program Notes
Special Programming Thu. Feb. 2:
• “The Art of the Hudson Valley,” 2 p.m.: The folks who run Helsinki Hudson will speak with Chad Weckler about their club.
Audio clips for WGXC programmers
This information is not meant to be read on-air.
The information below are options of pre-recorded material hosts can choose to play.
Audio clips to play
New PSAs/STATION IDs
• A OFF PSA 20120210 Coop Ext – Maple Syrup workshop
• A_OFF_PSA_20120313_irene_lee_flood_grants
Audio headlines for top of the hour
• 5 a.m.: WGXC News 6:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:10
• 6 a.m.: WGXC News 6:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:10
• 7 a.m.: WGXC News 6:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:10
• 9 a.m.: WGXC News 6:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:10
• 4 p.m.: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
• 5 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News headlines, through fsrn.org
• Midnight: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
Margaret Roach at the “Away to Garden” blog reports on the new USDA Hardiness Map, and half of the nation’s 80 million gardeners are now a half-zone warmer in the first update since 1990. “The increase in our computing power today allows the research team to build into their algorithms things they knew were important factors in 1990, but couldn’t include,” said Catherine Woteki, Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics for the USDA, in an interview yesterday. Factors such as elevation, the slope of land, or how close to a body of water a location is, can cause sharp variation despite close adjacencies. “Taking those into account now provides a lot more detail,” Woteki said, “and people will be able to see islands of heat, and also cool ones, on the new map. As a scientist and a home gardener, I love seeing this so much more clearly.” Read the full story at Away to Garden.
Weather right now
READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in studio.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.
Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Coxsackie, in Greene County.
The National Weather Service predicts a 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. Monday night there could be a little more snow, maybe an inch, mainly after 11 p.m. Cloudy, with a low around 24. The forecast for later in the week:
• Tuesday: A chance of snow before 10 a.m., then changing to rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43, low around 34.
• Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of rain, with a high near 49, low around 33.
• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 44.
Town meetings today
Today is the fifth Monday of the month, and towns do not schedule regular meetings in the fifth week of a month.
The skies above
SUNRISE/SUNSET 7:09 a.m./ 5:09 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 10:27 a.m. / n/a p.m. (Tue)
First Quater moon begins at 11:11 p.m.
Last night/Today’s big games
(Hosts: Read scores in the a.m. only, and schedules in the p.m.)
Scores
NBA: Toronto Raptors 94, New Jersey Nets 73. Deron Williams 24 points, a third of New Jersey’s total.
Schedules
NCAA BB: Missouri (2) at Texas, 8 p.m. (TV: ESPN)
WGXC Program Notes
Special Programming Mon. Jan. 30:
• “Monday Music Matinee,” Noon-2 p.m.: Lincoln Mayorga plays classical music and more.
Audio clips for WGXC programmers
This information is not meant to be read on-air.
The information below are options of pre-recorded material hosts can choose to play.
Audio clips to play
New PSAs/STATION IDs
• A OFF PSA 20120210 Coop Ext – Maple Syrup workshop
• A_OFF_PSA_20120313_irene_lee_flood_grants
Audio headlines for top of the hour
• 5 a.m.: WGXC News 6:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:10
• 6 a.m.: WGXC News 6:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:10
• 7 a.m.: WGXC News 6:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:10
• 9 a.m.: WGXC News 6:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:10
• 4 p.m.: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
• 5 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News headlines, through fsrn.org
• Midnight: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
Weather right now
READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in studio.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.
Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Maplecrest, in Greene County.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Western Greene County, and Eastern Columbia County, through 7 a.m. Higher elevations can expect up to three inches of snow, or ice and freezing rain. It should all turn to rain in the morning and continue until 2 p.m. High near 48. Friday night there is a slight chance of showers before 9 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. The weekend forecast is colder:
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 39, low around 18.
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37, low around 12.
• Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 28.
Town meetings today
Today is the fourth Friday of the month. We do not know about any town meetings today.
The skies above
SUNRISE/SUNSET 7:11 a.m./ 5:06 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 9:03 a.m. / 9:58 p.m.
Last night/Today’s big games
(Hosts: Read scores in the a.m. only, and schedules in the p.m.)
Scores
NBA: Boston Celtics 91 at Orlando Magic 83, Paul Pierce 24 points.
Schedules
NBA: New York Knicks at Miami Heat, 8 p.m. (TV: ESPN)
WGXC Program Notes
Special Programming Fri. Jan. 27:
• “WGXC Morning Show,” 9-10 a.m.: Regional band The Wiyos will play a few songs, and talk about their new album and performance Saturday at Helsinki Hudson.
