WNYT reports that 7,000 gallons of petroleum oil spilled around 6:30 a.m. Fri., Oct. 31 at First Fuels, 1840 Route 9H in Ghent. The report says some of the fuel ran off into a nearby pond. Crews are cleaning up the site. See the full story at WNYT.

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. 2. PLAY AUDIO (1:35)

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

• Sunday: Scattered showers, mainly before 3 p.m. are possible. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 51, and a low around 40.

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54, and a low around 43.

• Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 67.

Sunrise 7:22 a.m.
Sunset 5:56 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 9:58 A.M. Next Day
Mercury 5:57 A.M. 5:23 P.M.
Venus 7:22 A.M. 6:01 P.M.
Mars 12:13 P.M. 9:01 P.M.
Jupiter 1:05 A.M. 3:06 P.M.
Saturn 9:01 A.M. 7:00 P.M.
Uranus 5:06 P.M. 5:49 A.M.
Neptune 3:38 P.M. 2:30 A.M.
Pluto 12:40 P.M. 10:10 P.M.

WGXC Programming

WGXC had three Greene County political party leaders into its Acra studio Fri., Oct. 31, and asked each about the hurdles and opportunities locally for broadband internet service. Brent Bogardus, Chairman of the Greene County Republican Party, Doreen Davis, Chairwoman of the Greene County Democratic Party, and George Acker, Chairman of the Greene County Independence Party, all discussed the possibility of local broadband internet access.

To hear the excerpts about local broadband internet, click below:
George Acker, Independence Party PLAY AUDIO (1:13)
Doreen Davis, Democrat PLAY AUDIO (1:14)
Brent Bogardus, Republican PLAY AUDIO (1:13)

To hear the full interviews, click below:
Brent Bogardus, Republican PLAY AUDIO (20:17)
Doreen Davis, Democrat PLAY AUDIO (23:28)
George Acker, Independence Party PLAY AUDIO (11:51)

The Daily Freeman reports that WGHQ's (920-AM) “Happy Christmas Fund” will air its 47th annual radiothon on Nov. 6 to help needy families and seniors during the holiday season. Community leaders will be taking over the microphones of WGHQ for the radio-thon from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. from the Boice’s Milk House at 62 O’Neil Street in Kingston.

Local News
PLAY AUDIO (6:20)

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

• Saturday: Scattered showers, mainly after 9 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 49, and a low around 30. Precipitation could be snow in higher elevations.

• Sunday: A slight chance of snow showers before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 41, and a low around 24.

• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 49.

Sunrise 7:29 a.m.
Sunset 5:48 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 2:47 P.M. 1:14 A.M.
Mercury 5:50 A.M. 5:12 P.M.
Venus 7:38 A.M. 5:57 P.M.
Mars 12:08 P.M. 8:57 P.M.
Jupiter 12:45 A.M. 2:45 P.M.
Saturn 8:41 A.M. 6:39 P.M.
Uranus 4:42 P.M. 5:24 A.M.
Neptune 3:15 P.M. 2:06 A.M.
Pluto 12:17 P.M. 9:46 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Amateur Radio Newsline: Crimea
Nov. 1, 2014: 6 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
Low Power Hour: Live Remote
Nov. 1, 2014: 7 a.m. – 8 a.m.
What's the Frequency, Kenneth?: Election Tricks
Nov. 1, 2014: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Radia: The Liberation of Paris
Nov. 1, 2014: 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday Afternoon Show: ARK3
Nov. 1, 2014: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Framework: Masayuki Imanishi
Nov. 1, 2014: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Arthur Cusano reports in the Register-Star that as of 1 p.m. Fri., Oct. 31, signs forbidding dogs in Hudson cemeteries were removed as Mayor William Hallenbeck rescinded parts of the city’s rules and regulations handbook banning dogs from the Hudson City and Cedar Park cemeteries. Dogs are now allowed in the cemeteries on the pavement or roadways only, and only while on a leash. Bicycles are also now allowed in the cemeteries. “I am confident that with these changes, the [Department of Public Works] commissioner [James Folz] has found a compromise to which all city residents, and all those who frequent the cemetery can live by,” Hallenbeck wrote in a press release. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

