First, Mark Dunlea brings us coverage on Governor Hochul’s proposed budget and its effects on health care coverage for New Yorkers

Then, Sean Bernyk speaks with the curator of The Black Experience in the Adirondacks about Dewey Brown ahead of his inclusion in the upcoming exhibition

Later on, Sina Basila Hickey speaks with Design Duo “Fun Stuff” about their new design studio in south troy

After that, we’ll have a piece on the effect of road salt on the environment

Finally, we’ll have a piece on how the effects of the winter months effect the homeless

But first, here are the headlines.

Co-Hosts: Richard Sleeper, Ember | Producer: Jacob Boston

On February 9, three hundred activists came to Albany for an advocacy day with Beyond Plastics to call for passage of the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. The bill would require large companies to reduce their packaging by 30% over 12 years, would ban a dozen toxic chemicals from packaging, and would not allow chemical recycling (aka incineration) to count as recycling. At a press conference, we hear from Judith Enck of Beyond Plastics and the bill’s lead sponsor, Assembly En Con Chair Deborah Glick and Senator Pete Harkham. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Governor Hochul’s proposed budget includes $136.5 billion for health care, virtually the same as this year. Medicaid spending would account for $122.6 billion, a decrease of $3.4 billion or 2.7 percent, primarily due to the loss of federal funding for the Essential Plan. The Essential Plan provides comprehensive health coverage for over 1.7 million moderate income individuals and families The increased state share of Medicaid expenditure is primarily due to $2.6 billion in federal cuts requiring the shift of 486,000 lawfully present immigrants from the Essential Plan to state-funded Medicaid.

At the February 10th state budget hearing on health care, there was virtually no discussion related to passing the NY Health Act to save billions of dollars through a single payer health care system. We hear testimony from Mia Wagner of Health Care for All NY, Lara Kassel of Medicaid Matters NY, Leon Bell of the NYS Nurses Association. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Roller Derby is an exciting sport with a vibrant community--and the Hellions of Troy have an upcoming recruitment night! the Voice of the Hellions, Chowder, and the Lead Manager, Tsunamae, join hosts Marrow and Guy Schaffer live in the studio to discuss all things derby.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine,

First, Mark Dunlea brings us coverage of the NYS budget hearings on transportation.

Then, roaming labor correspondent WIllie Terry speaks with Jamaica Miles, founder of All of Us at the Reclaim MLK Day 2026: A Day of Action, Education & Resistance” event at the First United Methodist Church in Schenectady.

Later on, on the Triple Es, H Bosh Jr speaks with Analusette Shalello, founder of DNA Bodyworx LLC.

After that, we’ll be speaking with May and Chowder, members of the Hellions Roller Derby team in Troy.

Finally, Moses Nagel reports on Troy City Council, where the incoming democratic majority has introduced a new local law, Good Cause Eviction, for public hearing.

At Troy's City Council meeting on February 5, the newly elected Democratic majority continued there efforts to be responsive to community demands by introducing the Good Cause eviction law that many in the city have been demanding. Moses Nagel reports.

"The Black Experience in the Adirondacks" exhibition will include the story of Dewey Brown, the first known African-American member of the Professional Golfers' Association of America and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Curator Charles Clark III speaks with Sean Bernyk about Dewy Brown's connection to the Adirondacks.

"The Black Experience in the Adirondacks" will be an interactive exhibition at the Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, coming in 2027. Charles Clark III will be at The Sanctuary for Independent Media to present about how your objects help to tell the full story of Black life in the Adirondacks with collections on February 18 and 28.

https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/black-experiences-in-the-adirondacks/

https://www.theadkx.org/exhibitions/black-experience-in-the-adiondacks/

On Monday, January 19, 2026, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry attended the ALL OF US “Reclaim MLK Day 2026: A Day of Action, Education & Resistance” at the First United Methodist Church in Schenectady. In this labor segment, Willie interviewed Jamaica Miles, Founder and Director of “ALL Of Us” in Schenectady County, and recorded excerpts from her speech as she shared what reclaiming MLK meant to her.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine we report on this week’s press conference in favor of the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act.

Then, we hear from last Saturday’s Ice out of Troy rally.

Later on, Rosemary talks to a 70 year old former journalist who is now going to law school.

After that, we hear from area residents who support a resolution to have the Rensselaer County Legislature curtail the County Sheriff’s relationship with ICE.

Finally, we finish with a story about celebrating Winter in the new annual festival by PS21, the Center for Contemporary Performance, titled The Dark.

Hosts: Benno Greene; Mark Dunlea

Engineer: Joan Eason

At age 70 Susan Rife ,a retired journalist and book reviewer, began law school. Worried about her creaky memory and busy already caring for her aging and ailing mother, Susan nonetheless is tackling torts, and contracts and crafting legal briefs. Skier Lindsey Vonn who made Olympic news recently attempting an alpine run at age 41 — like Susan — is one of an increasing number of Americans looking to use what environmental Bill McKibbon sees as their third act retirement out changing the world. Journalist Rosemary Armao talks with Susan in this week’s chapter of Beyond the Brink and Fighting Back.