The Local Edition

Paula Elaine Kay was officially sworn in as Assemblymember for New York's 100th District on January 5, 2025, succeeding Aileen Gunther. The ceremony, held at Thompson Town Hall, was attended by local officials and supporters, with Judge Anthony Kane administering the oath of office.

In her address, Kay emphasized unity and bipartisan collaboration, stating, “This is about people over politics.” Her top legislative priority is addressing public safety and bail reform. Kay announced her first bill, developed with the district attorney's office and state police, aiming to amend aspects of the 2019 bail reform law to better balance fairness and public safety.

Beyond bail reform, Kay highlighted plans to tackle housing, healthcare, and childcare shortages in Sullivan County, including efforts to establish a Head Start program. She also announced her district office relocation to 461 Broadway in Monticello for improved accessibility.

Thompson Supervisor William Rieber praised Kay’s campaign, noting her dedication to bringing integrity to politics. Kay closed with a call for ongoing community involvement: “We are here for you.”

Dr. Jessie Moore has been named Sullivan County’s new Public Health Director. With experience overseeing healthcare services at Garnet Health and a background in public health education, Dr. Moore says she brings knowledge of both clinical operations and community health needs to her new role.

Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke to Dr. Moore and discussed her experience working with healthcare providers, addressing gaps in specialist care, and identifying resources to improve health outcomes in rural areas.

As Public Health Director, Dr. Moore will oversee a team of 60 staff members responsible for delivering public health services across Sullivan County.

New York Governor Kathy Hocul will be laying out her vision for the next year in the Empire State at her State of the State Address next month, kicking off the budgeting process in Albany.

In preparation, climate, health, and environmental activists across New York are calling on Hochul to take decisive leadership on climate and affordability by including funding for the NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act (NY HEAT Act) in her proposed executive budget. 

To find out more about Heat, Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke to Lisa Marshall, Advocacy and Organizing Director New Yorkers for Clean Power about the bill. 

New York’s home care workers are suing insurance companies for systematically underpaying them for grueling, around-the-clock work.

To help make sense of this is reporter for NY FOCUS Julia Rock speaks with Radio Catskill's Jason Dole. 

This Sunday, December 8, 2024, Damascus Citizens for Sustainability (DCS) will host a "Sustainable Sing-Along" at their Main Street storefront in Narrowsburg, NY. The event, focusing on environmental awareness through music, invites community members to join in preserving clean air, land, and water as fundamental rights.

Ahead of the event, Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with DCS co-founder Jane Cyphers and musician and educator Lucas Rotman on The Local Edition. They discussed how music can inspire sustainability efforts and foster a stronger connection with the environment.

In 2008, a gravesite was unearthed during an excavation beneath a school in Newburgh, New York. The remains date back to the mid-19th century. Today, the site is recognized as the Newburgh Colored Burial Ground, located at what is now the city courthouse. 

In October this year, an official marker was ceremonially unveiled at the burial ground. The inscription on the marker reads: “The final resting place for the thriving free black community in what was the village of Newburgh.”

Radio Catskill’s Nia Watson spoke with Ramona Burton, Director of SUNY Westchester Mount Vernon Extension Center, about her involvement with the Newburgh Colored Burial Ground Committee and spiritual connection to the site. 

Watson also met Dr. Andrea Frohne, author of The African Burial Ground in New York City: Memory, Spirituality and Space, to discuss the history of these burials in the state of New York.

Laura Palermo, also known as "Madame Manatease" on the Mid-Hudson Misfits Roller Derby team, recently spoke with Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo to promote an upcoming event—a charity scrimmage supporting Toys for Tots - Jingle Jams 

Madame Manatease discusses the inclusivity and diversity of the roller derby community, shared insights for beginners looking to join the sport, and underscored the importance of giving back through charitable events during the holiday season.

The scrimmage will take place on Sunday, December 8, at Skate Time, located on Route 209 in Accord, New York starting at 6pm. 

For more details, visit MidHudsonMisfits.com

Spotlight PA is looking at the current discussions surrounding the allocation of $1.8 billion from opioid settlements.

The funds are intended for various uses, including medication-assisted treatment and public awareness campaigns. 

However, disagreements have arisen between state oversight and local governments over spending priorities, such as allocations for law enforcement and public defenders.

Investigative reporter Ed Mahon explores these disputes, transparency challenges, and how residents can monitor fund usage through Spotlight PA’s dedicated database. He discussed these issues with Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo.

Sullivan County’s new EMS fly car system is proving to be a game-changer for emergency response in Sullivan County. These non-transporting first response vehicles are designed to get medical providers to patients faster, delivering critical care on-site while waiting for an ambulance. Since their launch in mid-September, fly cars have responded to over 680 calls, cutting response times by an average of 15-20 minutes—a difference that can mean life or death in emergencies like cardiac arrests.

The initiative was born out of a study commissioned in 2019 by the Benjamin Center at SUNY New Paltz, which highlighted the need for improvements in our EMS system. With many of the county’s emergency services relying on overstretched volunteers, the fly car program is helping to ease the burden, particularly in rural areas where long travel times can delay care.

Sullivan County currently has four fly cars—two offering basic life support (BLS) and two providing advanced life support (ALS)—strategically stationed across the region. Beyond emergency response, these vehicles support community events, aid volunteer crews, and assist in training efforts.

This is just one piece of the puzzle in improving EMS services, but it’s already saving lives and making a real impact for residents.

Alex Rau, Deputy Commissioner for Public Safety, speaks to Radio Catskill's Patricio Robayo about this program and its success so far.

Pattern for Progress, a research organization based in the Hudson Valley, recently released a report titled “When Hotels Become Home.” The report highlights how the housing crisis is forcing some families in Ulster, Duchess, Orange and Sullivan Counties to live in hotels and motels—including families with young children. 

Radio Catskills Nia Watson spoke with Sullivan County Commissioner for Health and Human Services John Liddle about the report and how this crisis is affecting families in the area.