Lance Wheeler posted a YouTube video of music and interviews with attendees at the April 19 event about Hudson's sesquicentennial commemoration of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the journey of his funeral train through the Hudson Valley. The 77th New York Regimental Balladeers presented a musical tribute to the life and times of Lincoln called "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory" at the First Presbyterian Church in Hudson.

Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Apr. 17 through Sun., Apr. 19

Joseph Spector reported at lohud.com a poll released Thu., Apr. 16, by Monmouth University found that 12 percent of U.S. voters believe New York leads the nation with the most political corruption, edging out California at 11 percent and Illinois at 9 percent. New Jersey ranked fourth at 5 percent. The college said the perception was shared by Democrat and Republican respondents, alike. The poll of more than 1,000 adults was conducted by telephone earlier this month. In New York, nearly 40 state lawmakers have faced ethical woes since 2000, according to a Rochester Democrat & Chronicle database. New York led the nation with more than 2,500 public corruption convictions between 1976 and 2010, or an average of 70 a year, according to a 2012 report from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Jim Planck reported in The Daily Mail Marilyn Farrell announced Fri., Apr. 17, her candidacy for the office of Greene County Clerk. Farrell currently serves as the county's deputy clerk. Two-term Republican Michael Flynn disclosed last week he will not seek a third term in November. Farrell, also a Republican, has been employed by the county for 22 years. She will seek the GOP endorsement. Farrell is a Greene County native, a graduate of Catskill High School. She holds an associate's degree in Business and Accounting from Albany Business College. Also, Michael Ryan reported Greene County Legislator James Hitchcock announced he will seek a sixth, three-year term in November. Hitchcock, a Republican, has served nearly 15 years representing District 6, which includes the towns of Ashland, Jewett, Prattsville and Windham. Hitchcock served four years as clerk of the legislature prior to winning elected office. As the current chairman of the Public Works committee, Hitchcock overseeing the county's buildings and grounds, highway and solid waste management. He also sits on the Finance, County Resources and Economic Development and Tourism committees.

Scott Waldman reported at Capital New York a business coalition has intensified its fight against state legislative efforts to restrict chemicals in children's toys. The group, the Safe to Play Coalition, filed a lawsuit against Albany County's so-called toxic toys ban last week, claiming it was unconstitutional and so restrictive it would cover virtually all of the toys sold in the county. The coalition is made up of hundreds of toy retailers. The potential chemical restrictions on toys statewide could have a ripple effect across the entire industry, since New York is such a significant market.  Proponents of the bills say they could protect children from toxic chemicals such as mercury and arsenic contained in some toys and children's products. The toy industry contends the bill would hurt dozens of small businesses across the state.

WGXC programmer Christina Malisoff has died. News of her passing was posted to Facebook by Hudson Opera House Executive Director Gary Schiro, Sun., Apr. 19. She succumbed Saturday, following a long illness. Malisoff was a Hudson resident. She traced her interest in independent media back to 1999, when she became involved with the Battle of Seattle. She hosted several different shows at WRPI in Troy before joining WGXC as a member of the original Community Advisory Council and programmer. Malisoff hosted "Tell It Like It Is," a weekly program that engaged listeners on issues of international, national and local importance, on the station from 2010 to 2013. She also was the silent co-host of "Duquesne Whistle," with Doug Clow until late last year. Malisoff was a political activist and community organizer, an artist, and a nurse. She was one of the founders of Hudson's community garden more than 15 years ago. At the time of her death she was the Program Assistant at the Hudson Opera House. Schiro wrote of Malisoff, "She was an amazing, compassionate, loving, caring, profoundly generous human being and she made the planet better everywhere she went."

 

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 64F; low 43F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 65F; low 42F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Rain likely, mainly after 7 a.m. Cloudy. High near 55. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Monday night, showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3 a.m., then showers likely. Low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Tuesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 65. Tuesday night, a slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy. Low around 39.
Wednesday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny. High near 61. Wednesday night, a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 39.
Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 54. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 34.

Sunset today: 7:42 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:37 hrs.