Ryan Anglim reported in The Daily Mail the Durham Town Board approved its 2015 budget this week. Under the spending plan, taxes will increase by 1.5 percent. Town Supervisor William Carr Jr. said, “We’ve done our best to keep it a minimal increase. Quite frankly, I don’t know where we’ll go in the future." Carr said that if expenses continue to increase, the budget will prove to be more challenging in the years to come. Both the East Durham and Oak Hill-Durham Volunteer Fire companies will see a 10 percent increase in funding under the plan. Both companies are strained financially, and have few reserves left. The budget is expected to be adopted by the town board on Nov. 4. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="280"] New York State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk talked with WGXC host Tom DePietro on "We the People" Thu., Oct. 30 on the radio.[/caption] New York State Senator Cecilia F. Tkaczyk represents New York's 46th Senate District, currently in an election rematch with Republican George Amedore. Tkaczyk explained the district's gerrymandered geography PLAY (1:29) Since she won by just 18 votes in 2012, this year's election has been closely watched around the state. Click here to listen to the entire show. PLAY AUDIO (59:53)

The Daily Freeman is reporting Halloween curfews will be in effect Fri., Oct. 31, as follows:

GREENE CO.
Catskill (town): 9 p.m to 6 a.m. for ages 16 and under.
Catskill (village): 9 p.m, to 6 a.m. for ages 18 and under.
Coxsackie (village): 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for ages 18 and under.
Hunter (town): 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. for ages 18 and under
Hunter (village): 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. for ages 21 and under.
Tannersville: 6 p.m. for ages 18 and under.

COLUMBIA CO.
Kinderhook (town): 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for ages 18 and under.

NORTHERN DUTCHESS CO.
Red Hook (town): No curfew
Red Hook (village): No curfew
Rhinebeck (town): No curfew
Rhinebeck (village): No curfew

ULSTER CO.
Esopus: 7 p.m. for all ages.
Ellenville: 8:30 p.m. for ages 17 and under.
Hurley: 7:30 p.m. for ages 15 and under.
Kingston (city): 8 p.m. for ages 15 and under.
Kingston (town): 8 p.m. for ages 17 and under.
Olive: 9 p.m. for ages 16 and under.
Saugerties (town and village): 8 p.m. for ages 17 and under.

[caption id="attachment_37212" align="alignleft" width="500"] The Maplecrest Post Office in the Town of Windham. Photo by Tom Roe.[/caption]WRIP is reporting that the Maplecrest Post Office, at 27 County Route 56, is closed until further notice because of a leaking roof, general electrical failure, and a partial ceiling collapse. Maplecrest post office box customers can pick up their mail at the Hensonville post office at 395 State Route 296, both sites in the Town of Windham. The Hensonville office now will be open Monday-through-Friday from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.; and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon. Officials do not know when the Maplecrest post office building could reopen, though there were signs of work on the building Thu., Oct. 30. See WRIP's Facebook page for more information.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has taken an odd-but-successful approach to campaigning this fall. Instead of much meeting of possible New York voters to sway them to his side, he's released a book and spoken to national audiences through a series of television appearances. The strategy appears to be working among voters, as the latest Real Clear Politics survey of polls puts Cuomo up 53-31 against his Republican opponent Rob Astorino. But book sales are a different story. Casey Seiler in the Albany Times-Union reports that Cuomo's political memoir "All Things Possible: Setbacks and Success in Politics and Life," released nationwide Oct. 14, has sold just 1,500 copies through Oct. 26, according to Nielsen BookScan, which covers roughly 85 percent of the print market, and the Cuomo tome is listed at No. 23,929 on Amazon's sales list. The governor got $188,000 from HarperCollins in 2013 for the book, according to tax returns. Other reports, according to the story, put Cuomo's take above $700,000. The governor has refused to disclose additional details about his publishing deal with HarperCollins, an arm of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Read the full story in the Albany Times-Union.

Emilia Teasdale in The Columbia Paper reports that officials in Kinderhook have set a public hearing for changes to the zoning laws that were crafted behind closed doors. The 7 p.m., Thu., Nov. 6 public hearing considers changes that, will expand the home occupation laws in residential neighborhoods, relax off-street parking laws, and remove some environmental protections, among other issues. The town has a PDF of the proposed changes on its website. “I don’t see any public demands for the changes,” Marcia Anderson said at an Oct. 20 Town of Kinderhook meeting, when the public hearing was announced. “You have people who say that’s shadow government,” Ed Simonsen, who was involved with making changes to the town’s comprehensive plan, said of the committee having met without public notification. He also said that not inviting members of the Comprehensive Plan Committee to make the changes “look suspicious.” The public hearing for the proposal is set for 7 p.m., Thu., Nov. 6, with a budget hearing that night at 6:30 p.m. and the regular town board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 53F; low 40F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 54F; low 42F.[/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 53. Friday night, a chance of showers mainly after 3 a.m. Cloudy. Low around 38.

Forecast for the next three days:
Saturday: A chance of showers. Cloudy. High near 51. Saturday night, a chance of rain showers before 4 a.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy. Low around 35.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High near 46. Sunday night, mostly clear. Low around 29.
Monday: Sunny. High near 52. Monday night, partly cloudy. Low around 35.

Sunrise today: 7:28 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:49 p.m.
Length of the day: 10:21 hrs.

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

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: War of the Worlds Tom Roe's annual remixing of The Mercury Theatre on the Air's "The War of the Worlds" with reports of current wars around the world. This year: radio-controlled drone edition.

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: George Acker, Brent Bogardus, Doreen Davis Local interviews, local news, regional event previews, music and more, live from Wave Farm in Acra in Greene County. At 7:30 a.m. host Tom Roe is joined by Greene County Independence Party Chairman George Acker, who will discuss the slate of candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot endorsed by his party. At 9 a.m. Greene County Democratic Party Chairwoman Doreen Davis will discuss the Democratic slate of candidates. At 9:30 a.m. Greene County Republican Party Chairman Brent Bogardus will discuss the Republican slate of candidates running for election on Nov. 4.
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: Elric Walker, Ryder Cooley New Halloween-related songs from singer-songwriter Elric Walker, with Ryder Cooley on singing saw and accordion. Cooley will perform some of her own songs, as well. Plus, news, weather, events, music and more. Hosted by Mark Chandler Bailey and Gregor Trieste with Jack Ross-Pilkington.
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="160"] Howie Hawkins[/caption]

Green Party gubernatorial candidates Howie Hawkins visited Hudson, Wed., Oct. 29, making an appearance at Swallow Coffee on Warren St. late in the afternoon. Before arriving in town, Hawkins called in to WGXC's @Issue, announcing he now holds a 9 percent lead statewide, and is polling in the double digits in upstate senate districts. Hawkins was asked if he knew why: PLAY (:53). Hawkins also responded to incumbent Andrew M. Cuomo's recent comments to the editorial board of the New York Daily News that he views the K-12 education system as a monopoly: PLAY (2:26). The full interview with Hawkins can be found at wgxc [dot] org [forward slash] archives.

Tobiah Black is reporting in The Columbia Paper the Taconic Hills Board of Education last week weighed in against a proposed agreement that would reduce taxes for the planned expansion of the Ginsberg’s food service company. The board unanimously supported a resolution in opposition to a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with Ginsberg's under consideration by the county Industrial Development Development Agency. The PILOT would reduce tax payments on the company's new facility on state Route 66 in Claverack and Ghent. Taconic Hills Superintendent Neil L. Howard, Jr. admitted the vote by the board was largely symbolic, but he intends to circulate copies of the resolution in an effort to communicate the Board of Education's disfavor with the plan. Howard said the administration does not know what impact the PILOT agreement would have on the district. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Brittany Horn is reporting in the Times Union the New York State United Teachers filed a motion Wed., Oct. 29, to dismiss the lawsuit challenging the state's tenure law. NYSUT, one of the state’s most influential public employee unions, is arguing the case will harm public education and lacks legal merit. The lawsuit seeks to disband the seniority-based tenure system which lays off junior teachers first during financially difficult times, allows lengthy due process hearings for teachers and offers a three-year probationary period. Other motions to dismiss are expected to be filed by the United Federation of Teachers, the state of New York, the city of New York and the School Administrators Association of New York State in the coming days and weeks. The case was brought by former CNN anchor Campbell Brown and numerous children enrolled in the New York City public school system. Arguments in the case are scheduled to be heard Jan. 14. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Rensselaer is getting one of six "strategic fuel reserves" Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Tue., Oct. 29. Cuomo's plan -- timed to the two-year-anniversary of Hurricane Sandy -- is to ensure that gasoline and diesel fuels are available to emergency responders. The six sites -- Rensselaer, Brewerton, Rochester, Marcy, Vestal, and Buffalo -- will hold 2.5 million gallons of gasoline and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. Cuomo's press release does not specify, but if that fuel was split up evenly, then Rensselaer would get a depot with around 400,000 gallons of highly flammable fuel. "The strategic Upstate fuel reserve will enable emergency responders to continue their vitally important jobs, even in the event of a prolonged disaster, and addresses vulnerabilities discovered in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy,” Governor Cuomo said in the press release.


