Radio Chatskill

President Donald Trump has proposed a 100% tariff on movies produced outside of the United States, claiming that “the movie industry in America is dying a very fast death.” 

Trump announced in early May that he authorized the Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to impose a tariff on all films shown in the U.S. that are produced overseas.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke to Krissy Smith, owner of The Callicoon Theater, about what the proposed tariffs could mean for small businesses. Note that Smith is a Radio Catskill board member.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a $254 billion state budget last week.

As reaction from advocacy organizations pours in, from the New York Public News Network, WAMC’s Lucas Willard spoke with Pete Lopez, Executive Director of Policy, Advocacy and Science at Scenic Hudson, about some of the environmental policy that was included — and omitted — from the final budget deal.

 
We're thankful for the governor's attention for, the attention of the legislature to protecting and stewarding our natural resources and ensuring that we have clean air, clean water. We're moving in a direction of sustainability. And again, we have confidence that this is a conscious effort, not just from the environmental leadership in the legislature, but from the legislature as a whole to protect and steward those important elements that we feel our need to protect public health and safety and quality of life from an environmental public health standpoint,

One of the major environmental items in the budget is the continued support for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act. That's $500 million, that's a maintaining of funding. What can you tell me about the importance of this program and this investment that we're seeing, a total of $500 million for the fiscal year 2026 budget?

So, I can wear a cuts and hat, but I can also wear my former local official and former Assembly and EPA hat. So ultimately, to meet clean water standards for surface water, for drinking water for discharge requires investment, and so local officials who are involved with water and sewer point discharge, combined sewer overflows, drinking water systems, do their best, and they work under the guidance of DEC, Department of Environmental Conservation, and Department of Health to meet these standards, but ultimately, support is needed. State, federal funds are needed to try to make these systems meet these requirements and build new capacity where there are known threats to public health and safety. So, these investments are critical. And I'm sure many colleagues would say that that the need far outstrips the available resources, particularly as we again, when we try to bring communities up to standards. Last piece I'll add is the science is constantly evolving. So, as we talk about forever chemicals. Now, we have the consideration of PFAs, PFOA in the conversation too. And how do we protect drinking water sources and what additional mitigation is required there to be protective? So, it's an evolving landscape, a lot of unmet need and a critical role for state and federal partners to help to augment and support local efforts.

Speaking of your own experience, I mean, Pete, you have experience working in state government, working in the nonprofit sector, working as a former EPA Regional Administrator, and looking at the funding landscape for projects that are important to Scenic Hudson in New York State, amid a changing regulatory environment at the federal level, are there any programs in New York that you find particularly important right now, as there is changing or proposed changes to environmental regulations, what's being discussed by the current administration?

I would say that we've had a fair amount of conversation in and around the area of land conservation, including farmland conservation. So, Scenic Hudson, again, with its land conservation team, does work to leverage private funds and working with private landowners with federal sources of funding, and that that has been an area of question as to, you know, the availability of funds, and the ultimate amount of funds that could be made available for such conservation. So, there is concern around that. We are monitoring that and assessing how that fits within our teams and the land conservation model that Scenic Hudson uses. Beyond that, we certainly do pay attention, are concerned about federal funding for clean water infrastructure. We are very much focused on funding for remediation, and I'll just say we're focused on staffing. Because part of it is not just dollar allocation, it's also staffing available to help support and advance outcomes. So, as we look at key agencies, EPA, for example, USDA and others, we are concerned about, what does that mean in terms of program availability, program support, flow of funding, timeliness of funding. So, those are some issues that we're monitoring and continuing to assess. Much of it’s playing out in real time, in front of us, as you know.

There is, in the budget, an exemption for nonprofit organizations like Scenic Hudson, from the so-called “mansion tax.” What can you tell me about that tax and now this exemption that was included in the state budget?

Yeah, so with the mansion tax and that had come to us and other partners, kind of working its way up from Long Island, but the premise being that, where conservation efforts are being contemplated, that that as there's an effort to acquire property, irrespective of whether there may be a structure on it, the observation was having the structure on it was adding an additional cost and making it harder to stretch limited dollars for conservation purposes. So, that was really the gist of the request for the exemption, is to allow not have a conservation organization have to pay a tax on a structure that it may have required as part of preserving land and forests and farms. So, that was really a practical consideration of trying to help stretch the conservation dollars further.

Now there's also $425 million, which is a record, for the Environmental Protection Fund and a lot of the programs in the EPF grants, they're flexible. There's a lot of different ways that recipients can use this funding. Why is it valuable to have that…one, have that funding, but two, have that funding be made available for a variety of projects, whether it's climate resiliency, soil and water conservation, you name it?

So, to the extent that the EPF is a known and respected source of dedicated funding, that that is really paramount to the environmental community. So, protecting the sanctity, the integrity of the EPF for all those purposes that you mentioned, remains really a beacon, a critical, critical consideration, for environmental protection, for land use conservation, for investment in farms, for sustainability, so the extent that that that fund was grown again, folks are celebrating an investment. It's been a long time since the EPF has been increased, and it gives more opportunity to have dedicated funding on a year a year-to-year basis, with some degree of certainty that these dollars will be available. So, for any organization to have to have some certainty or some sense of fund availability, help through planning and developing outcomes and initiating product projects and reaching out to other potential participants and stakeholders, so it's very much a galvanizing and a catalyst to drive these actions statewide.

Is there anything that Scenic Hudson advocated for that didn't make it into the final budget?

Yes, and this one's a sensitive one. So you may have been familiar with efforts to modernize New York's land use mechanism, it's land acquisition mechanism like OSI, Open Space Institute and others were heavily involved in trying to address one key element, and particularly that of title insurance. And in that regard, there was a call for, from a statutory perspective, making clear that the legislature and the governor were encouraging the use of third-party title insurance to help facilitate more rapid movement of conservation from nonprofits and others into state holdings. That particular item has not gained the traction we had hoped, there have been some challenges working with...

Hurricane and wildfire seasons are quickly approaching. How the federal government and local governments respond to disasters could be changing, too.

President Donald Trump has proposed eliminating FEMA, the federal agency charged with emergency and disaster management, and has made sweeping layoffs and funding cuts to the agency, raising concerns about the impact on local communities.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Sullivan County resident Henry de la Cova, a former FEMA Corps member who was laid off as part of broader federal funding cuts, about his experience with FEMA and his perspective on the future of the agency.

Sullivan County Government Communications Director Dan Hust shared key County Government updates about measles, the ongoing homeless shelter debate, county waste management, and more on Radio Catskill Friday.

Public Health Advisory on Measles

In response to a regional uptick in measles cases, the Sullivan County Public Health Department has issued an advisory urging unvaccinated individuals to contact their healthcare providers. Measles is highly contagious but preventable with timely vaccination. The advisory outlines symptoms, exposure protocols, and local vaccination resources. Residents are encouraged to visit the Public Health website for additional guidance.

Homeless Shelter Discussion Ongoing

The County Legislature continues to deliberate on a proposed homeless shelter. While a final decision has not yet been made, the discussion may lead to another public hearing and a vote in the coming week. The issue involves multiple factors, including funding, location, and community input.

Waste Management: Enforcing Flow Control

County leaders are currently evaluating how to enforce the “flow control” law, which mandates specific guidelines for the disposal of solid waste. The goal is to ensure an environmentally sound and fiscally responsible approach to waste management. Additional updates will be shared as enforcement mechanisms are finalized.

May Declared Missing Persons Month

Hope Alive 845, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping locate missing persons, addressed the Legislature this week. In recognition of its mission and efforts, the Legislature officially proclaimed May as Missing Persons Month in Sullivan County. The move aims to raise awareness and support for families affected by these cases.

Community Events and Announcements

• Citizens Preparedness Class: A free training session will be held on May 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Emergency Operations Center. Registration is required, and attendees will receive a free emergency preparedness kit. The class is designed to help residents effectively respond to various types of emergencies.
• Lifeguard Certification Courses: Certification courses are being offered locally throughout this month and next. Prospective lifeguards can find more information and register through the Parks Department webpage.
• Fort Delaware Reopens: The historic Fort Delaware site will open for the season on May 17. It remains a popular destination for families, history enthusiasts, and educational groups.
• DPW Equipment Auction: Beginning next week, the Department of Public Works will auction 31 surplus items. Details and bidding information are available on the County’s website.

Budget Division Recognized for Excellence

The Division of Management & Budget has been honored with its 10th consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. This recognition reflects the division’s commitment to transparency, planning, and financial excellence.

Honoring Jail Staff
As part of National Correction Officers and Employees Week, Sullivan County acknowledges and appreciates the dedication of its Jail staff. These professionals play a vital role in maintaining safety and order within the correctional system.

Since its launch in 2018, the Deep Water Literary Festival has drawn some of the most celebrated names in contemporary literature, and this year is no exception.

With a theme of Metamorphosis and Transformation, the 2025 festival welcomes authors like Douglas Stuart, Susan Choi, and Marlon James—alongside dancers, visual artists, and musicians—for a weekend of bold conversations and boundary-crossing performances.

Aaron Hicklin, co-founder and director of Deep Water, talks about this year’s highlights, the power of storytelling, and what it means to create a world-class literary event in a river town on the edge of New York and Pennsylvania.

