• Congressman Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) was at the WGXC Hudson studio Wed., Aug. 28, 2013, and spoke about the surveillance state. He's in favor of the Bill of Rights, he says in the interview. PLAY FULL INTERVIEW

• Cumulus Media is selling off five Hudson Valley radio stations, WPDH-FM, WRRV-FM, oldies station 1390-AM, country station The Wolf, and Mix 97.7-FM, all based near Poughkeepsie, to Townsquare Media, a smaller media business. Cumulus is raising cash to buy syndicator Dial Global and challenge Clear Channel's Premiere Networks, according to the Wall Street Journal.

• The Columbia County Fair is making a lot of noise in Chatham all weekend, and the Columbia County 911 emergency communications team hosts a booth there, and will be available all weekend for questions.

Local News
Click here to listen to audio report with local news from WGXC Newsroom. PLAY CLIP (3:58)

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

• Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms continues into Saturday night, with a low around 63.

• Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with patchy fog between 7 and 8 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 85, and a low around 61.

• Monday: Showers and thunderstorms are likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.

Sunrise 6:20 a.m.
Sunset 7:30 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 1:43 A.M. 4:31 P.M.
Mercury 6:51 A.M. 7:52 P.M.
Venus 9:43 A.M. 8:57 P.M.
Mars 3:12 A.M. 5:57 P.M.
Jupiter 1:45 A.M. 4:48 P.M.
Saturn 11:18 A.M. 9:56 P.M.
Uranus 8:41 P.M. 9:18 A.M.
Neptune 7:15 P.M. 6:04 A.M.
Pluto 4:07 P.M. 1:42 A.M.
Space.com reports Jupiter will be just to the left of the waning crescent moon.

WGXC Programming

On Saturdays free103point9 Online Radio airs on WGXC 90.7-FM, bringing transmission arts to the airwaves in the Hudson Valley, in New York. Tune in Sat., Aug. 31:

Midnight – 12:05 a.m.: "Radio News: Surveillance Budget"
"Free Speech Radio News" reports: "Secret government documents leaked by former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden and published by the Washington Post this week have shed light on which agencies get what share of a more than $50 billion annual budget that so far lacked public oversight. The documents show how much taxpayer money is given to tech companies for handing over private data about their users and that thousand of government employees work on circumventing encryption. Legal experts and transparency advocates say the government needs to release much more information so the public can have an informed debate on which programs deserve how much taxpayer money. In Washington, FSRN’s Alice Ollstein has more."

4 a.m. – 5 a.m.: "Bob's Slacktime Funhouse: Ivor Cutler"
Tonight, Doc Ellis takes a solo look at Ivor Cutler, a demented Scottish visionary and rogue SubGenius. In a long and varied career, this quirky eccentric transformed life into an obtuse, loopy goof, turning words and music on their ear and out their ass to create visions of captivating charm and arresting insight. Some may recall his role as the bus conductor Buster Bloodvessel in The Beatles' MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR--at any rate, after tonight's show, everyone will be hip to the beat when it comes to this intriguing icon of bizarre Slack. Here--if you don't believe me, look at his wiki page... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivor_Cutler From A-Infos Radio Project.

5 a.m. – 7 a.m.: "Shortwave Hours: Handihams"
Two hours of shortwave radio-oriented programming, starting with solar weather, news on meteor showers and ham radio, and other reports. Other reports include:
5:15 a.m.: "The RAIN Report" Hosted from Chicago by Hap Holly, KC9RP. This week: "Patrick Tice, WA0TDA, talks about 'today's Handihams.'"
5:30 a.m., "The Shortwave Report" with host Dan Roberts and international news via shortwave radio. This week's show features stories from NHK World Radio Japan, Radio Havana Cuba, the Voice of Russia, Spanish National Radio, and Radio Deutsche-Welle.
6 a.m.: "Glenn Hauser's World of Radio" DX and station news countries all over the world.
6:30 a.m.: "Amateur Radio Newsline" This week: "The NTIA to lead a two year pilot study of all spectrum in the United States; hams respond to Colorado Flooding and the western states wildfires; hams in Ridgecrest California get some good news concerning tower installations and a Virginia radio club begins a computer loan out program to help needy high schoolers."

