Today's daily news audio update.

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

Nick Reisman reports at New York State of Politics that New York legislators on April 3 approved a stopgap budget measure that will temporarily fund New York's government while they continue to negotiate the state budget, which was due on April 1. Now, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the leaders of the state Senate and Assembly have until April 10 to agree on a new budget. Negotiations over bail reform are the main holdup on finalizing the budget, according to Democrats in Albany. In 2019 they passed a law allowing many people arrested, who are considered innocent by the courts, to go without bail, but Republicans have deemed the Democrats who passed the measure soft on crime. So some Democrats want to weaken the 2019 law, while progressive Democrats want the law to remain in place. Affordable housing, taxes, and negotiations over the state's minimum wage are also still to be set in the budget talks. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "We are disappointed that all parties couldn’t come together to pass a final budget in a timely manner." Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Melanie Lekocevic reports in Capital Region Independent Media that county officials broke ground on a new state-of-the-art renewable energy highway garage in Alcove in southern Albany County on April 3. The groundbreaking was premature, as the old garage still needs to be demolished. Still, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy was crowing about the progress, saying, “This is the first Albany County building that will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy.... We have been talking about this for over 12 years, since I have been in office.” The new building uses several types of renewable energy. “Solar panels will provide the electricity. We will capture rainwater to be used to clean the equipment. Geothermal will heat the building,” McCoy said. “The money the taxpayers will save over the years will be off the grid.” And the new garage will also have EV charging stations for electric vehicles. Albany County is spending $5.31 million on the project. Read more about this story at TheUpstater.com.

Nancy Kern reports for Columbia-Greene Media that as of April 1, Central Hudson monthly utility bills will include a half-percent surcharge. And while customers locally have been mad at Central Hudson for high costs and estimated billing, this surcharge is not their fault. It is part of a New York State program to give all low income New Yorkers forgiveness of up to $2,000 in utility bills in arrears prior to May 1, 2022. The One-Time Bill Credit Program is available for New Yorkers who qualified for home energy assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, Social Security Supplemental Income, and federal public housing assistance. Gov. Kathy Hochul said of the program, “Earlier this month, I laid out extensive proposals to make energy more affordable in my State of the State address, and with this historic electric and gas utility relief we’re achieving another major milestone to help New Yorkers stay warm during the cold winter months.” The program's budget is $672.1 million, which is going to 478,000 residential customers and 56,000 small businesses. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Melissa Schuman reports in The Saratogian that Amtrak’s Adirondack train line resumed operation this weekend. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Adirondack line ran from New York City’s Penn Station to Montreal with stops in Plattsburgh, Whitehall, Ticonderoga, Rensselaer, Albany, Port Henry, and Rouses Point. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican who represents much of the area in Congress, said, “Families throughout Upstate New York and the North Country rely on the Adirondack Line for transportation, and it serves a significant economic driver, connecting tourists and our Canadian neighbors to our region.” Read more about this story in The Saratogian.

Today's audio daily news update.

Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that the owners of the West Taghkanic Diner are planning to take down their neon sign depicting a Native American chief. “We feel it’s time to reconsider our use of the image,” according to a letter on display at the diner from the owners. “We know that people are not caricatures and don’t want to use people’s images without their input or consent.” The neon sign includes a Mohican tribal chief wearing a Great Plains-style headdress. The owners say they are talking to the local Forge Project, and the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation of Wisconsin about the sign. The Forge Project is a Columbia County-based, Native-led art initiative, and they released a statement saying, “Forge Project supports this decision and hopes that other businesses in the region will look to West Taghkanic Diner as a model for rethinking the types of images circulated of Native people and not spreading false and harmful stereotypes.” Jake Malone of Taghkanic said, disagreed, saying, “Why go and tamper with things?... The sign has been up since I was a kid. I don’t understand why they want to change it now.” Others agreed. Robert Barnes of Columbia County said, “Everything can’t stay the same forever.... Change is important. You have to move on with the times or get left in the past. I don’t have an issue with the sign coming down, and those who have a problem just have to deal with it. I’m not going to stop coming to the diner because of a sign — that’s so stupid.” The diner is on Rt. 82 at an exit of the Taconic Parkway. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Casey Bortnick reports for New York State of Politics that the third recreational cannabis dispensary outside of New York City opened on April 1 in Schenectady. Now more than two years after cannabis was legalized in New York, the only upstate locations for legal sales are in Binghamton, Ithaca, and, now, Schenectady. But that could change soon. A lawsuit had been blocking cannabis stores opening in the Mid-Hudson region, and four other areas of the state, but that was reversed for all but the Finger Lakes region last week, clearing the way for local stores to open. Chris Alexander, the executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management, would not say much about when cannabis stores will open in the Hudson Valley. DOWNLOAD OR PLAY EXCERPT OF ALEXANDER HERE. Read the full story at New York State of Politics.

