This was the reaction on Arch Street in Albany: Chauvin guilty on all counts. #chauvinverdict pic.twitter.com/5O3HsjTi5R

— Robert Gavin (@RobertGavinTU) April 20, 2021

State and local officials and activists released statements shortly after a jury found on April 20 Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of the murder of George Floyd last year. Chauvin was recorded kneeling on Floyd's neck for almost ten minutes. Here is what the verdict reading sounded like for a group of protesters encamped on Arch Street in Albany from a recording Robert Gavin of the Times Union made as Chauvin was found guilty on all counts. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR PLAY BRIEF CLIP. Melo Rabii was one of the protesters in Albany. “This isn’t a feeling we’re used to,” he said, looking toward a sign with the names of over 40 Black Americans killed by police. “As a race, we’re always prepared for the worst.” Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson posted on Facebook, "This verdict, shows exactly why the work for racial justice is extremely important. We must continue to create paths of healing by transforming structures of systematic racism. Justice for Black and Brown Americans is justice for all Americans. Consistency will be the key to a better future for all." Gov. Andrew Cuomo released a statement that said, in part, that "while I'm grateful the jury returned these verdicts, accountability is not the same as justice. It doesn't make an unacceptable situation acceptable, and it doesn't bring Gianna's dad back." New York Senator Chuck Schumer posted, "We must remain diligent in our efforts to bring meaningful change to police departments across the country.... The Senate will continue that work as we strive to ensure George Floyd’s tragic death will not be in vain.” New York Attorney General Letitia James wrote on Twitter, "I pray that the Floyd family finds some semblance of justice and peace for this horribly unjust act." Rep. Antonio Delgado, of the 19th Congressional District, wrote on Facebook, that, "while the verdict by itself will not heal the devastatingly deep and tragically persistent wounds our nation carries born of racial oppression, may it inspire us all to earnestly and thoughtfully, with love in our hearts, confront the scourge of racism that lives with us daily." Rep. Paul Tonko, whose district includes Albany County, posted on Twitter that, "The evidence in this case was overwhelming, as are the lessons and commitments for change we must take from it."

Natasha Vaughn is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media fire departments and rescue squads in Columbia County have received $275,000 in grant money from the Hudson River Bank and Trust Foundation. The awards were given to help offset costs associated with pandemic response. “We were thinking this was obviously a very stressful year for everyone, especially for what are primarily volunteer organizations,” said Hudson River Bank and Trust Foundation President Carl Florio. “So we thought that one way to try and help out in terms of equipment needs, or PPE needs or whatever they needed that we would contribute to all the fire districts in Columbia County plus all the rescue squads.” The money was divided among the four rescue squads and 31 fire districts and departments based on the number of people served, Florio said. Checks have already been distributed. The amount of funds allocated ranged from $1,500 up to $10,000. Columbia County Fire Coordinator George Keeler said in a statement, “Our sincere gratitude goes out to the HRBT Foundation for their continuing commitment to assisting not-for-profit organizations, especially during these trying times.” The foundation was formed when Hudson River Bank & Trust Co. converted to a public company in July 1998. It provides funding in support of charitable causes and community development activities in Columbia County. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

MidHudson News is reporting Ulster County Executive Patrick Ryan Mon., April 19, submitted comments to the State Siting Board, urging the state agency to reject Danskammer Energy’s application to build a new electric generating facility on the site of the former plant in the town of Newburgh. “Danskammer is the wrong project at a pivotal time for our community,” he said. “It offers an outdated dirty energy solution to a problem that requires a modern, clean energy solution in an area known for its historic roots in the environmental movement.” Michelle Hook, Danskammer vice president for public affairs, said upgrading the plant’s equipment is “a no brainer.” She said the proposed upgrades “would simply improve the existing 70-year-old plant, making it significantly cleaner and reducing local air pollution by thousands of tons a year.” Ulster County Legislator Tom Corcoran, who represents the town of Marlborough, said taxpayers in his district “will be hurt and hundreds of good paying union jobs could now be in jeopardy.” Richard Gerentine, a former Marlborough town supervisor and county legislator, said upgrading Danskammer “is a huge win for Marlborough families,” and at a time when the pandemic has hurt the local economy, “this project would bring much needed tax dollars to Marlboro schools.” Todd Diorio, president of the Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council, said Ryan and the trades “share a common vision most of the time, but on this issue, we are definitely on a different page.” Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.

Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics a bill that would pave the way for a single-payer health care system in New York cleared the Assembly Health Committee April 19. Supporters of the bill argue the measure is needed after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed flaws in the current system. Opponents, however, argue the measure would gut the state's finances and impact employment in the health care sector. Advocates like Campaign for New York Health Co-Directors Ursula Rozum and YuLing Koh Hsu, sited the devastation caused by the pandemic — on both individual household finances, as well as on health itself — as major motivators for the bill's passage this year. "New Yorkers will be mobilizing in big numbers to tell the Assembly and the Senate to pass this legislation before the end of session and to tell Governor [Andrew] Cuomo to sign it into law,” they said in a joint statement. Cuomo has said in the past that a single-payer bill was best left to the federal government, and he has never had the measure put on his desk. The business-backed coalition, Realities of Single Payer, in a statement warned against the legislation advancing further, saying it would be detrimental to health care coverage statewide. The coalition also pointed to newly approved provisions meant to expand coverage, like eliminating Essential Plan premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, while adding coverage for postpartum women. The coalition said the bill "...would limit access and quality of care by underfunding hospitals and providers. Based on the experience of the pandemic, do we really want the state Health Department running our entire health care system?" Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

Today's daily news update.

Rick Karlin is reporting for the Times Union the majority of New Yorkers are concerned about air and water pollution as well as climate change, according to a poll by the Siena College Research Institute, released Tue., Apr. 20. The survey was released in advance of the 51st annual Earth Day event on Thursday. A considerable number of respondents – 60 percent – believe policies to clean up the environment will help rather than hurt the environment, according to the poll. “I was surprised that the stated concern was quite as high as it was. It was surprisingly high,” said Don Levy, director of the research institute. “New Yorkers overall express more concern for the environment and more support for environmental policies than I anticipated,” he said. The statewide poll showed that 56 percent of New Yorkers were “very concerned” about climate change. Additionally, 64 percent said they are very concerned about water pollution, 61 percent with air pollution, 60 percent with deforestation. Concerning their personal responses to environmental challenges, 70 percent say they very often personally practice recycling and 69 percent use their own bags for shopping. The majority of those polled also support redesigning cities to be more pedestrian-friendly, promoting the widespread use of electric cars, and having the state produce 100 percent of its electricity with zero emissions by 2040. They also support the U.S. rejoining the Paris Climate Accords. Sixty percent think that government policies aimed at protecting the environment are more likely to help the economy compared with 26 percent that think those policies will hurt the economy. A majority of Republicans said they believe pro-environmental policies will hurt the economy and while nearly two-thirds support efforts to ensure clean water and air, they say we are doing as much as we should. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Sarah Trafton is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Catskill Village Board is looking to reinvigorate its effort to improve the village water infrastructure after state funding was delayed. The village was awarded a $2.9 million Water Infrastructure Improvement Act grant to help replace the water main beneath Main Street and to create a settling pond at the water treatment plant in a $6 million project. However, Village Vice President Joseph Kozloski said, because of the COVID pandemic state officials have been delayed in processing grants, Delaware Engineering has suggested the village issue a bond anticipation note, or BAN, for $500,000 to get things started. When the water infrastructure grant eventually comes through, the BAN would be paid off. "Right now we’re looking at $500,000 to get everything rolling to get things shovel-ready,” Kozloski said. Once a survey [of the settling pond] is completed, the engineers can proceed with their work and a contractor can be hired, he said. Completion of the survey will determine whether the settling pond project is completed this year or next, Kozloski said. The water main project is tentatively scheduled for next year, but it may have to be pushed to 2023. “The way things are going with COVID, there’s no guarantees on anything,” he said. Several other municipalities are also eyeing water system upgrades. Greenville is relocating the town water tank and replacing 2,300 feet of water main along Route 81. Eighty percent of that $1.8 million project will be grant-funded, with the remaining 20 percent financed by an interest-free loan from the Environmental Facilities Corporation. The village of Athens and town of Cairo are exploring funding opportunities through the Community Development Block Grant program to upgrade their water systems. The town of Windham completed its $6.7 million water system upgrade in the summer of 2020. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Patricia Doxsey is reporting for the Daily Freeman Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan has announced his new political action committee ServeNY. With the PAC, the first-term Democrat hopes to promote and support a new group of elected leaders statewide who have demonstrated a willingness to put their communities first through their service to their country, their community or on the front lines through the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's a passion project of mine," said Ryan of the leadership PAC. "It's kind of a way for me to give back some of what I got when I first ran for elected office." Ryan has already raised $250,000 from supporters and is expected to launch a website for the project soon. ServeNY will provide assistance in three main areas: to mentor and support candidates with the fundamentals of running for office, how to get on a ballot, navigating local political committees and running a campaign; providing policy support and helping candidates build a platform and a campaign; and financial support and fundraising. Ryan said the PAC will focus on Democratic candidates running or looking to run in races in all areas of government across New York, and will begin endorsing candidates running for election in the fall. He does not expect the PAC to endorse candidates in Ulster County. Ryan said he envisions the PAC supporting candidates who served in the military, emergency medical and other first responders and others who have "a proven record of putting their community ahead of themselves." Read more in the Daily Freeman.

