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This week on the Westchester Weekly Brief, two stories dominate the conversation—and both reveal how local decisions can ripple far beyond village lines.

First, we look at Irvington’s proposed North Broadway housing development, a 53-unit apartment project that has ignited a fierce debate over growth, affordability, and village identity. Supporters say the project is a long-overdue step toward creating rental housing for teachers, first responders, and young families. Opponents argue it bends zoning rules, threatens historic preservation, and could overwhelm local infrastructure. As similar battles play out across Westchester—from Pleasantville to New Rochelle—Irvington may become the next test case for how the county handles development pressure.

Then, we turn north to Indian Point, where a controversial proposal to reuse the former nuclear plant site has reopened old wounds. Holtec International has floated the idea of a small modular nuclear reactor to power a large AI data center—sparking immediate backlash from local officials, environmental groups, and longtime plant opponents. While no formal plan has been filed, the proposal raises serious questions about energy demand, land use, public trust, and who gets a say in the future of one of Westchester’s most sensitive sites.

Together, these stories highlight a central tension facing the county: how to balance growth, sustainability, and community character in an era of rising housing demand and massive energy needs.

🎧 Listen for context, consequences, and the bigger picture behind the headlines—without the noise.

I Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.
We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.

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📩 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.iliveheremedia.com
📸 Instagram: @iliveheremedia

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I Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.
We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.

Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?
Email: [email protected]
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This week on The Westchester Brief:

A statewide gas hookup ban for new buildings has been delayed by a federal court challenge. We break down what that means for developers, climate goals, and building costs in Westchester.

MTA fare and toll hikes are now in effect. From Metro-North to Bee-Line to bridge crossings, we look at how much more commuters are paying—and why.

And finally, sumo wrestling is coming to the County Center in White Plains. A world championship event, right in our backyard.

This episode focuses on the systems shaping Westchester County—from energy and infrastructure to a surprising cultural moment.

Support the show

I Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.
We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.

Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iliveheremedia.com
Follow us on Instagram: @iliveheremedia

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This week on The Westchester Brief, host Jim Jockle breaks down three policy developments that may seem unrelated — but together point to a larger shift in the cost and texture of everyday life in Westchester County.

First, we look at Governor Hochul’s push toward universal child care and why child care is increasingly being treated as economic infrastructure rather than a private family issue. For Westchester families, where child care can rival mortgage payments, this reframing could have real implications for work, housing decisions, and long-term affordability.

Next, a minimum wage increase quietly took effect, raising the floor to seventeen dollars an hour. For workers, that means modest relief. For small businesses — especially restaurants and service providers — it sharpens an already difficult balancing act between rising labor costs and survival in a high-cost county.

Finally, we examine a proposal in Rye to restrict both gas and electric leaf blowers. What sounds like a small quality-of-life issue quickly becomes a larger conversation about regulation, shared space, and how communities decide what tradeoffs they’re willing to accept.

These aren’t isolated stories. They’re signals.

This episode of The Westchester Brief helps you understand what’s shifting now — and what to watch next.

New episodes every Monday.

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I Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.
We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.

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In this episode of I Live Here Westchester, host Jim Jockle sits down with Cait Conley, a fourth-generation Hudson Valley native, Special Operations combat veteran, and candidate for Congress in New York’s 17th District — one of the most competitive races in the country.

Cait shares how growing up in a blue-collar, service-oriented family shaped her values, why 9/11 led her to West Point, and what it was like to serve for 16 years on active duty, including six combat deployments and groundbreaking work in tactical Special Operations. The conversation moves from the battlefield to the Situation Room, where Cait later helped lead counterterrorism policy at the National Security Council and election security efforts at CISA.

From there, the discussion turns to politics — and the hard questions. Cait lays out her views on affordability, housing, healthcare, AI, climate change as a national security threat, reproductive rights, veterans’ care, and what “political courage” actually means in Washington today. She explains why NY-17 is a true purple district, why she believes voters deserve a different kind of leadership, and what she would prioritize if elected.

