Jimmy Vielkind reports at Capitol Confidential the state Senate has taken action to exempt retired law enforcement officers from the new ammunition restrictions in New York's SAFE Act. All other provisions of the law would apply. A bill was passed early Fri., June 21, without warning, after the measure came to the Senate floor shortly before 2 a.m. The law enforcement exemption passed the Assembly in May, but languished in the Senate because of the split among Republicans who voted for the SAFE Act and those who believe it should be repealed completely. The measure now heads to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo for his signature. Read the full post at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

 

The New York State Department of Labor is reporting between April and May 2013, New York State's unemployment rate fell from 7.8 percent to 7.6 percent, its lowest level since February 2009, according to preliminary figures released Thurs., June 20. In addition, the state economy added 5,000 private sector jobs in May 2013, for a growth rate of .1 percent. Sectors reporting the greatest job gains included professional and business services, leisure and hospitality and educational and health services. The largest number of job losses were reported in the government sector. Those losses were concentrated at the local level.

Pete Kasperowicz, Erik Wasson and Russell Berman in The Hill report that the U.S. House of Representatives voted down their version of the 2013 Farm Bill 234 against to 195 for Thu., June 20, with local representative Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook) voting for the bill. After Republicans cut $20 billion in food stamps funds from the $940 billion five-year bill, "Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) said they could not produce that many [votes] because of pressure from Democratic leaders and the White House, which had threatened to veto the bill," The Hill trio reported. Chief Republican vote-counter, Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), implied they now planned to make the bill more conservative, as 62 Republicans voted against this version. "We can correct it if [Democrats] are not going to help us," he said after the vote. Read the full story in The Hill.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 81F; low 55F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 82F; low 57F.[/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: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 83. Mostly clear, tonight. Low around 59.

Forecast for the next three days:

Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 84. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Saturday night, isolated showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 63.
Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 88. Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 66.
Monday: Mostly sunny. High near 91. Partly cloudy Monday night. Low around 67.


Sunrise today: 5:19 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:35 p.m.

Length of the day: 15:16 hrs.

Town meetings

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

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: LPFM Filing Window From "Democracy Now!": "In a major victory for the community radio movement after a 15-year campaign, the Federal Communications Commission has announced it will soon begin accepting applications for hundreds of new low-power FM radio stations in October. This means nonprofits, labor unions and community groups have a one-time-only chance this year to own a bit of the broadcast airwaves. It is being heralded as "the largest expansion of community radio in United States history." We’re joined by two guests: Jeff Rousset, the national organizer of the Prometheus Radio Project, which has led the campaign to challenge corporate control of the media and open up this space on the dial, and Ramón Ramírez, the president of PCUN, the largest Latino organization in Oregon. In 2006, Prometheus Radio Project helped PCUN establish the low-power FM station "Movement Radio," which has helped inform farmworkers about labor rights, as well as the larger Latino community about immigration reform efforts, health issues and other community-related topics. The FCC’s short application window for new stations will run from October 15 to October 29. "This is a one-shot opportunity," Rousset says. "The work that we do over the next four months will really help shape the course of this country’s media landscape for the next 40 years."
2 a.m.: Bob's Slacktime Playhouse: X-Day Previes X-Day, July 5th, the date of cosmic deliverance for all SubGeniuses, is zooming up on us. Get ready to board the Xist pleasure saucers with this soothing soundtrack.
5 a.m.: A Community of Voices: Kevin McKinney A Community of Voices" radio show available from Pacifica Radio. "What if I were to say that radio is on the decline? Local commercial radio, as well as non-profit community radio, is becoming a lost medium, as powerful corporation tighten their grip and gain control." Guest is Kevin McKinney, director of documentary, "Corporate.FM."


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

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. 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." Hosted by Philip Grant.
10 a.m. ¿Qué cocinaré hoy?: Sara Flores Journalists Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores Lobos interview the Kingston High School student Sara Flores, a track athlete of Salvadorean origins that has beaten records in the 100M, 200M and 400M events. She will attend the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, on an athletic scholarship, this fall. Also, more about the Galaxc event to benefit WGXC 90.7-FM this Saturday.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News
7 p.m.: Guest DJ: Kenny Landin and Billy Lester Hudson Valley Tap Show host Ken Landin with the assistance of Billy Lester DJ's combo of fusion and progressive rock for this week's Guest DJ.

