Will Brunelle in Capital New York reports that six months after Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a $500 million broadband plan, there are, "no defined guidelines, rules, or even a clear sense of how it will be implemented and regulated." There have been three announcements of the plan, but not many details. Cuomo says he wants to have the entire state wired for 100 megabits per second internet access by 2018. But the story reports that, "Cuomo’s budget proposal devotes just 31 words to the program, saying it will, 'support the development of infrastructure to bring high-speed internet access to underserved regions throughout the state, and to support the development of other telecommunications infrastructure.'" Other critics of what little there is of a proposal, say it is a give-away to internet service providers. “The only clear beneficiaries of this program will be cable and internet providers, who will have a new state subsidy to expand their footprints into areas in which their competitors have demonstrated an inability to operate profitably,” said Ken Girardin of the conservative Empire Center for Public Policy. Christopher Mitchell, the director of the Community Broadband Networks Initiative for the Institute for Local Self Reliance, said the state should, “prioritize funds that are going to providers that are accountable to the public … because that’s how we electrified the country.” Read the full story in Capital New York.

• John Eggerton at Multichannel.com reports that a new Pew Research Center study found that 64 percent of Americans have a smart phone and of those, 19 percent are "smartphone dependent" either because they did not have other broadband access at home, or because they said they had "few" options for broadband access other than their phones. See the full story at multichannel.com.

• Residents of the Town of Lexington are encouraged to fill out a survey on broadband Internet access before Sat., April 18. Copies of the survey are available at the Lexington Town Clerk’s office, the Lexington and West Kill post offices, and online at LexingtonBroadband.org

• WGXC's feedback line is now up and running 24 hours a day, taking your calls with any comment you have about WGXC or local radio. Call 518-291-WGXC (518-291-9492) and record any message for three minutes. You can also record a question or comment ahead of time for upcoming broadcasts of local community affairs shows on WGXC such as "The Albany Report," "We the People," "@Issue," and "The Right Opinion." Call in at (518) 291-WGXC (9492) and leave an audio question or comment for WGXC.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., April 4. PLAY AUDIO (3:48)

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

• Saturday: Rain likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a northwest wind 17 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph, with a low around 23.

• Sunday: A slight chance of snow showers before 11 a.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of rain showers after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 46, and a low around 31.

• Monday: A chance of rain and snow showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55.

Sunrise 6:31 a.m.
Sunset 7:24 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 7:46 P.M. 6:38 A.M.
Mercury 6:29 A.M. 6:52 P.M.
Venus 8:04 A.M. 10:40 P.M.
Mars 7:19 A.M. 8:57 P.M.
Jupiter 1:54 P.M. 4:19 A.M.
Saturn 11:24 P.M. 9:08 A.M.
Uranus 6:42 A.M. 7:29 P.M.
Neptune 5:18 A.M. 4:16 P.M.
Pluto 2:28 A.M. 11:55 A.M.

WGXC Programming

CounterSpin: Alfredo Lopez, Jeff Biggers
April 4, 2015: 5:05 a.m. – 5:35 a.m.
This Week in Radio News: Squetti
April 4, 2015: 6 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
The RAIN Report: Warren Elly
April 4, 2015: 6:30 a.m. – 6:45 a.m.
Off The Hook: Cyber-Enabled Activities
April 4, 2015: 7 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Glenn Hauser's World of Radio: Bulgaria
April 4, 2015: 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.
WGXC Feedback: 20150404
April 4, 2015: 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Saturday Morning Serial: Wires
April 4, 2015: 11 a.m. – noon
Human Machine: Imperative Of Responsibility
April 4, 2015: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Radia: Anstatt
April 4, 2015: 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday Afternoon Show: 2015 Wave Farm Residents Preview
April 4, 2015: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
This Week in Radio News: Squetti
April 4, 2015: 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Framework: Keith De Mendonca
April 4, 2015: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday Night Special: Home
8 p.m.: Live performances from Brooklyn.

It must be Spring now, as Coxsackie's Hiway Drive-In reopens this weekend. "Furious 7" and "American Sniper," are playing this weekend, at a two-for-one double feature price at the outdoor theater on Route 9.