• “Guest DJ,” 7-9:30 p.m.: Shelley Weiner is in to play music tonight.
Audio clips for WGXC programmers
This information is not meant to be read on-air.
The information below are options of pre-recorded material hosts can choose to play.
Audio clips to play
New PSAs/STATION IDs
• A OFF PSA 20120210 Coop Ext – Maple Syrup workshop
• A_OFF_PSA_20120313_irene_lee_flood_grants
Audio headlines for top of the hour
• 5 a.m.: WGXC News 6:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:10
• 6 a.m.: WGXC News 6:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:10
• 7 a.m.: WGXC News 6:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:10
• 9 a.m.: WGXC News 6:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:10
• 4 p.m.: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
• 5 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News headlines, through fsrn.org
• Midnight: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
LATFOR will release a map with the state’s new district lines for assembly and senate districts Thu., Jan. 26, with Greene County rumoured to be split into a new, 63rd Senate district with some other Albany County, and northern areas. The maps were due Wed., Jan. 25. According to the Times-Union, the delay was caused by an ongoing discussion about a constitutional amendment that would allow for a more independent redistricting process. Governor Andrew Cuomo campaigned on the promise of a more independent process. The paper reports that several parties — Cuomo, Assembly Democrats, and Senate Republicans — are hoping to pair the release with first-passage of the constitutional amendment required to change the process. Read about the release of new district maps in the Times-Union.
Tags: Andrew Cuomo, LATFOR, redistricting
A rusty blackbird, from Wikipedia.
Tags: birds, mercury levels, power plant pollution, rusty blackbirds, saltmarsh sparrows, wood thrush
The 2nd Annual New York Shout OUT! youth media festival took place on April 30, 2011 at The Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy. Over 40 young media makers from across New York State came together, including WGXC youth producers from the “Radio Explosion” show (Weds., 3:30 p.m.) and the Catskill Community Center. New York Shout OUT! was a day filled with hands-on media workshops and an evening youth film festival featuring the best short films produced by youth from all over the state. Please click on this link to see the “Message In A Minute” short videos produced during New York Shout OUT!: tinyurl.com/3lh3yfq WGXC’s youth producers will be participating at this year’s NY Shout Out, in April. If you would like to participate with WGXC in this youth media festival, contact sara@wgxc.org
John Mason writes in the Register Star about about the Regents Reform Agenda, a plan financed through a federal grant awarded from the Race to the Top initiative. New York is one of 47 or 48 states that are moving to adopt national standards, including higher benchmarks in math and English Language Arts. Questar III administrators visited the Taconic Hills School Board last week to discuss the reform plan. Questar Superintendent James Baldwin described a four-part plan to improve the schools. The program calls for the adoption of the higher standards which it calls Common Core Standards. The second element is the incorporation of improved data systems, which will track students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The third focuses on teacher certification, making sure teachers are qualified to teach their subject area. The fourth element is a push to improve low achieving schools and hold them accountable if they fail. The state has had an accountability system in place for over a decade, but Baldwin said a lack of enforcement allowed low-performing schools to fall through the cracks. “Schools have been failing to meet the targets established for them,” Baldwin said, “the state has not responded by closing them or forcing them to reconfigure. There will be much greater scrutiny.” Questar III is the local Board of Cooperative Educational Services, or BOCES, and oversees the 23 school districts in Columbia, Greene and Rensselaer counties for the state Education Department. Read about the BOCES school reform initiative in the Register Star.
Tags: BOCES, schools, Taconic Hills School Board
An anti-high-impact hydraulic fracturing protest drew over 500 opponents of the controversial gas drilling method to Albany today, according to the Times Union. Protestors gathered this morning in the Well of the Legislative Office Building chanting “no fracking way.” Rebecca Melnitsky describes some notable moments in the Times-Union’s Capitol Confidential blog. They include: Julia Walsh and Claire Sandberg from Frack Action, who brought a gallon of greenish-water from hydrofracked Dimock, Pennsylvania; protestors pointing out that Bulgaria has banned hydrofracking; farmers in the rally holding locally made bread as everyone marched to the legislative offices; and Josh Fox, the director of the anti-fracking documentary “Gasland,” who told protestors that every time he comes to Albany, “there’s more of you and the weather is worse.” Read the full story in the Albany Times-Union.