New York State Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch and New York State Education Commissioner John B. King Jr. Mon., June 17, released statewide high school graduation rates. Overall statewide graduation rates remained stable at 74 percent last year, despite higher graduation standards. The four-year graduation rates reported for school districts in Columbia and Greene counties were higher than the state average at 79 percent. The highest rate of completion was reported for the Windham-Ashland-Jewett district at 90.5 percent. Drop-out rates for students who entered the 9th grade in 2008 ranged from a low of 1.7 percent in the Greenville school district, to a high of 22.2 percent in the Hudson district. Tisch said of the statewide results, “Despite all the naysayers, raising standards was the right thing to do. Our teachers and students rose to the challenge. Now it’s time to rise to the next challenge."

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail the Greene County Legislature Wed., June 19, approved the transfer of nearly five acres of land to the town of Cairo for development as soccer fields. The town has been leasing the land, located on Volunteer Drive just off Mountain Avenue, since 2006, during which time it has lain dormant as an empty field. The county granted ownership last night on the condition the property be used solely for soccer fields. Cairo Town Supervisor Ted Banta said the land transfer will improve the park as a destination location and also provide some additional "economic viability to the area." There is "a great spirit of cooperation between the county the town of Cairo right now," he said. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

James Odato is reporting in the Times Union Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and legislative leaders have agreed to allow four casinos in upstate New York and three in the New York City region seven years later. Under the agreement, two casinos will be allowed in the Catskills and one each in the Capital Region and Southern Tier. The agreement will require statewide voter approval. Cuomo originally asked for three casinos during the first phase of development, but Senate Republicans pushed for more immediate growth, particularly in the economically distressed Catskills. The new casinos would be required to share 39 percent of slot machine revenues with the state. Slot machines at Native American casinos are required to share only 25 percent. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 81F; low 54F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 79F; low 55F.[/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: Sunny. High near 78. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 54.

Forecast for the next three days:

Friday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 83. Partly cloudy, Friday night. Low around 58.
Saturday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny. High near 86. Saturday night, a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy. Low around 62.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny. High near 86. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 64.


Sunrise today: 5:19 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:35 p.m.

Length of the day: 15:16 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the third Thursday of the month.
(WGXC suggested 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 at 6 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 Economic Development Committee meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
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: FBI Surveillance From Free Speech Radio News: "In the wake of revelations about the US government’s sweeping surveillance practices, some of the biggest companies that hand over private Internet and phone data to the government, including Google and Yahoo, are challenging a ban on releasing more details to the public about what information they’ve given to the government. As many legal experts, members of Congress and privacy advocates join this call for transparency and question the constitutionality of these spying programs, President Obama and the leaders of the FBI and NSA are speaking out in their defense. FBI Director Robert Mueller told a Senate Committee Wednesday that the programs are legal and have sufficient oversights, and said any move toward transparency would be “educating our enemies.” On Capitol Hill, FSRN’s Alice Ollstein reports."
12:05 a.m.: NRFF B Radio: Forbidden Planet II Anna Friz, Jonny Farrow, Jeff Kolar, Peter Speer, and Stephen Germana perform in this transmission from Chicago. This edition: "Forbidden Planet II," a continuation of the performance NRFF B Radio did for Trans-X Transmission Art Symposium in Toronto in May, 2013. Live webstream 7-10 p.m. ET (-4 UTC, 6-9 p.m. Chicago time), rebroadcast on WGXC 90.7-FM at midnight.
3 a.m.: Selected Songs: Karlheinz Stockhausen Works from the composer are featured.
5 a.m.: Off The Hook: Bradley Manning Trial 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. This week: "Off The Hook" hosts attend the Bradley Manning trial, and tell their stories.


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

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. 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." Hosted by Philip Grant.
2 p.m. Between the Lines: Stanley Maltzman As Stanley Maltzman, highly acclaimed Hudson River Valley landscape artist, author and educator, approaches his 92nd birthday on July 4, he reflects back on his life, while looking forward to the future. On his full schedule: Teaching workshops, new painting commissions, group exhibitions, and giving interviews.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: Rip Van Winkle Washington Irving's story of a Catskills man who falls asleep in the mountains for a generation, and wakes up in a very different world. Told through songs by the David Bromberg Band, Al Jolson, and others. Plus, Brian Dewan tells the story from the porch of Rip Van WInkle Motor Lodge in Catskill, for Max Goldfarb's "Deep Cycle" project.
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.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

