After two special sessions in 2022, New York state lawmakers are coming back to Albany for the new term starting January 4. Democrats will retain their majorities in the state Senate and Assembly, and Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul is back for a full term after a narrow win in November’s election. In addition to the state budget process, lawmakers are also likely to consider criminal justice measures and more. For a preview, we speak with state Assemblyman John McDonald of the 108th district.

Longtime Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison is wrapping up his tenure in that role, but he’s staying in public office in the new year. After two terms as mayor, the Republican won November’s election to represent the new 39th district in the New York state Senate. Public safety was a key campaign issue for veteran of the Poughkeepsie police.

The 2022 economic headlines were dominated by inflation at 40-year highs, the Federal Reserve dramatically raising interest rates, the impacts of the war in Ukraine and the bankruptcy of a cryptocurrency exchange. Heading into 2023, we speak with Hugh Johnson, chairman and chief economist at Hugh Johnson Advisors, about what 2023 might hold.

In January, Republican Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison will leave his post to assume his new role as State Senator from New York’s 39th District.  City administrator Marc Nelson will be sworn in as acting mayor. Nelson joined the Rolison administration in 2016. He was appointed Finance Commissioner at a time when the city was facing tough fiscal hurdles. He was named city administrator in 2017.

With another holiday season upon us, we discuss the risks of respiratory disease with Albany County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen, as health officials warn of a "tri-demic."

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., we speak with WSHU's Davis Dunavin about his new podcast, "Still Newtown." Dunavin covered the 2012 shootings that killed 20 first-graders and six educators.

We speak with New York state Assemblymember Deborah Glick, who chairs the Higher Education Committee, about the appointment of John King as the next SUNY Chancellor.

The holiday season is always a busy one in the Saratoga Springs area, but this year there are new concerns about the downtown bar scene following a shootout around 3 a.m. on a recent Sunday. In the meantime, a new business is sprouting up in New York, after the first retail marijuana licenses were issued. We speak with Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

We recap the midterm election results and preview the next Congressional term, as Democrats move on from Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with Joan Walsh of "The Nation."

It is a time of transition in New York’s lower Hudson Valley. Although New York Governor Kathy Hochul won a full term on Election Day, Democrats elsewhere suffered defeats that may have cost them control of the House of Representatives. Democrat Sean Patrick Maloney fell to Republican Assemblyman Mike Lawler in the new 17th district. And Republicans also made gains in the state Senate. Joining me now is Westchester County Executive George Latimer, who has served in both houses of the state legislature.