Mid-Hudson News reports that Dutchess County Democrats are making climate change a pivotal issue nationally and locally. On a larger scale, the Dutchess County Democratic Committee wants the Democratic National Committee to hold a presidential debate about climate change. “The initial debates held in June made it clear that we need at least one devoted to climate change,” said Michael Dupree, vice chairperson of the Dutchess Democrats. Locally, they are criticizing Republican County Executive Marc Molinaro, after the American Lung Association gave the county a ‘D’ rating for ozone. Molinaro said that in “just 10 months, this county has become a certified Bronze Climate Smart Community, joining only eight others in New York.” Democrat Joseph Ruggiero is running against Molinaro in November. Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.