Jammel Cutler reports in Columbia-Greene Media that the Friends of Oakdale Lake group is in its third stage to stop the growth of unwanted vegetation in the Hudson water body. Hudson Youth Center Director Liz Yorck is happy about the work because young people use the lake every summer. She said, “I’m always grateful to Friends at Oakdale Lake.... They do a lot of hard work to improve the quality and the presentation of Oakdale, and I’m grateful to them, and I’m excited to see how this works out.” People walking around the lake with their dog, such as Reggie James are happy too, saying, “My children and I use this lake a lot during the summer.... We go swimming while my wife goes hiking on the trails. This lake is one of the highlights of Columbia County, and I hope my family, and other families, get to enjoy the water and the scenery as much as I do.” Friends of Oakdale Lake first harvested submerged vegetation and then used an air diffuser to keep the water clean, odor-free and to reduce ice formation. Now they are adding barley straw in small nets or stockings to control excessive algae growth. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Today's daily news audio update.

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

Here is this week's WGXC Congressional Report, tracking the votes, statements, positions, and campaigns of the representatives and candidates for the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st Congressional seats in New York. Democrat Pat Ryan is representing the 18th Congressional District, Republican Marc Molinaro represents the 19th Congressional District, Democrat Rep. Paul Tonko represents the 20th District, and Republican Elise Stefanik represents the 21st District. Click here to listen to this report.

Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that Republicans Marc Molinaro and Elise Stefanik and Democrats Pat Ryan and Paul Tonko split their votes on a show bill about parental control of education. Republicans call it the Parents Bill of Rights Act, and it has no chance to pass the Senate or be signed into law by President Joe Biden. Molinaro, who represents the 19th Congressional District, said, “This bill originated from the simple idea that parents should have a say in their child’s education.... I worked so this bill was reasonable, preserved protections for children, and included measures that ensure parents know what’s being taught in schools.” Ryan cited the five Republicans voting against the measure, saying, "“Democrats and Republicans alike opposed this bill because it is a radical federal overreach that bans books and attacks LGBTQ+ students.... It is deeply disappointing that so many of my Republican colleagues went along with this political stunt, rather than working on actual improvements to our education system. I’m focused on the real issues impacting our public schools, like getting guns out of our children’s classrooms, raising pay for teachers and reducing food insecurity.” Molinaro bragged about how he voted against several more radical amendments to the bill. A statement from his office said, “Rep. Molinaro also voted against significant Republican-led amendments – preventing them from being attached to the final bill. These amendments would have burdened schools with significant costs, interfered with state and local educational decisions, and established Congress’ support to suspend all major functions and programs provided by the U.S. Department of Education for K-12 education." But Democrats introduced a motion so that the bill could not lead to book banning. But Molinaro voted against that amendment. But the bill is filled with all sorts of radical amendments. Rep. Lauren Boebert, for instance, successfully backed amendments to require schools to report when transgender girls join girls’ athletics teams and if trans girls are allowed to use girls’ school restrooms or locker rooms. The bill, if it were to become law, would also require elementary and middle schools to get parents’ consent to change a child’s gender designation, pronouns, or name. Tonko said, "This bill tramples on the rights of parents, students, and teachers alike.... This bill would force schools to submit to 'inspections' of every book in their libraries and every piece of assigned reading material to ensure they comply with draconian standards." But, since it is a show vote that won't pass this Congress, Molinaro and Stefanik aligned themselves with radical Republicans in voting for the bill. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