Tags: high-impact hydraulic fracturing, hydrofracking, Natural Gas
Paul Davies criticizes Gov. Andrew Cuomo for embracing casino gambling in an opinion column in The New York Times. Davies is a journalist and a fellow at the Institute for American Values, a socially conservative think tank. Davies writes that, if New York follows the blueprint of other states that have allowed casinos, then they’ll be located in rural and working-class towns and cities that cater mainly to low rollers, not James Bond-type jet-setters. He calls state run casinos, “a regressive tax that extracts wealth from the very citizens who can least afford it.” Davies also points to studies that show that, while casinos may create some jobs and generate revenue, they also produce little to no economic spinoff and in fact divert spending away from surrounding businesses like restaurants, movie theaters, and live entertainment. Read Davies Op-ed in The New York Times.
Tags: Andrew Cuomo, casinos
Weather right now
READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in studio.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.
Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Livingston, in Columbia County.
The National Weather Service predicts Livingston Monday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Tuesday night should be partly cloudy, with a low around 25. The forecast for the rest of the week:
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39, low around 23.
• Thursday: A slight chance of rain after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 41, low around 31.
• Friday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44.
Town meetings today
Today is the fourth Tuesday of the month.
CAIRO Planning Board workshop meeting at 7 p.m. at Acra Community Center, Old County Route 23, Cairo. 518-622-9898
GREENPORT Planning Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Greenport Town Hall, Town Hall Drive, Hudson (828-4656).
HUDSON Common Council Economic Development Committee meeting, 6 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
The skies above
SUNRISE/SUNSET 7:14 a.m./ 5:02 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 7:41 a.m. / 6:53 p.m.
Last night/Today’s big games
(Hosts: Read scores in the a.m. only, and schedules in the p.m.)
Scores
NBA: New Jersey Nets 95 at Chicago Bulls 110; Jordan Farmar, Richard Hamilton, 22 points each.
Schedules
NBA: New York Knicks at Charlotte Bobcats, 7 p.m. (TV: MSG)
WGXC Program Notes
Special Programming Tue. Jan. 24:
• “4th Tuesday Opera Scene,” Noon-2 p.m.: Ed Beaty catches listeners up with opera.
Audio clips for WGXC programmers
This information is not meant to be read on-air.
The information below are options of pre-recorded material hosts can choose to play.
Audio clips to play
New PSAs/STATION IDs
• A_OFF_PSA_20120312_fishmap.mp3
Audio headlines for top of the hour
• 5 a.m.: WGXC News 9:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:00
• 6 a.m.: WGXC News 9:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:00
• 7 a.m.: WGXC News 9:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:00
• 9 a.m.: WGXC News 9:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:00
• 4 p.m.: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
• 5 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News headlines, through fsrn.org
• Midnight: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed an amendment to the state constitution to legalize casino gambling “regulated by the state.” The Times-Union posted a copy of the bill on its Capitol Confidential blog. Read about the proposed law at Capitol Confidential.
Tags: Andrew Cuomo, casinos, gambling
The Mid-Hudson News Network reports in The Daily Freeman that employment rose 1.4 percent in Columbia County in 2011, and fell 3.9 percent in Greene County. Ulster County gained 2.6 percent in employment last year. Statewide employment grew 1.3 percent, with 90,100 new jobs. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.
The New York Giants beat the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 in overtime Sun., Jan. 22. The play the New England Patriots in two weeks in Indianapolis. In 2007, the two teams played in the Super Bowl, and the Giants defeated the the Patriots to win the title that year.
Tags: New York Giants
Via Boing Boing, a tribute to Etta James, above. WGXC’s Philip Grant hosts a tribute at 10 a.m. on WGXC 90.7-FM. Also Johnny Otis just passed away too. See below.
Tags: Etta James, Johnny Otis, Philip Grant
Weather right now
READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in studio.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.
Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Cairo, in Greene County.
The National Weather Service predicts for Friday in Cairo it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 24. Friday night there is a chance of snow, mainly after 3 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 13. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. The weekend forecast:
• Saturday: Snow likely, mainly before 3 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 28, low around 14.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 32, low near 30, chance of freezing rain overnight.
• Monday: A chance of rain or freezing rain. Cloudy, with a high near 48, a low around 34.
Town meetings today
Today is the third Friday of the month, and we do not know of any town meetings today.
The skies above
SUNRISE/SUNSET 7:16 a.m./ 4:57 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 4:52 a.m. / 2:28 p.m.
Last night/Today’s big games
(Hosts: Read scores in the a.m. only, and schedules in the p.m.)
Scores
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers 87 at Miami Heat 98, Lebron James 31 points.
