Radio Chatskill

In the early 20th century, ⁠cauliflower was king⁠ in the western Catskills, and –– especially in the good years –– farmers called it "white gold." In the latest episode of the Kaatscast podcast, host Brett Barry talks to Historian Diane Galusha about the origins of cauliflower farming in Margaretville and its demise.

Kaatscast is a biweekly series featuring Catskills culture, history, sustainability,literature, and the arts produced by Silver Hollow Audio, in the heart of the Catskills. 

It’s apple-picking season and it looks like it will be a good one in New York.

After a terrible time last year — when a late frost and significant flooding ruined yields for many farmers — this year, farmers are predicting the best apple harvest in decades.

Philip Pantuso from The Times Union Hudson Valley Bureau spoke to Jason Dole. 

As schools across the Catskills and the Hudson Valley gear up for another school year, one question is on the minds of students, parents and teachers: what is the policy on cellphone use?

New York Governor Kathy Hochul says particulars of a potential state ban on cell phones in schools should become clearer later this month.  

As Ellen Abbott with the New York Public News Network reports, the Governor is waiting for a summit on cell phones in schools September 20th, before announcing her intentions on the issue.

Photographer Noah Kalina isn’t just making photographs. He’s also raising chickens and creating what he calls “the best egg sandwich in the world.” 

In his latest newsletter, he introduces his readers to his Green Queen Easter Egger Bantam chickens—Jay, Mouse, Sally, and Opal—whose rich, emerald-colored eggs inspired a collaboration with the River Eatery in Barryville, NY.

Together, they’ve crafted the Emerald Egg Sandwich, a culinary creation that highlights the fruits of Noah’s small-scale farming efforts. 

Noah Kalina appeared on Rado Chatskill with Tim Bruno and Patricio Robayo to talk about photography, chickens, and how these passions collide in his daily life.

Federal prosecutors say a New York state official who worked for Governor Kathy Hochul and former Governor Andrew Cuomo was secretly an agent for the Chinese government — and made millions of dollars through the scheme.

New York Republicans are demanding an investigation into the Hochul administration after the former aide was arrested Tuesday. But as New York Public Radio's Phoebe Taylor-Vuolo reports, New York’s Assembly speaker says an investigation is not needed.

Kids are back in school across most of our listening area this week and many are still getting there on gas guzzling yellow school buses.

After 2027, New York will not allow public schools to purchase gasoline-powered buses, and entire fleets must run on batteries by 2035. 

This mandate aligns with the state's Climate Act goals to reduce greenhouse gasses and air pollution. The transition will be supported by over $500 million in Environmental Bond Act funding and a $5 billion federal allocation from the Environmental Protection Agency. 

However, many school districts, including Monticello Central School District, have expressed concerns about feasibility, grid support, and costs. 

Radio Catskill's Chia-Tien Nicole Chen has this report on how local school districts and private school bus companies are responding to the state mandate.

Alex Prizgintas is a New York-based historian and musician who lives and works in the Hudson Valley. 

As a musician, Alex has more than ten years of classical training on the cello. However, with tools such as electric guitar effect pedals and a BOSS RC-300 looping station, he pushes the limits of this acoustic instrument to achieve sounds of Jazz, Rock ’n Roll, Latin Tangos, Broadway Classics, and more. 

He's bringing his “Bach to Blues to Jazz” program to the Ellenville Public Library and Museum on Saturday, September 7th.

He appeared on Radio Chatskill with "Classical Kit" about the event. 

Donald Trump has made no secret of his plans for New York’s congestion pricing program. In a social media post in May, the Republican presidential candidate promised that he would “TERMINATE Congestion Pricing in my FIRST WEEK back in Office!!”

Trump doesn’t always deliver on his promises, but he could make good on this one. If he is elected in November, there are at least three ways that he could kill the program or hold it up for years. Even further delay would be catastrophic for the budget of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Does Governor Kathy Hochul have a plan to stop him? She unilaterally paused the program in June, a move now challenged by two lawsuits. Speaking at the Democratic National Convention last week, she said that she wants to unveil a replacement around the new year.

But that might be too late.

New York Focus Senior Reporter Sam Mellins appeared on Radio Chatskill with Tim Bruno to discuss three ways a Trump administration could try to stop the transit-funding toll.

On his Radio Catskill show Ambient Barn, music producer, sound designer, and filmmaker Mark Partridge curates a weekly hour of electronic music in its many forms. He produces his tonally fascinating and expansive atmospheric show from his big red barn in The Catskills.

And now, Ambient Barn moves to a new time: Friday nights at Midnight. Mark spoke to Jason Dole about his influences and new time slot.

Not counting a voter’s mail ballot because they failed to properly date the return envelope violates their rights under the state constitution, a Pennsylvania appellate court ruled Friday.

Republicans said they would immediately appeal the ruling to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. But if the decision stands, it could affect thousands of ballots and influence the outcome of close races.

Reporter Carter Walker of Votebeat PA appeared on Radio Chatskill with Tim Bruno. Votebeat is the nonpartisan newsroom with local reporting on elections and voting.