On April 19, Democrats Antonio Delgado, Paul Tonko, and Sean Maloney, and Republican Elise Stefanik, all voted for the SAFE Banking Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would make banking services more available to any business associated with marijuana. The recreational use of cannabis is now legalized in 17 states, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. New York legalized recreational marijuana April 1, but it will be at least a year before sales begin. Marketwatch reported that, "Cannabis stocks rallied across the board in premarket trade Tuesday... after the House voted 321 to 101 in favor of a bill that would protect banks that do business with companies in states that have legalized the plant for medicinal or recreational purposes from federal enforcement action." The bill, which helps financial institutions deal with an industry that is still illegal federally, previously passed the House in 2019, and died in the Senate, which may also be the case this year.

Andrea Macko reports at Porcupine Soup that there is an another Drug Take-Back Day April 24 where drugs can be dropped off at the CVS in Cairo or the Cairo Police Department, and the Coxsackie Police Department, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In October, the Cairo Police Department collected 217 pounds of drugs, enough to fill a Cairo Highway Department truck to transport the cases to the Drug Enforcement Agency. Tablets, capsules, patches, and solid forms of medication will be taken, and vaping devices and cartridges will also be accepted, as long as the lithium batteries are removed. However, liquids, including intravenous solutions and syringes, as well as illegal drugs, cannot be dropped off. And masks must be worn. For more information about the event or to locate a collection site near you, visit the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day web site at https://takebackday.dea.gov/ or call 1-800-882-9539. Read more about this story at Porcupine Soup.

Today's daily headlines.

Click above to download or play today's "Better Weather." Produced by Joe Demanso of the Catskill Makers Syndicate.

Police, activists, and most citizens following the news this week are bracing for the worst, as the trial of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin went to the jury on April 19. In the past week protests have returned to many American cities, as video recordings of several instances of police brutality were released last week. Now, the officer who kneeled on George Floyd's neck for almost ten minutes last year will either be found innocent or guilty, and all sides are on edge. In Minneapolis, thousands of members of the National Guard are now patrolling streets, and schools switched to all-remote learning. The New York City Police Department stopped unscheduled days off for police officers beginning April 19, until further notice. In Philadelphia, Gov. Tom Wolf activated more than 1,000 Pennsylvania National Guard members at the request of Philadelphia officials ahead of the verdict. In Albany, there have been protests for several days, one where protesters broke a window, and were pepper-sprayed by police. After that, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan compared the Black Lives Matter protest at the police department's South Station to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. That did not go over well, the Times Union reports. “To compare us, our protest for civil rights, to the attempted coup and overthrow of the United States government, is dangerous. It’s dangerous for the people who protest here. It’s dangerous for the people when they go home. That is dangerous rhetoric from the mayor,” said local resident and activist Matt Marshall. Two days later, on April 17, Sheehan apologized. “My comments referred to the physical actions of the use of violence to attempt to gain unlawful entry into a governmental building,” Sheehan said in a tweet. “In no way did I intend to compare the insurrection to the BLM movement or protests. I am sorry.” But Sheehan was unapologetic about her threat to veto a ban on tear gas use by police in her city. Then on April 19, the Albany Common Council tabled a vote on that legislation that would ban Albany police from using tear gas or rubber bullets on citizens, as council members planned amendments to weaken the bill.