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

ATHENS Town meeting, 6:45 p.m. at Community Center, 2 First Street, Athens (945-1052).
AUSTERLITZ Comprehensive plan meeting, 7 p.m. at 812 Route 203, Austerlitz (392-3260).
CANAAN Planning board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1647 Route 5 South, Canaan (781-3144).
GERMANTOWN Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Road, Germantown (537-6687).
GREENVILLE Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Offices, corner of routes 32 and 81, Greenville (966-8276).
TAGHKANIC Zoning Commission meeting, 6:30 p.m., at Town Hall, 909 Route 82, Taghkanic (851-7638).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show: Sole Train WGXC’s radio magazine show featuring local news, interviews with community leaders and personalities, a rundown of public meetings, local and regional events, with weather updates, and more about and for the community. Plus "Sole Train" with Ed Fertik on the health benefits of acupuncture (original broadcast: July 29, 2014). Live from the WGXC Hudson Studio. Hosted by Tyson Hauf.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. National, daily, independent, award-winning news program providing audiences with access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S. corporate-sponsored media.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
10 a.m.: The Albany Report: Laura TenEyck, Todd Earling New York’s upstate economy is fueled by agricultural activity and the production of food on family-owned farms. The latest state budget included record funding for farmland preservation and investment in farm infrastructure for young farmers. During this broadcast, a conversation about local farms and farmland preservation with Laura TenEyck, Outreach Manager, the American Farmland Trust, and Todd Earling, Executive Director of Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation. Call (518) 828-0290 to go on air during the show, or send your comments or questions via email to info@wgxc.org. Or take three minutes and record a question or comment ahead of time at (518) 291-WGXC (9492). Hosted by Cecilia Tkaczyk.
11 a.m.: Zoom: In the Arms of Mama Pus, Rust, and Redemption After a good fall off my skateboard onto a rusty surface, the lil tiny flakes of oxidized metal lodging under the dermal layers of skin caused an infection, full of drippy pus. It went right to my brain. In this delirium/highly suggestible state. I thought of my soul and contemplated my own redemption, all while listening to Christian shortwave broadcasts. Tyson Hauf, host.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

The Guardian reported last week that the world discarded a record 41.8 million tons of electronic waste in 2014, according to a report from the United Nations University, the UN’s educational and research branch. Norway was worst on a per capita basis, with 62.5 pounds per person generated there. The United States and China created the bulk of the waste, almost one-third of the world's total. Those countries were followed by Japan, Germany, and India, in terms of bulk electronic waste. Of all that trash, only 1/6th of that is recycled. And that's even with, the UN report notes, 300 tons of gold hidden among the 41.3 million tons. “Worldwide, e-waste constitutes a valuable ‘urban mine’ – a large potential reservoir of recyclable materials,” said UN under secretary-general David Malone. “At the same time, the hazardous content of e-waste constitutes a ‘toxic mine’ that must be managed with extreme care.” Mobile phones, calculators, personal computers, and printers, make up only seven percent of items deemed "electronic waste," with kitchen items taking up the most room in the trash. Read the full story in The Guardian.

Dan Freedman in Capitol Confidential reports that both New York senators signed on April 17 to legislation to implement Positive Train Control, the rail equivalent of air traffic control. U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand backed a bill introduced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Schumer said the system would have prevented the 2013 Metro North derailment at Spuyten Duyvil in the Bronx. Blumenthat's Positive Train Control Safety Act is up against a similar bill by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) that would delay PTC installation until 2020. Blumethal's bill would require PTC on any rail line used by tanker cars carrying oil such as Bakken crude or ethanol. Large oil trains now regularly run up the west side of the Hudson River, and wait in yards between the river and interstate in Albany. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.

[caption width="327" align="alignleft"] Onesquethaw Creek in Albany County. From Wikipedia.[/caption]The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has acquired almost 7,000 feet of public fishing rights along the Onesquethaw Creek, including a 1,375-foot access trail and a new angler parking area on Rupert Road in the town of Bethlehem, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced April 17. Onesquethaw Creek flows into Coeymans Creek, which ends in the Hudson River in southern Albany County. “The collaboration between DEC and Bethlehem town staff, along with not-for-profit organizations like Trout Unlimited has provided a valuable asset for the town and the region,” said Bethlehem Town Supervisor John Clarkson. “Fencing and other improvements were made available through good old fashioned low-key cooperation among the staffs and it’s a big win that we now have safe and legal public access to this great fishing location.” The new angler parking lot is on Rupert Road next to the town of Bethlehem’s transfer station. DEC acquired the access sites from the town of Bethlehem and a private property owner for about $21,000, using funds from the Environmental Protection Fund. Last year, DEC sampled portions of the stream in the vicinity of the newly acquired fishing access sites and found multiple year classes of Brown Trout ranging from three to 17 inches. Future Onesquethaw Creek restoration and improvement projects are being planned by the Clearwater chapter of Trout Unlimited, with additional financial support being provided by the CSX Corporation and the Lafarge cement company.

