The Local Edition

Reporter Sam Mellons from New York Focus joins us to discuss his article chronicling essential changes in rulings at the New York Court of Appeals. Going over the history of transformations in the court's personnel and discussing how these have influenced recent decisions, Mellons specifically highlights the outpourings concerning defendants' rights.  He also sheds light on notable cases and new t...

Congressman Marcus Molinaro Discusses New York Redistricting and its Potential Impacts A recent decision by New York's highest court to redraw the state's congressional map. Congressman Molinaro of the 19th district expresses concern over the reopening of redistricting, appreciating it for maintaining a competitive and balanced nature among districts. He urges the Democrat-controlled houses of the...

Earlier this year, New York’s emerging cannabis industry had a big problem. There were hundreds of certified cannabis cultivators in the state but only about twenty licensed dispensaries, leaving many growers with a product they couldn’t even sell. So, in July, New York’s Office of Cannabis Management started the Cannabis Growers Showcase initiative. This allowed licensed cannabis growers and proc...

A Catskills newspaper took its local county government to federal court this week over the First Amendment. Decker Advertising, publisher of The Reporter in Delhi, New York is suing Delaware County, alleging the county violated the newspaper’s First Amendment rights in multiple ways since 2022. Reporter Lana Bellamy of the Times Union spoke to Radio Catskill about the lawsuit.

New York Focus has reported three nonprofit organizations in the state are raising funds to send equipment to Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The article is titled New York Charities Send Combat Gear to West Bank Settlements and the author, reporter Chris Gelardi, spoke to Radio Catskill's Jason Dole. 

On the morning of Friday, Dec. 1, Monticello Central School District administrators learned of a generalized bomb threat towards its schools. Out of an abundance of caution, the district followed the protocols outlined in its safety plan, and evacuated all school buildings. More information and updates: monticelloschools.net

Interview with Poet Laureate Lisa Titus: Her Poetry Book 'First Time, Every Time' Poet Lisa Titus, who hails from Grahmsville, will discuss her newly published poetry book 'First Time, Every Time.' Lisa shared her experiences as the Poet Laureate of 2021, her nomination for the 2020 Pushcart Prize, and how her poetry book was a finalist for the Brick Road Poetry Prize.  She provides insights into...

Discussing Bird Renaming: Racism, Inclusion, & Birdwatching Community | Spotlight PA Interview In this in-depth conversation, Tanisha Thomas from Spotlight PA talks about her research on the process of renaming birds by the American Ornithological Society. The society's leader, Colleen Handel, aims to shift the focus from the human-oriented bird naming conventions (often influenced by Eurocent...

Wayne Brown, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma work, family therapy, and LGBT work, sheds light on a new legislative bill intended to increase access to mental health counselors throughout New York State.  Wayne elucidates how the current legislation biases against non-clinically licensed therapists, restricting them from billing insurance companies. This bill, however, advo...

Patricio Robayo and the three Wayne County commissioners: Jocelyn Cramer, Brian Smith, and James Shook. They discuss various topics including their reflections on the past year, plans for the future, working together as a bipartisan team, lessons learned from the pandemic, and expressing gratitude for their work and community.

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) faced public outcry during two recent hearings regarding proposed amendments to its "Rules of Practice and Procedure." While the DRBC deemed the changes as necessary updates, critics, including members of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, expressed outrage.  Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke to Meg McGuire, the founder and publisher of Delaware Curre...

Sullivan County just unveiled its tentative 2024 Budget, and the county says it will be expanding services without a tax hike.  Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke to Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek about the proposed $288 million budget plan. 

ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom PRODUCING investigative journalism AND A new investigation by ProPublica finds when a farmworker is injured or dies on a Catskills dairy farm, federal labor safety investigators often look the other way. In New York State, OSHA, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is barred from looking into injuries and deaths on farm with fe...

Interview with Mike Ben Simon: Future Vision for Town of Fallsburg In this in-depth interview, future town supervisor for Fallsburg, Mike Ben Simon, offers insights into his background as an auditor and public policy analyst. He also discusses his motives to run for supervisor, and his commitment to public service and governmental efficiency. Ben Simon reflects on his election campaign and address...

Interview with John Pizzolato: New Town Supervisor of Highland Discusses Leadership Vision In this program, we have a candid chat with John Pizzolato, the newly appointed Town Supervisor for Highland. After a narrow defeat in 2021, John talks about his successful campaign strategies and his determination to steer the town leadership in a more inclusive and responsive direction.  With a focus on li...

As winter approaches, animal sanctuaries around the country are worried about their capacity to care for thousands of animals. With hay costs up, non-profit giving down, and an explosive increase in the number of sanctuaries around the country, sanctuaries are asking animal lovers to help provide warm bedding and food for the animals in their care. Catskill Animal Sanctuary in the Hudson Valley is...

Jason Dole and Julia Rock, a New York Focus reporter, discussing her article titled "How Unelected Local Officials Dole Out Wind and Solar Tax Breaks".  The interview centers around the role of Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) in advancing New York's wind and solar expansion, the issue of providing tax breaks to renewable energy projects, the concerns about their potential impact on communit...

World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by The International Diabetes Foundation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. It is marked every year on November 14th, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922. Tim Bruno spoke with Shelley DeHann, Director of Garnet Heal...

Anne Hart, Chair of the Sullivan County Democrat party expressing her pride in their team and hoping the newly elected officials will bring a government that functions effectively.  She also mentions the importance of addressing the Adult Care Center Sunset Lake situation.

Newly elected legislator Cat Scott, of District 5, Sullivan County, discusses her motivation for running, her campaign experience, and her future plans. The issues of the Adult Care Center at Sunset Lake, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and collaboration among legislators were brought up.  We ask about specific issues and scenarios while Cat Scott expresses her commitment to act with respect,...

Matt McPhillips, who has just won an election in District 1, defeating the incumbent Robert Doherty, discusses his excitement to get to work, his focus on running a positive campaign based on issues, and his intent to serve all constituents regardless of their political affiliations.  The conversation touches upon why he decided to run for office, his approach to governance, and the changes he see...

Local Election Reaction: Greg Goldstein, Chairman for Sullivan County Republicans 

Democrats had a big win in Sullivan County, which means there will be new leaders in the county legislature in 2024. One important race was in District 1, where Rob Doherty, the current chairman, faced off against challenger Matt McPhillips. McPhillips said he is ready to get to work. “Definitely excited to get to work. Campaigning is one part of it; now we actually really get to work. I'm excited...

Jason Dole and Patricio Robayo overview the important races in Sullivan, Wayne, and Pike County.  They were joined by the following guests: Phillip Pantuso from the Times Union, Derek Kirk from Sullivan County Democrat, Sandra Oxford representing the Working Families Party, and Liz Forrest from the Pike County League of Women Voters.

The NPR host, Shankar Vedantam, has introduced a new series titled "Healing 2.0" as part of his show "Hidden Brain." This series, running throughout November, explores the latest insights on coping with emotional pain. Radio Catskill's Tim Bruno interviewed Vedantam to discuss why he chose to launch this series during the holiday season, which is typically regarded as the happiest time of the year...