Mid-Hudson News reports that Columbia County again came in with the lowest unemployment rate in the region at 3.2 percent in December. Overall, the December 2023 regional unemployment rate in the greater Hudson Valley region was 4.5 percent. Greene County came in at 4.3 percent, up from 4.1 percent in November, and much worse than the 3.2 percent the year before. Columbia County was at 3.0 percent in November and 2.4 percent in December 2022. Dutchess County reported a 3.6 percent unemployment rate last month, and Ulster County was at 3.9 percent. Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

From WOOC: "The EMPAC Spring 2024 season has already begun, and there are many fantastic events still coming up. EMPAC curator Katherine Adams spoke with Sina Basila Hickey for WOOC about themes, co-collaborating with the Sanctuary, and stand out performances coming to EMPAC. Learn more here: empac.rpi.edu/events/2024/spring.

From WOOC: "Anti-poverty advocates are proposing the Working Families Tax Credit to combine several existing tax credits into one cohesive credit aimed at helping struggling families. Supporters noted that the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit have a harmful phase-in, which means that if you make very little money, if you’re one of our poorest families, you actually get very little to nothing from those credits. Liza Schwartzwald, Director of Economic Justice and Family Empowerment at the New York Immigration Coalition. spoke with WOOC's Mark Dunlea."

Today's audio daily news update.

Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Columbia County Democratic Party Chair Sam Hodge and Dutchess County Democratic Party Committee Chair Michael Dupree endorsed Didi Barrett over Claire Cousin in the June 25 primary election for a local Assembly seat. Barrett is the incumbent and Cousin is currently Hudson's First Ward Supervisor. Barrett, 73, said, “I am honored to be endorsed by the chairs of both county Democratic committees in the 106th Assembly District.... Both Sam Hodge and Michael Dupree know how hard I work for the communities I represent in Columbia and Dutchess counties, and their endorsement reflects recognition of my inclusive and effective approach to my job. I am grateful for their support.” Cousin and other activists have criticized Barrett for not backing progressive measures addressing the affordable housing crisis, and Barrett is now talking about the issue. “Addressing the affordable housing crisis is one of my highest priorities.... I recently brought Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to Columbia County to show him the unique challenges our region faces in building affordable housing. With his support, we were able to secure $3 million in funding for two not-for- profits in the area — Columbia County Habitat for Humanity and Hudson River Housing — to support the construction of affordable, energy-efficient housing." So far in 2024 Cousin has outraised Barrett in campaign contributions $4,857 to $3,910 according to campaign contributions publicly reported as of Jan. 23. Read more about this story in HudsonValley360.com.

Brendan J. Lyons reports in the Times Union that it has been almost three years since cannabis was legalized and New York regulators are just now getting around to writing the rules to let anyone 21 or over grow a limited number of plants legally. Regulators with the state Cannabis Control Board are expected to discuss a provision that would allow retail cannabis store owners to sell starter plants at their Jan. 24 meeting. Individuals will be allowed to have up to six cannabis plants — three mature and three immature — in their gardens. New York is a few months away from the fourth outdoor growing season since cannabis was legalized in the spring of 2021. Growers are limited to five pounds of “cannabis flower that has been trimmed from plants, which have been cultivated in or on the grounds of said person’s private residence.” Retailers selling starter plants will be required to have an active nursery dealer registration certificate from the state Department of Agriculture and Markets and label each plant by strain, expected date of harvest, and a warning to keep it out of the reach of children. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Jack Arpey reports for New York State of Politics that Steven Greenberg, pollster for the Siena College Research institute said, “There’s a good news and bad news addition of this poll,” about Gov. Kathy Holding's standing among registered voters. Her 45-to-42 percent favorability rating is up from a 40-to-43 percent rating in November, and it is the first time it has gone up since February 2023. Hochul's job approval rating was also up, to 52-to-43 percent, from 48-to-44 percent in November. But on some specific issues including health care, mental health, and making living in New York more desirable, voters have concerns. Greenberg said, “Voters are not confident at all that she will succeed in making those issues better from a voters point of view." Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

From WOOC: "On Thursday, January 18, state lawmakers and advocates held a news conference calling for the adoption of the state Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. The bill will reduce plastic packaging by 50% over 12 years to dramatically reduce waste, improve recyclability of packaging, and slash greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic (which are currently on track to outpace the emissions from coal by 2030). In part 2 of our coverage, we hear from Judith Enck of Beyond Plastics as well as the responses by her and Senator Harckham, one of the bill’s leader sponsors, to questions from reporters. By WOOC's Mark Dunlea."

Today's audio daily news update.

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Raymond Pignone reports for Columbia-Greene Media that the local environmental groups Our Hudson Waterfront, The Valley Alliance, and River District Economic Coalition filed a petition in Columbia County Court seeking to overturn the recent Hudson planning board’s decision to approve a site plan and conditional use permit for A. Colarusso & Son for its gravel operation on the city’s waterfront. Valley Alliance President Peter Jung said in a statement, “The planning board had the opportunity to choose a win-win option for the people of Hudson.... Denying the applications would stop gravel trucks from harming both downtown and the waterfront. Instead, the planners rolled over for a Greenport corporation which has put its own narrow self-interest over everyone else.” A. Colarusso & Son did not respond to requests for comment. On Dec. 14, the planning board voted 5-to-1 to give conditional approval to A. Colarusso & Son’s application for a conditional use permit to build a paved, two- lane road through the South Bay to get to the Hudson River waterfront. Riverfront President David Konigsberg said in a statement, “Since the beginning, we’ve sought a thorough review of negative impacts, given the huge economic and social potential of the river district.... Despite concerns expressed by the city’s engineers and a strong declaration from the previous board in 2021, the current members disregarded both in rendering their recent decision.” Clark Wieman, the president of the River District Economic Council, said, “The planning board’s decision to permit doubling the road’s size sets the stage for major intensification of industrial activity on the waterfront.... This decision flies in the face of a 40-year trend toward low-impact service sectors, retail, light industry and recreation. It violates the spirit and letter of Hudson’s LWRP which envisions a mixed-use, sustainable waterfront.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

