[caption id="" align="alignright" width="130"] U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson[/caption]

Shira T. Center and Nathan Gonzales are reporting in Roll Call that Rep. Chris Gibson announced his retirement Tue., Jan. 6. The Kinderhook Republican was re-elected to a third term in November. He easily defeated Democrat Sean Eldridge to take the 19th Congressional District seat. Here is Gibson's statement:

"As I stated shortly after retiring from the US Army and first pursuing a seat in Congress in 2010, I planned to self-impose term limits. Accordingly, after much reflection and consultation with my family, this will be my third and final time taking the oath of office as a Representative in the US House. I thank the voters of Upstate NY for this privilege to serve and pledge to continue to work tirelessly on their behalf in this final term. Moving forward, I will be committed to building a stronger team so that the GOP can compete and win statewide in 2018, including the possibility of being a candidate in that cycle."

The rest of Gibson's statement is below:




"With humility and excitement, I take the oath of office today to serve as the Representative for the 19th District of NY in the United States House for the 114th Congress.

"I deeply appreciate the overwhelming support I received in the November election. There was a strong mandate from across the ideological spectrum and partisan divide, something that is rare in the current political environment.

"Going forward our legislative agenda seeks reform across American life, with a focus on jobs and raising the standard of living for all. Specifically, in the 114th Congress, we will be advocating for policies that include:
· Pro-growth tax reform that lowers rates for small business owners and hard working families, and business tax reform that facilitates investment in infrastructure;

· Legislative action that would secure our borders and fix our broken immigration system;

· Responsible regulatory reform;

· Education policy that empowers local school districts, teachers, administrators, parents, and students by rolling back Common Core and makes necessary investments;

· Common sense provisions, grounded in science, that balance the priorities of lowering our energy costs while protecting our environment;

· Protection of our cherished way of life from threats from abroad while standing strong on our Bill of Rights here at home;

· Legislation that honors the service of our nation's military and their families, while serving and afterwards; and,

· A strong local focus that includes federal policies that will help find cures and solutions for chronic Lyme sufferers, expanded access and deployment of rural broadband, support for farmers, and assistance to localities with storm relief and mitigation along with individual casework assistance for constituents.

"Clearly, there is much to be done, and I have great optimism about the future. I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve - and lead - in these areas.

"As I stated shortly after retiring from the US Army and first pursuing a seat in Congress in 2010, I planned to self-impose term limits. Accordingly, after much reflection and consultation with my family, this will be my third and final time taking the oath of office as a Representative in the US House. I thank the voters of Upstate NY for this privilege to serve and pledge to continue to work tirelessly on their behalf in this final term.
“Moving forward, I will be committed to building a stronger team so that the GOP can compete and win statewide in 2018, including the possibility of being a candidate in that cycle."

Jim Planck is reporting in The Daily Mail the Greene County Legislature chose Republican legislator Kevin Lewis of Greenville as its chairman for 2015. The installation of Lewis was the body's first official act at its organizational meeting Mon., Jan. 5. Lewis was nominated by predecessor, Republican Wayne Speenburgh of Coxsackie. Speenburgh stepped down from the county's top spot last year for health reasons. Republican William Lawrence, of Cairo, was made Majority Leader, and Democrat Harry Lennon, also of Cairo, was made Minority Leader. Ed. note: Lawrence is a WGXC programmer. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

John Mason is reporting in the Register Star controversy has erupted between the mayor's office and a member of Hudson Common Council over the city's proposed police-court complex, currently in development. Mayor William H. Hallenbeck, Jr., has accused First Ward Alderman Nick Haddad of excluding the mayor and his aide, Eugene Shetsky, from the design portion of the process. Haddad denied the mayor's office has been circumvented. Hallenbeck said his office started receiving calls about the proposed design after a rendering of the facility appeared online. The mayor is calling for a public hearing on the plans. A meeting to address the lack of communication has been scheduled for later this week. The mayor, his aide, Haddad, police and court personnel, and the project contractor are all expected to be in attendance. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 24F; low 13F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 24F; low 12F.[/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: Light snow likely, mainly between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Cloudy. High near 20. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Tuesday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 12.

