What can you do with five big but no longer needed prisons scattered through remote areas of the Adirondack Mountains? As it turns out, not much. Sales to private concerns for repurposing or economic development are impossible because the New York State Constitution demands that the enormous Adirondacks region remain forever wild. Long-time investigative journalist and NY State expert Jim Odata is a guest of Beyond the Brink and Fighting Back podcast this week. Listen to him tell stories about empty prisons, Olympic event venues, and the demands of rich landowners that have kept him busy for decades.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine,

First, Mark Dunela talks with Mark Emanation of CDALF about the upcoming May Day Rally in Albany .

Then, we headed to the Albany Capitol where a press conference in support of Tax the Rich and Invest in Our NY took place.

Later on, Meg Kelley talks with Lindsey Malek is a board member of Shenendehowa's Environmental Club about Youth climate activism.

After that, Greg Creft Tells about the “Will They Won’t They” Stand up comedy Show .

Finally, This week, Thom Francis welcomes poet Andy Fogle to the mic. He was one of the eight featured poets who read their work at The Fish Market in Troy last fall.

Hosts: Sina Basila Hickey and Caelan McPherson

Engineer: Henry VanHaverbeke

At the Tax the Rich rally at the Albany Capitol on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, many pointed out that in NYState it isn't the ultra rich who are leaving, it's the working class families who can no longer afford to live here. In this segment we hear from the campaign manager of Invest In Our NY, Senator Robert Jackson, Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, and Assemblyperson Phil Steck. Recording and editing by Sina Basila Hickey.

While May Day has traditionally been about worker rights, in recent years, immigrant rights have become a major focus. This year groups across the country will join to demand an end to ICE funding, the closure of detention centers, and a pathway to citizenship for all. We hear from a press conference by the Fair Immigration Reform Movement or FIRM. Speakers are Murad Awawdeh, of the New York Immigrant Coalition, Adriana Rivera of the Florida Immigrant Coalition; Angelica Salas of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights; and, Lawrence Benito, of The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. May Day events in Albany include a picnic and rally with Indivisible at 2:30 pm in Washington Park and by labor unions at 5:30 PM at West Capitol Park.

This week, Thom Francis welcomes poet Andy Fogle to the mic. He was one of the eight featured poets who read their work at The Fish Market in Troy last fall.

+++++

Andy Fogle read at the Eight Poets event on October 11, 2025, at The Fish Market in Troy, presented by Trailer Park Quarterly, Hobo Camp Review, Paper Moon bookstore, and the Hudson Valley Writers Guild.

He shared poems about family and abolitionist John Brown, along with other work.

Fogle is the author of Mother Countries, Across from Now, and seven chapbooks. A 2021 Saratoga Arts grant recipient, his work has appeared in Best New Poets 2018, Tahoma Literary Review, and Potomac Review. He is the poetry editor at Salvation South and teaches English at Bethlehem Central High School.

First, Ellie Irons talks with Fruition Seeds about The Gift of Seed: Growing Gardens & Cultures of Care Beyond Consumption, an event taking place Saturday May 2nd at The Sanctuary for Independent Media.

Then, we have a story on ticks and tick prevention from our broadcast partners, WGXC.

Later on, we welcome back retired National Weather Service Meteorologist Hugh Johnson to give us our weekly weather update.

After that, we have Everybody Moves, our weekly series that profiles the migration stories from members of our community.

Finally, we join Paul Smart as he interviews patrons of the Albany Public Library about their relationship to the works of Shakespeare.

Co-Hosts: Sean Bernyk, Sina Basila Hickey

Engineer: Kalix Sausville

The Capital District Area Labor Federation is holding a MAY DAY rally in West Capitol Park in Albany on May 1st at 5:30 PM. International Workers’ Day is the day the world celebrates the bravery of workers throughout history who have sacrificed for safety, dignity and justice on the job. This year's even will speak out against the attacks on immigrannts, the war in Iran, and the suppression of democracy. Mark Emanation of CDALF talks with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Join Fruition Seeds and Soul Fire Farm at The Sanctuary for Independent Media for a special seed gifting and exchange event. Receive an abundance of seeds to sow in your community as we cultivate gift culture together. Petra Page-Mann of Fruition Seeds speaks with the Sanctuary's Ellie Irons. Learn more: https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/the-gift-of-seed/

This piece focuses on a protest safety training in the Capital Region, combining on-site observations with interviews from participants and organizers.

With spring slowly progressing in the Capital District, botanist Rich Ring with the Natural Heritage program talks with Mark Dunlea about the changes we are seeing. He discusses birds, ephemeral flowers, fireflies, maple syrup, amphibians, and tree leaves.