7 a.m. – 8 a.m.: "Saturday Morning Serial: Dickie Goodman"
From Wikipedia: "Richard Dorian "Dickie" Goodman (April 19, 1934 – November 6, 1989) was an American music and record producer born in Brooklyn, New York. He is best known for inventing and using the technique of the "break-in", an early precursor to sampling, that used brief clips of popular records and songs to "answer" comedic questions posed by voice actors on his novelty records.... In June 1956 Goodman created his first record, "The Flying Saucer Parts 1 & II," which he co-wrote with his partner Bill Buchanan, and featured a four-minute rewriting of Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds radio show. This recording was the subject of a copyright infringement case against Goodman. The lawsuit was settled out of court. "The Flying Saucer" was officially released under the artist name "Buchanan and Goodman" and was Goodman's highest-charting single on Billboard, peaking at #3. Buchanan and Goodman followed up with four other records: "Buchanan and Goodman on Trial" (#80 in 1956), "Flying Saucer The 2nd" (#18 in 1957), "The Creature (From A Science Fiction Movie)" (as by Buchanan and Ancell) (#85 in 1957), and "Santa and the Satellite (Parts I & II)" (#32 in 1957)." The trial song was about the legal wrangling over their use of popular songs in other songs,

10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: "Radia: Cedric Stevens, Vidar Martens"
Radia Show 439: Yaris AM 153, 225 and 1611 by Cedric Stevens and Vidar Martens producing show for Radio Nova, in Oslo, Norway. "Radia" is an international network of radio stations interested in creative and forgotten ways of making radio. Each week, one station makes a show for all the rest, including Wave Farm's WGXC. This week: "What you hear is a field recording taken from the inside of a Toyota Yaris, driving through the city centre of Oslo in 2010. The radio is being changed between the different AM frequencies 153, 225 and 1611 at a high volume. Since AM frequencies is poorly supported in Norway, the Yaris pick up mainly electromagnetic signals from the surroundings like the tram, hospital or its own engine, instead of ordinary radio transmission from radio broadcasts. The Toyota Yaris works like a vehicle for translating nonperseptive surroundings to sound, as well as transporting passangers. This creates an exploratory AM soundscape of central Oslo."

11 a.m. - noon: "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?: Back to School"
Whether the subject is impeachment, Canadian citizenship or the role of carbon dioxide in climate change...some of the latest comments from members of Congress are so amazingly uninformed, you really need to hear them in their full versions and in context. And it helps when someone else in government actually responds to their nonsense. Of course, as usual, it's all set to music and narration. Mash-up news show by Paul Fischer, through Pacifica Radio.

noon – 12:30 p.m.: "Noon News: Gibson on Surveillance"
U.S. Congressman Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) talks with Holly Tanner about the surveillance state, and we excerpt the interview here. Plus, sound artist Stephen Vitiello talks about natural sounds and sound art, and Jess Puglisi reports from Prattsville's Mud Fest on the two-year anniversary of the storms surrounding Hurricane Irene.

12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.: "Other Music: The Replacements"
The Replacements reunite, including Hudson, NY resident Tommy Stintson, Aug. 25, 2013 at the Riot Festival in Toronto, and immediately post the audio online.

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.: "Nothing is Real Radio Hour: Capitalism"
Sam Sebren, producer/creator of the NIRRH, recently asked a question to 36 people in NY's rural, Greene and Columbia counties: "Do you think capitalism is working? Why or why not? Or, if you would like to decline to answer, please state why." The anonymous assortment of friends, acquaintances, and strangers on the street were recorded on the spot, with no clue ahead as to what they were about to be asked. Workers, small business owners, retired people, and others of all ages from across the political, ethnic, and economic spectrum gave their spontaneous reply. None of their answers were edited (except in 2 cases to remove identifying info for anonymity and in one instance by request). All answers are heard here in the order they were recorded. There is no post-recording arrangement or grouping of viewpoints. Hear for yourself from a variety of everyday people - is there any consensus? As a line from the Gang of Four song, "Capital (It Fails Us Now)" says, "one day old and I'm living on credit." Few of us are economists, yet we are all born into a turbulent economic system we are expected to navigate as if it is completely natural. Through this random survey, Sebren attempts to find out how deeply "capitalism" is, or is not, on our minds. We will also hear about the Yes Men's prank on the Chamber of Commerce and some insights on daily consumer culture from comedian Tom Simmons, plus music from Pink Floyd and Suicide.