Gov. Tom Wolf has activated more than 1,000 Pennsylvania National Guard members at the request of Philadelphia officials to respond to any protests and potential unrest following the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin. https://t.co/GRzzOowx3A

— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (@PittsburghPG) April 19, 2021

Chris Bragg is reporting for the Times Union Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is the focus of a new investigation — this one is a look into his alleged use of government staff to help write a best-selling book last year. On April 13, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli invoked state Executive Law to issue a formal referral letter requesting a criminal investigation by state Attorney General Letitia James. DiNapoli is authorized under state law to make the request and to give the AG's office jurisdiction. DiNapoli asked the AGto look into matters “related to the use of property, services, or resources of the state for personal purposes,  private business purposes or other compensated non-governmental purposes by the Executive Chamber, including, but not limited to, in the drafting, editing, sale and promoting of the governor’s book and any related financial or business transactions.” A James spokesperson confirmed receipt of the comptroller's letter, and told the Times Union he could not comment further on an ongoing investigation. In a comment to The New York Times, Cuomo senior advisor Richard Azzopardi said the idea that there was criminality involved is "patently absurd on its face and is just the furthering of a political pile-on." A number of high-ranking aides to Cuomo helped produce the book, such as Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa, who did extensive editing. Cuomo’s office argues the help provided was voluntary. However, the question of whether staff was paid or not, is not the concern. Cuomo's special counsel, Judith Mogul, explicitly stated in a letter seeking approval of the book project that government staff would not be used, no exception. In July 2020, the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics approved the governor's book project on the condition that government staff not be used. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Coxsackie-Athens School District has proposed a $34 million budget for the 2021-22 school year. The proposal reflects an increase of nearly $789,000, or 2.37 percent, over the existing spending plan. The proposal includes a tax levy increase of 1.97 percent, which is within the state-mandated cap. There are no cuts to personnel, services or programs, Assistant Superintendent of School Services Leslie Copleston said during a virtual budget presentation last week. “We knew we needed to be thoughtful in how we move forward and how we use our monies,” Copleston said. The Coxsackie-Athens district received $3.6 million in federal aid via the Coronavirus Relief and Recovery Supplemental Appropriation Act approved in December, as well as the American Rescue Plan Act, which was passed in March, Copleston said. In the coming school year, administrative costs will decline by 3.31 percent, while program expenses are projected to rise by 2.64 percent and capital expenditures will go up 5.27 percent. In a rare occurrence, health insurance costs declined by 4.79 percent. “Typically you don’t see a reduction in health insurance, but what we found is that people didn’t go to the doctor during the pandemic as they normally would, so as a result, the cost of our health insurance went down significantly,” Copleston said. Salaries have increased 5.034 percent; special education costs went up by 4.487 percent; and retirement expenses increased by 2.88 percent. The district is awaiting guidance from the State Education Department on how the federal funding — which must be spent by 2024 — can be used, Superintendent Randall Squier said. Some of the funds will likely have to be set aside for summer school and used to address learning loss during the pandemic, he added. Public hearings on the 2021-22 budget will take place ar 6:30 p.m., May 4, in the Coxsackie Elementary School cafeteria, and at 6:30 p.m., May 6, the Edward J. Arthur Elementary School in Athens. The annual school board election and budget vote will be held May 18. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

MidHudson News is reporting Columbia-Greene Workforce New York will hold a multi-resort hospitality job fair at the Blackthorne Resort in East Durham, 1 to 3 p.m., May 2. The purpose of the fair is to fill the jobs that will be available this season. Resorts will be looking to fill full-time, part-time, seasonal and other employment positions for candidates aged 14 and older. Applicants are encouraged to bring resumes, be ready to complete applications and conduct interviews at the fair. “As businesses begin to resume regular activities as more of the population is vaccinated and travel increases, there is a need for additional employees for tourism-related businesses,” said Deputy County Administrator Warren Hart. Hart noted the Zoom Flume Water Park in Durham, was closed for the 2020 season due to COVID-19 and as a result, its entire workforce and revenue for the year was lost. Zoom Flume is starting over with new employees for 2021. “With high unemployment rates and businesses in need of workers, the workforce office looks forward to connecting Greene County employers and workers safely and conveniently,” said Chris Nardone, director of Columbia-Greene Workforce New York. Masks and social distancing will be required. More information about the fair is available by calling 518-719-3290 or writing to kheck [at] discovergreene [dot] com. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.

Today's daily news update.

Aliya Schneider is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Hudson Common Council will vote Tue., April 20, on more than $77,500 in tourism grants and the appointment of a new member of the Tourism Board. The board approved a $28,345 grant for the Waterfront Wednesday program before the council’s informal meeting last week. Those funds would bring programming to Henry Hudson Riverfront Park this summer. The project is organized by Elena Mosley from Operation Unite, performance artist Adam Weinert and Sam Merrett of the Schooner Apollonia. Tentative program plans include drum circles, children’s movies, music, sailboat rides, lighthouse tours, food vendors and possible dance performances, board member Kate Treacy said. Among the four additional tourism resolutions presented at the informal meeting: one resolution would provide $15,000 for an outdoor circus performance called Flatbed Follies put on by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. Another resolution awards $20,000 for the Warren Street Seasonal Use program, the new version of Shared Streets, for concrete barriers and the repair of wooden planter boxes. The remaining two resolutions would provide the Hudson Business Coalition with the second installments of grants the board and council agreed to fund last year. The council will also vote on the appointment of Hudson resident Ivy Dane to fill a vacancy on the Tourism Board. Dane would succeed board member Sidney Long. Dane is a long-time Hudson visitor and has been a resident for three years, said Common Council President Thomas DePietro. The Tourism Board’s budget was derived from a 50 percent allocation of the city’s lodging tax revenue until March 2020, when Local Law 2 eliminated that allotment. It had more than $400,000 at the end of 2019 and spent about $160,000 in grants and about $54,000 for the Shared Streets program in 2020. The board requested the use of $30,000 to fund a project manager position for the Warren Street Seasonal Usage program. The council denied that request, allocating $15,000 instead and telling the board it can come back to the council if more is needed. Note: DePietro is a volunteer WGXC on-air volunteer. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

On April 17, Johns Hopkins University researchers announced the world surpassed three million deaths from COVID-19. Locally on April 15, Columbia County reached 4,000 COVID-19 cases, and Greene County reached 3,000. Albany County also announced another death on April 19. "It's alarming, seeing the uptick in deaths and we haven't seen this in a long time" Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said. That's the bad news. The good news is that nationally, all adults are now eligible for vaccination. Locally, counties are approaching 50 percent of the adult population who have received at least one dose of a vaccine. Albany County is at 49.2 percent, according to the state's web site tracking vaccinations. Ulster County is also close, at 48.6 percent, followed by Columbia County at 45.3 percent, Rensselaer County at 44 percent, Dutchess County at 43.9 percent, and Greene County at 40.3 percent. Schoharie County and Delaware County continue to trail the Hudson Valley counties, at 35 percent, and 34.4 percent, respectively.

"It's alarming, seeing the uptick in deaths and we haven't seen this in a long time" Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said after announcing a woman in her 40's that passed away from COVID last night, brings the total to 372 in the county. @theAEnews pic.twitter.com/skSUwmXKmb

— Mike Koff (@Mike_Photograph) April 19, 2021

Chris Bragg is reporting for the Times Union Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has engaged the services of four law firms as he faces investigation by the state attorney general's office into multiple allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, and a separate investigation by the FBI and U.S. attorney's office looking into whether the governor's administration deliberately manipulated data on nursing home deaths during the coronavirus pandemic. Both investigations have caused senior aides and other members of the governor's administration to retain private counsel, as well. But while the work by the private attorneys has been underway for almost two months, details about the legal arrangements remain unclear. None of the contracts for legal services have been submitted for approval to Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office, a potential violation of state finance law. The governor’s office is not forthcoming as to whether the governor will front the money for the attorneys retained to represent him personally. It is also unclear whether taxpayer funds will pay for other state officials’ legal costs, including members of the governor's coronavirus task force. DiNapoli’s office says any contract over $50,000 cannot be executed or become effective until it is authorized by the comptroller’s office. Matthew Ryan, a spokesman for DiNapoli, said Cuomo’s office has not submitted any of the legal contracts for approval. In a statement, Cuomo senior advisor Richard Azzopardi said none of the four law firms have been paid money. “We are in the process of finalizing these contracts and related documents for review and approval by the comptroller’s office,” Azzopardi said. “We are abiding by all applicable rules and standards and in matters like this it is not uncommon for legal representation to begin while the contracts are simultaneously being drafted for submission. Doing it the other way could potentially leave the Chamber and its employees without representation.” Azzopardi did not answer questions about whether taxpayers would be paying for all of the work. "The contracts are working their way through the process and when they are publicly available you will likely be the first to know,” he said. The question of reimbursement could also arise for other state officials. For instance, witnesses that testify before grand juries are often eligible to have their legal fees reimbursed by the state. Read the full story in the Times Union.