The Catch Up

A unanimous four-judge panel of the Appellate Division has upheld the Town of Red Hook’s decision to acquire the Red Hook Boat Club by eminent domain for a public waterfront park. Publisher Walter Mullin and Editor-in-Chief Emily Sachar, who reported the story with Aleah Gatto, explain what the court decided: that the town established a legitimate public purpose, adequately considered alternative sites, and conducted a sufficient environmental review. They untangle how this ruling coexists with Judge Maria Rosa’s earlier decisions striking down the town’s zoning laws, and what the court said about objections from the Waterfront Advisory Committee.

They also look at what remains unsettled: how the price will be set for the 2.37-acre Barrytown property, where the town will find the money, and whether Commodore Richie Ross and the club will appeal to the Court of Appeals. And with Supervisor Robert McKeon, Deputy Supervisor Bill Hamel, and Jacob Testa all up for reelection in 2027, Emily explains why the next moves in this fight may be political rather than legal.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio

Last week, Leon Botstein resigned from every remaining Bard-affiliated position. That includes his professorship, The Orchestra Now and the college’s music programs. It came after Representatives Jamie Raskin and Madeleine Dean called for a federal investigation into his possible involvement in Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. Publisher Walter Mullin sits down with Daily Catch founder and editor-in-chief Emily Sachar to sort out what the reporting establishes and what remains unresolved.

Emily explains the two separate strands in the congressional material. One is Botstein’s relationship with Epstein. The other is whistleblower allegations about sexual misconduct and the handling of Title IX complaints at Bard. She also explains why The Daily Catch held a disputed 2014 email for months, what changed that made it newsworthy, and what evidence could settle who wrote it. They discuss acting president Jonathan Becker’s response, unanswered questions about the earlier WilmerHale review, the mood on campus, and what Botstein’s departure means for The Orchestra Now, SummerScape, the Bard Music Festival and the Conservatory.

This episode includes discussion of sexual abuse and allegations of sexual misconduct. Read the full coverage at thedailycatch.org.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio

Nearly four years ago, a developer bought 47 acres south of Red Hook’s Hannaford and promised a 120-room hotel, with the jobs, tax revenue and lodging the town has long wanted. Since then almost nothing has happened. Then two visitors from Argentina showed up unannounced at Supervisor Robert McKeon’s office. They said the developer, Ruben Santurian, was no longer involved, and they asked how far the project had advanced. Daily Catch reporter Athan Yanos joins editor Emily Sachar to explain what he found: Santurian’s unusual path from sculptor to developer, his record of unfinished projects across the country, at least 15 lawsuits alleging investor fraud, and why the parcel could sit empty for decades. It’s also Athan’s farewell episode before he leaves for Houston, and he hands the Red Hook beat to Aleah Gatto. To close the show, Aleah brings an audio report from the Tivoli Street Painting Festival.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio

In less than 48 hours last week, Dutchess County's network of 65 Flock license plate reader cameras went from bipartisan law enforcement tool to switched off. A packed community forum in Pleasant Valley drew more than 100 people, and about 30 of them spoke out against the system. By Friday, District Attorney Anthony Parisi, Sheriff Kirk Imperati and County Executive Sue Serino had all withdrawn their support.

Daily Catch reporter Athan Yanos joins editor Emily Sachar to explain what happened.

Plus: The Daily Catch launches its new arts and entertainment newsletter, The Culture Catch, on Wednesday, October 7. Sign up at thedailycatch.org.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio

In 2023, Ben and Lindsey Shute of Hearty Roots Farm bought 97 acres of farmland on Route 9 in Red Hook. Because the land had been farmed conventionally, they had to wait three years before anything they grew there could be certified organic. That wait ended this month with a harvest of kabocha squash. Publisher Walter Mullin talks with Daily Catch senior reporter Claire Greenberger, who was in the field for it. They cover the USDA's three-year transition rule and how the town bought the Cookingham East property. They also talk about how the land was split between protected farmland, public trails and affordable housing through RUPCO. Claire explains why local farmers and Scenic Hudson think a critical mass of farms matters. She also covers what the Shutes did with those three years and what's next: garlic, a pollinator meadow, better irrigation and crop rotation with their Clermont farm.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio

As Red Hook's Hardscrabble Day turns 50, publisher Walter Mullin sits down with reporters Matt Moment and Athan Yanos to unpack the festival's history. They dig into where the "Hardscrabble" nickname came from, its 1975 bicentennial origins tied to founding father Egbert Benson, and decades of oddball traditions, from Civil War reenactments to a Marc Molinaro dunk tank. They also discuss the event's near-collapse in 2005, its rescue by local volunteers, and how musician Matthew Donahue transformed it into a regional draw with acts like Gregg Rolie and The Tubes. They close with a look at this year's celebration, including Teen Scrabble performers and a new Elmendorf history exhibit.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio

It's back to school week in the Hudson Valley, and Walter Mullin sits down with The Daily Catch's new education reporter, Aleah Gatto, for her debut on the podcast. Aleah walks through Rhinebeck's district-wide math curriculum overhaul, including the Bridges in Mathematics program and its "number corner" exercises, plus a new costume and fashion design course at the high school. Then the conversation turns to Red Hook, where career and technical education is booming, from welding and cybersecurity to the Winners Circle car-building program and STEAM activities as early as elementary school. Walter and Aleah close by discussing what these changes say about the shift toward hands-on, experiential learning across New York State schools.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio

In his first extended sit-down since taking over on July 1, Bard College Acting President Jonathan Becker joins Daily Catch editor Emily Sachar to address the college's most consequential leadership transition in more than 50 years. Becker discusses succeeding Leon Botstein, whose 51-year tenure ended after a WilmerHale-reviewed investigation into his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein; the presidential search process; strong fall admissions numbers; new board policies on gifts and conflicts of interest; and his own ambitions for the interim role. He also reflects on institutional identity versus individual leadership, Bard's global programs, and the college's long-standing commitment to student voting rights and civic engagement.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio

Recorded live from the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Emily Sachar chats with Carolyn McGraw, the new 4-H Youth Leadership and Workforce Development Program Leader at Cornell Cooperative Extension. Carolyn shares her own path from lifelong 4-H'er to program leader, explains how 4-H builds confidence and public-speaking skills far beyond the show ring, and gets candid about the hardest lesson kids learn on sale night. They also dig into how 4-H competes with screens and social media for kids' attention, where Dutchess County membership stands post-COVID, and how families can get involved. Sponsored this week by Foster's at the Fair.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio

Rhinebeck school officials say the district's buildings need serious work, from 60-year-old ventilation equipment to new security vestibules, playground upgrades, and bathroom renovations. Voters will decide on a $15.7 million capital improvement plan in a special election October 20th, split into two propositions: a tax-neutral $8 million Proposition 1 covering the most urgent fixes, and a $7.6 million Proposition 2 that would raise taxes by about $90 a year for a $700,000 home. Daily Catch reporter Aleah Gatto, in her first appearance on the show, walks editor Emily Sachar through what's driving the proposal, how the district split it into two linked propositions, and what residents can expect before the vote, including a September 22nd meeting with the district's financial advisor and architect.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio