Radio Chatskill

A new report on the gender pay gap from New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli shows that women in New York earn 87 cents on the dollar compared to men in 2023.

This new data comes amidst ongoing federal cuts affecting women. In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders including cutting the federal funding of abortion and eliminating all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in government.

Locally, people are stepping into action. One group in Ulster County is using song to share their vision for social change. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar chatted with Michele Zipp, founder of Resisterhood Community Choir, on how she’s blending music and activism to honor women.

International Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual event occurring every March 31 since 2009 dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society.

Transgender Plus Support Initiative is hosting a free brunch in Callicoon, New York on Saturday, March 29,  to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility locally.

Ann from the Transgender Plus Support Initiative appeared on Radio Chatskill to discuss the group’s role  in supporting transgender people in Sullivan County, NY,  and Wayne County, PA.

After 143 weeks of diving deep into all aspects of health—physical, mental, and emotional—Coach Maggi Fitzpatrick is ending her "Moving Toward Health" column in the Sullivan County Democrat. 

From June 2022, when the "Moving Towards Health" column began, Maggi has shared insights, strategies, and personal experiences that emphasize how health is not just about the physical body but about maintaining balance and resilience in the face of life's challenges.

Coach Maggi shared her reflections throughout the column’s lifespan, and her plans to continue informing listeners on their wellness journey.

Since 1981, HIV has led to the deaths of more than 700,000 people in the US. More than 1.2 million Americans now live with HIV, according to federal statistics. About 13% of people who have HIV don’t know they have it — one driver of the virus’ continuing spread.

Ending AIDS in the United States by 2030 was one of President Donald Trump’s stated priorities in his 2019 State of the Union speech, but the second Trump administration has hinted that it will make major cuts to HIV-related projects.

The administration is considering a plan to eliminate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s division focused on HIV prevention and potentially move its responsibilities over to another department within the Department of Health and Human Services, as first reported in The Wall Street Journal. 

The plan to eliminate the CDC's Division on HIV Prevention is still in the "very, very preliminary stages," a source familiar with the plans told NBC News, and no final call has been made yet.

The NIH has eliminated funding for dozens of HIV-related research grants, according to a US Department of Health and Human Services database that was updated last week, halting studies and threatening patient care across the country. Several researchers said the cuts put a stop to hopes of ending HIV in the US and around the world.

More than 100 lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the US Senate are calling on the Trump administration to maintain federal HIV/AIDS services, including New York Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Republic Congressman Mike Lawler of NY’s 17th District. 

These reports have also sparked widespread concern among public health experts and advocacy groups. 

Doug Wirth, CEO of Amida Care, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing health care services to people living with HIV, warns of the severe consequences it could have for both prevention efforts and the communities most at risk.

Now that Spring is officially here, more people are thinking about that first hike of the season in the Catskills. 

Longtime hiker and founder of the Catskill 4000 Club Paul Misko will be addressing this in his talk, Packed for Adventure: Hiking the Catskills Then and Now at the Time and the Valleys Museum in Grahamsville on March 23. 

Misko's multimedia talk will explore the evolution of hiking gear, food, and clothing from the 1800s to today, featuring anecdotes from John Burroughs and other Catskill figures. The presentation will end with practical advice on what to carry in a modern-day daypack. 

Radio Chatskill Contributor Tracy Gates spoke with Misko about his love of hiking in the Catskills and the interesting things people brought with them in the 1800s vs. today.

In response to increasing threats to library funding, the Wayne County Library Director, Tracy Schwartz, is urging residents to “Show Up for Our Libraries,” an initiative launched by the American Library Association (ALA). The campaign encourages library supporters to advocate for essential services that libraries provide to their communities and to voice their concerns to policymakers at local, state, and national levels.

Schwartz, speaking on Radio Chatskill, highlighted the importance of libraries in rural areas, especially the seven libraries in Wayne County—located in Honesdale, Hawley, Hamlin, Newfoundland, Bethany, Lakewood, and Pleasant Mount. As a collective of nonprofit organizations, these libraries offer vital services ranging from literacy programs to workforce development.

The Threat of Funding Cuts

A significant concern for libraries, including those in Wayne County, is the potential loss of funding through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an agency that currently provides indirect federal funding to Pennsylvania libraries. Recent political developments have led to calls for eliminating IMLS, which could ripple down and affect libraries across the country, including local resources like online databases, interlibrary loans, and educational support services.

