Radio Chatskill

April Mae & The June Bugs are bringing their 'Boogie BOO!' show to Delaware Valley Opera in Lake Huntington, NY on Thursday. Inspired by themes of the supernatural, enchantment, the folklore and archetypes of Halloween and Samhain, the show highlights the music of their popular double album of the same title.

April Mae appeared on Radio Chatskill.

Early voting is underway in New York…More than 700,000 people took part in the first weekend of early voting for general elections, according to state Board of Elections numbers.

A good percentage of those — 257,860 — came from New York City voters. About 447,840 came from voters in the other parts of the state.

More people have voted early so far than in the first weekend of early voting during the last presidential election in 2020, which was the first time New Yorkers had the opportunity to vote early in a contest for the White House.

With just days until Election Day, polls will be open for early voters until Sunday, November 3rd.

New York state officials reassured voters Monday that their ballots are safe, and they’re on the lookout for misinformation and voter intimidation.  From The New York Public News Network, Desiree Diorio reports.

State attorney general Tish James says her office is ready to tackle any instances of voter suppression or electioneering so that New Yorkers can feel safe when they head to the polls.
And in the age of artificial intelligence, James has this warning: “You should never rely on AI chat bots to answer questions about elections or voting and if you receive a phone call with information about voting or elections, be vigilant - that information may be inaccurate or fake. Remember to verify information with official sources.”

The state’s Election Protection Hotline opened on Saturday. Those with questions or concerns can call 866-390-2992 or submit an online complaint. 

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th.

The Callicoon Theater is showing a 104-year-old movie with a brand new soundtrack. Ambient Barn will be performing a haunting new score to the classic German Expressionist silent film, "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari," on Tuesday, October 29. 

Jason Dole spoke to Mark Partridge, who performs as Ambient Barn and hosts a show of the same name on Radio Catskill, about how this chilling fusion of sound and cinema came to be.

Carter Walker of Votebeat PA with the latest update on he’s watching in the most-watched state this election, including the latest court rulings that will affect how the vote is counted in Pennsylvania.

This Halloween, you might be thinking about the perfect costume or the best candy. The National Fire Protection Association wants people to think about something different this year, though: safety. 

String lights and cobwebs are fun and festive, but these decorations can also pose a potential fire safety risk. 

Radio Catskill’s Nia Watson met with the Sullivan County Fire Coordinator to learn more about staying safe this Halloween. 

In her new book "Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner," NPR producer Meghan Keane demystifies several myths our culture perpetuates about romantic relationships. She also provides tools to learn how to nurture the most important relationship we’ll ever have — with ourselves.

In the latest edition of Kaatscast: The Catskills podcast….Brett Barry sat down with historian Samantha Misa in the ⁠Frisbee family cemetery⁠ to uncover some witchy tales from our collective Catskills past, just in time for Halloween.

Misa shares some haunted encounters from Delaware County's Frisbee House and recounts tales from her book, "Witches of the Catskills."

Plus, Misa recounts the challenges of researching historical witchcraft, using old newspapers and archival records to reconstruct the tales. 

Kaatscast is a biweekly series featuring Catskills culture, history, sustainability, local interviews, literature, and the arts. Shows are hosted by Brett Barry and produced by Silver Hollow Audio, in the heart of the Catskills. Voted “Best Regional Podcast” 3 years in a row.

Sullivan County Legislators reviewed an analysis of the county’s child welfare policies and procedures Thursday during a meeting of the Health and Human Services Committee.

Commissioned by the Legislature at the request of County Manager Joshua Potosek, the review was conducted by the Bonadio Group earlier this year. It followed investigations by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and a Sullivan County Grand Jury into the tragic death of a toddler last year. Sixteen-month-old Akasha Luvert died on May 2, 2023, from an apparent overdose of fentanyl and xylazine while staying with her family at a Knights Inn motel in Liberty, NY.

Dan Hust, Communications Director for Sullivan County Government, shared insights about the 60-page report on Radio Chatskill. The report highlighted both the strengths and areas for improvement in the county’s child welfare programs, which encompass Child Protective Services, Preventive Services, Foster Care, and related legal support.

One Small Step brings strangers with different political views together to record a 50-minute conversation—not to debate politics, but to learn who we are as people. Created by StoryCorps, One Small Step is an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us—even those with whom we disagree.

Radio Catskill is one of just seven stations selected nationally to host One Small Step in 2024. With participant permission, these conversations will be preserved for future generations at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

Participants Alex and Tom recorded a One Small Step conversation at our Liberty studios earlier this summer. We spoke to them on Radio Chatskill about their experience and listened to a clip of their conversation. 

As presidential candidates crisscross the battleground state of Pennsylvania, early voting is underway with more than half a million ballots cast across the Commonwealth. 

Early voting in Pennsylvania is called in-person mail ballot voting and with this option, voters can visit their county elections office, apply for a mail ballot, fill it out, and return it on the spot.

Nadeen Manzoni is the Director of the Pike County Bureau of Elections and she reports her office's regular business hours are consumed with processing in-person voting this election cycle.