Schedules
NBA FRI: Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (TV: MSG)
NCAABB SAT: Syracuse (1) at Notre Dame, 6 p.m. (TV: ESPN)
NFL SUN: New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers, 6 p.m. (TV: FOX)
WGXC Program Notes
Special Programming Fri. Jan. 20:
• “Imprint,” 10 a.m.: Host Terry Doyle takes listeners on a tour of Hudson Valley music.
• “WGXC Afternoon Show,” 4-6 p.m.: Ron Diamondstein interviews Teddy Thompson, Jack Ross-Pilkington with the Ski Report and This Day in History, music, and more.
Audio clips for WGXC programmers
This information is not meant to be read on-air.
The information below are options of pre-recorded material hosts can choose to play.
Audio clips to play
New PSAs/STATION IDs
• A_OFF_PSA_20120122 Ghent Playhouse auditions
Audio headlines for top of the hour
• 5 a.m.: WGXC News 9:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:00
• 6 a.m.: WGXC News 9:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:00
• 7 a.m.: WGXC News 9:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:00
• 9 a.m.: WGXC News 9:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:00
• 4 p.m.: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
• 5 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News headlines, through fsrn.org
• Midnight: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
Governor Andrew Cuomo used his budget address on Tue., Jan. 17, to unveil a series of non-budget related proposals, including a five-year plan to take over increases in Medicaid from counties, a new pension tier including a 401(k)-style option and making additional school funding contingent on adopting a teacher evaluation system — threatening that a failure to do so would jeopardize federal funding. “The equation is simple at the end of the day. No evaluation, no money, period,” Cuomo said. Carl Korn, of the New York State teachers’ union NYSUT, spoke to WGXC’s on Monday about the teacher evaluation dispute. Korn said politicians are blaming the unions for holding up the process, even though the state is appealing a court decision that went the unions’ way. Click here to listen to an interview WGXC’s Noah Reibel conducted with Korn. PLAY CLIP 8:13
Tags: Andrew Cuomo, Carl Korn, education, NYSUT, schools, teachers
The Albany Times-Union reports that Andrew Cuomo has amassed $14.4 million in campaign contributions and has posted a list of the Governor’s biggest donors on its Capitol Confidential page. NYPIRG also posts the complete list of Cuomo donors. Read Capitol Confidential for the full story.
Tags: Andrew Cuomo, campaign funds
Price Chopper recalled some of its store-brand shredded cheese Wednesday. The recall comes amid concern there may be shredded plastic fragments mixed inside. Any 16-ounce bags of the grocery chain’s “Coyote Joe’s Shredded Taco Cheese” with an expiration date of April 21, 2012, can be returned to any Price Chopper store for a full refund, the company said in a statement. The cheese was sold chainwide between Jan. 4 and Jan. 17.
Tags: cheese, Price Chopper, recall
Weather right now
READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in studio.
FAR LEFT:The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.
Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Leeds, in Greene County.
The National Weather Service predicts for Wednesday in Leeds a slight chance of snow showers between 7 a.m. and noon. Mostly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 25 by 5 p.m. Windy, with a northwest wind between 23 and 29 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Overnight low around 12. The forecast for the rest of the week:
• Thursday: A slight chance of snow showers after 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 28, a low around 16.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 26, low around 16.
• Saturday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32.
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40.
Town meetings today
Today is the third Wednesday of the month.
ALBANY The DEC is considering changes rules regulating diesel fuel emissions, sludge incineration, and lead in the air. DEC holds public hearing on proposed amendments to air quality at 2 p.m. in the DEC’s Public Assembly Room 129A, at 625 Broadway in Albany.
CATSKILL at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill.
COLUMBIA COUNTY Human Services meeting at 4 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
GHENT Planning Board session at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature meeting at 6:30 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON Hudson Zoning Board of Appeals holds a Public Hearing to accept and consider public comment on an application submitted by Edward Tuck seeking side and rear yard variances to build a two story porch on an existing structure located at 36 North 3rd Street, Hudson; and an application submitted by Leo Carlin seeking a side yard variance to build a two story addition to an existing structure located at 446 East Allen Street, Hudson. Regular Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
TACONIC Taconic BOE Meeting held in meeting room at Taconic High at 7 p.m. at Taconic Hills High School, 73 County Rt. 11A, Craryville. 518-325-0390
The skies above
SUNRISE/SUNSET 7:20 a.m./ 4:54 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 7:46 p.m. / 8:30 a.m.
Last night/Today’s big games
(Hosts: Read scores in the a.m. only, and schedules in the p.m.)
Scores
NBA: Miami Heat 120, San Antonio Spurs 98; Lebron James 33 points.
