The Federal Communications Commission just released its radio census for the quarter ending March 31, 2015, with 87 more low-power FM stations than three months before, and 63 more FM translators and boosters. There were three fewer AM stations, but seven more commercial FM stations, and six more non-commercial full-power stations, Radio Survivor reports. And as there's more outlets and other audio possibilities, with expanding digital delivery systems that can all seem bewildwering to institutions from the transitor radio age. Ron Nixon in The New York Times reports that David Ensor, the director of the Voice of America, announced last week that he's stepping down. Congress has been consistently cutting the budget for exporting audio propaganda, and Ensor's still built a worldwide audience of 172 million people a week, up 49 million during his tenure, according to the Times. And he's not the only one leaving. Last month Andrew Lack resigned as chief executive of the Broadcasting Board of Governors to return to NBCUniversal, after just 42 days in the post. Then, Paul Riismandel in Radio Survivor reports that the Pacifica Foundation has found a new executive director, John Proffitt, who was general manager of Houston Public Radio station KUHF until the end of 2011. He co-hosts “Thresholds” and “Open Journal” now at Pacifica’s KPFT, also in Houston. Last year Pacifica’s national board fired former ED Summer Reese, who then occupied the foundation’s national offices for nearly two months. Eventually, a judge issued a restraining order to end the stalemate. Now Pacifica, and the Voice of America, two institutions with roots in the Cold War era need to transition into an era where the audio devices are the smae size as transistor radios, but do so much more. Fivethirtyeight.com reports that 22 million Americans are smartphone-dependent, about seven percent of the total population that only has access to the internet on their handheld device. African-Americans, Hispanics, 18- to 29-year-olds, and people from households earning less than $30,000 per year are all twice as likely as an average smartphone user to be smartphone-dependent, according to the story. Perhaps this is an audience public radio can serve in the 21st century.

Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Apr. 10 through Sun., Apr. 11

Chris Bragg reported at Capitol Confidential U.S. District Court Judge Valerie Caproni Fri., Apr. 10, rebuked U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara for a “media blitz” in his corruption case against former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. At the same time, she denied Silver’s motion to dismiss the criminal indictment. In a memorandum and order, Caproni wrote "criminal cases should be tried in the courtroom and not in the press." But, Caproni wrote, dismissal of the indictment was not appropriate. There is no evidence the U.S. Attorney's comments substantially influenced the grand jury's decision to indict, she opined.

John Mason reported in the Register Star on some anticipated changes to Hudson's voting district boundaries and to the Common Council weighted vote calculations. Under the planned changes large groups of voters will be shifted from one ward to another. It was recently determined the Crosswinds development on Harry Howard Ave. is, in reality, located wholly within the 5th Ward. Until now those residents have been voting in the 4th Ward. The more challenging scenario is presented by the Firemen's Home, long believed to be located completely within the city's 4th Ward, it actually sits on the border, split almost equally between the 4th and the 5th wards. County Democratic Election Commissioner Virginia Martin said she and Republican Election Commissioner Jason Nastke will make a decision on where the Firemen’s Home residents will register and vote, but resolving the problem of the Common Council’s weighted vote is ongoing.

Conor Skelding reported at Capital New York the union that represents professors at Bard College is calling on the school to go into arbitration with a professor they say was unfairly stripped of a department chair. An internal Title IX [NINE] complaint was filed against chemistry professor Craig Anderson in August 2013. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. An internal investigation led to Anderson's removal as chemistry department chair after eight years. On Fri., Apr. 10, the union filed a complaint in federal court asking that the school be compelled to arbitrate its dispute with the professor. The complaint filed alleges the college never shared a copy of the original internal investigation report, thereby denying Anderson the opportunity to fully defend himself. College president Leon Botstein said the college will not proceed to arbitration unless ordered to do so by a court.

Gordon Block reported in the Watertown Daily Times Chatham resident U.S. Army Capt. Michelle L. Kelly is one of 12 women to qualify for Army Ranger training. The Ranger School training scheduled to begin this month at Fort Benning is the first ever to include women. The upcoming course follows the 2012 decision to lift the ban on women in U.S. combat roles. Kelly has served in the military for 13 years, including a 2009 deployment to Iraq. She is with the 10th Mountain Division stationed at Fort Drum, Jefferson Co.