Forecast for the next three days:

Wednesday: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 3 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 24. Wind chill values as low as -6. Blustery. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Wednesday night, partly cloudy. Low around 0. Wind chill values as low as -15. Blustery, with gusts as high as 36 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 17. Thursday night, a chance of snow showers, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 17.
Friday: Mostly cloudy. HIgh near 28. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 13.

Sunrise today: 7:23 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:39 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:15 hrs.

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

CATSKILL Town Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill (943-2141).
COPAKE Park Commission meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
DURHAM Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
HUNTER Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5748 Route 23A, Tannersville (263-4020).
ICHABOD CRANE Central School District Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m. at Ichabod Crane High School, 2910 Route 9, Valatie (758-7577).
LEXINGTON Town Board meeting, 6:30 p.m., at Municipal building, 3542 Route 42, Lexington, (986-6303).
LIVINGSTON Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m., at Town Hall, County Rte. 19, Livingston (851-9441).
TAGHKANIC Planning 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 News, weather, events, music and more. Live from the 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.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News
7 p.m.: Leprous Garden Hosted by Brinton Leinung.
9:30 p.m.: Battlefield Earth Hosted by Dan Seward.

Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Jan. 2 through Mon., Jan. 5:

Siobhan (shiv-ON) Barton reported in the Register Star the Columbia County Sons and Daughters of Italy have announced its 2015 Positive Image Awards will be presented to Doris Moore and Thomas Fisher, Sun., Jan. 11. The two long-time Hudson residents will be recognized for their societal contributions, and for projecting a positive image of all Italian Americans. Moore, a first-generation American citizen, is commissioner of the aging for the city of Hudson and belongs to the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Fundraising Committee board. Fisher, the current Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge vice-president, served in the Armed Forces in the U.S. and Germany. He is a founding member of the Alight Center and is a former member of the Hudson Opera House Board of Directors.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Coalition Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver announced Fri., Jan. 2 the Governor's 2015 State of the State address has been postponed due to extenuating circumstances. The address has been rescheduled to 1:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 21. It will be presented in the Empire State Convention Center in Albany. Cuomo was slated to give the speech Wed., Jan. 7, but his father, former Gov. Mario M. Cuomo, died Jan. 1. The Senate and the Assembly 2015 legislative session will convene Jan. 7 as mandated by the State Constitution.

Jim Planck reported in The Daily Mail the Hunter Town Board renewed two land use moratoria at its Dec. 30 year-end meeting. The two newly adopted laws are temporary bans on establishing and/or expanding junkyards or mobile home parks within the town. Both laws contain a hardship provision. The laws will sunset in nine months. The town is engaged in an ongoing effort to revisit, rewrite and update its planning regulations.

Brian Fung reported in the Washington Post federal regulators looking to place restrictions on Internet providers will introduce and vote on new proposed net neutrality rules in February, Federal Communications Commission officials said Fri., Jan. 2. Tom Wheeler, told fellow FCC commissioners before the Christmas holiday that he intends to circulate a draft proposal internally next month with an eye toward approving the measure weeks later. The rules are meant to keep broadband providers such as Verizon and Comcast from speeding up or slowing down some websites compared to others.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="305"] Comet Lovejoy imaged on the night of Dec. 27, by Chris Schur in Payson, Arizona. (skyandtelescope.com)[/caption]

Joe Rao reported at Space [dot] com a new-found comet could put on a spectacular show in Earth's skies this month. The "Lovejoy comet," named for amateur Australian astronomer Terry Lovejoy, should be viewable from small telescopes and binoculars during much of January. The comet is expected to reach its closest point to Earth on Jan. 7, and the darker the sky, the better the view. In dark skies free of significant light pollution, the comet may even be visible with the unaided eye. Astronomers calculate the comet was last near Earth more than 11,000 years ago. Its next scheduled appearance in our solar system is due in about 8,000 years.

