Radio Chatskill

Pennsylvania’s elections in 2025 were marked more by administrative challenges than by disputes over results, according to Carter Walker, reporter for VoteBeat PA and Spotlight PA. Luzerne County, which gained national attention in 2022 after running out of ballot paper in multiple precincts, continued to face operational issues. Walker said the county has stabilized under an election director wit...

Eldred Junior-Senior High School and GRM Elementary are turning the Super Bowl into a chance to give back. The schools are collecting canned goods in a friendly competition running through Feb. 5. “So, Eldred's always done like some sort of food drive — like we just finished one for Thanksgiving — and we decided we need something else to get back for like the winter months,” said Tabitha Smith, on...

New York’s newly adopted energy plan risks locking residents into higher energy bills and prolonged fossil fuel dependence at a time of rising costs and worsening climate impacts, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. The environmental group says the plan fails to prioritize the most affordable and proven solutions — energy efficiency, renewable power and electrification — and instea...

Hannah Bonaguro isn’t entirely sold on the phrase people use most often to describe her shop. “I’m not sure why everyone calls it a hidden gem,” she said. “I’m like, it’s not hidden. But I guess it’s a little bit off the beaten path.” That distinction hasn’t stopped people from finding All Sorts — a vintage shop, cafe and pop-up food space in downtown Hancock — largely through social media and onl...

After weeks of back and forth amongst lawmakers and two public hearings pushing back on a proposed tax hike, Sullivan County legislators have approved its 2026 county budget. Legislators voted 5-3 on Dec. 18 to adopt a spending plan that raises property taxes by two percent and relies on ambitious revenue projections. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar shares this update.

Murals, video production, and knitted hats are just a few of the creative projects Monticello Central School District youth are working on at the school’s ENGN program. ENGN is a local educational nonprofit based in Callicoon that helps young people use art, place, and connection to build communication and interpersonal skills. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar attended ENGN’s student art showcase at...

The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance is putting out a big call to artists — both right now and far into the future. The regional arts nonprofit has opened two calls for entries: a February members exhibition titled Let It All Out and its main exhibition program for 2027. Together, the opportunities invite artists to respond to the emotional weight of the present moment while also imagining ambitious...

Food pantries are usually bracing for shortages. The Highland Lions Club is facing the opposite problem: too much food and not enough visitors. The Lions Club opened its new community food pantry in late summer, and donations poured in almost immediately. Shelves are full. Supplies are steady. But organizers say many residents who could benefit either don’t know the pantry exists or may feel hesit...

Assembly Member Paula Kay is asking residents to give the gift of life this holiday season, sharing a deeply personal story that inspired her own commitment to blood donation. "December 22nd happens to be my father's birthday. He passed in 2019," Kay said. "When he was in the hospital before we brought him home on hospice, the day I found out the really, really bad news about him, there was a New...

Winter weather can be tough on people, but it can be dangerous for pets, too. Cold temperatures, road salt and antifreeze all pose risks, especially for puppies, senior pets and short-haired breeds. “When it comes to snow and the things that you might encounter outdoors, that obviously includes snow, ice and salt that we use all the time,” said Dr. Aleksandra Ascione of Milford Animal Hospital, an...

Governor Kathy Hochul has until midnight on Dec. 19 to sign or veto the  Local Input in Community Healthcare Act, or LICH Act, legislation aimed at giving communities more notice and input when hospitals plan to close. The bill passed the state legislature for the second year in a row. “[The LICH Act] would require ample advance notice to the public if a hospital wants to close. It would also requ...

In 2025, American Red Cross volunteers in Eastern New York answered more than 700 disasters, from home fires to severe storms, and provided over $1 million in direct financial assistance to help neighbors recover. Blood and platelet donors also contributed more than 110,000 life-saving donations, while volunteers deployed nationwide to support communities affected by disasters. John Vale, executiv...