Ryan Anglim reported in The Daily Mail the Catskill Village Board last week enacted a local law governing the use of scaffolding within the village. The law restricts to six months the length of time a scaffold or other temporary equipment used for construction may remain in place. Any additional time would require permission from the village building inspector. Scaffolds can be maintained and operated in the village only after a valid building permit is in place. In other business, the village board also authorized the construction of an addition to the Catskill Fire Department. The expansion plan includes the addition of a 40-by-55-foot free-standing structure. The $350,000 construction cost will be financed with the issuance of serial bonds. Repayment to the Bank of Greene County will occur over a 20-year period.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 72F; low 51F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 71F; low 50F.[/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: Mostly sunny. High near 69. Monday night, showers likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Increasing clouds. Low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Tuesday: A chance of showers, mainly before 11 a.m. Partly sunny. High near 66. Tuesday night, mostly clear. Low around 38.
Wednesday: Sunny. High near 64. Wednesday night, mostly clear. Low around 38.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 62. Thursday night, a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 43.

Sunset today: 7:34 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:18 hrs.

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

ASHLAND Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, Main Street, Ashland (734-3636).
CAIRO Town Board meeting, 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo (622-3120).
CANAAN Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1647 Co. Rte. 5, Canaan (781-3144).
CATSKILL Village Board meeting, 7 p.m. at the Firehouse, 1 Central Ave. (behind Walgreens) (943-3830).
CLAVERACK Planning Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 91 Church St., Mellenville (672-7911).
COPAKE Environmental Committee meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature County Services, Public Works, Economic Development & Tourism, Government Operations and Finance committee meetings, and Republican and Democratic caucuses, 6 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON City School District Board of Education curriculum workshop, 6 p.m.; meeting, 7 p.m. at Hudson Jr. High School library, 215 Harry Howard Ave., Hudson (828-4360).
HUDSON Common Council special meeting to to consider an appointment to fill the vacancy in the office of First Ward alderman, 6:45 p.m.; Informal meeting, 7 p.m. at Central Fire Station, 77 N. 7th St., Hudson (828-1030).
HUNTER Village Board meeting, 8 p.m. at Village Hall, 7955 Main St., Hudson (263-4020).
NEW BALTIMORE Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 3809 Rt. 51, Hannacroix (756-6671).
PHILMONT Village Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).
PRATTSVILLE Town meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 14517 Main St., Prattsville (299-3125).
TAGHKANIC Town Board meeting, 7 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: Katrin Hecker, Ed Fertik 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. Following "Democracy Now!" stay tuned at 9 a.m., for a conversation with Katrin Hecker, executive director of AnimalKind in Hudson. "The Right Opinion" host Ed Fertik will also be in the studio. Broadcast live from the WGXC Hudson Studio. Hosted by "Mr. Peetie" Pete Lievense.
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: Wes Gillingham, Kathleen Nolan Could New York become a major transportation hub for fracked gas and oil? While New York has banned high-volume hydraulic fracturing, gas and oil companies are planning an extensive buildout of pipelines and compressor stations to transport fracked fuel through New York from other states. Tune in to hear what’s happening in our rural communities that are facing new pipeline construction with guests Wes Gillingham and Dr. Kathleen Nolan from Catskill Mountainkeeper. 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: Brian Dewan, Job the Afflicted and Emergency Response Brian Dewan will beam over to join host Tyson Hauf for a Zoom! Tune in for some Monday morning improvising. We will obliquely give instructions on how to respond to various chemical spills, and discuss Job the Afflicted, a man who did everything right and was punished.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

[caption width="100" align="alignright"] Michael O'Rielly. From FCC website.[/caption]Leslie Stimson in Radio World reports that last week FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly released a jeremiad on pirate radio broadcasting. His proposal would let corporate broadcasters take pirates to court, and is modeled after the CAN-SPAM Act that lets ISPs sue spammers. But the Republican commissioner's declaration of war is a strange one, as it admits that, "stopping pirate radio is not at the top of the priority list." It also seems to use the form of a posted-online-press-release to fight the public relations battle the FCC's been losing to glamorous pirates. "They are not cute; they are not filling a niche; they are not innovation test beds; and they are not training grounds for future broadcasters," O'Reilly writes. He also says, "pirate radio does not increase media diversity. From time to time, arguments have been made that we should look the other way because some pirate radio operators may be minorities, or the stations’ content appeals to minority listeners." Instead, O'Reilly offers that, "approaches like the NAB’s Broadcast Leadership Training Program should be encouraged to prepare underrepresented populations for leadership and ownership positions in broadcasting." Then, for the underrepresented minorities with lots of money to spend, he says, "Alternatively, those truly interested in operating a legal broadcast station can seek to participate in the Commission’s July 2015 auction, in which 131 FM construction permits will be available, many in smaller and less expensive markets." A day after O'Reilly's statement, on April 9, the FCC issued a $15,000 fine against Jose Alejandro Aguilar for operating a pirate radio station in Louisville, Ky. Aguilar was operating “Radio Pasion 316” on 87.5-FM and 99.5-FM MHz in Louisville. Currently, other broadcasters cannot sue him, but he has 30 days to pay the FCC, or the case may be turned over to the Justice Department for collection, Radio World reports.

