Last Year, The US Supreme Court Ruled That It’s Unconstitutional For Municipalities To Keep Surplus Funds From The Sale Of Foreclosed Homes At Public Auctions.

What Does That Mean For Those Who Have Faced Foreclosure? Will Municipalities Now Have To Pay Back Funds From Past Foreclosures?

Radio Catskill’s Jason Dole Spoke With Arabella Saunders, Economic Development Reporter For New York Focus.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are restructuring the utility law for the first time in the decade. It has implications on both consumers and utility owners. 

Why do lawmakers change the utility law? How will it impact consumers and utility owners?

Radio Catskill’s Jason Dole spoke with Stephen Caruso, Capitol Reporter For Spotlight PA. 

The American Lung Association’s 2024 “State of Tobacco Control” report, released today, reveals that New York earned a failing grade for Tobacco Prevention and Control Program Funding, and a D grade for failing to pass statewide legislation to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products in the state. 

The 22nd annual report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to save lives.

Tim Bruno spoke with Trevor Summerfield, Director of Advocacy for The American Lung Association in New York, on Radio Chatskill.

After a 15-month legal battle, Spotlight PA in 2022 won access to data showing the reasons why hundreds of thousands of patients qualify for the state’s medical marijuana program. We published a big investigation based on the records last year.

And we’re not the only ones using the data to better understand the state’s medical marijuana program.

In February 2023, the Pennsylvania Department of Health shared the data that Spotlight PA won access to with academic researchers across the state, according to a department spokesperson.

The Party Farm, a boutique recording studio in the Catskills, is now accepting submissions for its second annual Songwriting Contest. The contest is free to enter, and the winner will be awarded a free recording session at the Party Farm to create a professional recording of their winning song.

The contest winner and their song will also be featured on the Party Farm website and social media channels and on Radio Catskill. 

Tim Bruno has more. 

Upstate New Yorkers are more likely to die from an opioid overdose than people living in the city…an analysis from New York Focus has found. 

They’re admitted to emergency departments for overdoses 31 percent more often per capita than people in the five boroughs, and they’re prescribed opioids more than twice as often.

Although it’s one of the oldest, methadone remains often the best treatment option for patients with severe addictions — and it has become increasingly necessary as the drug supply has become both more addictive and more lethal. While the state’s plan lags, more and more New Yorkers have struggled to get one of the gold standards for opioid treatment.

Jason Dole spoke with New York Focus reporter Spencer Norris.

“Side Effects May Vary” is a sci -fi/horror movie premiering Tuesday, January 30, at The Callicoon Theater for their "Twisted Tuesday" film series. 

A Q&A session with the filmmaker, screenwriter, and cast follows the screening.  

Tim Bruno spoke with one of the stars of the film, Catskills resident Sasha Graham, and the co-producer of "Twisted Tuesdays" at The Callicoon Theater, Heather Carlucci. Heather also hosts the podcast "Psychic Pool Party." 

Morning Sunshine Market is a specialty grocer and breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant located in Ellenville, NY.

Erin Scherer visited for her "Eating Upstate" series. 

If it seems like everyone is sick – it might be the trifecta of viruses circulating the country.

Health officials say RSV, flu, and a new strain of COVID are leading to an uptick in respiratory illnesses in most states.

Tim Bruno spoke with Dr. Jodi Galaydick who is an Infectious Disease, Critical Care and Internal Medicine provider for Garnet Health Doctors, as well as Garnet Health’s Epidemiologist.

We should note Garnet Health is a financial supporter of WJFF.

Did you know the average age of a Woodstock Festival attendee is over 75 years old? As the generation of peace & love continues to age, the clock is ticking on capturing their stories before they are lost forever.

That's why Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is expanding its Woodstock Oral History Initiative from upstate New York to across the country.
 
Tim Bruno spoke to Julia Fell, the Curator of Exhibits at The Museum at Bethel Woods, about the effort.

The Museum is committed to gathering at least 4,500 oral histories–roughly one percent of the estimated attendees. For more information, email [email protected].