Local News
Local news Click here for news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sun., April 12. PLAY AUDIO (2:56)

Local weather forecast
Today's forecast is specific to Acra, in Greene County.

• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Rain likely, mainly after 5 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 41.

• Monday: Rain. High near 53, low around 42.

• Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

Sunrise 6:07 a.m.
Sunset 7:41 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 6:49 A.M. 8:55 P.M.
Mercury 6:32 A.M. 8:38 P.M.
Venus 7:58 A.M. 11:14 P.M.
Mars 6:48 A.M. 8:55 P.M.
Jupiter 12:56 P.M. 3:21 A.M.
Saturn 10:22 P.M. 8:07 A.M.
Uranus 5:45 A.M. 6:35 P.M.
Neptune 4:20 A.M. 3:20 P.M.
Pluto 1:30 A.M. 10:56 A.M.

WGXC Programming

Tabs Out: Dead Channel
April 19, 2015: 12:05 a.m. – 3 a.m.
Cassette-only show, #63. Mike Nigro of Oxtail Recordings takes some time off from ollying over bongs to hang out and play some tapes with us. Killer jams from Ryan P. Conaty, Charles Barabé, Stickboy, Alan Mills, Today Tomorrow and Yesterday, Dead Channel, Eartheater, Mikronesia, Good Willsmith, Fiber Optic Tap, The Man, Jan Balsam and Herman Cone, Kill Alters, Mewl, Tiger Village, and Immortal Beings.

Radia: L’Atelier de Création Sonore et Radiophonique
April 19, 2015: 5:05 a.m. – 5:35 a.m.
Radia Show 524: "la coquille sur la lune" from Radio Panik, in Brussels, Belgium. "Radia" is a group of international stations, including Wave Farm's WGXC, interested in new and forgotten ways of making radio. Each week, one station makes a show for the others. This week: "La Coquille is a funny workshop organized by L’Atelier de Création Sonore et Radiophonique, located just below Radio Panik studios, in Brussels. A place to discover, experiment and play with sounds. In this selection, the students promise you the moon! Special thanks to Jeanne Debarsy, Christophe Rault and Sébastien Schmitz

This Week in Radio News: Radiophrenia
April 19, 2015: 5:35 a.m. – 6 a.m.
Headlines this week include: Net neutrality rules challenged in Congress, and the courts; KHIG marijuana radio turns on in Colorado Springs; Voice of America, Pacifica changes; FCC's AM Radio Revitilization Plan; The FCC and Pirate Radio. Plus, sound samples from Radiophrenia, the Glasgow radio art project that aired on 87.9fm, from April 13 to April 19. "Radiophrenia" is a temporary art radio station, a week-long exploration into current trends in sound and transmission arts. Broadcasting live from Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts, the station aims to promote radio as an art form, encouraging challenging and radical new approaches to the medium. See http://radiophrenia.scot/ for more information.

Rock n' Roll Martian: The Voyager Golden Records
April 19, 2015: 10 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
The first two of the five hours of the “The Voyager Golden Records” which were included aboard both Voyager spacecrafts which were launched in 1977. They contain sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth and are intended for any intelligent extraterrestrial life form, or for future humans, who may find them. Carl Sagan noted that "the spacecraft will be encountered and the record played only if there are advanced space-faring civilizations in interstellar space. But the launching of this 'bottle' into the cosmic 'ocean' says something very hopeful about life on this planet." Hosted by Jillian Sutton and Cory McCasland.

Scott Waldman in Capital New York reports that New York officials won't make a decision on the proposed merger of Time Warner Cable and Comcast for months, as the federal government and other states also consider what one internet and cable provider that large would mean, Public Service Commission (PSC) chairwoman Audrey Zibelman said April 16. Zibelman did not say when the PSC would vote on New York's $3 billion merger that affects at least 2.2 million customers. She said no decision has been made because the state must take into consideration recent developments. "The federal government has made significant rulings over the past several months that has necessitated further review. Second, this is a complex merger, with potentially large consequences for the state. Other large states, most notably California, are also taking their time to make sure they get the decision right. The FCC, too, has stopped its own review clock several times, so there is nothing unusual about our review in New York,” Zibelman said. Read the full story in Capital New York.