6 p.m. – 7 p.m.: "Off The Hook: 20130831"
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 5 a.m. rebroadcast.

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star the Columbia County Board of Supervisors Finance Committee approved a $13.52 million bank anticipation note Thurs., Aug. 29, to pay for planned capital projects. The financing will pay for an estimated $7 million project to upgrade emergency services equipment throughout the county, including raising the emergency radio frequency to high band. Columbia County 911 Coordinator Rob Lopez estimated the new frequency could cost $1.35 million. The project is expected to improve communications, particularly in the southeastern end of the county in Ancram, Copake and Gallatin, where there are communication dead spots. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Politico and other media outlets are reporting the Treasury Department and IRS announced Thurs., Aug. 29, legally married same-sex couples will be treated as married couples for federal tax purposes. This tax treatment will apply even if a couple lives in a state that does not recognize same-sex marriage so long as they were married in a state that does. The guidance, stemming from the Supreme Court ruling this summer that overturned the Defense of Marriage Act, says same-sex couples can begin filing tax returns as "married filing jointly" or "married filing separately" for the 2013 tax year.

The Columbia Paper is reporting the Ancram GOP caucused at Ancram Town Hall earlier this month and chose its candidates for the November election. The 21 Republicans in attendance endorsed incumbent Town Board member Chris Thomas and Arnie Anderson Sr. for Town Board. Both Thomas and Anderson are registered Republicans. Incumbent Town Supervisor Art Bassin, a Democrat, was endorsed for a third two-year term. Bassin and Thomas were cross-endorsed by the Ancram Democrats.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 86F; low 64F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 82F; low 64F.[/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: Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny. High near 85. Friday night, a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 am. Increasing clouds. Low around 64.

Forecast for the next three days:

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 85. Saturday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 65.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny. High near 88. Sunday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 66.
Monday (Labor Day): A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 79. Monday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 65.

Sunrise today: 6:19 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:31 p.m.

Length of the day: 13:11 hrs.

Town meetings

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


The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: U.S. Spends $52 Billion on Surveillance From "Free Speech Radio News": "The US spends more than $52 billion annually on its intelligence and counter-terrorism programs. The Washington Post today published previously-secret budgetary information based on documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. The Post says the budget documents reveal the CIA and NSA are utilizing cyber attacks as part of their work, and that the NSA is investigating nearly 4000 “possible insider threats,” where sensitive information is suspected of being mishandled or leaked from within."
1 a.m.: Taran's Free Jazz Hour: Steuart Liebig
3 a.m.: Marian McPartland Jazz legend Marian McPartland launched her first radio program at Pacifica Radio's WBAI in New York City in 1964 until 1978 when she began her NPR Show. The Pacifica Radio Archives has a few select programs from this series. Here is one from December 20, 1974.
5 a.m.: Radio Curious: Your Brain on Music Radio Curious revisits two-part 2006 conversation with Dr. Daniel Levitin about the relationship between music and the brain. Dr. Levitan is author of "This Is Your Brain on Music, The Science of a Human Obsession." From Pacifica Radio.

