Jessica Bakeman is reporting at Capital New York 87 New York school districts, or 13 percent, are fiscally stressed, according to a study by the state comptroller's office. The study of 674 New York school districts found that 12 were under “significant fiscal stress,” 23 were under “moderate fiscal stress” and 52 were “susceptible to fiscal stress.” The state's “Big Five” school districts — New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers — were not included in the study. The Watervliet City School District, located near Albany, was found to be the district under the most severe financial stress statewide. Locally, the Hudson City School District was placed in the "susceptible" category. All other Columbia and Greene county districts received "no designation," indicating they are not suffering fiscal stress. Among the financial indicators considered in the study: Year-end fund balances and patterns of operating deficits, the health of the local economy, student enrollment, property value, budget vote results and poverty. Read the full story at Capital New York.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 42F; low 28F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 42F; low 28F.[/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. High near 41. Friday night, a slight chance of snow after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Saturday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 39. Saturday night, Mostly cloudy. Low around 23.
Sunday: A chance of snow showers, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 35. A chance fo snow showers, mainly before 8 p.m. Sunday night, a slight chance of snow showers before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 21.
Monday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day observed): Partly sunny. High near 28. Monday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 10.

Sunrise today: 7:20 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:51 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:31 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the third Friday day of the month.
WGXC is unaware of any regular scheduled meetings.


The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio Stew: radioCona REuseCityREuseRadio City at Night Radio Cona broadcasts from Slovenia. Wave Farm Radio will re-transmit these broadcasts through Jan. 20 live each day beginning at 1 p.m. ET (-5 UTC). radioCona REuseCityREuseRadio is a research/exhibition project that takes place across an FM frequency, a gallery, and urban space. It focuses on parallel possible uses of the city and radio frequencies. It brings together and presents a selection of works combining the medium of radio or sound with a certain site or place, with a special focus on nighttime. Thursday 16 January, "Anna Friz City at Night" from 10:30 p.m. Slovenia time (+1 UTC) on radioCona, broadcast over Radio Študent 89.3 MHz. Tune in on Wave Farm Radio live, with a repeat broadcast from midnight to 6 a.m. ET Friday, Jan. 17.

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 Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Hosted by Phil Grant. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show The Morning Show continues with local news, weather and events.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
7 p.m.: Guest DJ: Xeserox Xeserox will be live in the WGXC studio in Hudson once again for the guest spot. This time, he is pounding the pavement to find as many local artists to feature upon the site. Some bands include: Probable Cause, Elysium Theory, and the Terry McGann Band. Music will cover a wide variety of genres, and he is willing to share a song that almost moved him to tears, and what makes the song so extraordinary. So tune in at 7:00PM Friday January 17, 2014.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="772"] A Ferguson Enterprises Distribution Center.
(Courtesy ferguson.com)[/caption]

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Wed., Jan. 15, announced Virginia-based Ferguson Enterprises Inc. will establish a new distribution center in Coxsackie. Ferguson is the largest distributor of residential and commercial plumbing supplies in the nation. The Coxsackie location will serve as a distribution hub for Ferguson's New York retailers and locations throughout New England. The company expects to create 95 new jobs. The planned 460,000 square foot warehouse will be built in the Fountain Flats Business Park. In a statement released Wednesday, the Greene County IDA said it is supporting the project with a suggested 20-year PILOT, a sales tax exemption on capital expenditures to establishing the facility, implementation of a natural gas line to the site and assistance with the permitting process. Read the full announcement at Greene IDA [dot] com.