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Wind Advisory until 6 p.m., Mon., Jan. 5, for the eastern Catskills, greater Capital Region, northern and central Taconics, Helderbergs and the Berkshires. Winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts occasionally of 40 to 50 mph are possible through the day. Winds will increase during the morning and into the early afternoon, then decrease toward sunset. Isolated power outages may occur due to damage to tree lines. Travel may also be difficult for high profile vehicles. A Hazardous Weather Outlook is also in effect through Sun., Jan. 11. Dangerously cold to life-threatening wind chills are likely the evening of Wed., Jan. 7 through the morning of Thurs., Jan. 8.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 36F; low 13F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 32F; low 13F.[/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 Wind Advisory until 6 p.m., Mon., Jan. 5, for the eastern Catskills, greater Capital Region, northern and central Taconics, Helderbergs and the Berkshires. Winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts occasionally of 40 to 50 mph are possible. Winds will increase during the morning and into the early afternoon, then decrease toward sunset. Isolated power outages may occur due to damage to tree lines. Travel may also be difficult for high profile vehicles. A Hazardous Weather Outlook is also in effect through Sun., Jan. 11. Dangerously cold to life-threatening wind chills are likely the evening of Wed., Jan. 7 through the morning of Thurs., Jan. 8.

Today: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 1 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 28. Breezy, with a west wind of 20 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 49 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Monday night, partly cloudy. Low around 11.

Forecast for the next three days:

Tuesday: Light snow likely, mainly between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Cloudy. High near 21. Tuesday night, a chance of snow showers, mainly after 1 a.m. Cloudy. Low around 13.
Wednesday: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 21. Windy. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph. Wednesday night, partly cloudy. Low around -2.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 16. Thursday night, a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 16.

Sunrise today: 7:24 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:38 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:14 hrs.

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

ANCRAM Conservation Advisory Council at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
ATHENS Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. at 2 First Street, Athens (734-3636).
CAIRO Town Board meeting, 6 p.m., Cairo Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo (622-3120).
CATSKILL Recreation Committee meeting, 7 p.m. at Catskill Town Hall,
439 Main St., Catskill (943-2141).
CLAVERACK Planning Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, Church Street, Mellenville (672-7911).
CLERMONT Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1795 Route 9, Clermont (537-6868).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors Organizational meeting, 3 p.m. at 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
TAGHKANIC Zoning Commission meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 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 News, weather, events, music and more. Live from the 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.
11 a.m.: Zoom: Sanitizing Dissent and Using the Imagination as an Instrument of Conveyance "I have been building a rocket ship in my garage made out of pallet wood, old tin roofing, odd shaped sheets of aluminum, sheet rock screws, 262 old subway tokens epoxied to the wall in the shape of the constellation of Orion, transistor radios and two bucket seats from a 1976 Monte Carlo -- color, burgundy. You will be safe here. Hold hands, head, heart, hope, happy! Let's call the ship, the USS Z.O.O.M." -- Host Tyson Hauf
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

The Columbia Paper reports that Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced Dec. 19 that a bill she authored to support older farmers has been enacted into law (Chp.497 of 2014). Barrett says the average age of farmers is now 57-years-old, and the bill requires that the Department of Agriculture and Markets work with the Office of the Aging and look into all programs and services provided by the state to make sure they support the needs of aging famers in all agricultural sectors. “This legislation looks to provide support to aging farmers who want to remain on the farm.... The New York Farm Bureau would like to thank Assemblywoman Barrett for her leadership on this bill. As we look to attract new farmers to agriculture, it ensures the older generation is not forgotten,” said Jeff Williams, New York Farm Bureau Public Policy Director. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Local News
Local news Click here for news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sun., Jan. 4. PLAY AUDIO (2:41)

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

• Sunday: Showers, mainly before 10 a.m. High near 53, with a low around 25.

• Monday: There is a 20 percent chance of snow showers before noon, with a high near 26, and a low around 10.

• Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of light snow, with a high near 23.