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Gary Null Show Gary addresses the latest in health and healing, including starch-induced glucose surges and a comprehensive look at clogged arteries and aging. From the environmental segment, four of the twelve tipping points have tipped - how to prepare for what's coming. Plus, has the shell bubble already burst? Also, bizarre SWAT team raids. Then, why medicine won't allow cancer to be cured. And more!
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Also local news, previews of events in Greene and Columbia counties, music, and more. Call in to have your say at (518) 828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, weather, and events. Call 518-828-0290 to comment during the "WGXC Morning Show.
10 a.m.: ¿Qué cocinaré hoy? Carmen Vazqueztel, Karen Mejia, Alfredo Jacomino Hosts Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos speak with Carmen Vazqueztel, Education Director at the Armory, about their ESL classes and changes to the GED exam for 2014. Also, a conversation with Karen Mejia, first Latino candidate for Newburgh City Council. Fiori attended the 2013 Excellence in Journalism conference in Anaheim, CA, where she interviewed Alfredo Jacomino, anchor and reporter at Radio and Television Martí. They discussed the different methods used to bring in news to Cubans (and evading the government interdiction).
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Nearly 50 people attended a Catskill Village Board public hearing Wed., Aug. 28, at the Catskill Senior Center on the proposed brine ban law. The board is contemplating the adoption of a local law to prohibit the use of waste brine from fracking as a de-icer on village roads and properties. Several speakers questioned elements of the draft law, including the fines to be levied, and village property versus private property. The majority of those who spoke were in favor of the law as presented and urged the board to move forward with the legislation and make the necessary amendments later. Among the Village Trustees in attendance, two indicated support of the ban, while two others said they will hold off on making a decision until they better understand the issues. The board agreed to conduct additional research into similar bans passed in nearby towns, and to tighten up some of the language in the draft. The board is expected to vote on the law at its next meeting in two weeks.

PLAY Joseph Kozloski, Catskill Village Trustee and Greene County Legislator (1:29)
PLAY Stan Dushane and Patrick McCulloch, Catskill Village trustees (2:07)
PLAY Vince Seeley, Catskill Village President, and Lewis O'Connor, Catskill Village Highway Superintendent (3:45)

The public hearing can be heard in its entirety in the WGXC archives (45:56).

Sam Sebren

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="154"] U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson[/caption]

U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson was the featured guest on WGXC's "The Right Opinion," Wed., Aug. 28. In a far-ranging conversation with guest host Holly Tanner, Gibson discussed the ongoing events in Syria, which he called "a humanitarian crisis," expressing his strong objection to the possibility of American military intervention in the conflict. PLAY (1:19). Gibson also discussed the Farm Bill and the unique issues facing local farmers. He said the 2010 Census showed evidence of a growing farming community in the Hudson Valley and in Columbia County, in particular --- a reverse of the national trend. PLAY (:35) The second term Congressman also discussed his efforts to fight Lyme disease, a "major public health issue" in the region. PLAY (1:10). Gibson repeated his belief in a bi-partisan, common sense approach to public service throughout the interview. "To move the country forward, we must work together," Gibson said. He cited the passage of recent trade agreements, the transportation bill, veterans' bill and the student loan bill as evidence that his pragmatic, "no labels" approach is effective.

Listen to the full interview online at wgxc.org.

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail the condition of the Cairo-Durham Elementary School recently came under attack by community members who question the building’s safety and upkeep. Several parents and teachers raised concerns at a board of education meeting last week about holes in the floors, leaking toilets and other safety hazards in the nearly 75-year-old building. Last year, the building housed approximately 140 students enrolled in Kindergarten through fifth grade. Under the newly implemented elementary grade-level realignment plan, it will hold twice that many students in Kindergarten through second grade. Adams reports the items complained of have now been repaired, or will be taken care of before the first day of school next week. The building has also been inspected and cleared by Needham Risk Management, an Albany-based environmental, health and safety consulting group. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 81F; low 61F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 79F; low 61F.[/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 Hazardous Weather Outlook for northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts, east central New York and southern Vermont, Thursday. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible from Thursday afternoon into the early evening.

Today: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny. High near 82. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 62.

Forecast for the next three days:

Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 84. Friday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 65.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 84. Saturday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 66.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 82. Sunday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 66.

Sunrise today: 6:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:33 p.m.

Length of the day: 13:14 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the fifth Thursday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.