Barbara Reina is reporting in the Register Star the Valatie Village Board is considering a draft resolution in opposition to the discharge of treated toxins into the Valatie Kill from the water treatment plant at the Dewey Loeffel Landfill until a comprehensive public health study is conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mayor Diane Argyle requested the board consider the resolution to be adopted by the board next month. The Kinderhook Town Board passed a resolution earlier this week requesting a comprehensive EPA public health study before any treated toxins are discharged. The Columbia County Board of Supervisors passed a similar resolution last week. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Ariel Zangla is reporting in the Daily Freeman the Black Bridge over the Catskill Creek will be rehabilitated thanks to $2.24 million in federal aid, which will allow the pedestrian span to become part of a walking trail in the village. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wed., Jan. 15, that $67 million will be set aside for 63 bicycle, pedestrian and multi-use path transportation enhancement projects statewide that will encourage tourism and economic development. The funds, made available to the state by the federal Highway Administration, will cover 80 percent of the cost of each project. The Black Bridge was built in 1882 to transport rail passengers between Catskill Point and the Catskill Mountain resorts. It was sold to the village for $2,500 on May 5, 1919. In September 2010, the village closed the pedestrian span due to safety concerns. The Hillsdale Pedestrian Streetscape Enhancements, a project to make that hamlet's streets walkable, was awarded more than $750,000 in funding on Wednesday, as well. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 35F; low 27F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 36F; low 26F.[/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: Rain and snow likely, mainly before 3 p.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny. High near 36. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 24.

Forecast for the next three days:
Friday: Partly sunny. High near 42. Friday night, a chance of snow showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 26.
Saturday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 37. Saturday night, a slight chance of snow showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 21.
Sunday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 24. Sunday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 20.

Sunrise today: 7:20 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:50 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:29 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the third Thursday day of the month.
WGXC recommends calling ahead to confirm time and location.


ANCRAM Board meeting at 7 p.m. in Town Hall at 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
CHATHAM Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. Town Hall, 488 State Route 295, Chatham (392-3262).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Public Safety Committee meeting at 5 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
COPAKE Comprehensive Planning Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m., at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
DURHAM Town board meeting at 7:30 p.m. in Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham.
GHENT Town Board meeting at the Ghent Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
HUDSON Common Council Economic Development Committee meeting, 6 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
KINDERHOOK Planning Board meets at 7 p.m. Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
WINDHAM Town board meets at 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: radioCona REuseCityREuseRadio Preview A preview and short excerpts of the first day of the Radio Cona broadcasts from Slovenia. Wave Farm Radio will re-transmit these broadcast through Jan. 20 live each day at 1 p.m. ET (-5 UTC). radioCona REuseCityREuseRadio is a research/exhibition project that takes place across an FM frequency, a gallery, and urban space. It focuses on parallel possible uses of the city and radio frequencies. It brings together and presents a selection of works combining the medium of radio or sound with a certain site or place, with a special focus on nighttime.
5 a.m.: Off The Hook: 20140116 Do not call during rebroadcast. Off The Hook, from the hacker zine 2600, airs every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET in New York City on WBAI 99.5 FM, and is rebroadcast the next morning at 5 a.m. on WGXC and free103point9 Online Radio. It is simulcast online via streaming MP3 and via shortwave on WBCQ The Planet at 5110 KHz. Join #offthehook on irc.2600.net to chat during the show. Email show at oth [at] 2600.com. Do not call during the rebroadcast. Rebroadcast from Jan. 15, 2013.

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 Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Hosted by Phil Grant. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show The Morning Show continues with local news, weather and events.
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 will discuss Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's State of the State Address, her ongoing efforts to improve rural broadband access and the status of education reform in New York, among other topics. Tkaczyk is a resident of Duanesburg, in western Schenectady County. Hosted by Tom DePietro.
11 a.m.: One Size Fits All: 20140116 An hour-long investigation into the idea of amplified sound with Your Host. Beginning with Djelimady Tounkara and concluding with Mick Turner. The full playlist can be found at facebook.com/OneSizeWGXC.
2 p.m.: Between the Lines: Steve Patterson and John Sowle Ann Forbes-Cooper returns to "Between the Lines" with an interview of the writing/directing team of John Sowle and Steve Patterson, and the opening of the Bridge Street Theater in Catskill.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: A Clone With My Thoughts From Electromatic Radio: "The station is crawling with clones of technician Matt Appleyard! Can Grey salvage his sanity with a bajillion Matts wandering around?" This episode's playlist (all music CC): Good Old Spider - White Owl; Grow Up Grow a Beard - The Kazoo Funk Orchestra; She Said You Said - The Framitts; Cocoa Krispies Lucky Charms - Ralph Buckley; (Carry On) River of Life - The Vegetarians; On Brevity - Josh Woodward. From Radio4All. http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/35339
3:30 p.m.: Kids' Brain Radio Live from the Catskill Community Center. Hosted by Matt Bua and Sam Sebren.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show

