The Local Edition

Camille O'Brien represented the Catskills this Independence Day on Coney Island for a great American tradition, Nathan's annual hot dog eating contest. O'Brien ate six and a half weiners in just ten minutes, placing eleventh out of thirteen women.

At the weigh-in on July 3rd, O'Brien was feeling starstruck, surrounded by the biggest names in professional eating, including two former champions. " It's so surreal to be right behind Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo right now.... I got to be announced with the people that I've been watching for so many years. That's so cool."

James Webb, an Australian competing in the contest, sees this event as the pinnacle of U.S. culture. "I never realized what the Fourth of July means to people in America, but you all always find a way to celebrate... So tomorrow there's gonna be drunk idiots with those big Nathan's hats. It's the most fun. I love this week. I bring my whole family from Australia for this week."

O'Brien has now signed a contract with Major League Eating and is expecting to compete in more events going forward. Next up? Hopefully the buffalo wing contest in Buffalo, NY, she said.

Jeffersonville’s Camille O’Brien is heading to Brooklyn this July 4 to compete in one of America’s most iconic eating competitions — the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island.

“I can’t even believe it,” said O’Brien. “I actually signed a contract yesterday with Major League Eating, so technically I’m a professional eater now.”

She secured her spot by winning a qualifying event at Hershey Park, where she ate 8.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes, narrowly edging out her competitors. “Second place ate eight, and third place ate seven and a half, but only the winner gets a seat at the big show,” she explained.

This will be O’Brien’s first time competing in a hot dog eating contest at this level, though she’s no stranger to the world of competitive eating. “I’ve been in other eating contests, but funny enough, my whole family is from South Brooklyn. One of my earliest memories is being at Nathan’s on Coney Island in the summer and eating French fries with the little red fork they used to have.”

Preparation for the contest has been intense. “I’ve been eating a lot of watermelon to create more space in my stomach,” she said, adding that she’s also practiced with members of her local fire department nearby in case of choking — a real risk in the world of speed eating. “Hot dogs are one of the things people choke on the most… so I did have a practice the week before.”

O’Brien is also planning to use her moment in the spotlight to promote a cause close to her heart: volunteer firefighting. “I’m hoping to wear some of my fire department bunker gear and promote volunteer firefighting.”

For O’Brien, this contest is more than a competitive milestone — it’s deeply personal. “It means, I think, way more than a lot of people know to me. Having lost both my parents, it’s such a throwback to my family and the memories I have there.”

She knows the event will be physically demanding — “the energy it takes from your whole body to digest that much food” is no joke — but for O’Brien, it’s worth it. “I never thought this was the way I was going to get on ESPN. But here we go.”

The story of Sullivan County’s growth and transformation begins along the banks of the Delaware and Hudson Canal.

In a recent conversation with Radio Catskill, Fiona Feltman, Assistant Parks Director for Sullivan County, spoke with Patricio Robayo about the D&H Canal Interpretive Center in Summitville. The center highlights the history of the canal, once a vital transportation route that helped shape the economic and social landscape of the region.

“The canal played a critical role in connecting communities and industries in the 19th century,” Feltman said. “Its impact is still visible in the layout and character of towns throughout the area.”

The Interpretive Center includes exhibits and artifacts that trace the canal’s legacy—from its construction and operation to its role in moving coal and other goods through the Catskills. The site also serves as a space for education and engagement, offering visitors a chance to better understand the infrastructure and labor that powered early industrial growth in the region.

In addition to the permanent displays, the center is hosting a series of free public programs throughout the summer. The lineup includes historical talks, guided walks along the canal path, and other events designed to highlight both the human and natural history of the area.

“We’re focused on helping people connect to the broader story of the region, whether they’re history enthusiasts or just looking for something meaningful to do with their families,” Feltman said.

The D&H Canal Interpretive Center is operated by the Sullivan County Division of Parks, Recreation, and Beautification. A full schedule of summer programming is available on the county’s website.

Statewide spending on hotels has more than tripled in recent years. The shift away from shelters has prevented families from accessing services like child care and help finding housing.

Read more here: https://nysfocus.com/2025/06/24/new-york-homelessness-hotels

For Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Radio Catskill's Patricio Robayo speaks with keynote speaker and entrepreneur Kevin Green. From Division 1 athletics to fine dining and an appearance on the Food Network’s Chopped, Green’s journey is one of resilience and reinvention. He shares his personal story of facing burnout, divorce, and career shifts—highlighting the importance of men’s mental health, vulnerability, and redefining what strength really means.