COLUMBIA COUNTY Financial Review Committee at 1 p.m.; .1 [point one] Committee at 2:30 p.m.; Finance Committee at 4 p.m.; all at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: Syrian Radio At, what appears to be the eve of U.S. bombing of Syria, Paul Riismandel of Radio Survivor features the radio sources of outside news inside Syria.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Call-in Collage Call in 518-622-2598 and talk live over a collage of sounds natural, and man-made. Hosted by Tom Roe live from Wave Farm in Acra, NY.
1 a.m.: Selected Songs: Stephen Vitiello Stephen Vitiello is a visual and sound artist. Originally a punk guitarist he is influenced by video artist Nam June Paik who he worked with after meeting in 1991. He has collaborated with Pauline Oliveros, Scanner aka Robin Rimbaud, and Frances-Marie Uitti as well as visual artists Julie Mehretu, Tony Oursler and Joan Jonas. Vitiello was a resident artist at the World Trade Center in 1999 where he recorded sounds from the 91st floor using home-built contact microphones, as well as photocells and used that material in his Bright and Dusty Things album (New Albion Records) as well as in an installation environment, World Trade Center Recordings: Winds After Hurricane Floyd. Vitiello has had solo exhibitions of sound installations, photographs and drawings at museums and galleries including The Project, NY, Museum 52, Los Angeles and Galerie Almine Rech, Paris. Group exhibitions include the 2002 Whitney Biennial, the 2006 Sydney Biennale and Ce qui arrive (Unknown Quantity) curated by Paul Virilio at the Cartier Foundation, Paris. CD releases include The Sound of Red Earth (Kaldor Public Art Projects), Box Music with Machinefabriek (12k), Listening to Donald Judd (Sub Rosa) and Buffalo Bass Delay (Hallwalls). Vitiello is currently an associate professor in the Kinetic Imaging department at Virginia Commonwealth University.
3 a.m.: Mendi + Keith Obadike "The Sour Thunder" radio play, and other works from the artists are featured.
5 a.m.: Off The Hook: 20130829 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 5 a.m. rebroadcast.

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Gary Null Show The importance of gut and digestive health in strengthening our immune system and preventing diseases.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Also local news, previews of events in Greene and Columbia counties, music, and more. Call in to have your say at (518) 828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, weather, and events. Call 518-828-0290 to comment during the "WGXC Morning Show.
10 a.m.: The Michale Slate Show Lies and Truth: Fast Times in Palestine and the Killing Time in the Pelican Bay Secure Housing Unit Featuring Pamela Olson (author); Denis O'Hearn (author/Professor of Sociology, SUNY Binghamton).
11 a.m.: One Size Fits All: 20130829 An hour-long investigation into the idea of amplified sound with Your Host. This edition will begin with Baby Huey and conclude with the Nat Adderley Quintet. The full playlist is available at www.facebook.com/OneSizeWGXC.
2 p.m.: From the Vault: Toni Morrison and Walter Mosley
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: Chicken Hearts Arch Oboler's "Lights Out" radio show is featured, with an episode called "Drop Dead Chicken Heart," and Bill Cosby's "Chicken Heart" track about listening to that "Lights Out" radio show, and setting the couch on fire, to stop the chicken heart on the radio. Plus Charles Mingus' "Eat That Chicken" and Cibo Matto's "Know Your Chicken."
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
6 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="265"] The Hunter-Tannersville campus
(htcsd.org)[/caption]

Jim Planck reports in The Daily Mail the Hunter-Tannersville Board of Education has appointed Haines Falls resident Erika Haines as the board’s fifth board member. Haines was the unanimous choice made at a meeting Thurs., Aug. 22. Haines will replace long-term board member Brian Byrne. The appointment was effective Sun., Aug. 25, and will run until May 2014. During the same meeting, Byrne bid farewell to the board and the school community and received a standing ovation from those in attendance. Superintendent Patrick Darfler-Sweeney noted Byrne’s dedication and thanked him for his “sage guidance” as a board member. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Jimmy Vielkind is reporting at Capitol Confidential the state's cities, counties, towns and villages will get some relief in the amount of money they have to set aside for employee pensions during the coming year. For the first time since 2010, rates for most workers will decrease by close to one percent. The contribution rate for police officers and firefighters will drop by more than one percent. Public workers draw their pensions from a common fund managed by state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and employers, the various municipalities statewide, kick in more when the investments underperform. Municipalities had been bracing for an increase. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Matt Bathrick is reporting in the Columbia Paper the Chatham school board has rejected an idea to split the proposed capital project into two proposals. The matter goes to district voters in a special election November 19. The district will consolidate students into two buildings in September 2015. To accommodate the move, the board has recommended the expenditure of $13.8 million for upgrades to the two remaining schools for additional classrooms, a fitness room, music room, general renovations and an expansion of the Mary E. Dardess Elementary School gym. A suggestion was previously made to split the proposal, based on concerns the public may view some of the items as "wants" rather than "needs." The board's Facilities Committee reviewed the suggestion and determined each component of the project was necessary, according to Superintendent Cheryl Nuciforo. The district will hold a town-hall-style meeting on the consolidation play, September 12. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 84F; low 61F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 82F; low 63F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today's forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy. High near 86. Wednesday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7 p.m. Partly cloudy. Low around 62.