Kyle Adams is reporting in The Daily Mail state Commissioner of Motor Vehicles Barbara J. Fiala presented a 30-minute, concise version of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's State of the State address at Columbia-Greene Community College, Tues., Jan. 14. The event was attended by elected officials and local leaders from Columbia and Greene counties. Fiala quickly presented all the highlights of the governor’s presentation, starting with a recap of the accomplishments of the past several years. In introducing Fiala, Columbia-Greene President James Campion said Cuomo's proposals for high-achieving secondary students will “create an unrivaled workforce for the future of New York State” and applauded the governor’s educational initiatives. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="288"] (Courtesy ichabodcrane.org)[/caption]

Emilia Teasdale is reporting in the Columbia Paper Ichabod Crane Superintendent George Zini recently discussed three options for expanding that district's over-crowded primary school at the January Board of Education meeting. One plan would involve using two trailers as classrooms, another calls for the an addition of four classrooms to the school building, and the third would be a $2.3-million project that would include expanding the primary school along with upgrades to the two other school buildings. Zini said none of the projects would result in higher school taxes. The board will need voter approval for any construction plans. It hopes to hold the referendum, along with the annual budget vote and school board election, May 20. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

Rick Karlin is reporting at Capitol Confidential using a bike bearing saddlebags that contained more than 1,300 postcards, a group of cycling enthusiasts and environmentalists visited Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s office Tues., Jan. 14, urging him to put money in his upcoming state budget proposal for improvements such as bike lanes. A representative of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign said federal cutbacks have left the state with less money for items like dedicated bike lanes as well funding for pedestrian byways. The advocates are seeking $20 million during the next budget as well as $100 million over five years. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 45F; low 28F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 44F; low 28F.[/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 Special Weather Statement. The threat of black ice continues Wednesday morning. Temperatures have fallen below freezing across the region. This has allowed the wet ground from recent rainfall to freeze on untreated surfaces creating areas of black ice. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while driving, especially when crossing bridges and overpasses and on highway ramps. Pedestrians are urged to use extreme caution while walking, especially on untreated surfaces. Patchy fog, some locally dense, will cause reduced visibility in some areas.

Today: Mostly sunny. High near 47. Wednesday night, a slight chance of rain and snow showers before 10 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers between 10 p.m. and midnight. Mostly cloudy. Low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Thursday: A slight chance of snow showers before 1 p.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., then a slight chance of rain showers after 3 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 39. Thursday night, a slight chance of snow showers before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 26.
Friday: A slight chance of showers after 4 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 41. Friday night, a slight chance of rain and snow showers before 8 p.m., then a chance of snow showers.. Mostly cloudy. Low around 26.
Saturday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 37. Saturday night, a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 20.

Sunrise today: 7:21 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:49 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:28 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the third Wednesday day of the month.
WGXC recommends calling ahead to confirm time and location.


CATSKILL at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill.
COLUMBIA COUNTY Human Services meeting at 5 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
GHENT Planning Board session at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature meeting at 6:30 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON Zoning Board of Appeals meeting (tentative) at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: Net Neutrality Ruling News on the Jan. 14 Net Neutrality court ruling.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Hang Ups Don't hang up your phone. Operators are standing by. Sounds and songs of hang ups from The Orlons ("Don't Hang Up"), Johnny Wyatt ("Hang Up The Phone"), Jimmy Cliff ("Pack Up Hang Ups"), Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty ("As Soon As I Hang Up The Phone"), Stonewall Jackson ("Can't Hang Up The Phone"), Leroy Dyke ("If A Woman Answers [Hang Up The Phone]"), Guided By Voices ("Hang Up and Try Again"), The Wailers ("Hang Up"), Britney Spears ("Don't Hang Up"), 10cc ("Don't Hang Up"), Tom Brosseau ("Cradle Your Device"), and Herbie Hancock ("Hang Up Your Hang Ups"). Plus, Del Close's "Hang Up" skit, and more.
1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: Marc Behrens Episode 914 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click on title for playlist 914.
5 a.m.: Shortwave/Pirates: Dave Porter/K2BPP Dave Porter, K2BPP (SK) concludes talking abt his harrowing experience riding out hurr. Gilbert on Jamaica in 1989.