Sunrise 7:24 a.m.
Sunset 4:37 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 4:35 P.M. 6:34 A.M.
Mercury 8:31 A.M. 5:46 P.M.
Venus 8:34 A.M. 5:57 P.M.
Mars 9:38 A.M. 7:55 P.M.
Jupiter 7:34 P.M. 9:37 A.M.
Saturn 4:06 A.M. 1:50 P.M.
Uranus 11:28 A.M. 12:08 A.M.
Neptune 10:04 A.M. 8:54 P.M.
Pluto 7:14 A.M. 4:39 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Radia: Martin Georgievski
Jan. 4, 2015: 5 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.
CounterSpin: 2014
Jan. 4, 2015: 5:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.

The National Weather Service in Albany issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the entire WGXC listening area until 2 a.m. Sun., Jan. 4. Snow turns to rain Sunday, with highs near 50.

[caption width="618" align="alignnone"] From the National Weather Service.[/caption]
The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for Sat., Jan. 3. A storm system will bring a period of snow beginning Saturday afternoon, turning to rain later that night with a wintry mix in between. Warm temperatures Sun., Dec. 4 may cause minor flooding. Then temperatures plummet again Sunday evening.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Coalition Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver announced Jan. 2 that due to extenuating circumstances the Governor's 2015 State of the State address has been rescheduled to 1:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 21, in the Empire State Convention Center in Albany. Cuomo was slated to give the speech this Wed., Jan. 7, but his father, former Govenor Mario Cuomo, died Jan. 1. The Senate and the Assembly 2015 legislative session will convene on January 7 as mandated by the State Constitution.

• Scott Waldman in Capital New York reports that the state Public Service Commission has again delayed a vote on the $45 billion Time Warner Cable-Comcast merger. Now, the state must complete its review of the merger by January 22, and vote by January 27.

• WGXC Outreach Advisory Committee Meeting meets at 6 p.m. Jan. 7, at the WGXC Satellite Studio in the Carnegie Room at the Catskill Library, 1 Franklin St. in Catskill. The WGXC Outreach Advisory Committee helps support the station's outreach efforts, including station events, participation in community events, dissemination of outreach materials, and more. All are welcome to get involved. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. To learn more, email Cheryl [at] wgxc [dot] org.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., Jan. 3. PLAY AUDIO (2:46)

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

• Saturday: Snow, mainly after 4 p.m. High near 31 New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Saturday Night snow turns to freezing rain before 10 p.m., then rain. Low around 31.

• Sunday: Showers, mainly before 1 p.m. High near 52. Sunday Night there is a slight chance of rain showers before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., then a slight chance of snow showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

• Monday: There is a 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 29.

Sunrise 7:24 a.m.
Sunset 4:36 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 3:42 P.M. 5:43 A.M.
Mercury 8:30 A.M. 5:41 P.M.
Venus 8:34 A.M. 5:54 P.M.
Mars 9:40 A.M. 7:55 P.M.
Jupiter 7:39 P.M. 9:41 A.M.
Saturn 4:10 A.M. 1:54 P.M.
Uranus 11:32 A.M. 12:12 A.M.
Neptune 10:08 A.M. 8:58 P.M.
Pluto 7:17 A.M. 4:43 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Off The Hook: 2014
Jan. 3, 2015: 7 a.m. – 8 a.m.
CounterSpin: 2014
Jan. 3, 2015: 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Other Music: The Voodoo Revue
Jan. 3, 2015: 12:05 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Human Machine: Ghost in the Machine
Jan. 3, 2015: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Radia: Martin Georgievski
Jan. 3, 2015: 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
What's the Frequency, Kenneth: Presidential Prospects
Jan. 3, 2015: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Framework: Stéphane Marin
Jan. 3, 2015: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Lately there have been calls to shrink the size of the legislature in Albany County, which is the largest county legislature in the state, with 39 representatives. Now, Jordan Carleo-Evangelist reports in The Albany Times-Union, one state representative is proposing further downsizing. Assemblyman Phil Steck (D-Colonie) would also like to eliminate the county executive position. "The idea that you have to have a completely separate legislature and executive was developed for much larger units of government, like the state and federal government, and I'm not sure how well it's working in Albany County," Steck said. "The question is, how are we going to get in the point in Albany County when the County Legislature and the executive work in tandem. At least in my time, that has not occurred. And I will say this: A lot has to do with personalities." Legislators are currently considering cutting the body to 29 seats. Read the full story in The Albany Times-Union.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] The Rip Van Winkle Bridge, from Wikipedia.[/caption]