Julia Reischel in the Watershed Post reports an “oily sheen” of "motor oil or hydraulic oil" was found on the surface of the Schoharie Reservoir April 6. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection reports none of the oil appears to have entered the city's drinking supply, and that the Shandaken Tunnel was reopened April 9. Reportedly, the sheen was not seen April 7, but three layers of boom remain at the tunnel intake, and two layers of boom are at the tunnel outlet alongside the Esopus Creek. The DEP will continue sampling the water through at least April 14. Read the full story in the Watershed Post.

[caption id="attachment_41347" align="alignright" width="300"] New York environmental watchdogs are crying foul over Gov. Andrew Cuomo's decision to pull $41 million from the state's cap-and-trade program to put instead into the state general fund. Photo credit: Future Atlas/CC.[/caption]Derek Hawkins New York News Connection for Public News Service reports that New York environmental watchdogs are crying foul over Governor Andrew Cuomo's decision to pull $41 million from the state's cap-and-trade program, and placing it in the general fund. Environmental Advocates of New York says money from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is supposed to pay for pollution reduction projects. They claim Cuomo is planning to use more than a quarter of the money to fund other work, such as tax relief. Peter Iwanowicz, the organization's director, says the move could give ammunition to industry associations that oppose the program. "By raiding the funds, the governor and the Legislature are inviting yet another legal challenge to the RGGI program," he says. "The big concern we have is the governor's climate raid could lead to successful litigation that could throw the whole program out." The RGGI program took in about $150 million in 2014, and Cuomo's budget for this year would use some of the money to pay for energy tax credits, among other measures. Cuomo's office has defended it as a legitimate use of the funds. In 2011, the conservative group Americans For Prosperity went to court to try to bar New York from adopting the RGGI program, calling it an illegal cap-and-trade tax. A judge dismissed the suit, but Iwanowicz says Cuomo's budget makes the program vulnerable again. "When you take a big chunk of the RGGI proceeds and move them into the general fund, those groups are likely to challenge it and challenge it on the grounds that it is an unauthorized tax," says Iwanowicz. "The Legislature is the only one that can approve the collection of proceeds, and this budget language doesn't do that." Nine states in the Northeast participate in RGGI, which limits carbon emissions and requires power plants to pay for pollution that goes beyond those limits. It took effect in 2008, and has generated more than $700 million in climate change funds in New York. Click here to play audio version of this report. PLAY AUDIO (1:41)

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 (3:41)

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

• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 62, and a low around 40.

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Showers likely overnight, mainly between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., with a low around 45.

• Tuesday: A chance of showers before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Sunrise 6:18 a.m.
Sunset 7:33 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 2:14 A.M. 12:36 P.M.
Mercury 6:30 A.M. 7:47 P.M.
Venus 7:59 A.M. 10:58 P.M.
Mars 7:02 A.M. 8:56 P.M.
Jupiter 1:23 P.M. 3:48 A.M.
Saturn 10:51 P.M. 8:36 A.M.
Uranus 6:12 A.M. 7:00 P.M.
Neptune 4:47 A.M. 3:46 P.M.
Pluto 1:57 A.M. 11:24 A.M.

WGXC Programming

Radia: Dr. Klangendum
April 12, 2015: 5:05 a.m. – 5:35 a.m.

This Week in Radio News: Stan Freberg, John Brennan, Edward Snowden, John Oliver
5:35 a.m. – 6 a.m.
"This Week in Radio News" listens to three stories this week. First, listen back to the radio career of Stan Freberg, who passed away this week. Wikipedia reports Freberg was, "an American author, recording artist, animation voice actor, comedian, radio personality, puppeteer, and advertising creative director, whose career began in 1944." This show tunes in some of the promotional spots he made for the radio industry with Quincy Jones and Sarah Vaughan, and his "The Old Payola Roll Blues" about the radio and recording industries. Also, we tune in an April 7 question-and-answer session with CIA Director John Brennan, and John Oliver interviews Edward Snowden and part of his interview goes viral.