The Daily Freeman reports that Rep Marc Molinaro will speak at the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce Breakfast at the Diamond Mills Hotel and Tavern at 7:30 a.m. on April 12. Molinaro represents the 19th Congressional District, and says he will discuss the workforce shortage, combating inflation, and encouraging business development in the Hudson Valley in the address. It costs $30 for members, and $40 for non-members to attend the event and hear Molinaro speak. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Brendan J. Lyons reports in the Times Union that Democrats in a New York appellate court have a lawsuit that would redraw the Congressional district maps. The lawsuit seeks to compel the state Independent Redistricting Commission to create yet another map of New York's congressional boundaries. The Independent Redistricting Commission deadlocked along partisan lines and failed to create a map originally, so the Democrat-led Legislature stepped in and created a map that was thrown out of court because it was considered gerrymandered to favor Democrats. Then a special master created the district lines that are currently in place. Democrats have hired the Elias Law Group in Washington, D.C., which touts itself as "the nation’s largest law firm focused on representing the Democratic Party, Democratic campaigns, nonprofit organizations and individuals committed to securing a progressive future." The case is scheduled in May before the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court in Albany. It is possible that Congressional elections in 2020, 2022, and 2024 could have three different district maps if the Democrats prevail. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that local Democrats and Republicans in Congress voted on opposite sides on a bill March 30 that would lower energy costs and hasten global warming, leading to more costs later. But it was all just Congressional theatre, as the bill is unlikely to pass the Democratically-controlled Senate, or be signed by President Joe Biden. The Lower Energy Costs Act would increase domestic production of oil, natural gas and coal, and ease permitting restrictions that delay pipelines, refineries and other projects, and hasten global warming by increasing pollutants. Local Democrats Paul Tonko and Pat Ryan voted against the bill, and Republicans Marc Molinaro and Elise Stefanik voted against the measure, which passed 225-to-204 in the House of Representatives. New York Senator Chuck Schumer called it “dead on arrival.” Ryan said, “My community has a long and well-documented history of big corporations dumping toxic pollutants, particularly PFAS, in our waterways.... And while there are many reasons I oppose this bill, I rise today to speak on this aspect in particular.“ Molinaro said, “The historic legislation, which passed with bipartisan support, lowers energy costs for Upstate New York families by increasing domestic energy production, reforming the United States’ broken permitting process, and streamlining new energy projects, including renewable energy projects.” Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Local Congressional representatives Pat Ryan and Elise Stefanik responded on Twitter March 30 to the news that former President Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, while Paul Tonko and Marc Molinaro stayed silent in the first hours after the story broke. Stefanik, a Republican representing the 21st Congressional District including Rensselaer County, wrote, "This is unprecedented election interference from corrupt Socialist District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The radical Far Left will stop at nothing to persecute Joe Biden’s chief political opponent President Trump ahead of the election." Democrat Pat Ryan, who represents Dutchess County and the rest of the 18th Congressional District, wrote, "No one is above the law, even a former President. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office now has an obligation to lay out the facts and present its case. I urge all Americans to reject any calls for violence and respect the rule of law."

Roger Hannigan Gilson reports in the Times Union that five developers have responded to a Request for Qualifications from the Hudson Housing Authority to rebuild public housing in Hudson. The Authority will announce the winning proposal at its April 17 meeting. The 50-year-old Bliss Towers and Columbia Apartments, with 131 units altogether, will be torn down, and new housing will be built at other locations. Hudson also has plans to develop 85 affordable housing units on three parcels in the city, and the Galvan Foundation says it will create 138 apartments, with more than 50 affordable or middle-income. Gov. Kathy Hochul, and many local officials, say that New York and the Hudson Valley have an affordable housing crisis now, with longtime residents being priced out. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Diane Valden reports for The Columbia Paper that Ancram may be getting more income from speeding tickets not that town officials voted three-to-two March 16 to pay Columbia County Sheriffs for more patrols in town. Ancram Court Clerk Ruth Wittlinger said having the increased patrols brings the town court “a little bit more business.” Councilmember and Fire Chief David Boice voted against the measure, and first said paying for extra patrols was not needed because he sees State Police and Sheriff’s patrols “everyday around town.” But he also said, “it’s being suggested to those guys not to be in Ancram.... The sheriff isn’t allowing the guys to sit in Ancram at slow times.... I know things are going on behind the scenes.” He said the Sheriff's office has problems communicating with patrols in Ancram by radio or cell phone due to the hilly terrain. Since the town voted for the patrols, Ancram will be paying the Sheriffs between $12,000 and $20,000 annually. The Sheriffs would especially patrol the intersection of Route 82 and County Route 7 in the Ancram hamlet and the Route 82, County routes 3 and 8 in the Ancramdale hamlet between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Read more about this story in The Columbia Paper.

Mid-Hudson News reports that a CSX trash train derailed March 30 in Dutchess County. One rail car left the tracks at the Chelsea crossing in Wappingers Falls, but no one was injured. CSX did not respond to a request to comment on the accident. Metro-North said there will be Hudson Line service changes the week of April 3-through-7 for crews to repair track and switch damage caused by the freight train derailment. Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

Maria M. Silva reports in the Times Union that the Onteora Central School District is considering closing one or two elementary schools because of falling enrollment. So far, they are discussing either closing Bennett Elementary or closing both elementary schools in Phoenicia and Woodstock. The number of students at those schools has fallen from 2,470 in 1998 to 1,101 students today. Onteora Superintendent Victoria McLaren said, “We have lost 1,000 students and not changed our footprint.” The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Ulster County's number of children ages 5-19 decreased from 36,764 in 2000 to 29,000 in 2020. But from 2019 to 2021, the population of Ulster County overall grew 2.8 percent, reversing a decline since 2010. The Onteora Parents Engaged Now group that opposes the school closures argues that the pandemic has “fundamentally changed” the local population. Megan H. Brenner is a parent and a spokesperson for the parents group, said, “Moral of the story is that it’s fiscally irresponsible to rush decision-making on something that cannot be undone.... That will forever shape the impact of these communities without knowing or disclosing all the impacts on the community and taxpayers.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Today's audio daily news update.

Nancy Kern reports for Columbia-Greene Media that David Schneider was declared the winner of the Tannersville mayor election on March 30 by a count of 103-to-102 votes. The one vote victory came after Schneider had a two-vote lead after absentee ballots, and two cured ballots were submitted to the the Greene County Board of Elections. But the board ruled one of the cured, or changed, ballots invalid. County Election Commissioners Marie Metzler and Brent Bogardus said that the handwriting on one of the cured ballots did not match the signatures on the ballot envelope or the original registration. Schneider said, “I’m honored to have been elected by voters in the village of Tannersville to serve as the next mayor.... In the largest election turnout in well over a decade, I’m excited to continue engaging with our neighbors as we move our community forward. I’m ready to get to work and serve our community in a collaborative manner. We have a tremendous opportunity to ensure that basic services are maintained while supporting our residents, businesses and visitors. I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees as we map out Tannersville’s future together. I want to thank Lee McGunnigle for his years of service to Tannersville.” McGunnigle did not take the loss easily, and may appeal. “They refused to open one vote,” McGunnigle said. “There was one letter in the whole signature they didn’t like.” McGunnigle also mentioned voter intimidation at the polls as an issue in the results. “You’re not supposed to be harassed, you’re not supposed to be intimidated, you’re not supposed to film people at the election place,” McGunnigle said. McGunnigle was first elected mayor of Tannersville in 1994, served four terms, and, after a brief interruption, was elected again in 2007, and has been mayor until now. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Liz Montgomery reports at Porcupine Soup that Catskill schools went into a shelter in place on March 30 after police received a false threat targeting the high school. A number of other schools in the upper Hudson Valley also experienced similar threats this week, and several Berkshire County schools also did on March 28. On March 27, there was a school shooting in Tennessee with seven dead, and other threats often follow school shooting. The threat targeted Catskill High, which has been empty all week because of a broken pipe. Read the full story at Porcupine Soup.