The Register Star is reporting the temporary Columbia County Courthouse in Claverack was evaluated as the result of a bomb threat this morning. Police have reported the building is clear. It was searched by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and state police K-9 units. Authorities reported a caller claimed that an explosive device was placed outside the building, possibly in a dumpster. The operations of the Columbia County Courts were relocated to the former Claverack School earlier this year to accommodate the renovation of the courthouse building in Hudson. Read the full story in the Register Star.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="462"] Larry Bennett, public relations and creative services manager for Brewery Ommegang addresses the crowd on the Capitol steps, Monday. (Sam Sebren photo)[/caption]

More than 2,500 people gathered at the Capitol Lawn in Albany, Mon., June 17, for "New York Crossroads," a rally in opposition to high volume hydraulic fracturing of natural gas, and in support of renewable energy in New York state. The rally was the largest of its kind in Albany to date. Workers, business leaders, health professionals, elected officials, scientists, farmers and faith leaders spoke on the Capitol steps, calling on Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to take the lead in the effort to reduce climate change and to ban fracking, the process of drilling for gas that is increasingly under scrutiny for the production of greenhouse gases and water supply contamination. The rally lasted for three hours and included a march around the Capitol building and performances by singer Natalie Merchant. PLAY clip (2:44) Speakers during the three-hour event included included:

• Arun Ghandi, president of The Ghandi Worldwide Education Institute PLAY (5:10).


• Dr. Mark Jacobson, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University PLAY (5:29).


• Larry Bennett, public relations and creative services manager at Brewery Ommegang PLAY (4:37).


• Jim Dean, chair, Democracy For America (DFA) PLAY (3:10).


• 
  
  Phil Aroneanu, cofounder, 350.org PLAY (3:13)


• 
  
  Alec Guettel, cofounder, Sungevity PLAY (4:08)


• 
  
  Dr. Sandra Steingraber, author, biologist, cofounder of New Yorkers Against Fracking PLAY (8:34)


• 
  
  Natalie Merchant, "I Don't Want Your Millions Mister" song performance PLAY (4:36)

-- Sam Sebren

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail voters in the Cairo-Durham Central School District approved a revised 2013-14 budget Tues., June 18. The original $27.8 million budget was rejected by voters, May 21. The revised budget reduced the tax levy increase by less than one percent. The reduction was made possible by moving $60,000 from the unappropriated fund balance to the upcoming year’s revenue stream. Approval came as a relief to school officials concerned about the prospect of a forced implementation of a contingency budget. Superintendent of Schools Mary Fassett said, “I’m very happy and optimistic for the year ahead." Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

John Mason reports in the Register Star Hudson residents will now be allowed to keep up to five hens on their property, if Mayor William H. Hallenbeck Jr. signs the local law approved by the Common Council Tues., June 18. The so-called Chicken Law passed by 12 weighted votes, a very narrow margin. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has called Hudson a food desert, indicating there are no or limited outlets for good, fresh food to be purchased within the boundaries of the city. Allowing people to raise their own chickens will help them meet their needs for quality, cost-effective nutrition and reconnect urban populations with the agricultural basis of our food, according to the law. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 75F; low 48F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 77F; low 48F.[/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 8 a.m. Otherwise, sunny. High near 76. Clear tonight. Low around 48.

Forecast for the next three days:

Thursday: Sunny. High near 79. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 57.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 82. Partly cloudy, Friday night. Low around 58.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. High near 84. Saturday night, partly cloudy. Low around 62.


Sunrise today: 5:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:35 p.m.

Length of the day: 15:17 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the third Wednesday of the month.
(WGXC suggested 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 4 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
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 Public Works Committee at 5:30 p.m.; Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing on an application submitted by the Hudson Opera House seeking a variance to build a two-story addition to the existing structure located at 327 Warren Street, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: House Intelligence Committee on NSAt Three headlines from Free Speech radio News:
• House Intelligence Committee holds hearing on NSA operations
• Lawsuit challenges surveillance of Muslims in NYC
• Scores detained and hundreds missing in Turkey as Justice Ministry mull social media censorship
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Still Live? We may still be live from John Doe, or live from Acra at Wave Farm.
1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: Tashimaru Nakamura Episode 886 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click here for playlist 886.
3 a.m.: Selected Songs: Captain Beefheart Songs from "Trout Mask Replica" and other records.
4 a.m. Radio Noise Artists using radio as an instrument are featured.
5 a.m.: In Other News: Carmen Boulter Former professor at the University of Calgary, Dr. Carmen Boulter talks about her four-part documentary series in production titled "The New Atlantis" which investigates the Bosnian pyramids and the Russian pyramids currently being built. Boulter has traveled to Egypt 26 times and is the director, producer, and writer of the documentary series "The Pyramid Code." This series has aired in 34 countries, it describes how the Great Pyramid served as an energy generator. It was built on intersecting leylines, constructed from specific materials and is now thought to have harnessed and stored power created by the interaction of sunlight on water moving through passageways to build a charge using large crystal structures. Dr. Boulter is the author of Angels and Archetypes: An Evolutionary Map of Feminine Consciousness. This show airs on WBAI, and is distributed by Pacifica Radio.