TBA: Stürm und Drang
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
An introductory exploration of Krautrock, German electronica and German industrial music, their influences and their musical descendants. Special broadcast hosted by DJ Zerstörung.

Wave Farm's WGXC: a filmstrip by Brian Dewan. from Wave Farm on Vimeo.

A new filmstrip, by the multi-talented Brian Dewan, which traces the lineage of Wave Farm's WGXC (90.7-FM). Dewan's filmstrips feature hand-drawn slides and narration presented in the style of educational films, which were frequently screened in classrooms before the advent of video.

[caption id="attachment_41325" align="alignright" width="300"]The Menla Mountain Retreat Center in Phoencia.[/caption]Melinda Tuhus reports for New York News Connection via Public News Service that the benefits of putting down the wireless devices are increasingly touted as good for physical and mental health, but it's sometimes difficult to unplug, especially for managers and executives. There's help in the form of the first-ever Digital Detox retreat for executives in the U.S., taking place this week in the Catskills. Dr. Joseph Loizzo, executive director of the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science, is leading the retreat. "Our institute really focuses on taking time-tested practices from traditional contemplative science techniques," says Loizzo. "From contemplative yoga, meditation, different kinds of practices, and sort of tailoring them to specific modern life challenges." He says with personal stress and burnout at their highest points in 30 years, stress-related healthcare expenses costing American businesses $300 billion annually, and the escalating pace of information exchange, multi-tasking, and global business complexity, it's time to consider proven, innovative approaches and tools. Frank Clegg is the former CEO of Microsoft Canada and now heads Canadians for Safe Technology. He says he's concerned about potential harm if wireless devices aren't used safely. "There is no doubt any longer that holding the phone to your head, sticking it in your bra, putting it in your pants pocket, causes harm. Period," says Clegg. He points to studies that have shown an increased risk of brain cancer with long-term, heavy cell phone use and the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer lists the radio frequency waves these devices emit as "possible carcinogens." Clegg is also concerned about the stress for business leaders that comes with always being connected. "You're always at work, you're always available, and I think you just don't have this down time," says Clegg. "We're starting to see now where people are almost addicted, but they're very connected and they feel they always have to be current; they can't miss an email, they can't miss a text message." He urges executives to start their own detox program by taking a one-hour break from their technology. Professor Robert Thurman, who holds an endowed chair in Indo-Tibetan Studies at Columbia University, will also be at the Mindfulness for Leadership Excellence retreat. He says it's important to have a spiritual component to life, whether through religion or a secular approach. "Keep the mental and physical things in proportion, and then even the negative impacts that might occur there will be minimized, and one will have a satisfying life," says Thurman. The Mindfulness for Leadership Excellence Retreat takes place April 9-12 at the Menla Mountain Retreat and Conference Center in Phoenicia, New York. Read the full story at Public News Service. Click here to hear an audio version of this story. PLAY AUDIO (2:43)

Azi Paybarah in Capital New York reports that while in parts of the country there are many calls for body cameras on police officers, in New York City, there are also questions about how the surveillance may violate civil liberties. New York City Public Advocate Letitia James aired her concerns. “Who has access to the video? Who will be opted out—[for example] victims of domestic violence? How will we store it? What will be the cost? What will be FOILable? Who will have access to it through Freedom of Information requests? What other agencies will have access to the video? Is it primarily property of the NYPD or any other entity? Those are some of the issues we have to discuss." Last August New York City police commissioner Bill Bratton also said there were, "logistical, technological, and legal challenges” about video storage, preservation, and access. Currently, NYPD officials are in Los Angeles, studying how that city adopted police body cameras. Read the full story in Capital New York.

Rick Karlin is reporting in the Times Union the union representing state Department of Environmental Conservation employees lost its grievance regarding surveillance cameras. The union alleged the cameras were being used like time clocks. The agency that hears such complaints ruled that the cameras were properly used to substantiate charges that a pair of employees were stealing time, or charging for hours when they were not in the office. The grievance was filed last year by the Public Employees Federation, which represents the workers. The union now has the option of moving to arbitration with an outside entity. Read the full story in the Times Union.

