Local weather forecast


Today’s forecast is specific to Cairo, in Greene County:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34, and a low around 24.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS:
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 35, and a low around 18.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 21, and a low around 6.

Sunrise today: 7:24 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:35 p.m.



DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local headlines and weather for Thu., Dec. 31 (6:37). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

Jeff Waggoner in Capitol Confidential reports that state workers who blow the whistle at their workplace will be protected under a bill signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier this week. Whistleblowers no longer must first notify their supervisors of potential improper activity. "I anticipate continuing discussions with the legislature in the 2016 session regarding any additional legislative changes that may be warranted,” Cuomo said in a press release. The union’s president, Wayne Spence, called the bill a “PEF legislative victory.” The union said possible whistleblowers may not feel comfortable reporting to a superior they believe is also corrupt. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential, a Times-Union blog.

Catskill's Bridge Street Theatre unveils a marquee over its main entrance at 3 p.m., Jan. 2. Congressman Chris Gibson, State Senator George Amedore, and other local officials will be at the theater for the unveiling. The theater, a former empty warehouse, has been open for two seasons of plays, music, and community meetings. Caroline Ravn, a magician, performs there next weekend.

DOWNLOAD or PLAY the full audio version of this report (2:15).

Andrea Sears reports for New York News Connection from Public News Service that medical marijuana dispensaries could open in New York state next week, but patients may still be waiting to get access. The Compassionate Care Act, signed into law in July of last year, set Jan. 5, 2016 as a target date for up to 20 dispensaries to open statewide.

But Julie Netherland of the Drug Policy Alliance says the state Department of Health didn't launch the system to register and train doctors until last October and patient registration just opened last week.

"So that leaves patients very little time to find a physician, to get certified by that physician and then to apply to the state Department of Health for a patient ID card," says Netherland.

The Department of Health also has not published a list of doctors trained to certify medical marijuana patients, making it difficult for patients to identify a qualified physician.

Since the state passed its medical marijuana law, Beverly McClain, a cancer patient who championed the bill, has died without ever being certified to use the drug. And Netherland points out that access can literally be a matter of life or death to some children who have a severe form of epilepsy.

"Medical marijuana, in some cases, can really reduce both the number and severity of those seizures," she says. "And that can be life saving for these young kids because any one of these seizures can take their life."

Netherland says at least three children have died from epileptic seizures in New York in the past 18 months.

New York only lists 10 illnesses that qualify for medical marijuana and restricts the forms available to capsules, oils and liquids. Smoking and edible products are not allowed. And there will only be 20 dispensaries in a state with 20 million people covering 54,000 square miles. Netherland maintains that regulating medical marijuana is necessary, but of the 23 states that allow its use, New York is one of the most restrictive.

"What we've seen in New York is they have tipped the scales too far and over-regulated the program to such a degree that it really can restrict patient access," Netherland says.

Last month Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Medical Marijuana Emergency Access bill, intended to get marijuana to critically ill patients more quickly. But the Drug Policy Alliance says so far there's no indication that the law has had any impact.

It's New Year’s Day, and the Daily Freeman has a rundown of how various services will be affected.

Amtrak: Modified schedule
Banks: Closed
County offices: Closed
Federal offices: Closed
Financial markets: Closed
Greene County Transit: No service
Mail: No service
Metro-North: Hourly service on all lines
Schools: Closed
State offices: Closed
Trailways: Holiday schedule

Local weather forecast


Today’s forecast is specific to Cairo, in Greene County:

Today (New Year's Day): A slight chance of snow showers after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 38. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Friday night, a slight chance of snow showers before 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 24. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS:
Saturday: Partly sunny. High near 36. Saturday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 25.
Sunday: Isolated snow showers after 8 a.m. Partly sunny. High near 37. Sunday night, partly cloudy. Low around 19.

Sunrise today: 7:24 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:34 p.m.

LENGTH OF THE DAY: 9:10


PUBLIC MEETINGS

Today is the first Friday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
(All numbers are in the 518 area code unless otherwise noted.)

