Radio Chatskill

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced last week that the state has kicked off an $18 million project to improve safety along Route 17 in Sullivan County. That’ll include major safety upgrades to roadways between the Hamlet of Parksville and the Village of Liberty.

State Route 17 becomes an increasingly busy highway during the summertime, carrying on average 19,400 vehicles daily during the summer months.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Sullivan County Legislator Luis Alvarez about what kinds of safety upgrades residents can expect. 

New York officials and residents are demanding answers after news broke that the federal government had leased a warehouse in Newburgh for $35.5 million. While the Trump administration hasn’t specified for what purpose, federal records suggest it could be for ICE.

The news comes just five months after Orange County residents staunchly opposed a proposed ICE facility in Chester. ICE later told New York Assemblymember Brian Maher that they would not pursue those plans.

More than 300 people rallied in Newburgh last night, according to organizers, to oppose ICE’s presence in the Hudson Valley. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar has the story.

Local activists are doubling down on their efforts to end Orange County Jail’s agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as new state laws prohibiting local cooperation with ICE go into effect and a new federal lease in Newburgh raises concerns.

Radio Catskill's Kimberly Izar spoke with Vanessa Cid, For the Many organizer, about the push to end the county's ICE contract. 

Optum Health has announced it’s considering selling certain specialty practices affiliated with Optum Medical Care and Crystal Run Health to other large New York health systems. That includes orthopedics, general surgery, and urology, among others.

A spokesperson for Optum Health said that they’ve signed or are negotiating letters of intent with some health systems – with the goal of closing sales by the end of 2026.

But some Crystal Run Healthcare workers are worried about what this means for patient and worker care. Crystal Run workers, meanwhile, have been pushing for a stronger contract, including safer staffing and better healthcare benefits.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Anna Oman and Krystal Shorette with healthcare union 1199SEIU about the possible sale and what Optum workers are calling for.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this week on Tuesday that states may ban transgender women and girls from participating in school and college sports.

The decision marks a devastating blow for LGBTQ+ advocates around the country and is part of a series of state and federal rollbacks for trans protections.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Charlie Solidum, Director of Programs and Services at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center in Kingston, about what the court ruling means for transgender communities across New York state.