Forecast for the next three days:

Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 85. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 63.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 83. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 63.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. High near 86. Saturday night, partly cloudy. Low around 64.

Sunrise today: 6:17 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:35 p.m.

Length of the day: 13:17 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the fourth Wednesday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.


ATHENS Village meeting at 7 p.m. at Community Center, 2 First St., Athens (945-1551).
CAIRO at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo (622-3120).*
COLUMBIA COUNTY Human Services Committee at 4 p.m.; Public Works Committee at 6 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson (828-1527).
HUDSON Common Council Public Works Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m.; Legal Committee meeting starts at 6:15 p.m at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUDSON Development Corporation meeting (tentative) at 2 p.m. at 1 North Front St., Hudson (751-1044).
KINDERHOOK Historical Committee meeting at 7 p.m., Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: 20130828 Radio and media news.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: After the Battle A post-apocalyptic listen from Acra's Wave Farm.
1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: Francisco Lopez
2 a.m.: The Replacements Recent reunion show of some of The Replacements, Sun., Aug., 25, 2013.
4 a.m.: All Mixed Up: Elmore Leonard A conversation with the late Elmore Leonard featuring clips from "Justified," "Get Shorty," "Be Cool," and other Leonard books/movies with music from the Stone Coyotes, Bob Dylan, Garland Jeffreys, The Heavy, Elvis Costello and The Roots, Justin Townes Earle, The Move, Gene Vincent and The BlueCaps, Willie Mason, The Head and Heart, Daughn Gibson and more. From Pacifica Radio via WBAI in New York.
5 a.m.: Shortwave/Pirates: Patrick Tice/WA0TDA On "The RAIN Report," Patrick Tice, WA0TDA, talks about 'today's Handihams.'

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Gary Null Show The Chemical warfare attack in Syria and American drumbeats for another war, with Paul Craig Roberts.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Also local news, previews of events in Greene and Columbia counties, music, and more. Call in to have your say at (518) 828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, weather, and events. Call 518-828-0290 to comment during the "WGXC Morning Show.
10 a.m.: The Right Opinion: Chris Gibson U.S.Congressman Chris Gibson, a resident of Kinderhook New York, will be interviewed on "The Right Opinion" by host Holly Tanner. The interview is expected to cover a variety of topics such as immigration, agriculture, and Obamacare.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

William J. Kemble is reporting in the Daily Freeman Greene County Emergency Medical Systems President Mark Evans says it is unnecessary for Catskill town officials to accelerate the move toward establishing a paramedic level ambulance service. Evans commented after the town promoted three Catskill Rescue Squad members from an EMT advanced-level designation last week. Catskill town Supervisor Joseph Leggio earlier this year said the town ambulance squad should prepare to become a paramedic service. Evans said, “So far as their desire to go to paramedic level, I’m not really sure why they feel the need to. It's not a cash cow. It's not even a break-even operation." Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Kyle Adams is reporting in The Daily Mail an electrical fire at Village Pizza II on Main Street in Catskill Mon., Aug. 26, left the restaurant gutted. Firefighters responding to the scene around 8:15 a.m. found the first floor engulfed in flames. Residents of the upstairs apartments and the staff of the adjacent Daily Mail offices were evacuated safely. According to Ed Dolan, assistant chief of the Catskill Fire Department, the fire is believed to have begun in the counter area. A coffee machine was pulled from the debris for inspection. Owners Angelo and Maria LaRosa said intend to rebuild as soon as possible. Main Street was closed to traffic for more than two hours, Monday morning. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Jim Planck writes in The Daily Mail the guest speaker at the meeting Mon., Aug. 26, of the community group Palenville the Hamlet was Greene County Sheriff’s Lt. Karl Gonzalez. Gonzalez fielded a variety of concerns voiced by members, which were mostly seasonal visitor related. The chief observation was how improper parking next to swimming holes has gotten out of hand since the crackdown on illegal parking in Kaaterskill Clove to address over usage and resource abuse problems. Gonzalez noted it is typically only a handful of people that create a problem. Vehicles are not permitted to park on the pavement, impede the driving lane, or to park on private property. The group also discussed how ATVs are being raced on Malden Ave. and the speed of early morning tractor trailers passing through the community. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