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

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. 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." Hosted by Philip Grant.
10 a.m.: @Issue: The Future of Hudson's Waterfront, Part 2 Host Thomas DePietro will be joined by Linda Mussmann, Hudson resident and former chair of the city's Waterfront Advisory Steering Committee to continue a discussion focused on the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan, the future of the city's riverfront and the arguments for and against city ownership of key waterfront parcels. Call in with your views at (518) 828-0290.
3 p.m. Social Graces: Ross Bennett Nan Marron and Dick Sabol interview comedian Ross Bennett.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Jill Burkholder and Lea Cullen Boyer Artist/photographers Jill Burkholder and Lea Cullen Boyer will discuss the upcoming first annual Hidden Gallery Walk in Palenville. Plus news, events and music, all from the Catskill Community Center. Hosted by Ron Diamondstein.
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star the state Assembly voted unanimously, Mon., June 17, to appropriate $90 million to the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities. This action will ensure Claverack-based Coarc continues to receive its full rate of reimbursement from the state. Coarc officials projected a loss of up to $1 million in funding as the result of cuts in the state's 2014 budget. Legislators and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo agreed the funds would be restored from additional savings found through cost efficiencies, reducing administrative funding and through audits of nonprofit agencies. If those savings are not realized, the rest of the money will be appropriated through the general fund. Read the full story in the Register Star.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="107"] Assembly member Steven F. McLaughlin[/caption]

Jimmy Vielkind reports in the Times Union state Assembly member Steve McLaughlin confirmed Mon., June 17, he is considering a run against Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in 2014. McLaughlin's interest in running is fueled by his opposition to the New York SAFE act. "Could it be viewed as a David vs. Goliath? Yes — but David won," McLaughlin said. "I'm not a wallflower." McLaughlin gained attention for his willingness to criticize the governor, especially since the January passage of the SAFE Act. He said the state has four million gun owners, mostly living upstate, who would provide a natural support base. In addition to opposing the SAFE Act, McLaughlin said his basic message would be on economics: New York still ranks near last in the national rankings of business climate. Read the full story in the Times Union.

William J. Kemble reports in the Daily Freeman the Catskill Town Board has been notified more than $175,000 in principal has been forgiven by the state for work done in the Cementon Sewer District. Town Supervisor Joseph Leggio last week said the only expense remaining for the project will be $38,000 in interest payments. In 2009, the town was awarded federal economic stimulus money to help cover repairs to the 88-unit sewer system. State Department of Environmental Conservation officials had issued a notice of violation to the town because the system was releasing chemicals after sewage treatment was completed. Additional federal funds were required because problems persisted after the upgrades were completed. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 77F; low 54F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 81F; low 54F.[/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 today and tonight for northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts, the southeast Catskills and Mid-Hudson Valley of east central New York. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon and evening. Some thunderstorms may contain gusty winds and small hail, along with locally heavy downpours. Thunderstorms should move from east to west at 25 to 35 mph. Locally heavy rainfall will also be possible from thunderstorms, which may result in pooling of water in low-lying, poor drainage and urban areas.

Today: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. Some of the storms could produce small hail and gusty winds. Mostly cloudy. High near 78. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Tonight, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 55. Chance of precipitation tonight is 40 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High near 76. Mostly clear, Wed. night, mostly clear. Low around 50.
Thursday: Sunny. High near 79. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 54.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 82. Partly cloudy, Friday night. Low around 58.

Sunrise today: 5:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:34 p.m.

Length of the day: 15:16 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the third Tuesday of the month.
(WGXC suggested calling ahead to confirm time and location.)