WGXC currently has several spots in its weekly and monthly calendar for locally-produced radio with opportunties for local folks to put on their own radio show:
• Local public affairs shows, about local issues in agriculture, history, education, seniors, and other topics are especially welcome.
• Help by joing a team of hosts on the "WGXC Morning Show" or "WGXC Afternoon Show," weekday mornings and afternoons, with interviews with local folks, weather updates, previews of local events, local news, music, and more, from studios in Acra, Catskill, or Hudson. Or you can help the WGXC News team, by recording local meetings, reporting community news, or reading news and weather updates on the air.
• Music programmings in the evenings or Tuesday at noon, for all types of music.
Contact interim Program Schedule Coordinator Neva Wartell at info@wgxc.org for more information about a new or past application for a show on WGXC. Anyone who wants to help with community radio can also call in during office hours to 518-697-7400. WGXC is a community radio station, made up by the sum of its part, and anyone in the area can be a part.

In other local radio news, the Rip Van Winkle Amateur Radio Society holds its next meeting at 7 p.m. April 20, at the Churchtown Firehouse, 2219 Rte. 27, Churchtown, in Columbia County.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., April 18. PLAY AUDIO (3:52)

Local weather forecast
Today's forecast is specific to Acra, in Greene County.

The is a Fire Weather Watch in effect from noon through 8 p.m. Saturday, April 18.

• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph, with a low around 34, and continued windy conditions.

• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 58, and a 30 percent chance of rain after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

• Monday: Rain, mainly after 8 a.m. High near 49.

Sunrise 6:08 a.m.
Sunset 7:40 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 6:09 A.M. 7:45 P.M.
Mercury 6:32 A.M. 8:31 P.M.
Venus 7:58 A.M. 11:11 P.M.
Mars 6:50 A.M. 8:56 P.M.
Jupiter 1:00 P.M. 3:24 A.M.
Saturn 10:26 P.M. 8:11 A.M.
Uranus 5:49 A.M. 6:38 P.M.
Neptune 4:24 A.M. 3:23 P.M.
Pluto 1:34 A.M. 11:00 A.M.

WGXC Programming

FCC April 2015 Open Commission Meeting
April 18, 2015: 3 a.m. – 4 a.m.
CounterSpin: Abdi Ismail Samatar, Katherine Gallagher
April 18, 2015: 5:05 a.m. – 5:35 a.m.
This Week in Radio News: Radiophrenia
April 18, 2015: 6 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
The RAIN Report: Ron Milliman
April 18, 2015: 6:30 a.m. – 6:45 a.m.
ARRL Audio News: H.R. 1301
April 18, 2015: 6:45 a.m. – 7 a.m.
Off The Hook: FAA Hacking Liabilities
April 18, 2015: 7 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Glenn Hauser's World of Radio: Kurdistan
April 18, 2015: 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.
WGXC Feedback: Rites of Spring
April 18, 2015: 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Radia: L’Atelier de Création Sonore et Radiophonique
April 18, 2015: 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
This Week in Radio News: Radiophrenia
April 18, 2015: 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
ARRL Audio News: H.R. 1301
April 18, 2015: 6:45 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Framework: Dayang Yraola
April 18, 2015: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The Go Rounds, The Antivillians, Louis Munroe
April 18, 2015: 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday Night Seance: James Ilgenfritz's The Ticket That Exploded
April 18, 2015: 10 p.m.
This special radio broadcast celebrates the CD release of James Ilgenfritz's opera The Ticket That Exploded, adapted from text by William S. Burroughs, and released in March 2015 by Grant Hart's label Con D’Or.

Congressman Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) and five other New York House members introduced the Family Farm Relief Act of 2015, legislation to move the H-2A Agricultural Visa program from the Department of Labor to the Department of Agriculture. An H-2A visa allows a foreign national entry into the U.S. for temporary or seasonal agricultural work, according to Wikipedia. So Gibson's bill -- cosponsored by Representatives Chris Collins (NY-27), John Katko (NY-24), Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), Tom Reed (NY-23), and Elise Stefanik (NY-21) -- would help farmers more easily hire migrant workers. “This is common-sense, constituent-driven reform,” Gibson said in a press release. “Too many of these farmers face labor shortages—and lost income—due to needless bureaucratic delays. Our bill puts this program in the hands of officials who fully appreciate the demands of running a family farm, simplifying the application process to ensure timely planting and harvests."

Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail the Catskill Town Board decided this week it will not change the town highway superintendent position from an elected to an appointed one. In a 4-1 vote, the board rejected a local law to put the question to the voters in a referendum, June 24. Town supervisor Joseph Leggio said the matter would require more time and effort than he has available. Leggio said, “I’m going to vote no...because I’m not going to spend any more of the town’s time or the taxpayers’ money on this.” The change was largely regarded as an effort to modernize and improve department efficiency at a time when costs have increased. At a public hearing held Tue., Apr. 14, multiple speakers, which included highway superintendents from several neighboring towns, repeatedly denounced the proposal. Most cited concerns around accountability, lack of information on the position's salary and the potential for disenfranchising voters. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

The Daily Freeman is reporting most of the Hudson Valley gained jobs during the 12-month period ending in March, the state Department of Labor said Thu., Apr. 16. Both Greene and Columbia counties added non-farm jobs in the March-to-March period. Columbia gained 400 jobs, nearly two percent; Greene added 300 jobs, or more than two percent. In private-sector employment, Ulster County’s 2.2 percent gain was second best in the state, behind only New York City, the labor department said. New York state reported a total non-farm job growth of almost 150,000 during the same 12-month period. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Matthew Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential Senate Republican Majority Leader Dean Skelos has broken his silence on a New York Times report that federal investigators are looking into the his dealings and those of his son Adam. In a one-line statement released Thu., Apr. 16, Skelos said, “I have and will continue to cooperate with any inquiry.” The Times reported Skelos and his son are the focus of a corruption inquiry and prosecutors have begun presenting evidence to a federal grand jury. It has been reported subpoenas for documents have been served to eight of the nine Republican Long Island senators, as well as Skelos.The U.S. Attorney's investigators are said to be looking at Adam Skelos' business dealings with storm-water treatment company AbTech Industries. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

The Schoharie News has a round-up of stories in the wake of the April 15 story in The Daily Mail about State Assemblyman Pete Lopez (R-Schoharie) running for the Congressional seat now held by Kinderhook Republican Chris Gibson. Lopez was not returning calls to The Schoharie News, or, apparently, other news organizations and The Oneonta Daily Star quoted sources close to Lopez saying, "the decision is still weeks away." Lopez did tell The Daily Freeman, “The attraction is not there is a glow to Washington, just like I feel there is no glow to Albany. But I am very much mission driven in terms of serving the needs of my community, and my goal in Albany is to fill the needs of the district, and my function is very utilitarian, I guess that’s the best way to describe it. That’s the way I would look at Washington as well.” The Schoharie News also says State Senator Jim Seward and former Assembly Minority Leader John Faso "have also been mentioned" as potential GOP candidates. In The Daily Mail story, Faso said he was “seriously considering” running for the seat. Read the full story in The Schoharie News.

John Mason is reporting in the Register Star Hudson Housing Authority Executive Director Jeffrey First has drawn criticism over his attempt to inappropriately appoint a new member of the Housing Authority Board. On Fri., Apr. 10, First appointed Bliss Towers resident Martin Martinez to serve out the remainder of tenant representative Lee Bradshaw's board term. Martinez was sworn in Friday, but on Mon., Apr. 13, the city was notified by Karen Smith, general counsel for the Staley B. Keith Social Justice Center, that First did not have the authority to name Martinez to the seat. In an email to the city clerk's office, the retired acting Supreme Court justice said there was concern the appointment "was made without any transparency to those affected and that the appointee has been sworn in by stealth." Later that day the appointment was rescinded. First defended his decision, saying he was following past practice. However, the action in fact violated the bylaws of the organization he has directed for more than 20 years. The authority board consists of seven members, five appointed by the mayor of Hudson and two elected by the tenants of Bliss Towers. A tenant election must now be scheduled to fill Bradshaw's seat. Martinez said he intends to run. "I want to be part of the solution....I'm in it for the people," he said. Ed. note: Martinez is a former WGXC programmer; Housing Authority board member and Staley B. Keith board member Vern Cross is a current WGXC programmer. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 68F; low 44F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 68F; low 44F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Showers likely, mainly before 10 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 69. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 44.

Forecast for the next three days:
Saturday: Sunny. High near 70. Saturday night, mostly clear. Low around 38.
Sunday: Sunny. High near 64. Sunday night, a chance of rain after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy. Low around 41.
Monday: Rain likely, mainly after 8 a.m. Cloudy. High near 55. Monday night, low around 51.