DURHAM Town Board organizational meeting, 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 7309 State Hwy. 81, Durham (239-6122).
NEW BALTIMORE Town Board organizational meeting, 12 p.m. at Town Hall, 3809 County Rte. 51, Hannacroix (756-6671).

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local headlines and weather for Thu., Dec. 31 (7:06). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting in the Greene County News environmental advocacy group Riverkeeper has made public its disappointment with the state's recent decision to allow the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Thruway Authority co-manage the environmental review of the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline project. Riverkeeper wrote in a statement, “We believe that a joint lead agency status is unprecedented and fails to address the concerns of the many municipalities in the region that specifically expressed their opposition to the Thruway Authority’s participation in the environmental review process." Fifty-eight municipalities along the Thruway corridor have voiced opposition to the Authority’s involvement in reviewing the proposal. Riverkeeper also said the decision undermines the process that is intended to protect the environmental resources impacted by the pipeline. Kate Hudson, director of Cross-Watershed Initiatives for Riverkeeper, predicted a conflict could arise between the two agencies. She said, “We’re concerned about the possible consequences of having two state agencies share responsibility. It could become problematic should disagreements arise....” If built, the 178-mile pipeline would move Bakken crude from Albany to Linden, N.J., through Albany, Greene, and Ulster counties, and send refined crude back to Albany, largely along the I-87 corridor. Read the full story in the Greene County News.

The Mid-Hudson News Network is reporting sales of pistol permits in the region have been on the rise in the recent months. Officials in both Columbia and Sullivan counties report they are adjusting their schedules and rules to accommodate applicants. In Columbia County, Sheriff David Bartlett confirmed there has been an increase in the number of pistol permit applications and a large influx of students taking gun safety courses in recent months. According to a related report in the Register-Star, there were 360 applications submitted in December alone. Because of the increase, Bartlett's office has set aside additional office hours for processing during the month of January. In Sullivan county, the number of pistol permits doubled this year. More than half of the applicants lately have been from women, county clerk Daniel Briggs said. He attributed the rise in permit applications to recent mass shootings. “Then you have the sheriffs, on top of that, suggesting that people try and take precautionary measures in defending themselves. You put all those factors together and you have a situation where people take measures to try and protect themselves,” Briggs said. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

DOWNLOAD or PLAY the full audio version of this report (1:19).

Nia Hamm is reporting for Public News Service beginning Friday, pregnant New Yorkers can enroll in the state's health-insurance exchange at any time during their pregnancy. Enrollment is usually only available during the period of October through December. But new legislation, co-sponsored by Assembly member Aravella Simotas, D-Queens, makes NewYork the first state in the nation where pregnancy is a "qualifying life event" that allows pregnant women to obtain health insurance and prenatal care at any time through the exchange; something Simotas says is crucial for a baby's development. "It was mind-boggling to me that New York State and states throughout the nation would allow a woman giving birth to get insurance, but they wouldn't cover her while she was pregnant," says Simotas. "Why should a child be born into this world prematurely if it can be avoided?" Simotas says the insurance industry was resistant to the legislation because of fears that expanding the list of health conditions that allow people to enroll outside of the designated period could cut into profits. Simotas says that's simply not true. "The research is clear that a child that is born healthy costs insurance companies a lot less than a child that's born prematurely," she says. "It makes more economic sense to provide a mother, who may have issues during her pregnancy, with prenatal care." Under the law, insurance coverage for a pregnant woman would be effective beginning the first day of the month in which the woman is certified as pregnant.

Greg Hudson in the River Chronicle reports that Rhinebeck school district is considering moving back the high school and middle school starting time. The Rhinebeck Board of Education is taking more public input before voting on a one-year pilot program that could begin next school year. Under the current proposal, the high school and middle school day would begin a half an hour later, and, Chancellor Livingston Elementary would also start 15 minutes later then the current schedule. Read the full story in the River Chronicle.