COLUMBIA COUNTY Health and Medical Services Committee meets at 4 p.m. at 401 State St. in Hudson.
COLUMBIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Board meeting, 8:30 a.m. at 4303 Route 9, Greenport (828-4718).
DURHAM Town Board meets at 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
HILLSDALE Meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall on Main Street (325-5073).
HUDSON 5 p.m. Finance Committee meeting; 7 p.m. Regular Common Council meeting at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUNTER Meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5748 Route 23A, Tannersville (589-6150).
LEXINGTON Town board meeting at 7 p.m., at Municipal Building, 3542 Route 42, Lexington, (986-6303).
TAGHKANIC Planning Board workshop meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall on Route 82 in West Taghkanic (851-7638).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: Oct. 15 LPFM Deadline Set The Federal Communications Commission announced a window will open on October 15, 2013, and close at 6:00 pm EDT on October 29, 2013, to apply for low-power FM licenses.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Dialing In Turn your dial, or dial in your phone, to this show about the sounds and songs of dialing. We'll learn "How to Dial a Rotary Phone," "Dial M for Murder," and order a dial wand. Songs from The Kinks ("Around The Dial"), The Replacements ("Left of the Dial"), Morrissey ("Dial-A-Cliche"), Scanner ("Turning The Dial"), and others. "Deal Dial Tone" radio play from 31 Down is also included.
1 a.m.: Zach Poff and N.B. Aldrich Wave Farm Artists-in-residence Zach Poff and N.B.Aldrich speak with Tom Roe about their work, as well as a special playlist created by Poff and Aldrich focusing on sounds beyond the limits of perception including: David Dunn's insect recordings, the micro improvisations of Jeph Jerman and Greg Davis, the raw contact-mic verite of Toshiya Tsunoda, and electromagnetic recordings from Alvin Lucier & Christina Kubisch. From "Saturday Afternoon Show" June 15, 2013.
3 a.m.: Golden Age of Radio: Ginger Rogers From host Max Schmid. From Pacifica Radio.
5 a.m.: PCJ Media Network Plus: 20130618 International radio and media show. The show is produced jointly by PCJ in Taiwan and Canada. Producer/Presenter: Keith Perron.
5:30 a.m.: From the Vault: Albert Camus "Albert Camus: A Centenary Celebration," from Mark Torres and the Pacifica Radio Archives.


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

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Nan Marron of “Social Graces” joins Phil for her weekly "Good News" segment, a discussion the good news of the day. 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." Hosted by Philip Grant.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News
8 p.m.: Diane Cluck, Rebecca Martin Diane Cluck will be accompanied by cellist Isabel Castellvi. Rebecca Martin, from Kingston, opens. Live webcast begins shortly after 8 p.m. on free103point9 Online Radio and goes live on WGXC 90.7-FM at 9:30 p.m. in the "Battlefield Earth" timeslot, with Dan Seward hosting from his record store in Hudson. From Wikipedia: Diane Cluck is an American singer-songwriter. She describes her music as "intuitive folk."

Some of the stories that made the news, June 14 to June 16:

Nathan Mayberg reported in the Register Star state legislators and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recently reached a deal to restore $90 million in funding cuts in this year's state budget to organizations like Coarc, which serve the developmentally disabled. Coarc, the Claverack-based group, was projecting a loss of $1 million for the coming year after lawmakers approved a state budget that slashed funding for the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Assembly member Steve McLaughlin said a vote on the deal is expected early next week. McLaughlin said, “It’s the best news I have heard all session. I am cautiously optimistic.” Assembly member Didi Barrett said, “I am thrilled to hear that a consensus has been reached." Read the full story in the Register Star.