NHL: Nashville Predators 0 at New York Rangers 3
Schedules
NBA: Golden State Warriors at New Jersey Nets, 7:30 p.m. (TV: YES)
NBA: Phoenix at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (TV: MSG)
WGXC Program Notes
Special Programming Wed. Jan. 18:
• “Catskill Review of Books,” 3 p.m.: Author Phillip Freeman discusses his book “Oh My Gods,” about Greek myths, with host Ian Williams from WJFF in Jeffersonville, NY.
Audio clips for WGXC programmers
This information is not meant to be read on-air.
The information below are options of pre-recorded material hosts can choose to play.
Audio clips to play
New PSAs/STATION IDs
• A_OFF_PSA_20120122 Ghent Playhouse auditions
Audio headlines for top of the hour
• 5 a.m.: WGXC News 9:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:00
• 6 a.m.: WGXC News 9:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:00
• 7 a.m.: WGXC News 9:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:00
• 9 a.m.: WGXC News 9:15 PLAY CLIP also International Network News (INN), through Audioport 3:00
• 4 p.m.: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
• 5 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News headlines, through fsrn.org
• Midnight: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
Tags: town meetings
The National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory for the entire region from 10:29 p.m., Tue., Jan. 17 through 3 p.m., Wed., Jan. 18. Winds from 20 to 35 mph are expected, with gusts up to 55 mph.
Tags: weather, wind, Wind Advisory
A contributor to Jim Romenesko’s media blog suggests that The Watershed Post, the Catskills new blog, might be up for a Pulitzer Prize this year for its coverage of the floods surrounding Hurricane Irene in late August. From the blog: “The Watershed Post here in New York did fantastic coverage and offered an amazing liveblog during Hurricane Irene and the flooding in the Catskills.” Read Jim Romensko.com here.
Tags: The Watershed Post
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory throughout the region from 10 p.m. until 10 a.m. Tuesday. Snow, freezing rain, sleet, rain, and ice are expected. The storm should turn to all rain after 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Tags: snow, weather, Winter Weather Advisory
In honor of the holiday commemorating King’s birthday, Time.com presents a gallery of photographs by famed civil rights movement photographer Flip Schulke, accompanied by King’s own words on nonviolence, race and his dream for the future of America. Click here for Time.com’s MLK Jr. photo gallery.
John Mason in The Register Star reports that Taghkanic Supervisor Elizabeth Young was involved in a car accident Saturday that took out a power line along Route 9H. Valatie Rescue Squad, the Greenport Fire Department, and the New York State Police responded to the accident, which occurred at 11:26 a.m. Route 9H was closed while emergency personnel worked on the accident. The site was turned over to National Grid an hour later, who set about replacing a pole. Power was out to the surrounding area for several hours while the pole was replaced. State Police are investigating. An update to the story says Young’s car was totaled, and that she was examined at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson and his fine. Read the story in the Register-Star.
Tags: Columbia Memorial Hospital, National Grid, power outages, Taghkanic supervisor
The National Weather Service in Albany issued a Winter Weather Advisory for tonight through 9 a.m. Thursday morning. There could be one or two inches of snow, but also, sleet, ice, freezing rain, and wind. Higher elevations could receive 2-4″ of snow, and more ice. A changeover to cold rain is likely after 9 a.m. Thursday.
Donnie Moorhouse in Masslive.com reports NRBQ’s Tommy Ardolino, a Springfield, MA resident, who died Friday of unknown causes. NRBQ regularly toured through the Catskills over the years, playing last summer without Ardolino at the Bearsville Theater. Above, a YouTube appearance of the drummer on “The Joe Franklin Show” in 1981.
Tags: NRBQ, Tommy Ardolino
Karen Schoemer hosts “The Schoemer Show” Wednesdays from noon to 2 p.m. on WGXC 90.7-FM. This PDF is her playlist for 2011: Read the rest of this entry »
On The Air
WGXC is on 90.7-FM now, at full-power, 3300 watts. We cover all parts of Greene County except parts of the mountaintop, and all of Columbia County except for a bit of Western Columbia County south of Germantown. WGXC also covers a large part of southern Albany County. We have heard reports that the signal is getting from Delaware County to Great Barrington, from Selkirk to Saugerties, from Pine Plains to the I-90 extension.
Local weather/webcams
National Weather Service, Albany
Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page
When the computer is turned on, the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page reports weather information in Harlemville. Check dates and times to see whether reports are live or from when the computer was turned off.
Greene County webcams:
Catskill webcam: Thomas Cole House Claude Mirror
Nearby webcams:
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