Read the full press release below.



Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the establishment of a strategic fuel reserve at six key locations in Upstate New York to help ensure that gasoline and diesel fuels are available to emergency responders in the event of an emergency, including future severe storms. The reserve terminals are positioned to rapidly provide service to all areas of Upstate New York in the event of a declared emergency. Establishing an Upstate fuel reserve is a key component of Fuel NY, the Governor's statewide fuel infrastructure protection initiative developed in direct response to disruptions caused by Superstorm Sandy.

"The strategic Upstate fuel reserve will enable emergency responders to continue their vitally important jobs, even in the event of a prolonged disaster, and addresses vulnerabilities discovered in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy,” Governor Cuomo said. “This addition to New York's fuel infrastructure plan makes it the strongest of any state in the nation, and is one more way that we are building back better.”

Approximately 2.5 million gallons of gasoline and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel will be housed in the strategic fuel reserve, and will be supplied to first responders during a declared emergency in the event that their own fuel supplies are disrupted. The six key reserve terminals that will provide service to all of Upstate New York are located in:
· Rensselaer
· Brewerton
· Rochester
· Marcy
· Vestal
· Buffalo

The Upstate Strategic Fuel Reserve Program is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority with $10 million in funding provided by the New York Power Authority. The fuel is owned by New York State, and the reserves are managed by Buckeye Terminals, LLC. Suppliers will be able to pre-register with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to facilitate distribution of fuel upon declaration of an emergency and release of the strategic fuel reserve in their region.

Fuel NY is the nation's strongest program for meeting the backup electricity requirements of gas stations to be better prepared for a declared emergency. Today, more than half of all gas stations in New York City, Long Island and Westchester and Rockland Counties are required to have back-up power in the event of an emergency. Additionally, Fuel NY has established the first-in-the-nation State Strategic Gasoline Reserve on Long Island. More information about Fuel NY is available here.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO John B. Rhodes said, "Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York State is developing a resilient and reliable energy infrastructure, and the Upstate Strategic Fuel Reserve Program is an important piece of that solution. This reserve will ensure that critical first responders like police, ambulance, fire department, and other emergency personnel have fuel to assist New Yorkers and aide in the recovery efforts during severe weather events."

New York Power Authority President and CEO Gil C. Quiniones said, "The Upstate Strategic Fuel Reserve will provide the New York Power Authority, other utilities in the state and first responders with added assurance that their transmission and repair crews will have the necessary fuel supplies for their bucket trucks and other vehicles for restoring power after major storms. The fuel reserve is a vital emergency-preparedness initiative for lessening the disruptive impacts of future storms."

Buckeye Partners, L.P. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Clark C. Smith said, "Buckeye is pleased to be partnering with the State of New York to provide a strategic refined petroleum products reserve for the Upstate New York markets. Buckeye's success in quickly and safely re-starting operations after the Superstorm Sandy landfall in 2012 demonstrated our commitment to minimizing disruptions in the markets we supply. Buckeye is very proud to be a part of the storage and distribution option for first responders should there be another emergency event in the future."

###

Additional news available at www.governor.ny.gov

Dennis Yusko in the Albany Times-Union reports that state Sen. Kathleen Marchione (R-Halfmoon) showed up to debate Brian Howard (D-Troy) after backing out of a scheduled debate in Saratoga County Oct. 14, and brought a large group of supporters Oct. 28 to the Brunswick Community Center in Troy. Organized by the League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County, the forum was for candidates to the state's 43rd Senate District, which includes parts of Columbia County. The Times-Union reports Marchione carried $122,263 in campaign contributions into 2014, and raised $273,275 in 2014 and spent $157,089, leaving her with $238,450. The Howard campaign raised $30,589 and spent $19,927 in 2014, with $10,662 on hand, according to the Board of Elections. Howard is an educator with roots in Chatham and time as superintendent of Queensbury, Troy and Berlin schools. "I am not a career politician," Howard said. "I am a career educator." Marchione, before becoming a senator in 2012, was Halfmoon town clerk and supervisor and Saratoga County clerk. "I believe when you serve as a public servant, you need to make things better," Marchione said. Read the full story in the Times-Union.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 53F; low 33F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 53F; low 34F.[/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 55. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 32.