Brian Hubert reported in The Daily Mail the Cairo-Durham school board last week approved a name change for two elementary schools based on the district's realignment plan. Durham Elementary School will now be called Cairo-Durham Elementary School, and house grades Kindergarten through 2. The Cairo elementary building will be home to grades 3 through 5, and has been renamed Cairo-Durham Intermediate School. These changes will be effective at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year. Superintendent Mary Fassett said the outcome of the budget re-vote Tues., June 18, will not have any impact on implementation of the plan. Fassett said, “The realignment plan is still on even if there is a contingent budget." The Cairo-Durham spending plan was one of 30 budgets defeated statewide on May 21. According to the exit poll conducted that day, the biggest reason people voted ‘no’ was the grade realignment plan. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Emilia Teasdale reported in the Columbia Paper the Kinderhook Town Board will hire a New Jersey-based ballistics specialist to follow up on a complaint from residents of the Bell Acres neighborhood that a bullet from the Tri-Village Rod and Gun Club flew past their house last year. At a recent town meeting, Kinderhook Supervisor Pat Grattan said that before the board starts paying the expert $110 an hour to investigate, town Building Inspector Wayne Voss, a former state trooper, will be asked to collect information and interview the residents of the neighborhood about the incident, which happened last summer. Bell Acres lies off of Route 203 just outside the Village of Valatie. Several residents came to the board last September to discuss the incident. The Town Board will hold a special meeting July 8, for a briefing on the Voss findings. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

Claude Haton reported in The Daily Mail the town of Cairo celebrated its prohibition history and ties to the notorious bootlegger and mobster Legs Diamond this weekend. The third annual Temperance and Tommy Guns Festival was held Saturday. Laurel and Hardy, Clara Bow, Mary Pickford, Shirley Temple, Marlene Dietrich and Mae West made appearances, as did a young Herbert Hoover, America's 31st president. Sylvia Hasenkopf of the Cairo Historical Society said, “This is an event we could only put on with cooperation from the community. People have been really supportive.” The weather also cooperated, with sunny skies replacing the storm clouds and rain that recently plagued the region. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

More than 40 speakers spent two and a half hours telling Administrative Law Judge Eleanor Stein and a member of the Public Service Commission why they oppose the current plan of New York State Electric and Gas to construct a new power line through Ghent. The hearing at the West Ghent Fire Station drew more than 140 people on Fri., June 14. NYSEG’s proposal is to tap into the National Grid line, build 2.5 miles of line to bring the electricity to a new switching station near Falls Industrial Park Road and Route 9H, and build 8.6 more miles of line to connect the switching station to the Klinekill Substation on Route 203 west of the village of Chatham. The line crosses many homeowners land, and the Art Omi sculpture park.Ghent Town Attorney Ted Guterman's comments are possibly the most crucial summation from the public hearing.

-- Chris Bishop

Ghent Town Attorney Ted Guterman (2:13)


Guterman's full summation (13:07)


Other speakers:
Walter Blank of Fitting Creek Farm (6:16)


Dan and Cyndi Bozik (7:23)


Stephen Metcalf (1:20)


Lawre Stone (4:45)


Koethi Zan (9:04)


Mark Johnson (3:44)


Brit & Greg Ceci (7:01)


Peter Paden, Executive Director of the Columbia Land Conservancy (7:35)


Ruth Adams speaking about Art Omi (4:34)


May Adams speaking about Omi summer camp (1:51)

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 82F; low 54F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 81F; low 55F.[/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, mostly sunny. High near 82. A chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight. Mostly cloudy. Low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:

Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 77. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 53.
Wednesday: Sunny. High near 74. Mostly clear, Wed. night. Low around 49.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 78. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 55.

Sunrise today: 5:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:34 p.m.

Length of the day: 15:16 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the third Monday of the month.
(WGXC suggested calling ahead to confirm time and location.)

ATHENS Town meeting at 6:45 p.m. at Town Hall, 2 First Street, Athens (734-3636).
AUSTERLITZ Comprehensive plan meeting at 7 p.m., at 812 Route 203, Austerlitz (392-3260).
CANAAN Planning board meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 1647 Route 5 South, Canaan (781-3144).
GERMANTOWN Town Board meets at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Road, Germantown (537-6687).
GREENE COUNTY 6 p.m. meetings of Government Ops and Finance committees, plus party caucuses at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
GREENVILLE Town Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Offices, corner of routes 32 and 81, Greenville (966-8276).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: Headlines Radio and media news.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Mysteries in the Air Haunted radios, spooky spectres, eerie aether, mystical sounds, and more.
5 a.m.: This Week in Radio News: NSA Spying How much the National Security Administration is monitoring phone calls of U.S. citizens, and others around the world, was in the news this week. The team at 2600 on "Off The Hook" talk to the lawyer suing the government over the Verizon phone records being released to the government. Also, an entomologist talks cicada sounds and Glenn Jones gets grilled on the BBC.

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

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Nan Marron of “Social Graces” joins Phil for her weekly "Good News" segment, a discussion the good news of the day. 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." Hosted by Philip Grant.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News