“Without sufficient funding, many of the essential programs we offer, such as summer reading programs, internet access, veterans' telehealth support, and literacy services for individuals with visual impairments, could be at risk,” explained Schwartz. 

Currently, Wayne County libraries receive approximately 30% of their funding from local community support, 20% from the state, with the rest reliant on donations.

Libraries as Community Hubs

Beyond book lending, Wayne County libraries have evolved into community hubs. Schwartz emphasized that libraries provide much more than access to reading materials—they offer spaces for technology literacy, community events, and even social interaction. The Wayne Library Alliance connects seven libraries in the area, allowing residents to share resources, borrow materials from multiple libraries, and access services like delivery drivers transporting books across counties.

“We’ve worked hard to maintain these connections and share resources, which not only benefits the libraries but strengthens the entire community,” said Schwartz. Through partnerships with local organizations, such as the Workforce Alliance, libraries also offer digital literacy courses to improve technological skills in the community.

Additionally, libraries in Wayne County are participating in a growing trend of offering non-traditional services. From access to crafting and cooking resources online to providing audiobooks and eBooks via platforms like Libby and Hoopla, these libraries strive to meet the diverse needs of their patrons.

Advocating for Libraries

As National Library Week approaches (April 6-12), Schwartz is calling on residents to show their support for libraries. 

“Whether you use the library for books, digital resources, or community programs, your voice matters. Tell local and national leaders how libraries have impacted your life and why funding these services is crucial,” she said.

The Wayne Library Alliance offers a central website, waynelibraries.org, where community members can learn about the services offered, donate, or sign up for a library card.

For those interested in the broader campaign to defend libraries, the ALA’s site (ala.org) provides resources to advocate for library funding and share personal stories.

A Reminder of the Joy of Libraries

Schwartz reflected on the personal joy that libraries bring to both children and adults. 

“There’s something magical about a child walking into a library for the first time and getting their library card,” she said. “It’s the beginning of a journey that can lead anywhere. We need to protect that experience for future generations.”

Farmers say the federal funding freeze is halting growth and derailing their planning and young farmers say they face unique challenges. 

For young and beginner farmers, federal funding is critical as they shore up their first few years of production. That’s money farmers were planning to use to do things like put up foundational fencing, pay farm workers, or build their first high tunnel – some farmers saying these are projects they’ve already paid into and were waiting for reimbursement.

Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke to some young farmers in the region to understand what’s at stake and how they’re struggling to make critical decisions this spring as billions of dollars in promised federal payments remain frozen by the Trump administration.

This Saturday is World Water Day, focused on the importance of fresh water and its essential role in sustaining life. 

In New York City, the history of supplying water to the metropolis is not only a story of engineering marvels but also of sacrifice, tragedy, and the reshaping of the Catskills region.

Diane Galusha’s book Liquid Assets: A History of New York City’s Water System chronicles how thousands of people were displaced, homes were relinquished, and entire communities were destroyed to make way for the reservoirs that now provide New York City with its fresh water.

On Saturday, March 22, Galusha will be presenting an illustrated talk “Esopus Dreams: How New York City Reshaped the Catskills” in Pine Hill, New York.

In Pike County, Pennsylvania, The Delaware Valley School District board is reevaluating a 2016 agreement with the federal Office of Civil Rights that mandates policies for the inclusion of transgender students.

This comes amid the Trump administration's anti-DEI stance.

At a work session March 12, the board was divided on how to proceed. Some members advocated withdrawing from the agreement to align with a Trump executive order and restrict facility access by gender, while others suggested seeking legal counsel due to uncertainties around changing federal policies.

Tim Bruno spoke to Taylor James, Executive Director of Triversity about the issue on Radio Chatskill. TriVersity is the Pike County Pride Center committed to serving the LGBTQ+ Community & allies living in or visiting the TriState region of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Jason Sherwin has spent a lifetime composing, playing and studying music. 

He has also taught music since he was a high schooler. He began teaching classical music to socially disadvantaged children in Chicago in 2000. 

Since then, he has taught private piano lessons to high-achievement pianists, chamber musicians and worked with singers. 

As a pianist, he produces digital /analog recordings under the name “Binary and Not”.

Culture Reporter Valerie Mansi spoek to Sherwin about his latest recording.