Michael DeMasi in the Albany Business Review reports the New York Facility Location Board will announce up to four casino licenses Dec. 17 at its final meeting of the year. There are four competing proposals in the Capitol Region: in the towns of East Greenbush, Rensselaer, and Schenectady, and at Howe Caverns, in Schoharie County. The New York Times reports one of those four will get a license.

In anticipation of increased holiday travel Amtrak has announced extra trains and more seats will be available countrywide, including the Northeast Corridor. Passengers in the Northeast Corridor should be aware that "Holiday Extra" trains, which operate on Sun., Nov. 30, use borrowed commuter train equipment and may have fewer amenities than regular Amtrak service. Many regularly unreserved trains will require reservations during the holiday travel period, including Keystone Service in Pennsylvania, and Empire Service in New York. The Thanksgiving holiday is the busiest travel week of the year. Last year, Amtrak carried more than 750,000 passengers during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. Higher passenger counts are anticipated this year. Information is available at amtrak.com.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 36F; low 29F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 40F; low 30F.[/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 declared a Winter Storm Warning for eastern New York and western New England through 7 a.m., Thurs., Nov. 27. Snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches are forecast. Maximum snow rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour are expected from late morning to early evening, Wednesday. Snow may be mixed with rain at the onset. The snow will be heaviest during the afternoon into the evening. This storm will significantly impact holiday travel.

Today: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after noon. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 40. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible. Wednesday night, snow, mainly before 2 a.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Forecast for the next three days:
Thursday (Thanksgiving Day): A chance of snow showers, mainly before 10 a.m. Cloudy. High near 38. Thursday night, a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 20.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 36. Friday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 10.
Saturday: Partly sunny. High near 36. Saturday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 30.

Sunrise today: 6:59 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:26 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:26 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).
CLAVERACK Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing on the Ginsberg project, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 91 Church St., Mellenville (672-7911).
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.; both at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUDSON Development Corporation meeting (tentative), 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
1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: Gintas K Episode 957 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click on title for playlist 957.

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.
10 a.m.: The Right Opinion: The Harlem Valley Rail Trail This episode will be devoted to learning about the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, the most ambitious recreational project to come to Columbia County. Representatives of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association will be in the studio to tell listeners about the history, current status and future plans for the HVRT. Hosted by Ed Fertik.
2 p.m.: The Barbershop Talks: The Ferguson Decision The phone lines will be open to hear the community's thoughts, opinions and views on the Ferguson, Mo. grand jury's failure to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the killing of Michael Brown in August. Join the broadcast by calling (518) 828-0290 and have your say. Plus, details on the first annual Turkey Basketball Bowl, Slay Diddy will have a few Skittles on deck (as usual), and "Pull Up To the Truck Stop" with the 18 Wheeler. Hosted by Vern Cross, Kamal Johnson and Janessa Moore.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced late Tue., Nov. 25, various traffic restrictions will go into effect Wednesday morning in anticipation of the heavy snowfall expected in the region. Beginning at 7 a.m., long, tandem vehicles will be banned from the New York State Thruway on I-90, both directions from Interchange 32 (Westmoreland/Rome) to Interchange 24 (Exit 24), as well as on I-87, both directions from Interchange 24 (Albany) to the New York City line. Also beginning at 7 a.m., Wednesday, commercial vehicles will be banned from Interstate 84, both directions, from the Pennsylvania border to the Connecticut border. Motorists planning to travel on I-84 are urged to seek alternative routes or travel early. If motorists choose to use I-84 on Wednesday, they are urged to use due caution and call 5-1-1 to check road conditions before leaving.

John Mason is reporting in the Register Star the Hudson Common Council Mon., Nov. 24, adopted the city’s 2015 budget, approving a 1.5 percent tax levy increase. The council rejected the 2.97 percent increase proposal put forward by council President Don Moore and City Treasurer Heather Campbell. The greater increase would have added $70,000 more to the city’s new capital fund. Mayor William H. Hallenbeck Jr. advocated for the lower increase, arguing the additional sum was arbitrarily determined and would unnecessarily add to the taxpayers' burden. Spending under the adopted budget will total $9.9 million. Read the full story in the Register Star.