A casual conversation in a small Catskills café has led to a holiday jazz collaboration at The Parlor in Narrowsburg this weekend. Local group The Treble Makers will perform with Broadway standout Margo Seibert, turning familiar tunes—and a few surprises—into intimate jazz arrangements. Seibert recalls how it all began. “I was in Calicoon visiting the Naven Koken, a little Scandinavian and German...

President Donald Trump returned to Northeast Pennsylvania on Tuesday, rallying supporters at a casino and resort in Mount Pocono with a message centered on the economy — even as protesters challenged his claims and called the visit out of touch. Inside, Trump insisted inflation is “no longer a problem” and accused Democrats of turning affordability into a political “hoax.” His remarks frequently d...

Singer-songwriter Jesse Terry will join Craig Bickhardt, Hallie Neal, and Sam Robbins for Songs, Stories and Sleigh Bells , a festive holiday concert at The Arts Nest this Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m.  Terry, an award-winning songwriter known for his heartfelt performances, said the holiday shows hold a special meaning. “They’re a little more intimate,” he said. “Because I only get to do a few weeks...

Get ready to deck the halls with laughter. "Vickie and Nickie, the alter egos of sisters Lisa and Lori Brigantino, are returning to The Muse in Rosendale for a festive holiday show this Thursday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m. “We just happen to get away enough time from our husbands and our kids to get on the road because we're musicians, but we do it in our spare time… We're going to be doing a show that's...

Sullivan County legislators have moved their vote on whether or not to approve the 2026 county budget after residents pushed back during two public hearings at the Government Center in Monticello. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar attended the hearing on Dec. 9 and brings us this report.

Our resident science guy Joe Johnson is back with this week’s *Science Stories*, diving into the latest cosmic discoveries, cutting-edge tech inspired by nature, and updates on the comets lighting up our skies. Fast Radio Bursts Illuminate the Universe Johnson kicked things off with fast radio bursts, or FRBs, the mysterious, ultra-brief flashes of radio energy that have captivated astronomers. “T...

Pennsylvania’s 8th District Representative Rob Bresnahan brought a well-known guest to the region Friday: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. The two met with hospital executives and local health officials to hear directly about the challenges facing healthcare providers across Northeast Pennsylvania. “The purpose of the visit was for them to talk with local rep...

Cold winter weather is driving up energy use across New York, leaving families struggling to heat their homes. More than 175 organizations—including clean energy advocates, local businesses, and low-income assistance groups—are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to act. They’ve launched the Building Electrification Equity Platform , a set of immediate policies aimed at lowering energy costs while mo...

For 18 years, Into the Light has captured hearts with its life-size puppets, vibrant dance, and universal story of hope. This December, the beloved Vanaver Caravan and Arm of the Sea Puppet Theatre production returns to the Rosendale Theatre for performances on Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. A Timeless Story of Light and Joy “This is 18 years old, and it still has a h...

As more residents across the region turn to crisis hotlines and community support networks, a new center in Wayne County is preparing to open its doors with the goal of meeting growing mental health needs. The Center for Community Resources (CCR), which operates in 37 Pennsylvania counties, is launching the Northeast Regional Crisis Stabilization Center in Honesdale. An open house is scheduled for...

Ulster County’s Dec. 12 naturalization ceremony has been abruptly canceled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, one of several ceremonies scrapped across the Hudson Valley this month. USCIS says there were not enough candidates to move forward, but local officials argue the decision is arbitrary, poorly communicated and harmful to residents awaiting the final step toward citizenship. Ulst...

This past Monday, advocates for prison and parole reform across New York City and state held six different rallies to raise awareness about seniors spending indefinite amounts of time on parole. They are preparing for a trip to Albany next month to get two state bills that would reunite rehabilitated incarcerated seniors with their families and save New York state money signed into law in the 2026...

Bethel Woods is closing out its family concert series this Sunday with an all-ages holiday sing-along featuring Grammy-winning musician Dan Zanes, along with Claudia Zanes and multi-instrumentalist Elena Moon Park. The multicultural performance will take place inside the museum’s Event Gallery, complete with songbooks so everyone can join in. Katie Svoboda from the Bethel Woods Museum Education an...