 

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 81F; low 63F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 86F; low 63F.[/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: Scattered showers before 11 a.m., then isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Areas of fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny. High near 85. Tuesday night, isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Low around 63.

Forecast for the next three days:

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly cloudy. High near 86. Wednesday night, a chance of showers, mainly before 9 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 62.
Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 84. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 62.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 83. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 62.

Sunrise today: 6:16 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:36 p.m.

Length of the day: 13:19 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the fourth Tuesday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.


GREENPORT Planning Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Greenport Town Hall, Town Hall Drive, Hudson (828-4656).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: NSA Surveillance on UN From "Free Speech Radio News": "The German weekly Der Spiegel has released more details of US spying activities gleaned from documents made public by former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden. The classified information reveals that the National Security Agency, or NSA, bugged European Union embassies in New York and Washington, D.C. and hacked into their computer systems. Breaking at least three international agreements that ban spying at the United Nations, the NSA also broke into the UN’s internal video meeting network and stationed undercover agent there cloaked as diplomats. And operatives are also disguised as diplomats in 80 embassies and consulates worldwide. Contrary to recent remarks by President Obama that U.S. spying is solely intended to combat terrorism, Der Speigel reports that intelligence agents are targeting information related to economic stability, trade policy, energy security and food products."
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: The Ballads of Edward Snowden, Bradley/Chelsea Manning Also songs about NSA surveillance.
1 a.m.: Random Rainbows Rebroadcast from Sat., Aug., 24, 2013. The Random Rainbows -- two boys from Philadelphia and two girls from Baltimore -- will do sketch comedy, radio theatre, and more. Hosted by Brooke Kearley and Stacey Jurgenson.
3 a.m.: An Emergency Broadcast Two of the founders of Screw Music Forever -- Eric Morrison and Tim Kearley -- perform fictionalized interviews with partially improvized soundscapes in between. Music and more.
5 a.m.: PCJ Media Network Plus: 20130827 International radio and media show. The show is produced jointly by PCJ in Taiwan and Canada. Producer/Presenter: Keith Perron.

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Gary Null Show: Larry Summers The memo that lead to financial destruction and what having him as head of FED forebodes. Greg Palast is a journalist’s journalist, with the BBC and the British newspaper The Guardian, who has been called by the Tribune in the UK “the most important investigative journalist in our time.” He runs the Palast Investigative Fund, a project of the Sustainable Markets Foundation supporting independent and controversial journalistic projects. He has won many awards including from the Financial Times, the National Press Club and the George Orwell Courage in Journalism.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Also local news, previews of events in Greene and Columbia counties, music, and more. Call in to have your say at (518) 828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, weather, and events. Call 518-828-0290 to comment during the "WGXC Morning Show.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News
9:30 p.m.: Battlefield Earth: Acra Dan Seward transmits the "Battlefield Earth: A Demographic of One" from the Wave Farm, with guest host Shannekia McIntosh.

Some of the stories that made the news, Aug. 23 to Aug. 26, 2013:

Ariél Zangla reported in the Daily Freeman the Greene County Legislature voted last week to allow the collection of the four percent local sales tax to continue for the next two years. Under state law, counties are permitted to impose a three percent local sales tax in addition to the four percent imposed by New York state. To increase the local sales tax beyond three percent, approval from the state is required. Greene County’s request to continue imposing the additional one percent sales tax was granted by the state Legislature and signed by the governor last week. The county's four percent local sales tax has been in effect since 1993. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Joe Gentile reported in the Register Star the Germantown Central School District Board of Education voted last week to decrease the district's 2013-14 tax levy to zero percent, after being advised the district had substantially over-budgeted the previous school year. The district’s budget for the coming year eliminated two full-time teachers, and a part-time employee in the nurse’s office. Both teaching positions were abolished through attrition. Outgoing Superintendent Patrick Gabriel said last spring the board underestimated revenue when doing its calculations during the budgeting process. Gabriel said, “We had no idea the revenue was going to be restored the way it was." Read the full story in the Register Star.