The Daily Freeman is reporting the average retail price of gasoline in New York state fell another 1.1 cents per gallon last week, settling at $3.21 on Sunday, according to the website NewYorkStateGasPrices.com. In the Catskill area, prices generally were in the range of $3.10 to $3.15 for a gallon of regular unleaded, according to GasBuddy.com. Prices in Hudson varied from $3.07 to $3.15 per gallon. The national average fell nearly 5 cents last week to $2.82 per gallon. A senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy said U.S. prices "are likely nearing a bottom." The average gas price per gallon as of Sun., Nov. 23, was 36 cents per gallon lower than the same day a year ago, and 23 cents less than in October. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued from 7 a.m. Wed., Nov. 26, until 10 a.m. Thu., Nov. 27, with the National Weather Service predicting 6 to 16 inches of snow. Snow could fall at two-inches-an-hour at the height of the storm, and travel conditions may be difficult. The storm is predicted to follow the classic Nor'easter route up the coast, drawing moisture from the Atlantic Ocean. WGXC will provide weather updates as the storm nears.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 51F; low 33F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 53F; low 35F.[/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. Temperatures will fall to around 47 by 5 p.m. Tuesday night, a chance of snow, mainly after 5 a.m. Increasing clouds. Low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Wednesday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 34. Wednesday night, snow likely, mainly before 1 a.m. Cloudy. Low around 24. The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Winter Storm Warning from 7 a.m. Wed., Nov. 26 through 10 a.m. Thurs., Nov. 27, for eastern New York and western New England. Heavy snow is predicted, with accumulations of 4 to 8 inches possible.
Thursday (Thanksgiving Day): A chance of snow showers. Cloudy. High near 36. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 18.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 35. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 15.

Sunrise today: 6:58 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:26 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:27 hrs.

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

CANAAN Zoning Board of Appeals, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1647 Co. Route 5, Canaan (781-3144).
CATSKILL Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill (943-2141).
CHATHAM CENTRAL Board of Education meeting, 6:30 p.m. at high school, 50 Woodbridge Ave., Chatham (392-2400).
COLUMBIA Economic Development Corporation Board meeting, 8:30 a.m. at 4303 Route 9, Greenport (828-4718).
COPAKE Agriculture & Farming Protection Committee meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mountain View Rd., Copake (329-1234).
GREENE COUNTY Tourism Advisory Committee meeting, 9:30 a.m. at 411 Main St., Catskill (943-3223).
GREENPORT Planning Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Greenport Town Hall, Town Hall Drive, Hudson (828-4656).

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, weather, events, music and more. 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.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

Some of the stories that made the news Fri., Nov. 21 through Mon., Nov. 24:

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 66F; low 43F.[/caption]

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

Today: Showers, mainly before 11 a.m. High near 66. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Monday night, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear. Low around 45.

Forecast for the next three days:
Tuesday: Sunny. High near 50. Tuesday night, increasing clouds. Low around 30.
Wednesday: Snow likely, mainly after 1 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy. High near 36. Wednesday night, snow likely. Cloudy. Low around 29. The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Winter Storm Watch from Wednesday morning through mid-morning Thanksgiving for eastern New York and western New England. Heavy snow is predicted, with accumulations of nine inches and more are possible.
Thursday (Thanksgiving Day): A chance of snow showers before 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 38. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 21.

Sunrise today: 6:57 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:27 p.m.
Length of the day: 9:29 hrs.

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

CATSKILL Village Board meeting, 7 p.m. at firehouse near Catskill Commons (Walmart) (943-3830).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors Economic Development Committee meeting, 5 p.m.; Airport Committee meeting, 6 p.m.; Environmental Management Council, 7 p.m.; all at 401 State St., Hudson (828-1527).
GERMANTOWN Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Rd., Germantown (537-6687).
HALCOTT Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 813 Route 3, Halcott Center (845-254-9920).
HUDSON Common Council special meeting to take action on the 2015 City Budget, 5:45 p.m.; Police Committee meeting 6 p.m.; Fire Committee meeting, 6:45 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
NEW BALTIMORE Town Board work meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 3809 Co. Route. 51, Hannacroix (756-6671).
PHILMONT Development Corp meeting, 7 p.m. at Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).
STUYVESANT Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).
TAGHKANIC Zoning Board of Appeals 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 Local news, weather, events, music and more. 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.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

Siobhan Barton in the Register-Star reports the Taconic Hills Board of Education on Nov. 19 voted to improve the current radio system used by the transportation department buses. The board will spend $6,000 on new circuit boards for each bus that automatically switch frequencies to find the strongest signal, Transportation Supervisor Rick Viebrock said. Ever since the Federal Communications Commission mandated the Taconic Hills transportation radio system transition to a narrower bandwidth in January 2013, radio reception has not been ideal. “Because of the change, our radio service was cut back quite a bit,” Viebrock told the paper Nov. 21, saying it left half of the district’s 200 square miles without service. “We’ve had minor issues trying to locate children who may have gotten on the wrong bus... And [we] have been unable to reach certain bus drivers." Occasionally, bus drivers pull off to the side of the road to use their cell phones, said Doris Diamond, a district driver of seven years. “I like to joke to Rick that I can roll my window down and shout to him when I'm parked right in front of the school,” she said. “But he can't hear me on the radio.” The reprogramming is scheduled to begin on Dec. 23, after classes, and is expected to be complete when students return Jan. 5. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

Ariel Zangla in The Daily Freeman reports Greene County property owners can expect rebates from New York state next year because the 2015 county tax levy increase fell within the state tax limit, according to County Administrator Shaun Groden. The amount of the rebates are unknown. On Nov. 19 the county Legislature adopted a $105,270,134 budget with Catskill legislator Vincent Seeley, voting against the spending plan. The adopted budget includes a 2.16 percent spending increase with $23,221,839 to be raised through property taxes, an increase of $795,811, or 3.55 percent, over the current tax levy of $22,426,028. Greene County estimates $28 million in sales tax revenues in 2015, a $1.4 million increase over what is expected this year. Groden said the county will cut spending if sales tax revenues fall, possibly through layoffs. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.

Local News
Local news Click here for news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sun., Nov. 23. PLAY AUDIO (3:10)

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

• Sunday: A slight chance of rain before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Rain may begin after 1 a.m, with a low around 36.

• Monday: Rain likely, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61, and a low around 35.

• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44.

Sunrise 6:56 a.m.
Sunset 4:27 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 7:48 A.M. 5:49 P.M.
Mercury 6:12 A.M. 4:03 P.M.
Venus 7:34 A.M. 4:51 P.M.
Mars 10:46 A.M. 7:50 P.M.
Jupiter 10:24 P.M. 12:23 P.M.
Saturn 6:28 A.M. 4:20 P.M.
Uranus 2:14 P.M. 2:54 A.M.
Neptune 12:48 P.M. 11:36 P.M.
Pluto 9:53 A.M. 7:18 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Radia: Tableau Sonore
Nov. 23, 2014: 5 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.
Mambo Italiano: 78 RPM
Nov. 23, 2014: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Diane Pineiro-Zucker reports in The Daily Freeman Joan Tarshis of Woodstock is among several women accusing actor/comedian Bill Cosby of rape. Tarshis said with the constant media coverage of the story she, “feels as if justice is being served, even though it’s not in a court of law.” Tarshis said she was 21 years old when Cosby raped her. “I didn’t expect the media storm,” she said, noting she is not seeking any compensation from Cosby or even an apology. “If he expressed some remorse and confessed, I think it would be self-serving.” Cosby is scheduled to perform April 24, 2015 at the Palace Theatre in Albany.