Sunset today: 7:39 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:28 hrs.

Public meeting
Today is the third Friday of the month.
WGXC is unaware of any recurring public meetings scheduled for today.

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
1 a.m.: Taran's Free Jazz Hour: Hamir Atwal Episode 08 of 2015 of two-hour free jazz show that airs on eight European radio stations and Wave Farm Radio and WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, in New York, in the United States. Click on title to access the playlist.
5:05 a.m.: The Shortwave Report: 20150417 This week's show features stories from Radio Deutsche-Welle, Radio Havana Cuba, NHK World Radio Japan, and Sputnik Radio.

6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. National, daily, independent, award-winning news program providing audiences with access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S. corporate-sponsored media.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
10 a.m.: ¿Qué cocinaré hoy?: Dimitri Galitzine, Gerardo Castro Dimitri Galitzine, local founder of Repair Cafes, free meeting places all about repairing things, talks about his business. Local artist Gerardo Castro will discuss an upcoming panel and exhibition, "Art About Water." Plus, a conversation about the importance of raising bilingual children and the upcoming second annual Spanish Spelling Bee. Produced by Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos.
2 p.m.: What's The Frequency Kenneth?: Campaign 2016 Told through narration, music and soundbites. President Obama at the Panama summit on Cuba. Marco Rubio is in. Hillary Clinton is in. Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, Rand Paul react. More about Iran. And What About Bob? (Schieffer, that is. He's retiring.) These "newsicals" are produced by Paul Fischer, former News Director of WBAI, New York, and KPFA, Berkeley, and writer for Dan Rather on the CBS Evening News for 24 years.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News
7 p.m.: Guest DJ: Quiana Lee An evening of R&B, soul and jazz with Hudson native Quiana Lee.

The news that "net neutrality" passed the FCC -- that there would be no fast lane on the internet for corportations who have more resources then the average consumer -- was surprising, in that corporate interests didn't get their way. So on April 15, when the FCC actually published the rules in the Federal Register, all heck broke loose. In Congress, Doug Collins, a Georgia Republican, sponsored a resolution of disapproval, an expedited legislative process that cannot be amended or filibustered. President Barack Obama would likely veto the resolution if it passes, so this is another one of those side shows for the folks back home that, historically, will be considered normal for this legislative era. In 2010 Congress passed net neutrality legislation, Republicans sponsored a resolution of disapproval that went nowhere, and the courts eventually struck down the law. So that is where things stand now too, as everyone waits for the court rulings. Todd R. Weiss in eWeek reports there are now at least six or seven lawsuits against the FCC from AT&T, the CTIA mobile trade association, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), the American Cable Association, USTelecom, and Alamo Broadband. And, The Washington Post reports, a small, Texas-based Internet provider has appealed in New Orleans, which means a venue lottery will be held. Trade associations believed the D.C. Circuit was home turf, the court that has twiced ruled against different versions of net neutrality, where they wanted this case to take place. Now a lottery will decide the fate of consumer access and cost of internet services. Free Press has launched a campaign against the Congressional action, but there's not much else to do but what for the lottery, and then court decision.

Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail Michael Flynn announced Wed., Apr. 15, he will retire as Greene County Clerk, effective Dec. 31. When announcing his decision Flynn said he had decided to move on to the next chapter of his life and take time to travel and explore with his wife, Fay. Flynn spent more than four decades in public service, including two, four-year terms as county clerk. He also served 25 years as a trooper and investigator with the New York State Police, as well as inspector general for the New York State Thruway Authority and town justice for the town of Cairo. Flynn's departure will leave the clerk's seat vacant come election time in November. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Emilia Teasdale is reporting in the Columbia Paper students throughout Columbia County are opting out of the state exams. In the Ichabod Crane district Superintendent George Zini said 68 percent of students in grades 3 through 8 are not taking the tests this week. Parents of students opting out were required to send a letter notifying the district of their decision. In the Chatham school district 32 percent, or 155 students, refused to sit for the exams. In Hudson, 85 students opted out. Dr. Neil Howard, superintendent of the Taconic Hills Central School District, said Wed., Apr. 15, 120 out of 644 students in grades 3 through 8 refused to take the test based on instructions from their parents. The English Language Arts, or ELA, exams are being administered over three days this week. The math test will be given next week. Opponents of the tests are seeking to end what they view as excessive testing. Others hope to undercut the validity of the exams, making the results too unreliable to be used as part of the new teacher evaluation system. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.