Radio Chatskill

NY Kicks Off $18 Million Route 17 Upgrades Between Parksville and Liberty 09.07.2026 6:46 ↓

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced last week that the state has kicked off an $18 million project to improve safety along Route 17 in Sullivan County. That’ll include major safety upgrades to roadways between the Hamlet of Parksville and the Village of Liberty. State Route 17 becomes an increasingly busy highway during the summertime, carrying on average 19,400 vehicles daily during the summ...

NY Officials Demand Answers on Federal Newburgh Warehouse as ICE Stays Silent 08.07.2026 9:27 ↓

New York officials and residents are demanding answers after news broke that the federal government had leased a warehouse in Newburgh for $35.5 million. While the Trump administration hasn’t specified for what purpose, federal records suggest it could be for ICE. The news comes just five months after Orange County residents staunchly opposed a proposed ICE facility in Chester. ICE later told New...

Activists Push to End Orange County ICE Contract Amid Federal Lease Deal 07.07.2026 7:01 ↓

Local activists are doubling down on their efforts to end Orange County Jail’s agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as new state laws prohibiting local cooperation with ICE go into effect and a new federal lease in Newburgh raises concerns. Radio Catskill's Kimberly Izar spoke with Vanessa Cid, For the Many organizer, about the push to end the county's ICE contract. 

As Optum Eyes Sale of Specialty Practices, Workers Worry About Future of Patient and Worker Care 06.07.2026 10:09 ↓

Optum Health has announced it’s considering selling certain specialty practices affiliated with Optum Medical Care and Crystal Run Health to other large New York health systems. That includes orthopedics, general surgery, and urology, among others. A spokesperson for Optum Health said that they’ve signed or are negotiating letters of intent with some health systems – with the goal of closing sales...

“Trans People are Fighting for Their Lives Right Now”: Advocates Slam Supreme Court Ruling on Transgender Athletes 02.07.2026 7:48 ↓

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this week on Tuesday that states may ban transgender women and girls from participating in school and college sports. The decision marks a devastating blow for LGBTQ+ advocates around the country and is part of a series of state and federal rollbacks for trans protections. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Charlie Solidum, Director of Programs and Servi...

Jesse Ballew's Final Callicoon Tractor Parade 02.07.2026 6:52 ↓

Jesse Ballew has been the emcee of the Callicoon Tractor Parade for 30 years. This year he is stepping away from the mic after one final year celebrating with the community. Jesse joins Radio Catskill reporter Rebekah Hendricks to tell us more about his time with the parade.