Radio news about local radio waves, on both sides of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge and up and down the Hudson Valley:

• New York Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer announced their support this week for the New York and New Jersey Army National Guards’ formation of a combined Cyber Protection Team based in Latham, in Albany County. In a letter to the Army National Guard’s Acting Director, Major General Lyons, the senators urged for swift approval of a proposal allowing the New York and New Jersey Army National Guards to form a joint team focused on addressing the growing cyber security threats in New York and New Jersey. This new team would leverage their existing relationships with the Department of Homeland Security and their extensive training, to focus on combatting increasing cyber security threats to the region’s critical infrastructure and networks. “By vesting this capacity in the National Guard stationed in Latham, this team can provide the military with private sector expertise and the surge capacity that it needs to respond to threats," said Gillibrand in a press release. Currently, state Army National Guard units throughout the country are competing to form ten multi-state Cyber Protection Teams as part of the Army’s efforts to build up its cyber capabilities.

• WAMC Northeast Public Radio donated 765 Eton Crank Radios to veterans in need, raised from their recent $1 million pledge drive. Listeners during WAMC's recent pledge drive could shift their donations to these radios, which are also solar-powered, as well as hand-cranked.

• Next Fri., Nov. 28, "Newline Radio" expands for a special five-hour edition for the holidays, offering a chance for families of incarcerated people to reach out and connect with their loved ones starting at 7 p.m. on WGXC. All WGXC programmers and listeners are invited to participate. For more information email newlineradio@hotmail.com.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., Nov. 22. PLAY AUDIO (3:00)

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

• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Saturday night there is a 40 percent chance of rain, freezing rain, and sleet before 1 a..m, then a chance of freezing rain between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., then a chance of freezing rain and sleet after 4 a.m., with a low around 28.

• Sunday: A slight chance of rain or freezing rain before 9 a.m., then a slight chance of rain showers between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Rain is more likely, Sunday night, mainly after 1 a.m., with a low around 35.

• Monday: Showers likely, mainly before 1 p.m., with a high near 58.

Sunrise 6:55 a.m.
Sunset 4:28 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 6:47 A.M. 4:58 P.M.
Mercury 6:08 A.M. 4:03 P.M.
Venus 7:32 A.M. 4:51 P.M.
Mars 10:47 A.M. 7:50 P.M.
Jupiter 10:28 P.M. 12:27 P.M.
Saturn 6:31 A.M. 4:24 P.M.
Uranus 2:18 P.M. 2:59 A.M.
Neptune 12:52 P.M. 11:40 P.M.
Pluto 9:57 A.M. 7:22 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Amateur Radio Newsline: Malaysia
Nov. 22, 2014: 6 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
Bill Cosby Special
Nov. 22, 2014: 7 a.m. – 8 a.m.
What's the Frequency, Kenneth?: Turn of Phrase
Nov. 22, 2014: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Other Music: Jane Carver and the Alan Lomax Archive
Nov. 22, 2014: 12:05 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Radia: Tableau Sonore
Nov. 22, 2014: 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Live Dancing Archive (The House Is Open)
Nov. 22, 2014: 3:30 p.m. – 4:35 p.m.
Framework: Nick Hamilton
Nov. 22, 2014: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Congressman Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) opposes President Barack Obama’s speech Thu., Nov. 20, on immigration, calling his plan "unconstitutional" in a press release sent moments after the president's speech. “This is a mistake,” he said. “Clearly, our immigration system is broken, but we need to work together to change the law, using the process outlined in our Constitution. I have long supported securing our borders and fixing all aspects of our broken immigration system. What the President is doing here instead is selectively choosing not to enforce the law, something he is duty-bound to do by his oath of office.... What the Senate can do immediately is pass the emergency immigration legislation that the House passed in early August, which commits new resources to securing our borders and addresses the root causes of this problem. From there, the President can make working with Congress on effective, bipartisan immigration reform a central priority for his final two years in office.” President Obama Nov. 20 said he will allow undocumented immigrants who have lived in the United States for at least five years to apply for a program that protects them from deportation and allows those with no criminal record to work legally in the country.

Read the full statement below.



Gibson statement on President Obama’s immigration executive order

Washington, DC – Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19) opposes President Obama’s unilateral action on immigration, an action he believes is unconstitutional.