This is a candid, high-stakes conversation about service, accountability, and the future of a district — and a country — at a crossroads.

Support the show

I Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.
We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.

Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iliveheremedia.com
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n this episode of The Westchester Brief, we step away from the headlines and focus on the quieter decisions shaping life in Westchester County.

This week’s brief looks at three developments that reveal how local and regional systems are being protected, stabilized, and quietly modernized—often without much public attention.

First, we break down Westchester County’s 2026 budget. Rather than expanding programs or raising taxes, county leadership chose a defensive posture—cutting spending, eliminating vacant positions, and prioritizing core services amid rising costs and economic uncertainty. We examine what was protected, what was slowed, and what this approach signals about the years ahead.

Next, we examine a major land acquisition by New York City in Westchester—not for development, but for watershed protection. This purchase reinforces how Westchester fits into a much larger regional infrastructure system, supplying drinking water to millions and reducing long-term environmental and financial risk.

Finally, a brief look at how artificial intelligence is entering Westchester’s recycling system. AI-powered sorting technology is being deployed quietly—not as a headline, but as a practical response to labor costs, contamination, and system efficiency.

Taken together, these stories show a county focused less on growth and more on resilience—protecting systems that residents depend on every day, even when they go unnoticed.

Topics Covered:

• Westchester County’s 2026 budget priorities
• Spending reductions without service collapse
• NYC’s watershed land purchase in Westchester
• Regional water infrastructure and long-term risk planning
• AI-powered recycling and waste system modernization

The Westchester Brief is a production of I Live Here Media, spotlighting the decisions, systems, and stories that shape Westchester County beyond the headlines.

Support the show

I Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.
We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.

Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iliveheremedia.com
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Episode Title:
What started as a New Year’s Day dare has become one of Westchester’s most enduring community traditions.

In this episode of I Live Here Westchester, host Jim Jockle sits down with Ken Harris, longtime leader of the Rye Triathlon Club, to talk about the Rye Polar Plunge — now in its 26th year and the longest-running, largest polar plunge in Westchester County.

Ken shares how hundreds of residents gather every New Year’s Day at Oakland Beach in Rye to run into near-40-degree water, run back out just as fast, and raise money for local charities along the way. We talk about why people keep coming back year after year, how the event has become a multi-generational tradition, and why community — not cold — is what really draws people in.

The conversation also explores the broader triathlon community in Rye, the accessibility of the sport for beginners, the rise of cold-water plunging, and why stepping slightly outside your comfort zone can be a powerful way to start the year.

Whether you’re planning to take the plunge, cheer from the sidelines, or just want to understand what keeps this tradition alive, this episode captures a uniquely Westchester way of welcoming the New Year.

Rye Polar Plunge - January 1, 2026 @ 11am, Oakland Beach, Rye NY

Rye Tri Club www.ryetriclub.com

Support the show

I Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.
We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.

Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?
Email: [email protected]
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Most of the biggest decisions affecting Westchester aren’t announced — they’re approved quietly.

In this week’s Westchester Brief, we step back from the headlines and focus on three stories that reveal how systems are actually working beneath the surface.

First, we take a closer look at Westchester County contracts and continued investment in Playland, breaking down what’s being funded, how much money is involved, and why these long-term commitments matter for residents heading into 2026.

Next, we examine accessibility within the MTA system, including what progress has been made at key Metro-North stations across Westchester — and why advocates say gaps still exist. This isn’t just about compliance; it’s about who public transit truly works for.

And finally, a story that grabbed attention for all the wrong reasons — two crocodiles discovered in a Yonkers residence. It’s unusual, but it also raises serious questions about enforcement, regulation, and how local systems respond to edge-case risks.

This episode is designed to give you context — not noise — so you can better understand what’s shaping life in Westchester right now.

