Local News
Local news Click here for news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sun., March 1. PLAY AUDIO (3:53)

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

• Sunday: Snow likely, mainly after 3 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 25. Wind chill values as low as -6. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Sunday night the snow continues, mainly before 4 a.m. Low around 20. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

• Monday: A slight chance of snow showers before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30, and a low around 6.

• Tuesday: A chance of snow after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 26.

Sunrise 6:29 a.m.
Sunset 5:45 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 2:15 P.M. 3:56 A.M.
Mercury 5:30 A.M. 3:26 P.M.
Venus 7:44 A.M. 8:17 P.M.
Mars 7:35 A.M. 7:59 P.M.
Jupiter 3:19 P.M. 5:39 A.M.
Saturn 12:43 A.M. 10:22 A.M.
Uranus 7:52 A.M. 8:34 P.M.
Neptune 6:29 A.M. 5:24 P.M.
Pluto 3:40 A.M. 1:07 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Radia: Naoual Fassal
March 1, 2015: 5 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.
CounterSpin: Nazgol Ghandnoosh, Stephanie Simon
March 1, 2015: 5:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.
Zoom: Soft Silly Music
March 1, 2015: 11 a.m. – noon

• [caption width="200" align="alignright"] Cecilia Tkaczyk[/caption]Matthew Hamilton in Capitol Confidential reports that former Democratic state Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk (D-Duanesburg) starts hosting a new radio show on WGXC (90.7-FM) Mon., March 2 at 10 a.m. "The Albany Report" will feature talk about Albany-related news with Tkaczyk and special guests, including Assemblywoman DiDi Barrett, on the first show. On the second half of the weekly show, Tkaczyk and guests will take listener questions (828-0290 when the show originates from Hudson, 622-2598 when it comes from Acra), and listeners can call in and record questions ahead of time to 291-WGXC. Hamilton in Capitol Confidential suggests "C.C. Rider" as a theme song, although he incorrectly pegs the songs to Elvis Presley. It was first recorded by Gertrude "Ma" Rainey in 1924, and since then has been recorded by many other artists. Tkaczyk, is a sheep farmer who lost her rematch with Republican state Sen. George Amedore in 2014. She was elected in the 46th district in 2012. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.

• WGXC reveals a new program schedule starting Mon., March 2, though has not announced the changes yet. The station's website and logo are also changing.

• On Sat., Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m. New York Assemblymember Pete Lopez will be interviewed on "Noche Latina," on WHVW (950-AM) in Poughkeepsie. Lopez represents Greene County, and parts of Columbia, Ulster, Schoharie, and other counties in Albany.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., Feb. 28. PLAY AUDIO (4:53)

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

• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 20. Wind chill values as low as -10. Saturday night partly cloudy, with a low around 2.

• Sunday: An 80 percent chance of snow after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26, and a low around 21.

• Monday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31.