Ryan Anglim is reporting in The Daily Mail a 16-acre brush fire nearly consumed the woods surrounding Oak Hill Road in Kiskatom, Thu., Apr. 2. Officials said the fire was caused by a homeowner burning brush piles on his property. Kiskatom Fire Chief Andrew Lubera reported no damage to any homes along the road and no injuries of any sort. The fire broke out at approximately 3 p.m. and was declared under control by 7 p.m. The annual New York State Burn Ban went into effect last month and continues through May 14. The ban makes it illegal to use a burn barrel or an open pit as a means for incinerating trash. Burning leaves is prohibited at all times of the year statewide. Lubera said the homeowner, who has not been identified, was unaware of the ban. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

The Daily Freeman is reporting Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has selected a Columbia County resident to serve in a top position in his administration. Catherine Leahy (LAY-hee) Scott has been appointed Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General, a position she will hold in addition to her role as acting Welfare Inspector General and New York state Inspector General. Scott spent more than 13 years as Columbia County assistant district attorney, including eight as chief assistant district attorney. Scott is also a former Columbia County assistant public defender. She ran unsuccessfully for election as district attorney. Leahy Scott was appointed state inspector general in 2013. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Will Brunelle is reporting at Capital New York companies participating the state's Start-Up NY program created a total of 76 jobs last year in exchange for $56,650 in tax benefits, according to a report on the program's inaugural year of operation. The program creates tax-free zones rooted in university campuses. The report issued this week by Empire State Development is the first time Start Up-NY's actual numbers have been documented. The 54 companies approved for the program last year have thus far created 76 of the 2,085 jobs they promised. The companies also promised $91.3 million in investment, and have so far delivered on $1.7 million of that, according to the report. Empire State Development chairman Howard Zemsky called the work achieved in the first year significant. Critics say the low number of new jobs created is a sign of the program's failure. Western New York boasts the lion’s share of the companies participating in the program, with 37 located in the region, mainly in Buffalo. Long Island has 15 member companies. The Capital Region has 3 member companies. Read the full story at Capital New York.

Julia Reischel in The Watershed Post reports that the first day of fishing season in New York state was Wed., April 1. “It's going to be a late season since many of rivers still have ice,” said Tony Ritter, of Gone Fishing Guide Service in Narrowsburg, in an email to the Watershed Post earlier this week. The Department of Environmental Conservation has complete information about fishing regulations at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html

Fri., April 3 is Good Friday, which also marks the beginning of Passover at sundown. The Daily Freeman has a breakdown of how various services and offices will be affected:

• Amtrak: Normal schedule


• Columbia County: Normal hours


• Dutchess County: Normal hours


• Greene County: Normal hours


• Greene Co. Transit: Normal schedule

Parry Teasdale in The Columbia Paper reports industrial-scale fish farming is back in Greenport. After Local Ocean closed in 2013, now the Hudson Valley Fish Farms has tanks of fish in the same building as Local Ocean, in the industrial park on Route 9 just south of Hudson. John Ng, the owner of the fish farm's parent compant Fortune Group, spoke at the annual meeting of the Columbia Economic Development Corporation at Kozel’s restaurant in Ghent, March 31. Ng said his company will produce 1,000 metric tons of steelhead trout, and smaller amounts of yellowtail amberjack, and Pacific white shrimp, with the first fish eggs in two months. The company's brochure promises a $15 million investment and 75 jobs. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 66F; low 23F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 66F; low 45F.[/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:

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Flood Watch for all of eastern New York and adjacent western New England from 2 p.m. Fri., Apr. 3 through Sat., Apr. 4. The combination of rainfall and snow will be enough to produce some flooding across the region through Saturday afternoon.

Today: A chance of showers, mainly after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 66. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Friday night, showers. Cloudy. Low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Saturday: A chance of showers, mainly before 11 a.m. Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing. High near 44. Windy, with a northwest wind 21 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Saturday night, mostly clear. Low around 24. West wind 12 to 17 mph becoming southwest 6 to 11 mph after midnight.
Sunday: A chance of showers, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 52. Sunday night, a chance of rain showers before 11 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of snow showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 34.
Monday: A chance of rain showers after 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 58. Monday night, a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 39.

Sunset today: 7:23 p.m.
Length of the day: 12:50 hrs.

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

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
5:05 a.m.: The Shortwave Report 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 Local news, regional events, weather updates, and more, live from the WGXC Hudson studio. Hosted by Michelle Lewis.
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.
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News
7 p.m.: Guest DJ: DJ Yesenia "Yeshua" Ganan A solid night of hip-hop, rock, alternative, indie, foreign (clean), Latin hip-hop/rap and maybe a dash of country.

