Radio Chatskill

A record-breaking heat wave envelopes the northeast this week with temperatures approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 

A "heat dome" parking itself over the region gives the heat wave its unusual duration with blazing temperatures to last several days. The heat wave causes a serious health risk, particularly to the elderly and those working outside.

Tim Bruno spoke to Mark Pellerito, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service, about the heat wave and how to stay safe.

New York education officials have unveiled a proposal that would transform the state’s graduation requirements. 

From the New YORK Public News Network, WAMC’s Lucas Willard reports that the plan is intended to bring equity to all students, but some questions remain.

Residents and business owners have raised concerns over the proposed closure of Exit 114 on State Route 17 West. This closure is part of the Route 17 expansion project, aimed at improving a 30-mile stretch of the highway from Exit 113 in Wurtsboro, Sullivan County, to Interstate 87 in Woodbury, Orange County. The project's objectives include enhancing operational efficiency and safety, easing congestion, and ensuring the corridor meets Interstate standards.

On Wednesday, June 12th, at Veterans Park, State Senator Peter Oberacker of the 51st District joined local officials, business owners, and residents at a rally in the village of Wurtsboro to oppose the closure of Exit 114.

The Delaware River Basin Commission hosted a public meeting on Wednesday, June 5 in Narrowsburg. Organizations and members of the public spoke before the DRBC and shared their concerns about how climate change and various development projects are impacting the river. 

Reporter Marin Scotten has a recap of the event and is joined by Tracy Carluccio, the deputy director of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network to hear her thoughts on how the meeting went and what she hopes it will accomplish.

It’s early summer, and honey bees are keeping busy with foraging for nectar and pollen, nurturing their larvae, and producing honey. But what are the beekeepers up to? Radio Catskill reporter Chia-Tien Nicole Chen spoke to Robyn Underwood, the Extension Educator of Apiculture at Penn State, to find out.

With nearly 30 years of researching honey bees and a PhD in entomology from the University of Manitoba under her belt, Underwood describes her work as “teach[ing] beekeepers to be better beekeepers.” She devised an online, self-paced course called “Beekeeping 102: Organic Honeybee Colony Management,” which is now open for registration through PennState Extension. In it, she goes over beekeeping methods such as organic-approved pest control techniques and a calendar of tasks to be completed throughout the seasons.

The Sullivan Catskills are about to get a whole lot more fabulous this weekend. "Drag Me to the Catskills" is a weekend-long Pride Celebration featuring drag queens, performances, and more.

Tim Bruno spoke to Mrs. Kasha Davis (aka Ed Popil) who calls herself the "The Ultimate Workhorse Queen" about the countywide drag events.

Joe Johnson is a retired Port Jervis science teacher and Radio Catskill volunteer. He's sharing the Science Stories that caught his eye recently, including a stellar explosion, the "heat dome" that's broiling the Western US, and how tiger beetles might be mimicking the sounds of poisonous bugs so bats will avoid eating them. 

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger has announced the release of the 2023 Executive Annual Report, now available online.

The report provides a thorough overview of the mission, operations, programs, and services offered by the county government's 26 departments for the 2023 fiscal year.

It includes detailed facts and figures about the services provided and the number of individuals served.

According to the County Charter, the annual report must be presented to the County Legislature each year.

Jen Metzger speaks with Radio Catskill's Tim Bruno about the report, focusing on mental health and affordable housing, and how Ulster County plans to address these critical issues.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a significant about-face Wednesday when she put an “indefinite pause” on a plan to charge a new toll for drivers entering lower Manhattan. 

The $15 congestion pricing toll for most drivers had been slated to begin June 30th. 

A number of lawsuits were filed to stop it. Hochul — in the past a vocal supporter of congestion pricing — says the timing is not right to begin the new program after all. 

As Karen DeWitt of the New York Public News Network reports, the decision comes as other anti climate change initiatives are floundering, as the legislative session draws to a close.

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, many folks are pulling their bikes out of storage and hitting the roads and trails.

Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, it's essential to stay safe and keep your bike running smoothly. Contributor Tracy Gates took a ride down to her local bike shop in Jeffersonville to talk with the owner of Catskill CycleWorks, Jon Thorndike, to get some summer biking safety tips.