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 Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Hosted by Phil Grant. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show The Morning Show continues with local news, weather and events.
10 a.m.: @Issue: Dan Almasi, Cortney Lovell First in a series of shows looking at the issues surrounding addiction. The first episode will feature Dan Almasi, Dual Recovery Coordinator for the Columbia County Department of Human Services, and Cortney Lovell of Friends of Recovery New York. Hosted by Victor Mendolia with Debora Gilbert.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="297"] Valatie Kill
(Courtesy valatielibrary.net)[/caption]

Barbara Reina is reporting in the Register Star the Kinderhook Town Board approved a resolution Mon., Jan. 13, calling for a comprehensive health study to be conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency before treated toxins are discharged into the Valatie Kill from a recently completed water treatment plant at the Dewey Loeffel Landfill federal Superfund site in Nassau. The planned release of treated discharges into the Valatie Kill is part of a $2.5 million water treatment plant project at the Superfund site. From 1952 to 1968, the site was used for the disposal of an estimated 46,000 tons of waste materials generated by several companies including General Electric, Bendix Corporation (now Honeywell International, Inc.) and Schenectady Chemicals (now SI Group, Inc.), according to the EPA. The waste included industrial solvents, waste oils, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), scrap materials, sludge and solids. The resolution supports the positions taken by U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson and state Sen. Kathleen Marchione in support of health study. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Jessica Bakeman is reporting at Capital New York the panel of education experts tasked with making recommendations to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo for how to improve student performance is months late releasing its final report. Cuomo empaneled the Education Reform Commission in April 2012, asking the group to develop a preliminary report and a final set of recommendations outlining ways to improve student performance by September 1, 2013. Some of the group's proposals are controversial, particularly a plan opposed by unions to pay high-performing teachers more than their peers. Among the Commission's other recommendations: Enhancing access to technology in classrooms, focusing on high-quality early childhood education programs, expanding programs that connect high school and college, investing in higher education and increasing efficiencies and shared services in schools. The governor's office declined to comment and would not say when the report would be released. Read the full story in Capital New York.

Public News Service is reporting New York's food distribution system is being strained following the November reduction in SNAP, or food stamp, benefits. An estimated 3.1 million New Yorkers have been affected by the reductions. Mark Scheerer has the story: PLAY (2:02).

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 41F; low 30F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 41F; low 29F.[/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: Rain. High near 47. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. Tuesday night, a chance of rain and snow showers, mainly before 9 p.m. Cloudy. Low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Forecast for the next three days:
Wednesday: Partly sunny. High near 46. Wednesday night, a slight chance of rain and snow showers before 9 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 28.
Thursday: A slight chance of snow showers before 11 a.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., then a slight chance of rain showers after 1 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 40. Thursday night, a slight chance of snow showers before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 27.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 41. Friday night, a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy. Low around 27.

Sunrise today: 7:21 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:48 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:26 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the second Tuesday of the month.
WGXC recommends calling ahead to confirm time and location.