Jordan Carleo-Evangelist reports in the Albany Times-Union that breakaway Democrats seeking a different majority in the Albany County legislature could not convince enough Republicans to join them in a new coalition. Some of the 29 Democrats sought to join with the 10 Republicans to run the legislature and choose a different leader. Longtime Majority Leader Frank Commisso is backing Deputy Majority Leader Sean Ward for chairman. Read the full story in the Albany Times-Union.

The fact that George Pataki was running for president would be news to some, judging by the former New York governor's poll numbers. The website fivethirtyeight.com reports that, "In the 221 polls that asked about Pataki, he registered zero percent 149 times. He earned more than one percent just 10 times and more than two percent only once." Pataki announced the end of his campaign for president on Dec. 30.

Local weather forecast


Today’s forecast is specific to Cairo, in Greene County:

Today: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny. High near 41. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 28.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS:
Friday: (New Year's Day): Partly sunny. High near 39. Friday night, a slight chance of snow showers after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy. Low around 26.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. High near 37. Saturday night, partly cloudy. Low around 27.

Sunrise today: 7:24 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:33 p.m.

LENGTH OF THE DAY: 9:09


PUBLIC MEETINGS

Today is the fifth Thursday of the month.
WGXC is unaware of any recurring meetings scheduled for today.

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local headlines and weather for Wed., Dec. 30 (5:10). (Produced by Tom Roe.)

Jillian Nadiak is reporting in the Register-Star the Valatie Free Library is getting a new home. The library will move into a new building located at 1036 Kinderhook St. when construction is completed Jan. 11. The facility will be fully handicapped accessible, and has far more space. As a result, the library will now be able to provide more programs for children and adults, as well as expand its current book collection. The Kinderhook Street location also has a parking lot with space to accommodate 15 cars. The move was made possible entirely through donations and fundraising. Money raised through the library’s capital campaign was used to acquire the new building. Tax funds are used for library operating expenses including heating, electric, salaries and the purchasing of books. Those funds cannot be used for construction. The new building will open January 12. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

The Windham Journal is reporting emergency mental health services are now available through the Mobile Crisis Assessment Team operated by The Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties by confidentially calling (518) 943-5555. According to assessment team director Aimee Richards, three levels of specialty care are available as part of the program, which was launched in July. The team's goal is to relieve pressure on hospitals, emergency rooms and urgent care centers. “Our mission is to divert individuals from psychiatric hospitalizations, minimize police interventions for strictly mental health matters and provide rapid, effective linkages to long-term service providers,” Richards said. Professionals are available by phone from noon until 8 p.m. seven days a week. The hope is to expand to 24/7 availability in the future. There is no charge for the service. Read the full story in the Windham Journal.

David Giambusso is reporting at Politico New York that funding cuts to New York's clean air monitoring program could jeopardize air quality statewide, especially in its urban areas. This is according to a report released Tue., Dec. 29, by Environmental Advocates of New York. "Clearing the Air," rebukes Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature for failing to fully fund the Department of Environmental Conservation's air monitoring program. It also criticizes state leaders for lacking the political will to implement the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2006, which was supposed to have been fully implemented by 2010. Environmental Advocates found a 25 percent cut in staffing levels over six years, and funding for the clean air program fell by 34 percent in eight years. The report states, "Although overall numbers show that air quality in New York has improved over the last five years, these numbers do not tell the whole story. With fewer resources available to monitor air quality, the DEC has been forced to do less because they have less, which leaves New York’s air quality in jeopardy." A DEC spokesperson said the department's air monitoring program went well beyond federal standards. "New York’s air quality monitoring program is one of the strongest in the nation and has resulted in major reductions in air pollution across the state," he said. The full report is available online at EANY [dot] ORG. Read the full story at Politico New York.

Matthew Hamilton at Capitol Confidential reports that old tradition of changing smoke alarm batteries with seasonal clock changes may be fading away. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation Dec. 28 banning sales of smoke detectors with removable batteries as of Jan. 1, 2017. Instead, everyone will have to buy detectors with non-removable 10-year batteries. “All homes and businesses must have working smoke detectors and it is undisputed that these devices save lives,” Cuomo was quoted in a press release about the bill. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times-Union blog.