[caption width="360" align="alignright"]Katy Donnelly, center, on the air for a farewell broadcast April 8 on the "WGXC Afternoon Show."[/caption]• WGXC Program Schedule Coordinator Katy Donnelly was on the air April 8 on the "WGXC Afternoon Show" before moving out of the area this week. WGXC programmer Neva Wartell will assume the role of interim Program Schedule Coordinator, beginning Mon., Apr. 13.

• Also, Max Goldfarb was added to the WGXC staff as the station's new Mobile Studio Manager, effective Tue., April 7. Goldfarb is an interdisciplinary artist, producing site-derived works in various media. He produces the show “Human Machine,” broadcast monthly on WGXC 90.7-FM. Goldfarb is the co-founder and operator of the Incident Report Viewing Station located in Hudson. His teaching credits include Bard College, Northwestern University, and Williams College. Goldfarb will both lead a creative radio workshop series at area libraries, as well as facilitate and invigorate WGXC's remote live broadcast efforts. Goldfarb has played a key role in the development of WGXC, including serving on Wave Farm's Board of Directors (2011-2015) and WGXC's Volunteer Advisory Council during the station's formative years.

• WGXC also added Jack Schoonover as the station's new Studio Technician this week. Schoonover is an accomplished sound engineer, having worked at numerous local venues, including Helsinki Hudson, and the Fischer Center at Bard College. He has worked with WGXC in the past at events such as Groundswell and Lodge, and played a significant role in the reorganization of the WGXC Acra Studio.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., April 11. PLAY AUDIO (2:46)

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

• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 50, with wind gusts as high as 28 mph, and a low around 31.

• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 62, and a low around 37.

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

Sunrise 6:20 a.m.
Sunset 7:32 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 1:26 A.M. 11:34 A.M.
Mercury 6:30 A.M. 7:40 P.M.
Venus 8:00 A.M. 10:56 P.M.
Mars 7:04 A.M. 8:56 P.M.
Jupiter 1:27 P.M. 3:52 A.M.
Saturn 10:55 P.M. 8:40 A.M.
Uranus 6:16 A.M. 7:04 P.M.
Neptune 4:51 A.M. 3:50 P.M.
Pluto 2:01 A.M. 11:28 A.M.

WGXC Programming

What's the Frequency, Kenneth?: Rand Paul
4 a.m. – 5 a.m.
CounterSpin: Sheila Carapico, Malkia Cyril
5:05 a.m. – 5:35 a.m.
This Week in Radio News: Stan Freberg, John Brennan, Edward Snowden, John Oliver
6 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
The RAIN Report: Dr. Ron Milliman
6:30 a.m. – 6:45 a.m.
ARRL Audio News: World Amateur Radio Day
6:45 a.m. – 7 a.m.
WGXC Feedback: Stan Freberg
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Making Waves: Knut Aufferman, Sarah Washington
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Radia: Dr. Klangendum
3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday Afternoon Show: Amplitude Preview
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
This Week in Radio News: Stan Freberg, John Brennan, Edward Snowden, John Oliver
6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
ARRL Audio News: World Amateur Radio Day
6:45 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Framework: Sigtryggur Berg Sigmarsson
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Emilia Teasdale is reporting in the Columbia Paper the Chatham Town Board met with the Chatham Village Board last week to work out a lease agreement for the Town Court to continue its use of rooms at Tracy Memorial Village Hall. The Village Board last year took over responsibility for the building maintenance and hired an architectural firm, which has recommended roof and fire escape repairs, and the addition of an elevator to bring the Tracy into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Village Mayor Tom Curran told the Town Board the needed repairs would cost an estimated $2.7 million and take about two years to complete. Town Supervisor Jesse DeGroodt said the town is exploring an alternative location, which involves expanding the town hall on Route 295 north of the village to create a space for the court. A plan for that expansion proposal is forthcoming from the town's engineering firm. In the meantime, the town will continue to pay $1,500 a month to rent space in the Tracy for Town Court. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

The Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival announced Thu., Apr. 9, its line-up this year will include David Crosby, Los Lobos, Citizen Cope and Kate Pierson of the B52s. The festival will be held June 20 and 21 at Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County. Other performers scheduled to appear are the Blind Boys of Alabama, Toshi Reagon and Tom Paxton. The revival was founded by Pete Seeger more than 40 years ago, initially to help raise funds to build the sloop Clearwater. Today the proceeds are used to support Clearwater's various educational programs and to help maintain the sloop.