Randy J. Stine in Radio World noted last week that two TV antennas were installed atop One World Trade Center in New York City, with test broadcasts now for the UHF and VHF trial arrays. The Durst Organization, owners of the now-tallest building in New York City, will test transmissions on Channel 12 for VHF and Channel 32 for UHF. Many of the antennae for radio and television stations were on top of the former World Trade Center towers, before the Sept. 11 2001 attacks brought down those towers. Since then, many antennae have moved to the Empire State Building, at 1,254 feet, with a 200-foot steel tower on top. The new skyscraper stands at 1,776 feet, and will generate larger signal patterns with the additional height. The Associated Press reports that anohter tower, this one in Crimea, is coming down, as Russian officials turned off Crimea's independent television station ATR March 31, by repeatedly refused to give it a broadcasting license. ATR broadcast to the Crimean Tatars, a native ethnic group of about 300,000 that was deported from the region by the Soviet authorities in 1944, and was a lone voice against the Russians after they took over the area from Ukraine last year. Lenur Islyamov, ATR's founder, said at a news conference March 31 that four of its filings have been rejected on technicalities. "They don't give us a license because not a single official can guarantee that at some point we won't go on air calling on people to do something," Islyamov said. Crimea's new leader, Sergei Aksyonov, said last month that ATR has filed the documents "with errors on purpose in order flare up a conflict involving the TV station." Finally, another station will never get to hang a tower, even after the WKMJ Radio Live the People Station filed to get a new low-power FM license through the Federal Communications Commission. Paul Riismandel at Radio Survivor reports Kervenson Joseph from the Pinellas Park, Florida group applying for a station, was arrested for unlicensed broadcasting while waiting for the LPFM application to be processed. Florida, New Jersey, and New York have unconstitutional state laws against unlicensed broadcasting, even though the states have no authority to regulate the public airwaves. And the FCC has a rule against awarding LPFM licenses to former pirate radio enthusiasts. So because Johnson couldn't wait for the FCC's application process to play out, he won't be broadcasting any more, at least not legally.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="328"] The PS21 saddlespan tent. (Courtesy ps21chatham.org)[/caption]

Vince Pecoraro is reporting in the Chatham Courier PS21, the Chatham-based performing arts venue, was before that town's Zoning Board of Appeals Mon., Mar. 30, with plans to create a new permanent facility. The non-profit intends to construct a 14,500-square-foot black box theater with removable walls and doors that will transform the structure into a pavilion for use during the summer months. The black box would hold 100 patrons, and an additional 200 people could be accommodated when it is open. The building would be located north of the saddlespan tent, which has been in use since 2006. The tent will no longer be used once the building has been completed. With a newly designed sound system, the new structure would reduce the amount of noise neighbors hear while the venue is in use, according to Nicholas Vamvas of Crawford Engineering. Some neighbors of PS21 were present at the meeting and said noise was still a concern, especially because the new structure will be open air during the summertime. Supporters were also in attendance and expressed their approval of the facility. The board has 62 days to render a decision on the request for a special use permit. Read the full story in the Chatham Courier.

The Times Union is reporting the state Department of Taxation and Finance announced it is extending the hours of the Income Tax Call Center through April 15. The call center, (518) 457-5181, will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Representatives handled more than 1 million calls during last year's tax season. One of the most common questions Call Center representatives answer is: "When will I receive my refund?" Taxpayers can save time by checking their refund status on the department website, www [dot] tax [dot] ny [dot] gov.

The Columbia Paper is reporting former Hudson Department of Public Works Superintendent Charles E. Butterworth died Tue., Mar. 31 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. Butterworth was born in Hudson. He received a degree in civil engineering from Northeastern University, and was hired by the city of Hudson in 1969. He served as the head of public works for 37 years and counted among his accomplishments the renovation of the Hudson Amtrak station, development of the city waterfront and his role as coordinator of the Hudson Elks Flag Day Parade. Butterworth is survived by his wife, Darlene, and children. Funeral services will be held Sat., Apr. 4, at the Cornerstone Fellowship Church, in Kinderhook.

Ben Fischer in the New York Business Journal reports that Brooklyn-based-but-with-a-major-Hudson-location online craft marketer Etsy wants to raise nearly $267 million in its upcoming initial public offering. That would value the company at $1.78 billion, according to an SEC filing March 31. Etsy hopes to sell 16.67 million shares between $14 and $16 a share, the filing said. Shares will trade on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol ETSY. Read the full story in the New York Business Journal.

Matthew Hamilton in Capitol Confidential reports that while Albany focused on the state budget, on March 31 state Department of Health officials posted the regulations for New York's medical marijuana program on its website. The story reports officials have said they want to have the medical marijuana program operational at the beginning of 2016. Five registered organizations with up to four dispensaries each will be selected before the program can begin. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.

Medical Marijuana Regulations

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 61F; low 48F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 61F; low 49F.[/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 cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing. High near 57. Thursday night, showers likely, mainly after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy during the early evening, then becoming cloudy. Low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Friday: Showers likely, mainly before 7 a.m. Cloudy. High near 62. Friday night, rain showers likely before 5 a.m., then rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy. Low around 36.
Saturday: Snow showers likely, possibly mixed with rain before 8 a.m., then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 44. Saturday night, partly cloudy. Low around 27.
Sunday: Partly sunny. High near 45. Sunday night, a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 33.

Sunset today: 7:22 p.m.
Length of the day: 12:47 hrs.

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

ANCRAM Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
ASHLAND Planning Board meeting, 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 12094 Route 23, Ashland (734-3636).
AUSTERLITZ Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 812 Route 203, Spencertown (392-3260).
COPAKE Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
COXSACKIE Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 16 Reed St., Coxsackie (731-2727).
GHENT Town Board informational planning and working session, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
KINDERHOOK Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
STUYVESANT Board meeting workshop, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Dr., Stuyvesant (758-6248).
WINDHAM Town Board meeting, 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).

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 Local news, regional events, weather updates, and more, live from the WGXC Acra Studio in Greene Co. Hosted by Tom Roe.
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.: We the People: Rob Perry, Timothy O'Connor The city of Hudson's planned sewer-line project will be discussed. City Public Works Superintendent Robert Perry will be in the studio first to discuss the needed replacement of the city's old, combined sewer system, followed by Timothy O’Connor of the South Bay Task Force, who will offer his perspective on the project's potential environmental impact. 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 Tom DePietro.
11 a.m.: One Size Fits All: 20150402 An hour-long investigation into the idea of amplified sound beginning with Mongo Santamaria and concluding with The Temptations. Full playlist found at www.Facebook.com/OneSizeWGXC. Produced by Your Host.
2 p.m.: The Art of the Hudson Valley: Chris Freeman Interview with Hudson painter Chris Freeman. Hosted by Chad Weckler.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: Railway Children Part 1 An anthology series of dramas and comedies for radio. Produced at KSVR Studios at the radio station KSVR-FM in Mount Vernon, Washington. The actors are from the Skagit Radio Repertory Company. The producer is Joseph C McGuire. The classic story from E. Nesbit about city children who move to the English countryside next to a Railway Station. Where they have many adventures. Taking place during the Crimean War. Produced by Joseph C McGuire. Edited by Jay Charles Performers: The Skagit Radio Repertory Company. Made with a grant from the Corporation For Public Broadcasting. From Pacifica Radio.
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

John Anderson at DIYmedia.net reports more of the details about the proposal to dramatically cut the Federal Communication Commission’s enforcement field offices. Two-thirds of the FCC’s 24 field offices would be closed under the budget proposal, with total enforcement staffing cut in half. Instead, the FCC would establish a “tiger team” of enforcers, who might not be that familiar with the area's airwaves, would be able to use pre-positioned equipment. Last week at the U.S. House's Financial Services Subcommittee budget hearing for the FCC, chairman Tom Wheeler was asked about the new, leaner enforcement strategy. Rep. Jaime Herrera Butler (R-WA) asked Wheeler about the new plan and the lack of any field office in the Pacific Northwest in the proposal. The question comes around one hour and fourteen minutes into the hearing above.[audio mp3="http://newsroom.free103point9.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Congressionalquestion_TomWheeler_enforcementcuts_20150402.mp3"][/audio]

Ryan Anglim is reporting in The Daily Mail the Catskill Village Board of Trustees will hold two public hearings on April 8. One to hear public comment on a local law on the use of scaffolding in the village, and the other on a bond proposition to finance the extension of the Catskill Firehouse. According to Village President Vincent Seeley voters will be asked to authorize the issuance of a 20-year, $350,000 bond to pay for the construction of a 40-by-55-foot free-standing structure at the rear of the existing firehouse. Groundbreaking for the extension is set for late this summer. The proposed local scaffold law would limit to six months the time temporary equipment used for construction, repair or maintenance of a building is allowed to stay in place. Any additional time would require permission from the village building inspector. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.