CAIRO Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main Street, Cairo (622-3120).
CHATHAM Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at 488 Route 295, Chatham (392-3262).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Health and Medical Services Committee meets at 4 p.m. at 401 State St. in Hudson (828-1527).
COPAKE Board of Ethics, 7 p.m.; Comprehensive Planning Comm., 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234)
COXSACKIE Town board at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, Reed St., Coxsackie (731-2727).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: Headlines Radio news about radio waves.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Call-In Collage Live sounds are played from Wave Farm, and anyone can Skype in at WaveFarm or call landline 518-622-2598. Hosted by Tom Roe.
1 a.m.: HD Radio Rebroadcast from Jan. 11, 2013. Tune in for a conversation with John Anderson, author of the newly published first critical and comprehensive analysis of the United States' digital radio transition Radio's Digital Dilemma: Broadcasting in the 21st Century (Routledge). John Anderson also serves as the Vice-President of Wave Farm's Board of Directors. Anderson is an Assistant Professor and the Director of Broadcast Journalism in the Department of Television and Radio at Brooklyn College, City University of New York. Formerly a radio journalist, he’s been working in the fields of media policy and activism for nearly two decades.
3 a.m.: WGXC Winter Pageant Rebroadcast from Jan. 11, 2014. "The WGXC Winter Pageant will feature a wide range of seasonal performances, rescheduled from the snowed out Dec. 14 date. Hosted by The People's Glorious Improv Collective. Performers will include Phillip Grant, Carmen Borgia, Harry Matthew, Tanya Blue, Alec Butterfield, Liz Logiudice, Leroy Cartfracker, Tony Fallon, Peter Krug, Jillian Sutton, and the Diata Diata International Folkloric Theatre. With art from Thatcher Keats, Beth Schneck, John Peters, Matt Bua, Tyson Hauf. With Scopitone projections from Spike Priggen. If you'd like to get involved with the Pageant, please contact Matt Bua by emailing mattbua@gmail.com."
5 a.m.: PCJ Media Network Plus: 20140114 International radio and media show. The show is produced jointly by PCJ in Taiwan and Canada. Producer/Presenter: Keith Perron.

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 Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Hosted by Phil Grant. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show The Morning Show continues with local news, weather and events.
11 a.m.: The Classic Country Show: Ray Price A tribute to country singer Ray Price (Jan. 12, 1926 – Dec. 16, 2013), a protege and good friend of Hank Williams. Hosted by Tanya Blue.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show

Some of the stories that made the news, Jan. 10 through Jan. 13:

Ariel Zangla reported in the Daily Freeman Greene County lawmakers have given their initial approval for a contract to install a steel communications tower on property provided by Windham Mountain. During a meeting Wed., Jan. 8, the legislature’s Public Safety Committee approved a resolution awarding a construction bid to CDE Electric of Cairo. The resolution must still be approved by the full Legislature, which meets Wednesday. The tower is intended to help improve emergency services communications in the county. It would be located on property that is part of Windham Mountain’s operations, but located in the town of Jewett. Windham Mountain deeded the acre of property to the county.

Kristen V. Brown reported in the Times Union New York has one of the nation's highest increases in funding for prekindergarten programs in its 2013-2014 fiscal year, according to an analysis the Education Commission of the States. The non-partisan research group's report shows that across the country, states are making major investments in pre-K programs. In most states, funding surpassed pre-recession levels. In his State of the State address earlier this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo called for universal pre-K in the state, echoing a major campaign platform of new New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Only South Carolina, Michigan and Texas exceeded New York in pre-K spending increases. Jim Planck reported in The Daily Mail Catskill Central School District received notification from the State Education Department that its grant application to fund pre-K on a full-day basis has been approved. The Office of Early Learning notified the district of the award by e-mail on Dec. 23, and Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Farrell said last week the $61,475 grant will cover the full cost of an all-day pre-K classroom from January to June of this year.

Jessica Mosier reported in The Daily Mail the Greenville Central School District Board of Education was presented last week with the details of that district's proposed $10.3 million capital construction project. The District Planning Committee has put forward a sewer, roof, security, technology and energy project, which includes major upgrades to the sewer system, technology infrastructure and temperature control system. The project will also include new roofs on the elementary, middle and high schools, as well as an upgrade to the district's transportation facility. District voters will be asked to ratify the project and authorize the creation of a Capital Reserve Fund, Tues., March 2.