Emilia Teasdale reported in the Columbia Paper the Valatie Planning Board has approved plans for eight cottages to be built on Route 203 in front of the Paul Raihofer Senior Village Apartments. The development, called the Valtucket Cottage Community, will be sold by developer Jason Nastke (NAST-key) to seniors 55 and older. The cottages will range in size from 800 to 1,000 square feet, and be built on less than an acre of land. Naske is still awaiting approval from the county Health Department to connect the houses to the village water system. The board approved the project, but if the developer does not complete the work in three years, he will have to come back to the board. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

News surfaced Fri., Aug. 23, the Columbia-Greene Partnership Academy, an alternative learning center to be located in Hudson, has hit a legal roadblock, causing school officials to reconsider their limited options with little more than a week before the first day of school. Under state law, voter approval would be required for alternative learning students to be placed in the program, Berkshire Union Free School District Superintendent Bruce Potter said Friday. Potter also confirmed the legislation authorizing Berkshire to operate the program on Warren Street has yet to be sent to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo for signature, leaving the district without the requisite authority to operate the program at that location. Read the full story at unmuffled.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 77F; low 64F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 81F; low 66F.[/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 Hazardous Weather Outlook for northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts, east central New York and southern Vermont. There will be scattered to numerous thunderstorms all day Monday, but mainly during the afternoon and evening. The thunderstorms are not expected to become severe, but could produce heavy rainfall. The storms will be moving from the northeast to southeast at around 35 mph.

Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 7 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 7 a.m. and noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely after noon. Cloudy. High near 83. Monday night, scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. Low around 65.

Forecast for the next three days:

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10 a.m. Partly sunny. High near 87. Tuesday night, a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 63.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 84. Wednesday night, a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 65.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 83. Thursday night, mostly clear. Low around 62.

Sunrise today: 6:15 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:38 p.m.

Length of the day: 13:22 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the fourth Monday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.


CATSKILL Village board meeting at 7 p.m. at Firehouse near Catskill Commons (Wal Mart) (943-3830).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors’ Economic Development/Planning Committee Meeting is cancelled.
HALCOTT Town meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 813 Route 3, Halcott Center (845-254-9920)
HUDSON Common Council Police Committee Meeting, 6 p.m. at City Hall; Fire Committee Meeting at 6:45 p.m., at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
PHILMONT Local Development Corp meeting at 7 p.m., Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).
STUYVESANT Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

2 a.m.: Corporate FM A distinguished panels of media experts came together Wed., June 19, 2013 in Haverhill, Mass. The group discussed the future of on-air music and news following the New England premiere screening of "Corporate FM: The Killing of Local Commercial Radio." Experts: Moderator Scott Fybush, WCAP, WBZ and WXXI; Corporate FM Director Kevin McKinney; Dr. Donna L. Halper, associate professor of communications, Lesley University; Dan Kennedy, assistant professor, Northeastern University School of Journalism; William J. Macek, owner of WPKZ, Fitchburg, Mass., and New England radio owner/operated for 22 years; and Marc Lemay, communications manager, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, and former WHAV news director. From Pacifica Radio.
3 a.m.: I Have a Dream Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech from August 28, 1963 in Washington D.C. Also, songs about MLK, from Nina Simone, U2, Lambchop, Otis Spann, Public Enemy, John Fahey, and others.
5 a.m.: This Week in Radio News: 20130826 Stories about NSA surveillance, UK leaks, Bradley/Chelsea Manning, Al Jazeera America, and others radio and media news.

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Gary Null Show Death by Corporation and the Death Star of the Trans Pacific Partnership, with Dr. Brian Moench.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Also local news, previews of events in Greene and Columbia counties, music, and more. Call in to have your say at (518) 828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues with local news, weather, and events. Call 518-828-0290 to comment during the "WGXC Morning Show.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News