Sunrise 6:31 a.m.
Sunset 5:44 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 1:20 P.M. 3:14 A.M.
Mercury 5:30 A.M. 3:24 P.M.
Venus 7:45 A.M. 8:15 P.M.
Mars 7:37 A.M. 7:59 P.M.
Jupiter 3:24 P.M. 5:43 A.M.
Saturn 12:47 A.M. 10:26 A.M.
Uranus 7:56 A.M. 8:37 P.M.
Neptune 6:33 A.M. 5:27 P.M.
Pluto 3:44 A.M. 1:11 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Amateur Radio Newsline: Medical Remote Electronics
Feb. 28, 2015: 8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Saturday Morning Serial: Tom Wheeler
Feb. 28, 2015: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Low Power Hour: 20150228
Feb. 28, 2015: 11 a.m. – noon
Radius Sketchpad: Maria Papadomanolaki
Feb. 28, 2015: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Radia: Naoual Fassal
Feb. 28, 2015: 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Parry Teasdale in The Columbia Paper reports Columbia County will choose between two private companies to sell the 120-bed Pine Haven Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Philmont, with both making presentations to the Board of Supervisors Feb. 23. Premier Health Care Management, from Great Neck, Long Island, bid $6.5 million and Centers Health Care, from the Bronx, bid $5.4 million for facility on state Route 217. Both companies spoke about their plans to renovate Pine Haven and keep it open. Last December Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson said it would sell its Kaaterskill Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Catskill to Premier, which also recently bought a similar facility in Great Barrington. County Board of Supervisors Chairman Pat Grattan (R-Kinderhook) says the county has not yet determined if it will sell Pine Haven, but that decision will come in the next few months by the board’s Pine Haven subcommittee. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting in the Greene County News Athens Republicans will have three challengers on the ballot in the upcoming village elections. Rick Surrano will face off against incumbent Democrat Chris Pfister for mayor. Surrano was narrowly defeated in his bid for village trustee in 2013. He is the owner of Surrano's Pizzeria on Washington St., and the manager of the Stewart House. Running with Surrano are Maria Butler and Rickie Gabrielle, who were endorsed for village trustee. Gabrielle is a political newcomer, while Butler has been active with the Athens Republican Committee for eight years. All three candidates told the paper that getting taxes under control, replacing the Department of Public Works garage and revitalizing Second St. are among their top priorities. Surrano's number one issue is the state of the village DPW building. He said, “It’s a hazard, it’s dangerous for workers and the equipment, and we lose a lot of heat because the building is not insulated." Surrano also said the lack of support for local businesses by the current mayor is also problematic. All three candidates said one of the ways to make sure current Athens businesses stay healthy is to ensure the Athens Street Festival continues. The future of the annual summer event is now in question. Village elections are Wed., Mar. 18. Read the full story in the Greene County News.

Matthew Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential a majority of New Yorkers may not place much trust in any level of government, but if they have to choose, they’re trusting their local elected officials the most. A Siena College poll released Thu., Feb. 27 shows 43 percent of voters trust their local government most or all of the time, compared to just 28 percent who trust either the federal or state government to make the right decisions. Upstaters are among the most trusting of their local officials, the poll shows. Forty-two percent of voters statewide say their local government is doing either a good or excellent job, compared to 27 percent who say the same about the federal government, and 30 percent who say the same about state government. Read the full post at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

David Robinson in The Albany Busines Review reports that the state Senate passed the legislation Feb. 25 to strengthen protections against cyber attacks after the massive data breach at health car provider Anthem Inc. affecting about 80 million people, nationwide. Locally, at least 109,000 people in the Capital Region may be affected by a data breach. Locals who have medical coverage with Anthem/Empire Blue Cross, the state’s Empire Plan, or the NYSHIP Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield HMO may have had personal information stolen from the parent company Anthem. The senate's bill that would create new penalties for people convicted of cyber crimes, expand existing anti-hacking laws, and start advisory boards and studies looking for other remedies now heads to the Assembly. The Senate also passed a bill to require the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to collaborate State Police, the chief information officer, and the president of the Center for Internet Security every five years to create a report on the current cybersecurity status. Read the full story in The Albany Business Review.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 22F; low -3F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 23F; low -1F.[/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: Partly sunny. High near 23. Friday night, mostly clear. Low around -4.

Forecast for the next three days:
Saturday: Sunny. High near 24. Wind chill values as low as -4. Saturday night, mostly clear. Low around 0.
Sunday: A chance of snow after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 28. Sunday night, snow. Cloudy. Low around 24.
Monday: Mostly cloudy. High near 35. Monday night, partly cloudy. Low around 12.

Sunrise today: 6:32 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:43 p.m.
Length of the day: 11:10 hrs.

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

CLERMONT Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 1795 Route 9, Clermont (537-6868).
HUDSON Historic Preservation Commission public hearing on the application of the City of Hudson for a certificate of appropriateness for the demolition, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the City of Hudson Police and Courts Center at 701 Union Street, Hudson, followed by a regular meeting, 10 a.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
For WGXC Winter 2015 Pledge Drive: Day 16 WGXC's winter pledge drive began Thu., Feb. 12, and will culminate in a celebration of the station's four years of diverse voices and adventurous sounds on the the FM dial, Feb. 28. Tune in throughout the drive for a full slate of remote broadcasts, and turn out for special events in Greene and Columbia counties.

1 a.m.: Taran's Free Jazz Hour: Matthew Shipp Episode 05 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.

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 more. Live from the WGXC Acra studio at the Wave Farm Study Center 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.: ¿Qué cocinaré hoy?: Heriberto Gonzalez Heriberto Gonzalez, a member of the Rural and Migrant Ministry and a former farm worker, discusses his experiences. He will be a panelist at an upcoming screening in Woodstock of the documentary "Food Chains." Plus the final installment of a conversation with Melanie Forstrom, of Cornell Cooperative Extension, about her travels to Argentina and her passion for helping youth in any language. Hosted by Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

Ryan Anglim is reporting in The Daily Mail the "boil water" order in Catskill has been extended. Village officials said Wed., Feb. 25, the emergency declaration will stay in place until at least Fri., Feb. 27. The first water samples submitted to the state Department of Health appeared clean. Under state regulations, two clean water samples must be taken on two separate days before the order can be lifted. A second sample is expected to be submitted today (Thu., Feb. 26). Village trustee James Chewens advised all village residents to “keep boiling your water until you hear otherwise." The order was issued following a water main break on upper Main St., Tuesday. The Department of Public Works repaired the six-inch water main, located near the Sullivan-Teator VFW Post 770 building. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

William J. Kemble is reporting in the Daily Freeman the state Public Service Commission has scheduled public hearings on a Central Hudson electric and natural gas delivery rate increase proposal. Utility officials are seeking the increases to make infrastructure improvements. Included would be flood protection at electric substations near the Hudson River, transmission lines under the river, use of larger poles and shorter spans to make lines more resilient during storms, and replacing wooden poles with steel poles, and relocating gas lines. The sessions are planned for March 10 in the Poughkeepsie Common Council chambers at Civic Center Plaza, and March 12 at Kingston City Hall. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Derek Hawkins is reporting for Public News Service federal programs have lifted nearly 740,000 New York children out of poverty, according to a new report by The Annie E. Casey Foundation. The group used a new tool for calculating poverty rates, instead of the official measure, and found federal assistance has made a big difference in the state, where child poverty is high. Dr. Curtis Skinner, labor economist with the National Center For Children In Poverty, praised the report saying the so-called Supplemental Poverty Measure paints a clearer picture of how to help the poor than official figures. "The Supplemental Poverty Measure that's been developed by the U.S. Census Bureau is a wonderful tool for assessing the impact of different income and work-support programs around the nation, whether these programs work, and how much they work," he says. The report found without federal interventions, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, child poverty in New York would have been 37 percent," says Skinner. "Thanks to those programs, it's 20 percent. The official poverty measure was developed in the 1960s and it doesn't account for differences in the cost of living around the country. The Supplemental Poverty Measure, or SPM, is based on a more up-to-date family budget, and uses regional living costs. Ann Johnson, director of ACT Rochester, says it's important for the Census Bureau to keep investing in the SPM so New York can continue to chip away at its child poverty rate. "It gives New York state a different lens with which to look through," says Johnson. "If this is funded over time, we'll be able to see if we improve or go in the opposite direction." Official measurements show little change in poverty over the past 25 years. But research using the SPM shows the child poverty rate has, in fact fallen. The report found that in every state, federal assistance programs included in the SPM helped reduce child poverty. Johnson says the report will serve as an important guide for policy makers. "The value of the report is it reinforces there are many different impacts on looking at poverty and we need to make careful decisions and then look as quickly as possible to see if they're effective," she says. The report recommends expanding programs that help families make ends meet and supporting early education for low income children. PLAY FULL AUDIO VERSION OF THIS REPORT (2:09)

[caption width="312" align="alignright"] Robert Plant, from Mountain Jam website.[/caption]Ariel Zangla in The Daily Freeman reports that the organizer of Mountain Jam music festival may move the festival away because, he says, of overzealous security and local police. “If we don’t get it right this year, the festival will have to cease operating or move to another location, probably another state,” said Gary Chetkof, the founder and co-owner of the June event on Hunter Mountain. In the story, Chetkof complains his own security searched attendees excessively, and that local police put pressure on the security staff. State police Capt. Robert Nuzzo, said he met with Chetkof after last year's festival and none of these concerns were raised. “I’m taken aback by the fact they have not brought any of this to our attention,” Nuzzo said. Greene County Sheriff Gregory Seeley told The Daily Freeman he thought many complaints were from traffic stops attendees were experiencing on their way to the festival. Former Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant, Alabama Shakes, the Black Keys, Gov’t Mule and others are set to perform at this year's Mountain Jam in June. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.

[caption width="221" align="alignleft"] Bobby Previte. Photo by Kate Previte.[/caption]The Philadelphia-based Greenfield Foundation announced this week that Columbia County-based jazz drummer and composer Bobby Previte won the 2015 Greenfield Prize. This annual award includes a $30,000 cash prize as a commission for a new work of art to be realized within two years. In addition, the winner is given residency time at the invitation-only Hermitage Artist Retreat, a premier performance by a professional arts organization on the two-year anniversary of the award and assistance in helping to have the new work programmed for future performances. Previte beat out some impressive semi-finalists, in composers Don Byron, Tyshawn Sorey and Julia Wolfe. The prize will be presented Sat., April 18, in Sarasota, Florida. For more information see the Greenfield Prize website.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 22F; low 2F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 22F; low 5F.[/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: A slight chance of snow showers after 9 a.m. Cloudy. High near 18. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 3. Wind chill values as low as -7.

Forecast for the next three days:
Friday: Partly sunny. High near 20. Wind chill values as low as -8. Friday night, mostly clear. Low around -4. Wind chill values as low as -13.
Saturday: Sunny. High near 21. Saturday night, partly cloudy. Low around -1.
Sunday: A chance of snow after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 30. Sunday night, snow likely. Cloudy. Low around 24.

Sunrise today: 6:34 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:42 p.m.
Length of the day: 11:07 hrs.

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

CHATHAM Village Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 77 Main Street, Chatham (392-5821).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors .1 [point one] Committee meeting, 1 p.m.; Finance Committee meeting, 1:30 p.m., at 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
COPAKE Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
DURHAM Task Force meeting, 7 p.m., Town Building, 7309 St. Route 81, East Durham (239-8260).
GERMANTOWN Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Road, Germantown (537-6687).
GREENVILLE Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m. at high school, Route 81, Greenville (966-5070).
HUDSON Community Development and Planning Agency board meeting, 6 p.m. at 1 N. Front St., Hudson (751-1044).
STUYVESANT Greenway Committee meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, 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
For WGXC Winter 2015 Pledge Drive: Day 15 WGXC's winter pledge drive began Thu., Feb. 12, and will culminate in a celebration of the station's four years of diverse voices and adventurous sounds on the the FM dial, Feb. 28. Tune in throughout the drive for a full slate of remote broadcasts, and turn out for special events in Greene and Columbia counties.

Radio Warfare: Takeover continues. Host Tim Livingston has taken over the WGXC Acra studio and he is broadcasting and streaming online non-stop, for 48 hours to help keep the voice of community radio alive and independent in Columbia and Greene counties. Livingston is spinning punk, garage, power-pop and rock 'n’ roll, all to raise funds as part of the For WGXC! Winter 2015 Pledge Drive. The entire takeover is streaming live online at http://comm.free103point9.org:8000/acra.mp3.m3u. Livingston is also live on 90.7-FM during various blocks of time, and will break in on other WGXC shows.


6 a.m.: Radio Warfare: Takeover Tim Livingston from the WGXC Acra studio at the Wave Farm Study Center.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Local news, weather, events, music 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.
10 a.m.: Prison Voices Project: 'On the Count,' Victoria Law This special For WGXC Winter Pledge Drive edition features clips from WBAI's "On the Count" and an interview with journalist Victoria Law about the recent African American Policy Forum report on black girls and school suspensions. Produced by Alexandra Cox.
11 a.m.: Radio Warfare: Takeover Tim Livingston from the WGXC Acra studio at the Wave Farm Study Center.
2 p.m.: Art of the Hudson Valley and The Passage: For WGXC Special dual winter pledge drive show, hosted by Chad Weckler of "Art of the Hudson Valley" and Richard Roth of "The Passage."
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: Radio Warfare Takeover Tim Livingston from the WGXC Acra studio at the Wave Farm Study Center.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

Siobhan (shiv-ON) Barton is reporting in the Register Star the traffic study submitted by the Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties in support of its proposed housing project in Greenport has come under fire by opponents of the development and members of the Greenport Planning Board. The study was conducted by Creighton Manning Engineering, an Albany firm. According to the study, traffic on Joslen Blvd. has decreased since 2005, a fact disputed by board members. A former civil engineer for the state Department of Transportation, who is opposed to the development, said the study's methods did not meet state DOT standards. The MHA's Greenport Gardens would consist of 66 units and be located off of Green Acres Road. The facility would provide workforce housing for households that income qualify, and for those with mental health challenges. Read the full story in the Register Star.

The Daily Freeman is reporting a “boil water” order has been issued for all customers of the village of Catskill water system due to water main breaks, the village announced late Tue., Feb. 24. According to an account in The Daily Mail, the rupture occurred near the Sullivan-Teator VFW Post 770 building on Main St. The village is advising all customers to boil tap water before consumption. The order will stay in effect until further notice, the village said.

The Associated Press is reporting President Barack Obama Tue., Feb. 24, rejected a bill to approve construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. This was the third time Obama has wielded his veto power during his presidency. Obama offered no indication of whether he will eventually issue a permit for the pipeline. The president instead chose to reassert his authority to make the decision himself, rebuffing GOP lawmakers who will control both the House and Senate for the next two years. House Speaker John Boehner said Republicans were “not even close” to giving up the fight. He called the veto a “national embarrassment.” The pipeline would connect the tar sands of Canada with refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast that specialize in processing heavy crude oil. The construction of the pipeline has become a flashpoint in the U.S. debate over environmental policy and climate change. Read the full Associated Press story in the New York Post.

Bill Mahoney in Capitol New York reports that new elections enforcement counsel Risa Sugarman has not been enforcing fines against candidates who file their contribution information late. At the Board of Elections meeting last week, Democratic co-chair Douglas Kellner asked her about it. "The problem I’m getting is that we have this long hiatus now where there has been no enforcement at all against the non-filers. I mean it’s your call—you’re independent, and you’ve decided you don’t want to do it,” Kellner said. Sugarman was appointed to the new position in 2014 by Governor Andrew Cuomo, who called it one of the “major achievements” that justified the dismantling of the Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption. Read the full story in Capital New York.

Matthew Hamilton in Capitol Confidential reports that Acting Labor Commissioner Mario Musolino said yes to a state wage board’s recommendation to raise the minumum wage for tipped workers to $7.50 per hour beginning Dec. 31. Since 2011, servers make a tipped wage of $5 per hour and other service workers make a $5.65 base wage. The restuarant lobby was not pleased. “It’s troubling that the Acting Commissioner ignored legislative precedent and the pleas of nearly 1,000 hospitality industry representatives who asked him for a moderate increase phased in over time,” state Restaurant Association President and CEO Melissa Fleischut said in a statement. “By rubberstamping an extreme, unprecedented 50 percent increase it becomes hard to believe New York is really ‘Open for Business.’” Governor Andrew Cuomo disagreed. “No one who works a full time job should be forced to live in poverty, and that is why we must also increase the State’s minimum wage, not just for tipped workers but for all hard-working New Yorkers and we must do it this year," he said in a statement. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential, a Times-Union blog.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 25F; low 0F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 30F; low 6F.[/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: Partly sunny. High near 29. Wednesday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 3.

Forecast for the next three days:
Thursday: Cloudy. High near 16. Wind chill values as low as -4. Thursday night, cloudy. Low around 5. Wind chill values as low as -3.
Friday: Partly sunny. High near 20. Friday night, mostly clear. Low around -2.
Saturday: Sunny. High near 26. Saturday night, partly cloudy. Low around 3.

Sunrise today: 6:35 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:40 p.m.
Length of the day: 11:05 hrs.

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

ATHENS Village Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Community Center, 2 First St., Athens (945-1551).
CAIRO Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo (622-3120).
COLUMBIA County Board of Supervisors Public Works Committee meeting, 6 p.m. at 401 State St., Hudson (828-1527).
COPAKE Hamlet Revitalization Task Force meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mountain View Rd., Copake (329-1234).
HUDSON Common Council Public Works Committee meeting, 5:30 p.m.; Legal Committee meeting, 6:15 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUDSON Development Corporation meeting, 12 p.m. (noon) at 1 North Front St., Hudson (751-1044).
KINDERHOOK Historical Committee meeting, 7 p.m., Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
PHILMONT Village Board Workshop meeting, 7 p.m., Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
For WGXC Winter 2015 Pledge Drive: Day 14 WGXC's winter pledge drive began Thu., Feb. 12, and will culminate in a celebration of the station's four years of diverse voices and adventurous sounds on the the FM dial, Feb. 28. Tune in throughout the drive for a full slate of remote broadcasts, and turn out for special events in Greene and Columbia counties.

Radio Warfare: Takeover continues. Host Tim Livingston has taken over the WGXC Acra studio and he is broadcasting and streaming online non-stop, for 48 hours to help keep the voice of community radio alive and independent in Columbia and Greene counties. Livingston is spinning punk, garage, power-pop and rock 'n’ roll, all to raise funds as part of the For WGXC! Winter 2015 Pledge Drive. The entire takeover is streaming live online at http://comm.free103point9.org:8000/acra.mp3.m3u. Livingston is also live on 90.7-FM during various blocks of time, and will break in on other WGXC shows.


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 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.
11 a.m.: Zoom: Jess Puglisi Special pledge drive edition live from the WGXC Acra studio at the Wave Farm Study Center in Greene Co. In studio for some inspirational pledge drive conversation will be Jess Puglisi, one of WGXC's wizards behind the curtain. Tune in for some neat music, lo-fi sounds and conversation! It will be fun...and you can support WGXC! Hosted by Tyson Hauf.
2 p.m.: The Barbershop Talks: Is Black Unity Possible? Vern and the crew return to where it all began for a special For WGXC! Pledge Drive remote broadcast from M & J's Hair Studio in Hudson. Hosted by Vern Cross, Kamal Johnson and the 18 Wheeler.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Ron Browz, Rashad Barksdale Players participating in the “Run This Town Event,” scheduled for Fri., Feb. 27, will stop by to talk about the event. Producer and rapper Ron Browz of the Ether Boy Label will call in to talk about being a part of the Celebrity Game. And Hudson native Rashad Barksdale, founder of the “It’s Ok To Dream” charity will also call in. Plus in the final half hour: Freestyle and so much more. Hosted by Vern Cross, Kamal Johnson and Ranier Blue.
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News