“This is a mistake,” he said. “Clearly, our immigration system is broken, but we need to work together to change the law, using the process outlined in our Constitution. I have long supported securing our borders and fixing all aspects of our broken immigration system. What the President is doing here instead is selectively choosing not to enforce the law, something he is duty-bound to do by his oath of office.”

Congressman Gibson pointed out the President himself has stated repeatedly that he does not have the authority to take this action. The President explained these legal constraints in an interview with Univision, among other media.

The best way forward, said Congressman Gibson, centers on bipartisan negotiations within Congress to address all immigration issues, including border security, interior enforcement, visa reforms, guest worker program reforms, a program to address the status of undocumented immigrants, and effective foreign policy reforms.

“What the Senate can do immediately is pass the emergency immigration legislation that the House passed in early August, which commits new resources to securing our borders and addresses the root causes of this problem,” said Congressman Gibson. “From there, the President can make working with Congress on effective, bipartisan immigration reform a central priority for his final two years in office.”

After securing our borders, Congressman Gibson supports legislation that encourages people living in the country without legal documentation to come forward and plead guilty to breaking the law, submit to a background check, and pay a fine. These actions would lead to earned legal status.

He has been calling for action on immigration reform since he retired from the United States Army in 2010. He detailed his views in an op-ed piece in the Times Herald-Record and introduced legislation to reform the H-2A visa program, an important component of our rural economy.

In addition, Congressman Gibson has been an outspoken advocate for restoring balance to the executive-legislative branch relationship. In response to the trend since World War II of consolidation of war powers in the executive branch, which has led to Presidents from both political parties taking us to war without the consent of the governed, he authored bipartisan legislation, HR 383, the War Powers Reform Act. This bill would ensure that the American people get a voice, through their elected Representative, in the solemn decision on the use of military force.

He continues to work on legislation to empower Congress to restore its proper role as envisioned by the Founders, but ultimately Congressman Gibson believes real change will only come from a future President who supports these necessary changes and/or a landmark decision from the Supreme Court.

John Mason is reporting in the Register Star with all absentee ballots counted in the 106th Assembly District race, incumbent Assembly member, Democrat Didi Barrett, appears to have won a second, two-year term by defeating Republican challenger Mike Kelsey. Unofficially, Barrett garnered 18,023 votes districtwide to Kelsey’s 17,592. The two campaigns combined have challenged nearly 200 ballots, of which 164 were disputed by Kelsey. Most of those challenges were based on residence. In the Taghkanic Town Board race, the only other Columbia County contest still at issue, Democratic challenger Linda Swartz appears headed for victory over incumbent Taghkanic Carolyn Sammons. Swartz is currently leading Sammons by 21 votes. Read the full story in the Register Star.

The Mid-Hudson News Network is reporting Greene County has experienced the largest percentage of new jobs in both the Hudson Valley and the entire state, the state Labor Department announced Thurs., Nov. 20. Greene County reported 3.1 percent in job growth during the 12-month period ending in October. Columbia County was ranked second in the region and third in the state with an increase of 2.4 percent. Ulster County had a 1.3 percent boost in new jobs, while the Dutchess-Orange metropolitan statistical area saw 0.6 percent. Employment gains were strongest in leisure and hospitality followed by educational and health services, and other services. Job losses were centered in natural resources, mining and construction, and manufacturing.

[caption width="300" align="alignleft"] From Windham Mountain website.[/caption]The cold snap that touched the entire nation this week allowed the local ski resorts to start making snow, and Hunter and Windham will open Fri., Nov. 21. Windham Mountain opens at 9 a.m. Nov. 21, the earliest opening day in ten years, according to the resort's website. Windham projects nine trails open with three lifts running. Hunter Mountain also opens Nov. 21 for a weekend of skiing, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with 12-48” of man-made snow on the slopes. Catamount Ski in Copake has begun making snow, but has no opening date scheduled at press time. The snow-making may be short-lived, however, as the National Weather Service predicts temperatures to stay above freezing for several days starting Sunday.