Michael Ryan is reporting in the Windham Journal Robert Pelham has announced his candidacy for Windham town supervisor. He is seeking the the endorsement of the Windham Republican Committee in caucus later this spring. Pelham is currently serving his second, four-year term as a town councilman and he previously served as deputy supervisor. He is a lifelong resident of Windham, and is a 1982 graduate of the Windham-Ashland-Jewett schools. He operates the family business, Round Hill Electric, with his brother. Pelham also sits on the Catskill Watershed Corporation board of directors, serving as liaison for watershed communities with the Department of Environmental Protection. Current Windham supervisor Stacy Post is under indictment for felony eavesdropping. She assumed office in January 2014. Read the full story in the Windham Journal.

John Mason is reporting in the Register Star an online petition requesting the Hudson Common Council prepare an environmental impact statement on the city’s planned sewer separation project had garnered 175 signatures as of Thu., Apr. 9. The goal is to acquire 1,000 signatures. The petition was authored by South Bay Task Force member Timothy O’Connor, the project’s most vocal critic. According to the petition, the stormwater separation plan would result in the discharge of an estimated 242 million gallons a year of stormwater into the marsh. The petition asserts the plan is discretionary, a point city Department of Public Works Superintendent Rob Perry disputes. He said, “Everybody is missing the central point. This is not an option. Our...permit states unequivocally we will separate stormwater from sanitary. It is a requirement.” Read the full story in the Register Star.

Kyle Hughes is reporting for NYSNYS News Sen. Charles Schumer said Thu., Apr. 9, there is an urgent need for more federal railroad bridge inspectors. He said the combination of old infrastructure and oil trains is an accident waiting to happen. Schumer said there are 3,000 rail bridges in New York, most of them privately owned, and only one federal inspector assigned to monitor them for safety purposes. That inspector is also responsible for overseeing rail bridges in 13 other states. Schumer said the increased rail traffic carrying crude oil from states like North Dakota are causing wear and tear on New York's infrastructure. He said, “So far we’ve been lucky … [but] it’s very likely many of the bridges are deteriorating and some of them may be deteriorating fast.” In addition to oil, other dangerous substances are shipped by rail, including liquefied natural gas and ethanol. Schumer said that adding $1 million to the Federal Railroad Administration budget would double the number of available inspectors. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Chelsea Diana is reporting in the Albany Business Review Albany is one of just 22 cities in the country where women earn equal or higher salaries than men, according to the report from NerdWallet, a personal finance website. According to the report, women in Albany make 111.3 percent of men's wages based on a median income of $29,814. Albany ranked fourth among U.S. cities behind Inglewood California, Trenton, N.J. and Orlando, Fla. Nationwide, women make about 79 percent of what men make. Statewide, women make 88 cents of every dollar a man makes. The NerdWallet survey used data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey in 2005 and 2013 to rank cities. Read the full story in the Albany Business Review.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 60F; low 42F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 59F; low 43F.[/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 and thunderstorms likely before 10 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Cloudy. High near 59. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Friday night, showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7 p.m., then a chance of showers between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear. Low around 42. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Saturday: Mostly sunny. High near 56. Saturday night, mostly clear. Low around 30.
Sunday: Sunny. High near 67. Sunday night, mostly clear. Low around 39.
Monday: Mostly sunny. High near 71. Monday night, a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 48.

Sunset today: 7:31 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:09 hrs.

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

HUDSON Historic Preservation Commission meeting (tentative), 10 a.m. at 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
12 a.m. (midnight): Insect Factory, Public Speaking, Jeremy Purser Recorded live at the Spotty Dog in Hudson, N.Y., Thu., Fri. Apr. 9.

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 Local news, weather, events, music, and and more. Live from the WGXC Hudson studio. Hosted by Shelley Weiner.
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.
2 p.m.: What's the Frequency Kenneth?: Rand, Iran, Brooklyn, Hillary and The Hipster Irony Vote These "newsicals" are produced by Paul Fischer, former News Director of WBAI (New York), and KPFA (Berkeley), and writer for Dan Rather for 24 years on the "CBS Evening News." This week: "Rand, Iran, Brooklyn, Hillary and The Hipster Irony Vote" (told through narration, music and soundbites).
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News
7 p.m.: Guest DJ: Ken Landin and Co. Ken Landin, Ol’ Dirty Skillet (aka ODS), Stelio Contos, Chucky Lovebucket and Brucey Parsnips with their radio roulette, each playing their pick of progressive rock and fusion.
9:30 p.m.: Guest DJ Rewind: Chud Fusk A rebroadcast from May 4, 2012. Chud Fusk plays local music.