Forecast for the next three days:
Friday: Partly sunny. High near 53. Friday night, a chance of showers before 4 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy. Low around 36.
Saturday: A chance of rain and snow showers before 9 a.m., then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy. High near 51. Saturday night, a chance of showers before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 31.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High near 44. Sunday night, mostly clear. Low around 29.

Sunrise today: 7:27 a.m.
Sunset today: 5:51 p.m.
Length of the day: 10:24 hrs.

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

KINDER MORGAN [energy company] meeting with Columbia County residents, 4 p.m. at New Lebanon Fire Station, 512 Route 20, New Lebanon (781-4686). PowerPoint presentation by company representatives followed by Q&A concerning the proposed Northeast Energy Direct Project to install a gas pipeline from the town of Wright in Schoharie Co. to Dracut, Mass. The pipeline would traverse northern Columbia Co.

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
5 a.m.: Sprouts: Grassroots Radio Conference KHOI community Radio in Ames, Iowa hosted the Grassroots Radio Conference in August 2014 with the help of Pacifica Radio. Novice Radio Producer Jahnabimala Bhattacharyya from KHOI explored the medium of community radio through interviews with numerous participants of the conference. People from all over the continent, including many who are building new low-power stations, talk about the meaning of community radio as a medium.

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, local events, music and more.
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: Cecilia Tkaczyk Democrat state Senator Cecilia F. Tkaczyk represents New York's 46th Senate District, which stretches from Amsterdam to Kingston, including Greene County. She is currently seeking reelection to a second, two-year term. The senator will discuss her service to date, her long-term goals, and her bid to return to Albany, among other topics. Tkaczyk is a resident of Duanesburg, in western Schenectady County. Hosted by Tom DePietro.
11 a.m.: One Size Fits All: 20141030 An hour-long investigation into the idea of amplified sound, beginning with Sugar Pie Desanto and concluding with Uri Caine. Produced by Your Host. Full playlist found at www.Facebook.com/OneSizeWGXC.
2 p.m.: Justice Speaks: A Youth-Powered Radio Production This hour-long broadcast explores the work of a group of Hudson youth leaders (ages 12-18) that came together for a five-week period in the summer of 2014, as part of the "Social Justice Leadership Academy" to build a space for exploration, play, and creative and political expression. Through hands-on experiences as on-the-street interviewers and on-the-farm harvesters, the teenagers explored systemic oppression and solutions for communities. The young people addressed various issues, including inequality, racism, food justice, gentrification, the school-to-prison-pipeline and youth power. This is a repeat of an Aug. 8, 2014 broadcast.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: War of the Worlds Orson Welles and the Mercury Players put on a radio show, about an invasion. Special one-hour edition of "Radio Theatre." On the 76th anniversary of The Mercury Theatre on the Air radio production, Wave Farm's WGXC presents "The War of the Worlds" with Orson Welles.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: WGXC Evening News

Jim Fitzgerald is reporting for the Associated Press federal regulators ruled Tues., Oct. 28, a sleep-deprived engineer was the cause of a derailment last year that killed four people and injured more than 70. The National Transportation Board said William Rockefeller, of Germantown, nodded off at the controls of the commuter train just before taking a 30 mph curve at 82 mph last December. Rockefeller’s sleepiness was due to a combination of an undiagnosed disorder and a drastic shift in his work schedule, the National Transportation Safety Board said. It said the railroad lacked a policy to screen engineers for sleep disorders, which also contributed to the crash. The NTSB also said a system that would have automatically applied the brakes would have prevented the crash. The board also issued rulings on four other Metro-North accidents that occurred in New York and Connecticut in 2013 and 2014, repeatedly finding fault with the railroad. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York said the report revealed “a horror house of negligence resulting in injury, mayhem and death.” Metro-North is the second-largest commuter rail line in the country. It carried more than 83 million riders between New York City and its suburbs last year. Read the full Associated Press story in the Daily Freeman.