Diane Valden reported in the Columbia Paper interested citizens of Copake and vicinity gathered at the Methodist Church House Sat., Jan. 4, to talk about a plan to re-open the hamlet's general store with a new business plan, a new name and a new outlook. The store was closed in November. The new store, named the Copake Front Porch Market, will provide fresh food and pantry staples at affordable prices. While the market will provide general store basics, it also will serve as an outlet for the products of local farmers. The market group has raised $50,000 of the $90,000 needed to open. The market is expected to open in March.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 46F; low 38F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 46F; low 38F.[/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. High near 48. Monday night, showers likely, mainly after 3 a.m. Cloudy. Low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Forecast for the next three days:
Tuesday: Showers likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Cloudy. High near 46. Tuesday night, a slight chance of rain showers before 2 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 32.
Wednesday: A chance of snow showers before 9 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., then a chance of rain showers after 10 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 43.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 37. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 25.

Sunrise today: 7:21 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:46 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:25 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the second Monday of the month.
WGXC recommends calling ahead to confirm time and location.


ASHLAND Town Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, Main Street, Ashland (734-3636)
CATSKILL Village meeting at 7 p.m. at the Firehouse, 1 Central Ave. (behind Walgreens) (943-3830).
COPAKE Environmental Committee meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GREENE COUNTY LEGISLATURE holds Buildings & Grounds, Conservation, Public Safety, Highway, Government Operations, and Finance committee meetings at 6 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON Common Council Organizational meeting at 7 p.m., immediately followed by the Informal meeting at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUNTER Village meeting at 8 p.m.
NEW BALTIMORE Town meeting at 7:30 p.m. at 3809 Rt. 51, Hannacroix (756-6671)/
PRATTSVILLE Town meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 14517 Main St., Prattsville (299-3125).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: Headlines Radio news about radio waves.
12:05 a.m.: Deep But Not Profound: January 2014 Live from the newly renovated studio at Wave Farm in Acra, Leroy Cartfracker and Matt Bua take your calls and talk about things.
2 a.m.: Amiri Baraka Special from "Democracy Now!" about life of Amiri Baraka (1934-2014). He was a poet-playwright-activist who shaped revolutionary politics, black culture, and free jazz.
3 a.m.: Earthwatch: NSA Spying and Countermeasures Host Robert Knight, with part two of look at NSA surveillance. "In today's program we hear Part Two of our exploration of National Security Agency (NSA) interception, deception, and disruption of virtually all electronic communications on the planet Earth. During part One, in our previous broadcast, we heard NSA watchdogs Glenn Greenwald, Julian Assange, Bruce Schneier, and others, speaking to the growing social and technical resistance movements against automated privacy violations. In this program, we hear: Attorney Kurt Opsahl of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, addresing the recently concluded Chaos Communications Conference in Hamburg, about the legislative history and ongoing operations of the US surveillance state, and populist remedies thereto; and radical journalist Jacob Applebaum describing the bizarre intrusion techniques of the NSA's 'Tailored Access Operations' (TAO) hacking unit, and his and others' roles in new revelations from Der Spiegel on NSA's mail, email and phone interception, radar blasts, Trojan horses and hardware tricks, as well as potential countermeasures." From Pacifica Radio.

6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Hosted by Phil Grant. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show The Morning Show continues with local news, weather and events.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show

Barbara Reina reports in the Register-Star that the Stuyvesant Town Board unanimously passed a resolution, at a Jan. 9 meeting, requesting Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Public Service Commission scrutinize a proposed power line expansion that would route more electricity downstate through eight counties and more than 30 towns, from Oneida through Dutchess counties. Ian Solomon, from Farmers and Families for Claverack urged board members to adopt the resolution urging caution about a proposal to almost triple the power output of existing power lines running through the town. The resolution requests Cuomo and the commission, “ensure that this project receives the utmost scrutiny and careful consideration, including an independent and thorough analysis of reasonable alternatives and a close look at alternatives to eminent domain.” “We’re not against adding power transmission capacity,” Solomon said. “It may well be needed. We just want the state to get this done in a way that they are not going against the will of the people, seizing people’s land, destroying farms and the beauty of the area in order to install technology." Read the full story in the Register-Star.

