The Local Edition

By Patricio Robayo As millions prepare to celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday, mental health professionals are calling attention to a lesser-known reality facing thousands of new fathers: paternal postpartum depression. Often overshadowed by maternal mental health discussions, paternal postpartum depression affects approximately 1 in 10 new dads, according to Postpartum Support International (PSI)....

In this "Meet the Candidates" episode, Patricio sits down with Tim Dymond, a longtime Sullivan County resident and recently retired senior investigator with the New York State Police. With more than 20 years of law enforcement experience—including service with both the NYPD and State Police—Dymond discusses why he's running for Sullivan County Sheriff. He outlines a detailed platform focused on mo...

In this "Meet the Candidates" interview, we sit down with Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff as he seeks re-election. Sheriff Schiff reflects on his extensive tenure since 2006, outlining the key initiatives he's led to improve public safety, such as implementing drone technology, launching a dedicated emergency services unit, and enhancing youth engagement programs. He directly addresses recent...

A video that’s been making the rounds on Facebook has sparked controversy and political tension in Sullivan County just weeks before the Republican primary for sheriff. The video alleges an improper relationship involving a Sullivan County undersheriff, a former deputy, and an inmate—and suggests a cover-up. The footage, posted in the group Behind the Scenes of Sullivan County Politics , compiles...

The New Paltz Pride Coalition co-hosted a special documentary honoring singer-songwriter Janis Ian’s life at the Rosendale Theatre on June 11 as part of their lineup of Pride Month events. The documentary, Janis Ian: Breaking Silence , is named after her 1993 album where she publicly came out as a lesbian. New Paltz Pride Coalition is a haven for the LGBTQIA community in New Paltz currently workin...

The Forestburgh Playhouse in the Sullivan Catskills is hosting its second Drag Me to the Catskills, a weekend-long series of events from June 13 to 15, focused on celebrating drag performance. Featuring a renowned cast of drag queens, who have been critical to the modern drag movement and drag’s rise in pop culture through shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, Drag Me to the Catskills aims to bring this...

Before the New York State Senate and Assembly leave for summer recess, Catskill Mountainkeeper is pushing for a statewide ban on toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in farm fertilizers. An environmental advocacy group in Sullivan County, Catskill Mountainkeeper is sounding the alarm about the use of biosolids in fertilizers to grow food.  They are calling for supporters to contact their members of the New Y...

As the clock runs out on this year’s legislative session in Albany, lawmakers are trying to wrap up key bills and settle budget concerns before heading home for the summer. The State Assembly will stay in Albany through June 17, while the Senate is set to finish by June 12. To help explain what’s at stake and what it means for local communities, Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with David Lo...

The People for People Fund is a non-profit dedicated to providing interim financial assistance to residents of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster counties who find themselves facing sudden financial emergencies.  Whether it's covering the cost of essential textbooks, managing a hefty medical bill, or paying for an urgent car repair. Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke to Marsi Ann Clark, executive di...

As Albany Debates Plastics Crackdown, Industry Pushes Softer Alternative The chemical industry is pushing to replace a sweeping plastics bill with a more business-friendly alternative.

In the wake of former President Joe Biden's announcement that he has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones , the conversation around prostate health has gained renewed urgency. To shed light on this critical issue, Radio Catskill's Patricio Robayo spoke with Dr. Sheldon L. Axelrod, a urologist with Optum Health and Clinical Assistant Professor...

Ulster County’s Department of Emergency Services is poised to take a larger role in supporting emergency medical operations across the region. This expansion comes after the county was granted a Municipal Ambulance Service Operating Certificate of Need by the New York State Department of Health. The certification allows Ulster County to extend contracts with existing emergency medical providers an...

Shadowland Stages in Ellenville is celebrating a major milestone—its 40th anniversary season. They’re kicking it off with a production of Herb Gardner’s classic Broadway comedy I’m Not Rappaport , starring Tony Award-winner Judd Hirsch and directed by Tony nominee Neil Pepe. To learn more about the play and the legacy of the theater, Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Shadowland’s Artisti...

In Ulster County, students are being invited to leave their mark on local democracy—literally. The “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest is now open to young artists between the ages of 9 and 18. The winning design will be printed on the official stickers handed out at polling sites across the county during the November 4th General Election. Originally launched in 2020 by Ulster County Board of Electio...

A controversial proposal to establish a landfill in Ulster County has been placed on indefinite hold following sustained public opposition and mounting environmental concerns. The Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency (UCRRA) announced the decision last week, halting its search for a site after residents in Wawarsing—where one location had been under consideration—pushed back strongly against the...

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 795,000 people experience a stroke each year, and it remains one of the leading causes of death and the top cause of serious long-term disability—especially among adults over 65. But there is hope: 80 percent of strokes are preventable. As part of National S...

County leaders across New York State came together on May 21st to address the devastating toll the proposed House budget reconciliation bill could have on New Yorkers. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar has this report. 

The legacy of the Borscht Belt continues to thrive across the Catskills. This summer and fall, the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project—co-founded by photographers Marisa Scheinfeld and Isaac Jeffreys —returns with six new historical markers and an expanded lineup of immersive cultural events. Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Scheinfeld and Jeffreys about their ongoing efforts to pres...

Sullivan County legislators are scrambling for a new location to build a gateway housing shelter in the county. Last week, the legislature voted against scheduling a public hearing to operate a gateway housing center on Pittaluga Road in Thompson, N.Y. This follows months after heated debate between opponents and advocates for the shelter. District 5 Legislator Cat Scott was the sole vote in favor...

May is National Women’s Health Month , a time dedicated to encouraging women and girls to prioritize their health through regular checkups, preventive screenings, mental wellness, and healthy lifestyle choices. To help raise awareness, Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Dr. Caroline DeFilippo , Medical Director of Primary Care at Optum Medical, CareMount in Mount Kisco, NY. In their conve...

As preventable diseases like measles make a resurgence across the U.S., the importance of routine vaccinations and a strong public health system has never been clearer. Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Dr. Richard Besser , President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting CDC Director, about why vaccine education is more vital than ever amid sweeping cuts to publ...

On May 8, a flash flood struck the Borough of Honesdale after a large underground pipe carrying the Fourth Street Creek suddenly gave way. The resulting surge of water damaged homes, flooded streets, and left the community reeling. Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Honesdale Mayor Derek Williams about the emergency response, the impact on residents, and what’s being done to prevent futur...

Sullivan County’s Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a confirmed case of measles was reported in neighboring Orange County.  With measles being one of the most contagious viral diseases, local health officials are urging vigilance to prevent potential spread within our community—especially with summer camps and public gatherings on the horizon. Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robay...

A federal civil rights lawsuit involving allegations of religious discrimination in the Town of Forestburgh has escalated into a national legal flashpoint, with both the U.S. Department of Justice and the New York State Attorney General backing the Hasidic Orthodox Jewish developers behind a long-stalled housing project. The developers allege that Forestburgh officials deliberately revised zoning...

On this World Ovarian Cancer Day, hope is on the horizon for the estimated 300,000 women diagnosed globally each year with one of the most lethal forms of cancer. A groundbreaking new international effort is being launched today that aims to transform how ovarian cancer is detected and treated—by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence. The initiative is spearheaded by the Ovarian Cancer R...