Author Patricia Grayhall joins Radio Catskill’s Jamie Case to discuss her new book, A Place for Us, an autofictional account of her search for a country where she could legally live with her British partner—years before the United States extended immigration rights to same-sex couples.

At the heart of her story is a message to queer youth: “Love will prevail.”

Sweeping changes are coming to a massive program that aims to bring high-speed internet to everyone in the U.S., after the Trump administration rejected one of the initiative’s key policy goals.

The new rules for the $42.5 billion program change the way states will evaluate competing proposals, which areas are eligible for funding, and how long states have to award the grants. The announcement in early June upended months of planning and left Pennsylvania officials scrambling as they race to meet a newly accelerated timeline for getting the money out.

The changes likely will result in fewer Pennsylvanians in remote and rural areas being connected to the internet via fiber optic cables, widely considered the gold standard for speed and reliability. The program originally prioritized fiber projects, but under the new rules, states must select winners based on the lowest cost. The change will make applications from wireless and satellite internet providers, including Elon Musk’s Starlink, more competitive.

The solar power industry is increasing its presence in the Catskills. This rise is accompanied by debates over land use and accusations of predatory marketing tactics. Pennsylvania, specifically, is in the midst of a heated legal battle. 

First lies the question of where to put large solar farms. The vast open spaces suited for them are commonly farm lands. Hundreds of thousands of acres have been converted from farmland for solar development. However, this number is somewhat misleading, says Solar United Neighbors. Monica Carey, the nonprofit’s Pennsylvania Program Director, explains that the soil grade is important to account for. While the land may technically be categorized as farmland, Carey says the soil grade is so low it often was unusable for agriculture. In fact, sometimes solar’s presence can make the soil more tenable in the future.

There’s also been accusations of unethical sales practices by big solar companies. Carey says they’ll often promise free solar installation and then jack up monthly payments to hundreds of dollars. Patrons say the contracts are deceptive and the marketing is invasive. Door-to-door sales are a common practice from companies looking to get buyers on the hook. Carey and the Pennsylvania Program Associate, Rachel Pecharka, spoke with Radio Catskill about the region’s complex relationship with solar power.

In New York and Delaware, community solar is in place, which means residents can access benefits from the electricity demonstrated by solar farms. In Pennsylvania, that issue is currently being debated. Listen for more.

In a stunning political shift, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani’s decisive victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary has not only toppled former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s attempted comeback but also stirred speculation about the future of Democratic politics across New York State.

Speaking with Jason Dole on Radio Catskill’s Local Edition, David Lombardo of The Capitol Pressroom described the outcome as “a surprise,” particularly since Cuomo was widely expected to lead after the first round of ranked-choice voting. Instead, Mamdani emerged ahead, propelled by a broad anti-Cuomo coalition and a populist message that resonated beyond typical ideological divides.

Lombardo says Mamdani’s communication skills and message discipline, calling him a “once-in-a-generation communicator” whose appeal crossed from Democratic Socialists to centrists concerned about affordability and quality of life in the city. His victory is not necessarily an embrace of socialism, Lombardo noted, but rather a demand for change and authenticity in leadership.

This upset has caught the attention of state leaders, including Governor Kathy Hochul and Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. Delgado, who is eyeing a 2026 gubernatorial run, may see Mamdani’s success as a signal that a populist message can thrive—even against better-funded opponents.

The primary also spotlighted the power of grassroots campaigning. While Cuomo leaned heavily on media spending, Mamdani's ground game and direct voter engagement made a critical difference. Young voters turned out in unexpectedly high numbers, with the 18–48 demographic becoming a major factor in the outcome.

Looking ahead, Lombardo said the key question is how Governor Hochul responds. Will she double down on centrist policies, or pivot to address the rising energy on the party’s left flank? Her strategy for the 2026 election cycle may hinge on how seriously she takes Mamdani’s win as a broader political signal.

As Lombardo says, “The party has to decide if it wants to harness this energy—or ignore it at its peril.”

What do a half-eaten batch of brownies and a grassroots movement have in common? In this episode, Mariabella Todaro, founder and CEO of “Millions of Butterflies,” shares how one spontaneous moment sparked a community-powered effort to fight hunger in Ulster County.

Relying on the heart of a town that shows up, Todaro discusses accomplishments and everyday realities of leading an organization built by the community, for the community.

The New Paltz Free Food Fridge isn’t just a volunteer opportunity. It’s a lifeline. For Todaro, their mission goes beyond meals. It’s about helping neighbors not just survive, but thrive.