The Local Edition

Jason Dole speaks with Maia Hibbet, Managing Editor of New York Focus, about the ins and outs of the battle over New York's 2023 budget.

Governor Hochul, the Assembly, and the Senate each have different proposals that they are trying to reconcile before the budget deadline this Saturday.

New York Focus has an item-by-item breakdown and comparison of what each side wants.

What are the biggest points of contention? What policies are being fought for, or fought against? And what about the non-profits, advocacy groups, and lobbyists fighting to have their say in the process? And what role does the minority party play?

Prison Journalist John J. Lennon's latest NY Times Real Estate feature, "How Do People Released From Prison Find Housing?" about the ongoing housing shortage in the US and its impact on individuals released from prison. About 600,000 people are released from prison each year and are often overlooked in housing policy proposals, which forces them to turn to illegal activities or become homeless due to limited resources. Although state and local governments and nonprofits offer housing assistance, there is still a shortage of resources available.

Radio Catskill's Patricio Robayo spoke to Lennon, a contributing editor at Esquire who is currently serving a 28-year-to-life sentence at Sullivan Correctional Facility, about his perspective on the challenges prisoners face when re-entering society amidst the housing crisis.

In 2019, the New York City Council passed a bill banning the sale of foie gras produced through force-feeding, citing the process as inhumane. 

This ban had a direct impact on two duck farms here in Sullivan County,  La Belle Farms and Hudson Valley Foie Gras, two of the largest producers of foie gras in America.

Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo visited Hudson Valley Foie Gras farm to ask how the ban on selling foie gras would affect the farm and its workers. 

He also talked to animal rights activists about why they thought the ban was necessary and how the farms exploit their workers. 

Read more here: https://wjffradio.org/special-report-foie-gras-ban-faces-legal-challenge-as-nyc-sues-state-over-animal-welfare-concerns-on-sullivan-county-farms/

A surge of positive COVID-19 cases is becoming a common trend after a major holiday. Where folks gather and mingle, a wave of positive COVID-19 cases follows. 

We are two years out from the start of the pandemic; what's different? What have we learned?

Dr. John Moore, a Virologist with Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, says the virus has become more transmittable since Omicron first surfaced in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending changes to the vaccine schedule going forward, signaling a shift from an emergency response to a more long-term plan. 

Dr. Reena Patel, Medical Director for Garnet Health Urgent Care, says she thinks it's a good idea that the CDC is recommending this change

New York Governor Kathy Hochul gave the state of the state address this afternoon, laying out her vision for the year ahead and the start of her administration.

Gov. Hochul laid out several initiatives that touched on the housing crisis, mental health, crime, combating climate change, and making child care more affordable. 

 
State Assemblymember Aileen Gunther for the NY 100 District and State Senator Peter Oberacker for the NY Senate 51 District reacts to the NY Governor’s 2023 State of the State.

The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance and Ladybug Land present two days of holiday music and cheer….the Cozy CatskillsHolidayy Revue! 

The revue will feature the Hartman Sisters on violin and vocals, and they will be joined by Ladybug land, an artist collective based out of Cochecton Center, NY.

Radio Catskills’s Patricio Robayo had a chance to speak to the sisters about the upcoming show, their influences, and how they ended up playing the violin. 

Why is singer/songwriter Owen Walsh saying goodbye? Owen Walsh sits down with Patricio Robayo to discuss his musical career, how he started and where he is going. 

Hudson Valley Climate Solutions Week is an effort to focus attention on the climate emergency with a series of events throughout the region.

Sean Dague, Coordinator of the Hudson Valley Citizens’ Climate Lobby To talk about Climate Solutions week and what are the next steps in Washington for federal policy.

https://www.hvclimatesolutionsweek.org/

I’m Patricio Robayo for Radio Catskill. In this episode, we will get to explore a program that looks to help find viable treatment options for people seeking help to reduce their dependence on prescription medication, alcohol, and other drugs. Hope not Handcuffs. 

We will learn what the program is all about and who are the volunteers who go out to help someone in crisis when they are needed. They are the angels of Hope Not Handcuffs. 

I am joined with Annette Kahrs, Executive Director for Tri-County Community Partnership and Program Director Hope Not Handcuffs-New York. 

And Wendy Brown, Deputy Commissioner of Health and Human Services. 

We also speak to some of the angel volunteers for Hope not Handcuffs, 

Moreen Lerner, Lindsay Wheat, Judy Balaban, and Paige Bakken