Mid-Hudson News Network reports in The Daily Freeman that the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, with 5,042,090 crossings, had a 2.2 percent increase in traffic and just under 2.8 percent more revenue in the first 11 months of 2014, compared to the same period last year. Traffic and revenue on the other four Hudson River bridges operated by the New York State Bridge Authority remained flat in 2014. Traffic grew just 0.18 percent on the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, while traffic declined 0.26 percent on the Mid-Hudson Bridge. On the Bear Mountain Bridge traffic grew by 1.4 percent to 6,434,458 crossings, while Newburgh-Beacon Bridge traffice dropped 0.55 percent. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.

The New York Times is reporting former New York Gov. Mario M. Cuomo died Thurs., Jan. 1, at his home in Manhattan. He was 82. His family confirmed the death, which occurred only hours after Cuomo's son, Andrew M. Cuomo, was inaugurated in Manhattan for a second term as governor. Mario Cuomo led the state from 1983 through 1994. He was a leading liberal voice whose hopes for an activist government were thwarted by recession. He found himself struggling with the state Legislature not over what the government should do but over what programs should be cut, and what taxes should be raised, simply to balance the budget. Mario Cuomo was the son of Italian immigrants and grew up in the Queens neighborhood of South Jamaica. He played minor league baseball before embarking on a legal and political career. His oratory and his dedication to progressive policies made him a political star, but despite calls to seek the White House, he never made a run for president. Cuomo is survived by his wife Matilda N. Raffa Cuomo, five children and 14 grandchildren.

PLAY an excerpt from Mario Cuomo's "Tale of Two Cities" keynote address to the 1984 Democratic Convention (4:23). [NOTE: If playing on air, please skip advertisement at beginning.]

 

Arthur Cusano is reporting in the Register Star the Hudson Fire Department has a new chief. James “Buddy” Schermerhorn (SKEMMER-horn) was sworn into office by City Clerk Tracy Delaney at City Hall, Thurs., Jan. 1. Schermerhorn is a 46-year-old lifelong Hudson resident and a 1986 graduate of Hudson High School. He began his firefighting career in 1982 in the Hudson Explorer Post, a junior firefighter program. Schermerhorn became an active member of the department in 1986 and advanced through the ranks. He said Hudson’s department is progressive and up to date on the latest firefighting techniques and technology, and he intends to keep the department moving forward. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Video above from Kyle Hughes of NYSNYS.com.
Casey Seiler reports in Capitol Confidential that State Senator George Amedore took the oath of office for his first term in the upper house. “All’s I got to say is, ‘Wow,’” Amedore said after the oath given by state Supreme Court Justice Vito Caruso. Amedore’s former Assembly colleagues Pete Lopez and Jim Tedisco were also on hand. Amedore defeated Cecilia Tkaczyk last November, after losing to her by 18 votes in 2012, after serving two previous terms in the State Assembly. Amedore's 46th Senate District is made up of all of Montgomery and Greene Counties, and parts of Schenectady, Albany, and Ulster Counties. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.

Mathew Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential in his second inaugural address Thurs., Jan. 1, Gov. Andrew Cuomo stuck to a message he carried over the course of his campaign: New York has changed for the better in the last four years, but there is work left to be done. Speaking some at the World Trade Center, Cuomo’s speech highlighted challenges that the state and nation face as he repeatedly hammered away at his central point that “we” are the ones who can make New York a national leader in addressing them. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog. PLAY the full speech (below) (1:05:23):