Flood Watch

The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch is in effect from noon Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sun., Jan. 12. PLAY AUDIO (2:22)

Ski Report
WGXC Ski Report: Local resorts are faced with a rainy, warm weekend. PLAY AUDIO (1:18)

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

• Sunday: Isolated showers before 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 42, and a low around 28.

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Monday night a 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.

• Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of rain and snow showers before 8 a.m., then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

Sunrise 7:22 a.m.
Sunset 4:45 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 2:11 P.M. 4:19 A.M.
Mercury 8:05 A.M. 5:22 P.M.
Venus 6:53 A.M. 4:52 P.M.
Mars 11:43 P.M. 11:19 A.M.
Jupiter 3:56 P.M. 7:04 A.M.
Saturn 2:43 A.M. 12:48 P.M.
Uranus 10:47 A.M. 11:13 P.M.
Neptune 9:27 A.M. 8:12 P.M.
Pluto 6:32 A.M. 4:01 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Jan. 11, 2014: 11 p.m. – Jan. 12, 2014: 2 a.m.: NRRF B Radio: Wint'ry Mix: Escape Pod to Snowland
It is thought that space is a cold and lonely place, and if there was water, and things for it to drip from, there would be icicles. And yet, as humankind, we, for some reason, are curious as to whether or not there is someone out there, maybe even a frosty someone; perhaps an angry frozen hoarde of burritos, or maybe just a whole lot of icy gnome-creme bars. In this episode of NRRF B Radio, called 'Wint'ry Mix,' the intrepid explorers on the good ship NRRF have had to abandon ship in their escape pods. Chased by Nebulor the Snowflakian, our heroes will be forced again to cross Nebulaeic Alliance territory to face the frozen clones in a cold battle of wits. The action begins to snowball as the escape pods blast free from the good ship NRRF. Will our heroes be forever separated from the NRRF, or will they defeat the frozen clones and re-join their mission to explore the outer limits of the Nebulaeic Allliance's space space? Or, will the entire episode devolve into an ice cream social?

2 a.m. – 4 a.m.: All Mixed Up: Everly Brothers
From Pacifica Radio. Celebrating The Everly Brothers-a tribute to Phil Everly with music from Dawn McCarthy & Bonnie Prince Billy, Billie Joe & Norah, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Nick Lowe & Dave Edmunds, Graham Nash, Elvis Presley, Madeleine Peyroux, Robert Plant & Alison Krause, Graham Parsons & Emmylou Harris, Bryan Ferry, Richard Thompson, Ike Everly and family. Interviews, alternate and cover versions of all things Everly.

5:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.: CounterSpin: Stephen Pimpare, Carl Hart
This is the 20th year of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting's media analysis radio show, hosted by Janine Jackson, Steve Rendall, and Peter Hart. This week: "Stephen Pimpare on the war on poverty, Carl Hart on marijuana."

The National Weather Service issued two warnings for the WGXC listening area today: a Freezing Rain Advisory from midnight to 6 a.m., when the temperature will warm enough that the storm turns all rain, which continues during the day Saturday, when a Flood Watch is in effect from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Several local politicians released video and audio responses to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "State of the State" speech Wed., Jan. 8. Didi Barrett, representing the 106th District in Columbia and Dutchess counties in the state assembly, has the most on-point comment, though unembedable. Barrett applauds Cuomo's "Energy Highway plan" that would bring large electricity-transmitting power lines through the district to bring energy to New York City customers. State Senator James Seward, who represents Schoharie and other counties, regularly releases audio [audio mp3="http://newsroom.wgxc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Senator-Seward-State-of-State-Reaction-01-08-14.mp3"][/audio] and video clips, and has a YouTube clip commenting on Cuomo's speech.

And State Senator Kathy Marchione, who represents Rensselear County, also has a YouTube video reacting to Cuomo's speech.


And here's Governor Cuomo's speech: