Radio Chatskill

It’s one of the most unique film events happening right here in the Catskills. The Too Short to Suck Film Festival and Awards Show is returning to Parksville, NY, for its second year, celebrating the art of storytelling — in two minutes or less.

 Ali Azoios and Marcus Brooks are the organizers behind this fast-paced, ultra-creative festival. They shared some of the submissions they’ve seen so far, how filmmakers can still get involved before the deadline, and what’s in store for this year’s event on May 17th at New Memories.

Governor Kathy Hochul says New Yorkers should expect real relief from the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget — but according to lawmakers on the ground, the deal isn’t done yet.

In an interview with Radio Catskill, Assemblymember Paula Kay (D-100th District) said that although a framework has been reached on major policy priorities, the financial details of the $254 billion budget have not been finalized.

Governor Hochul earlier in the day announced an agreement had been reached with legislative leaders on key parts of the budget, calling it “a balanced, fiscally responsible budget” that will “make a real difference for New York families.”

The proposed budget includes:

• A $1 billion tax cut for middle- and low-income New Yorkers — the largest in nearly 70 years.
• Doubling the Child Tax Credit for many families, including $1,000 per child under age 4.
• $2 billion in “Inflation Refund” checks for 8 million New Yorkers.
• $2.2 billion for expanded child care access, including $350 million for subsidies in New York City.
• A bell-to-bell cellphone ban in all public schools, with $13.5 million in implementation aid.
• $37 billion in School Aid, $357 million for gun violence prevention, and $68.4 billion for MTA capital investments.
• Changes to discovery laws and increased funding for prosecutors and defenders.

However, Kay said critical fiscal elements — including hospital funding, child care distribution, and school aid formulas — are still under active discussion.

She added that while this is her first budget cycle as a legislator, her proposal to expand the use of virtual criminal arraignments — aimed at reducing court backlogs — will be included as part of the broader public safety reforms.

Across the Capitol, State Senator Peter Oberacker (R-Schenevus) has also not seen a final budget. In a statement from his office, Communications Director Daniel Koerner confirmed:

While legislative leaders have signaled they are close to enacting the full package, the votes have not yet been scheduled, and lawmakers remain in conference.

Alex Prizgintas is a local author, musician, and historian whose passion for preserving the legacy of the Catskills' famed Borscht Belt has captured the attention of audiences across the region.

Through his lecture Borscht Belt Artifacts: Relics of the Catskill Resort Age, Alex brings to life the rich history of the once-thriving hotels, bungalow colonies, and cultural crossroads that defined a generation. 

He's also an advisory board member for the Borscht Belt Museum in Ellenville, helping to ensure this important piece of American history isn't forgotten.

Spring is in the air — and so are the dandelions. This Saturday, the 2nd Annual Dandelion Festival is blooming at Momo Global Flowers Farm in Jeffersonville, NY. 

From cooking demos to dye workshops, the festival is all about celebrating the magic of the season’s most cheerful flower. 

Josephine Clearwater is one of the festival’s featured experts, who will be sharing her knowledge on how to use every part of the dandelion — from flower to root — in ways you might never expect. 

In a world increasingly focused on wellness and connection, Nandini Austin is inviting women to move in more ways than one.

The visionary behind Temple Goddess Global Dance Fusion & Ayurveda Workshop, Austin has made it her mission to help women around the world rediscover the rhythm of their bodies and the power of their inner selves.

Speaking with Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo, Austin described her role as a “philosophical edutainer,” blending ancient traditions, multicultural dance, and the holistic wisdom of Ayurveda into a dynamic and empowering experience.

At the heart of her work is Global Dance Fusion—a practice that weaves together sacred dance styles from across cultures, with Austin guiding participants through routines that channel both physical energy and spiritual intention. Each step, stretch, and sway becomes part of a journey toward self-discovery.

Her workshops are more than dance classes; they’re rituals of restoration. Women are invited to tap into their goddess energy, often suppressed in everyday life, and emerge grounded, joyful, and reconnected.

As this global movement grows, its roots remain deeply personal. For Austin, this is about more than choreography—it’s about transformation. One woman at a time.

For more information, visit: https://www.nandiniaustin.com/

A new report from The Commonwealth Fund paints a stark picture of what could happen if Congress moves forward with proposed Medicaid cuts. Nearly 900,000 jobs lost. A $95 billion hit to the U.S. economy. Billions in lost tax revenue.

But what does that mean for us right here in New York and Pennsylvania?

With more than 72 million Americans depending on Medicaid — including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and millions struggling with mental health or substance use — the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Today, we’re joined by Akeiisa Coleman, Senior Program Officer at The Commonwealth Fund, to break down the human and economic impact these cuts could have in our communities — and what we need to know going forward.

Akeiisa Coleman, Senior Program Officer at The Commonwealth Fund, appeared on Radio Chatskill to talk about the potential impact of federal Medicaid cuts, particularly in New York and Pennsylvania. 

The Sullivan County Chamber Orchestra (SCCO) returns this weekend with a spring concert that promises to weave a rich sonic experience through masterful chamber music. Aptly titled Tapestry of Sound and Harmony, the concert will take place Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Monticello, and Saturday, April 26 at 3 p.m. at the Reform Presbyterian Church in White Lake.

Artistic Director Andrew Trombley describes the program as a showcase of musical depth and lyrical beauty, centered around the works of Schubert and Dvořák. At the heart of the evening lies Schubert’s Rosamunde string quartet, a lesser-known gem that reveals the composer’s gift for weaving rich textures and subtle counterpoint.

“This quartet is one of the finest examples of Schubert’s mastery of inner voices and counterpoint,” Trombley said. “The interplay between the viola, second violin, and cello creates a sonic tapestry that envelops the listener.”

Balancing the grandeur of Rosamunde, the program will also feature selections from Dvořák’s Cypresses, a series of lyrical miniatures originally written as love songs. Violinist Joseph Suk later arranged these into expressive chamber pieces that provide what Trombley calls “musical truffles” — small, intricate works rich in emotional color.

The performance ensemble includes not only seasoned collaborators but also musical partners in life, bringing an added layer of connection and honesty to the stage. Trombley emphasized that this chemistry helps accelerate the artistic process and elevates the performance.

“Chamber music is about communication — through gesture, glance, and breath,” he said. “There’s no conductor. Just trust.”

For more information, visit SCCO on Facebook.

You said:

add that they spoke to Radio Catskill's Classical kit

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Certainly! Here's the revised version of the webstory with the mention of Radio Catskill’s Classical Kit:

Sullivan County Chamber Orchestra Presents: Tapestry of Sound and Harmony
🎵 April 25 at St. John’s in Monticello | April 26 at the Presbyterian Church in White Lake

MONTICELLO & WHITE LAKE — The Sullivan County Chamber Orchestra (SCCO) returns this weekend with a spring concert that promises to weave a rich sonic experience through masterful chamber music. Aptly titled Tapestry of Sound and Harmony, the concert will take place Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Monticello, and Saturday, April 26 at 3 p.m. at the Reform Presbyterian Church in White Lake.

Artistic Director Andrew Trombley shared insights about the program during an interview with Radio Catskill’s Classical Kit, highlighting the lyrical and harmonic brilliance of composers Schubert and Dvořák. At the heart of the evening lies Schubert’s Rosamunde string quartet, a lesser-known gem that reveals the composer’s gift for weaving rich textures and subtle counterpoint.

“This quartet is one of the finest examples of Schubert’s mastery of inner voices and counterpoint,” Trombley said. “The interplay between the viola, second violin, and cello creates a sonic tapestry that envelops the listener.”

Balancing the grandeur of Rosamunde, the program will also feature selections from Dvořák’s Cypresses, a series of lyrical miniatures originally written as love songs. Violinist Joseph Suk later arranged these into expressive chamber pieces that provide what Trombley calls “musical truffles” — small, intricate works rich in emotional color.

The performance ensemble includes not only seasoned collaborators but also musical partners in life, bringing an added layer of connection and honesty to the stage. Trombley emphasized that this chemistry helps accelerate the artistic process and elevates the performance.

“Chamber music is about communication — through gesture, glance, and breath,” he said. “There’s no conductor. Just trust.”

Admission to both concerts is free, with a suggested donation at the door. Attendees are encouraged to reserve tickets online through SCCO’s website or Facebook page. Trombley reiterated SCCO’s mission: “Music is for everyone in our community. No one should be turned away.”

For more information, visit SCCO on Facebook.

The American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air report, released this week, finds that 156 million Americans — about 46% — live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution.

Michael Sback, Assistant Vice President of State Public Policy at the Lung Association, discussed the findings with Radio Catskill’s Tim Bruno, noting the impact of 2023’s Canadian wildfire smoke on air quality throughout New York.

“That orange sky wasn’t just dramatic — it was dangerous,” Sback said. The smoke contributed to worsening grades in areas like Albany and Monroe counties, while Rochester dropped off the list of cleanest cities. Even Elmira-Corning and Syracuse-Auburn, recognized for clean year-round air, saw harmful short-term spikes.

In the Hudson Valley, Putnam County received a “C” and Dutchess a “B” for ozone pollution — results Sback described as a “wake-up call” for local and state leaders.

The report urges strong environmental policies, warning against cuts to the EPA and rollbacks to clean air laws. Poor air quality is linked to asthma, heart disease, lung cancer, and early death.

The full report is available at lung.org.

HEAP applications to keep your home cool this summer are now open as of April 15. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program that helps eligible New Yorkers to keep their homes cool and heated throughout the year.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke to environmental justice advocates and local officials about how residents can apply for HEAP and what the program’s future may hold amidst federal layoffs.

Kaatscast spoke with Cornell University researchers about their latest investigations into New York State bobcat population abundance and the discovery of avian influenza (bird flu) in these wild felines.

Featuring Jenny Bloodgood, a wildlife veterinarian, and Haley Turner, a Cornell graduate student, the podcast explores their collaborative efforts to assess bobcat abundance and health using GPS collar tagging and camera trap stations. The discussion highlights various diseases affecting bobcats, including avian influenza, which has been detected in several sampled animals. 

The conversation also touches on historical challenges faced by bobcats, conservation efforts, and the implications of their findings for wildlife management.