In this episode:

• How millions in county contracts quietly lock in priorities for years
• What continued investment at Playland signals about long-term strategy
• Which Metro-North stations are accessible — and where gaps remain
• Why transit accessibility affects far more than just a small group of riders
• What a bizarre Yonkers crocodile story reveals about regulation and response

If this episode helped you think more clearly about the week ahead, consider sharing it with someone who lives or works in Westchester.

Support the show

I Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.
We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.

Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iliveheremedia.com
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In this week’s episode of The Westchester Brief, host Jim Jockle breaks down three under-the-radar developments that will shape life across Westchester heading into 2026.

First, a look at how recently finalized county budget and policy decisions are locking in the priorities for infrastructure, services, and long-term investments. These aren't headline-grabbing moments — but they’re the ones that determine what gets funded, what gets delayed, and which projects never leave the planning phase.

Second, New York State has enacted legislation to expand confidential mental health access for law enforcement officers. It’s a sign of a larger shift: police wellness is now being recognized as critical infrastructure. This episode explains why that framing matters, and what changes it’s likely to drive in local departments.

Finally, something quieter — but just as meaningful. Participation in local events is up. Residents are choosing hyper-local holiday programming over city-bound plans. That behavioral shift is fueling local commerce, cultural visibility, and renewed interest in shared community spaces.

Smart, focused, and relevant — this is The Westchester Brief. New episodes every Monday.

Support the show

I Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.
We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.

Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iliveheremedia.com
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We’re bringing back one of the most-loved episodes of I Live Here Westchester — a deep dive into the story, scale, and spirit behind American Christmas, the powerhouse responsible for some of the most iconic holiday displays in New York City.

In this encore conversation, CEO Dan Casterella takes us behind the scenes of a business that operates year-round to deliver joy in a matter of hours. We go from 50-foot engineered trees to 450 overnight Manhattan installs, global supply chain challenges, patents you’ll never see, and the incredible community impact happening right here in Westchester.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How American Christmas grew from a Bronx plant shop into a national holiday leader
• What it’s really like to start as a 19-year-old seasonal worker and eventually run the company
• The post-9/11, 2012, and 2020 turning points that reshaped the business
• How designs go from rough concept to engineered installations sourced from multiple countries
• The overnight Manhattan transformation—hundreds of installs, 24/7 teams, zero margin for error
• The tech, materials, and quiet innovations driving modern holiday displays
• How Dan’s team manages a 12-month supply chain cycle for a 6-week installation sprint
• Why Mount Vernon became home base, and how the team shuttled workers from the Bronx daily
• The origins and impact of Holiday Lane, including its 100% give-back model for local charities
• The rise of Christmas in July, the booming Halloween market, and what other holidays are taking off
• How American Christmas is shaping seasonal joy far beyond December

Whether you’re a Westchester local, a holiday fanatic, or just love hearing how big ideas scale, this encore is worth a revisit.

Support the show

I Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.
We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.

Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iliveheremedia.com
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In this hilarious and surprisingly insightful holiday episode of I Live Here Westchester, host Jim Jockle sits down with an all-star expert panel whose credentials are simple and irrefutable:

1. They are women, and
2. They receive gifts.

Joining Jim are Christy Jockle, Lindsay Crotty Walsh, and Debbie Spano for a rapid-fire conversation about what women actually want — and absolutely do not want — during the holiday season. From jewelry and spa days to tech gadgets, kitchen appliances, personalized presents, and the underrated power of experience gifts, nothing is off the table in this lightning-round laugh fest.

The panel breaks down the biggest gifting hits and misses, shares personal horror stories (including a Meile vacuum, a Peloton, and some truly regrettable golf outfits), and offers husbands one clear takeaway: thoughtfulness beats price every time.

Whether you’re holiday shopping, panic-buying, or planning your strategy for next year, this episode will save you — and your relationship.

Support the show

I Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.
We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.

Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.iliveheremedia.com
Follow us on Instagram: @iliveheremedia

Subscribe, rate, and share to support local storytelling.