The Roman Catholic Church made history this week with the election of Pope Leo, the first American to ascend to the papacy. The surprise choice has drawn reactions from around the world, including from Rev. Dr. Ivan Kaszczak, pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kerhonkson, New York.

In an interview shortly after the announcement, Rev. Kaszczak described his reaction as one of “pleasant surprise,” noting that many, including himself, did not expect the conclave to choose an American. “I really thought that they would not elect an American pope,” he said. “But first time in history. I hope it's the providential hand of God saying, ‘You need this man.’”

Pope Leo, though born in Chicago, spent the majority of his life serving as a missionary in Peru. His background, according to Kaszczak, is both humbling and spiritually resonant. “He seems very humble, very talented, smart, thoughtful,” he noted. “He's got a tough job.”

Pope Leo is a member of the Order of St. Augustine, the same religious order that once counted Martin Luther among its members. Drawing on the rich theological roots of the order, which traces back to St. Augustine of Hippo, Kaszczak emphasized the balance the new pope will need to strike: upholding doctrinal truths while remaining pastorally sensitive.

Reflecting on the legacy of Pope Francis, Kaszczak expressed hope that Pope Leo would continue a focus on the poor and marginalized. “There’s an old saying,” he said, “‘The Church is not a museum for saints; it’s a hospital for sinners.’” He hopes the new pontiff will embrace this mission with the same compassion and clarity as his predecessor.

However, Kaszczak also acknowledged the complexities facing the Church in a rapidly changing world. “Some people may want the Church to be progressive in allowing certain things it can never allow,” he said. “It’s the worst thing in the world to tell someone you disagree with them even though you love them. And that’s a tough thing, and that’s what the Pope has to do a lot.”

Central to his remarks was the theme of human dignity. “Every human being is invaluable,” Kaszczak stated. “For the Church, it’s not about using people to build some ideal society — it’s about saving and respecting each person.”

He concluded with a reflection on the true mission of the Church under Pope Leo’s leadership: “Our goal is not to convert people. Our goal is to share the faith of Christ, help people, and then they decide what they want to do. That decision is utmost. You have to have freedom in order to be sincere and honest.”

As Pope Leo begins his papacy, the eyes of the world — and the hearts of the faithful — will be watching closely, hoping that his leadership will carry forward a message of mercy, humility, and strength grounded in timeless faith.

Would you like a short bio of Pope Leo included in this article?

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month – a time to celebrate the rich contributions and culture of AAPI communities nationally and locally here in the Catskills.

In Orange County, a Korean-owned farm and brewery is bringing traditional Korean culinary techniques to the Neversink River, a popular fishing site for fly fishing enthusiasts.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke to the owner of New York Makgeolli Brewery & Pub, Rosalyn Kim, about the importance of preserving Korean food traditions in the Catskills.

Rising utility bills and affordability are top of mind for many New Yorkers.

But what if those high bills aren’t just a result of market prices or bad weather, but actually baked into the system by outdated laws?

Right now, utilities across the state are required to spend billions maintaining and expanding fossil gas infrastructure—even as the state tries to move away from fossil fuels altogether. 

It’s a system that many experts say is locking us into decades of unnecessary costs and pollution. Some advocates say the New York Home Energy Affordable Transition Act—or NY HEAT for short—could change all that. 

Its goal is to give utilities the flexibility to invest in cleaner, more cost-effective energy solutions like building electrification, instead of more gas pipes and service lines.

Christopher Casey is Utility Regulatory Director for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in New York. He’s been closely tracking the state’s utility spending and advocating for smarter, more affordable ways to power our homes and buildings.

This weekend, an unexpected email from the National Endowment for the Arts landed like a bang at two local theatre companies: Farm Arts Collective in Damascus, Pennsylvania, and NACL in Highland Lake, NY. 

Farm Arts was informed that its $10,000 federal arts grant, already awarded and in use for their 2025 production, was being withdrawn. NACL lost a $20,000 grant.  No explanation. No warning.

These funding losses threaten not only these local groups but also the local cultural and economic ecosystem that has grown up around them 

We spoke to Tannis Kowalchuk, founding artistic director of Farm Arts Collective, and Brett Keyser, Director of Engagement at NACL, about the broader implications of this decision—from the fate of rural arts organizations to the value a nation places on its creative voices.

Joe Johnson is our resident science guy who brings us stories that caught his eye this week. From Soviet spacecraft hurtling back toward Earth—and even a controversial signal of life from a distant exoplanet—to carnivorous caterpillars in Hawaiian spider webs, it's weird, it's fascinating, and it’s all real science.