This week, Thom Francis welcomes local writers S.L. Maurice & Shannon Kauderer to the mic. They shared their work at the annual “Year in Review” event at Mojo’s Cafe & Gallery in downtown Troy on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

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Early last month, poets and writers got together for the “Year in Review,” the Hudson Valley Writers Guild’s Annual Meeting and Open Mic at Mojo’s Cafe in Troy. A full range of writers took the stage that afternoon to share their poetry and prose, and today we are going to hear from two of those writers.

First up is S.L. Maurice, who been very active in the local community by leading writing workshops, hosting events, and serving on the HVWG board. At the “Year in Review,” Sam shared two poems as a preview of his featured reading at the Third Thursday Poetry Night at the Social Justice Center in Albany on January 15.

Next up is science fiction writer and co-founder of the Albany Writers Group Shannon Kauderer. The Albany Writers Group runs two Sunday evening write-in sessions every week in East Greenbush and Clifton Park. Shannon read an except of a short story that was recently published in “Catskill Chaos.”

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine,

First, Mark Dunlea brings us coverage from the launch of the Hinckel United Tenant Union at Hinckel Brewery Apartments in Park Avenue in Albany.

Then, Mark Dunlea talks to members of various advocacy groups at the Peoples State of State advocating for various issues such as: a more robust food assistance program and the rejection of building new nuclear capacities in NY state.

Later on, Hugh Johnson joins us to discuss some of the significant weather events of 2025.

After that, we have our weekly series Everybody Moves where Yue, an international student from China joins us to talk about his migration journey to the US.

Finally, Yi Lu talks to end of life doula Michele Polacinski about her work at the Albany Death Cafe.

With the State Legislature back in Albany, advocacy efforts are picking up. From Monday January 12, we file reports from an anti-hunger news conference called the People’s State of the State with Reverends Dustin Longmire and Joe Paporone, followed by Patty Durand of Georgians for Affordable Energy who along with the Alliance for a Nuclear Free NY met with legislative leaders and staff to explain why NY should not duplicate Georgia’s fiasco in building new nuclear plants as Gov. Hochul is proposing. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

With the State Legislature back in Albany, rallies are beginning again. The recent murder by ICE of Renee Good in Minneapolis is increasing pressure of the state legislature and the Governor to finally pass the New York for All Act which would provide prohibit local governments from cooperating with ICE. Here is audio from the January 12 2026 rally on the Million Dollar Staircase in the Capitol

Hands Off Venezuela was the theme of a January 11th rally and march at Townsend Park in Albany, sponsored by a coalition of groups including the Albang Green Party, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Jewish Voice for Peace, DSA, Porcupine, Capital District Sanctuary Committee, and Veterans for Peace. More than 150 people joined the call for the Trump administration to stop its efforts of regime change, to halt the theft of Venezuela’s oil, and to immediately release President Madura. We hear from Chris Garamone and Samaiya of PSL; Dio from Capital District DSA; Mark Mishler from Jewish Voices for Peace; Tracy Sangaré from 518CRSC; John Amidon from Veterans for Peace; and Peter LaVenia of the Green Party. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Tenants at the Hinckel Brewery Apartments on Park Ave in Albany publicly launched their tenant union Saturday morning, confronting building ownership over what they describe as dangerous living conditions, rising rents, and management efforts to discourage organizing. After months of unresolved complaints, tenants organized a supermajority of the building and are now going public, delivering a formal demand letter and calling for immediate negotiations with owner Patrick Chiou and Albany Management Group. We hear from Bebhinn Francies of United Tenants of Albany, and tenants Rachel Reilly, Jim Keil, Sadie Drake, and Kate Bohn.

First, Mark Dunlea reviews Governor Hochul’s second climate report card with Climate Can’t Wait' Bob Cohen

Then, Frances Sweet of Indivisible joins us in the studio to talk about their upcoming events that contrasts the the efforts of civil rights activist Martin Luther King to those of President Trump

Later on, Yi Lu from UAlbany talks to Amanda E., of the Capital Region Sanctuary Coalition, about community members have come together to report ICE activity and stand against mass deportation

After that, we have some youth book recommendations from the Troy Public Library

Finally, we hear about chickens and compost at Radix

Co-Hosts; Richard Sleeper, Ember. Engineer: Jacob Boston

The Democrats in last year 's elections won all six Council seats in Troy. City Council President Sue Steele discusses the Council's plans for the upcoming year with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine. Issues discussed include increasing public input; Good Cause eviction; City Hall; and a proposed moratorium on Battery Storage.

The woman who was shot and killed by ICE on Wednesday was Renée Nicole Macklin Good, a self described herself “poet and writer and wife and mom.” Good's award-winning poem “On Learning to Dissect Fetal Pigs” is read by poet Nancy Klepsch and followed by a conversation about the power of poetry and the poem "Home" by Warsan Shire. Sina Basila Hickey spoke with Nancy.

Since 1883, YWCA of the Greater Capital Region has been a sanctuary for women—providing safe, affordable, and supportive housing for those who need it most. Jamie Crouse spoke with Vinny DamaPoleto about what they offer and upcoming events.

https://www.ywca-gcr.org/