The Troy Record reports that Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to make it easier for prospective school bus drivers to get their commercial licenses. New York State is facing a shortage of school bus drivers, Hochul has got the DMV to implement a federal waiver allowing school bus driver applicants to skip the engine compartment part of the commercial driver license road test. Hochul said, “The job of transporting and caring for our children is so important, and the need for more drivers throughout New York State is very real.... This simple change will encourage more New Yorkers to become school bus drivers – a chance for many to be a positive influence and help support our students, without sacrificing safety.” Last year Hochul allowed third-party entities to conduct commercial driver license road tests, making it easier for prospective school bus drivers to receive their commercial license. Read more about this story in the Troy Record.

William J. Kemble reports in the Daily Freeman that there will be a public hearing about a proposed hot mix asphalt plant for Kingston, at the border with the Town of Ulster. at 11 a.m. Jan. 31. The meeting is online, and to join the video conference go to tinyurl.com/edx3dkjs or call (443) 948-6058 with the meeting ID number 969 682 525#. The facility is currently a mining, sorting, and crushing operation but the owners 530 Route 28 LLC need an air permit for asphalt mix equipment because of the “contributing combustion source emissions and process emissions” that would be generated. Ulster Town Supervisor James Quigley warned the proposal would add 30 to 80 trucks per day on and off the site. He said, “Ulster Hose tells me it’s one of the most dangerous portions of the New York state highway system because of traffic coming off the Thruway where people are used to doing 70 miles an hour.... They get onto Route 28 …(where it is 45 mph) and if we looked at the pattern of speeding in our town it’s probably one of the roads with the highest frequency of tickets.” Catskill Mountainkeeper's Kathleen Nolan, the organization’s research director, said, “It raises questions about traffic impacts on the local community,” she said. “All of the permits that were issued … were on the basis that this would be a smaller impact than the mine had been. Since the mining had been a preexisting use, anything smaller would be an improvement.” Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

From WOOC: "The Egg welcomes Diane Eber as its new Executive Director. She is a self proclaimed music nerd who comes to the position with 20 years in the arts which includes overseeing BRIC's Celebrate Brooklyn. She spoke with WOOC's Sina Basila Hickey."

From WOOC: "On Thursday, January 18, state lawmakers and advocates held a news conference calling for adoption of the state Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. The bill will reduce plastic packaging by 50% over 12 years. In Part one of our coverage, we hear from Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates NY, who served as the moderator. We then hear from the lead sponsors of the bills, the chairs of the respective legislative committees on the environment, Assembly Member Deborah Glick and Senator Pete Harckham. We hear from NYC Council Member Sandy Nurse, who until recently was chair of the council’s committee on sanitation, and Blair Horner, Executive Director of NYPIRG. By WOOC's Mark Dunlea."

Jack Arpey reports for New York State of Politics that crime is again expected to be a major issue that the media discusses during this year's political campaign in the state. Gov. Kathy Hochul last week said, "I will say it again and I will say it again and again.... Keeping New Yorkers safe is my number one priority." Her proposed 2025 state budget includes items addressing retail theft, domestic violence, hate crimes, and mental health. Republicans in the state Senate last week unveiled their legislative agenda including reversing bail and discovery reform, reigning in spending, expanding school choice, and assisting veterans in their reacclimation process. Republican State Sen. Patrick Gallivan even found some common ground with Hochul, saying, “Addressing problems brought on with those who have mental health issues is something we need to address, we’ve seen the proliferation of retail theft over the past few years." Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Mid-Hudson News reports that dozens of members of Jewish Federations of Ulster, Dutchess, and Orange counties thanked Rep. Pat Ryan for his continued work to free hostages still being held by Hamas, including Americans and the families of Hudson Valley residents last week. Ryan, a Democrat representing the 18th Congressional District, has seen weekly protests at his Kingston office calling for him to support a ceasefire in the war in Gaza. Nearby Republican Marc Molinaro in the 19th Congressional District has not seen similar protests or letters of support, even though he also does not back a ceasefire. The local members of the Jewish Federations gave Ryan a ‘thank you’ letter with 400 signatures from local constituents. The letter also said, “as the number of anti-Semitic incidents continues to increase at an alarming rate, we applaud your continued efforts to root out hate from the Hudson Valley.” Rondavid Gold, president of the Jewish Federation of Ulster County, called Ryan a, “true champion of the Hudson Valley Jewish community.” Read more about this story in Mid-Hudson News.

Patricia R. Doxsey reports in the Daily Freeman that one of the local temporary retail cannabis stores is staying open in 2024. There were two temporary cannabis stores in Hudson that closed Dec. 31, but the Catskill Mountain High store, located in the Kingston Plaza, is still delivering in the Ulster County city this year. Cannabis has been legal in New York for almost three year, but few places legally sell it. Currently, the only licensed retail walk-in cannabis store in the Mid-Hudson region is the Orange County Cannabis Co., located in the Orange County town of Wawayanda, and there are three dispensaries in the Capital region, in Albany, Schectenday, and Troy. To stay open this year, Catskill Mountain High is calling itself a “delivery fulfillment center,” for Legacy Dispensaries, a delivery-only operation in Albany. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Porcupine Soup reports that five Greene County hunters were recently ticketed for or hunting with the aid of bait. Two hunters in Cairo were ticketed by Environmental Conservation Officer Lucas Palmateer for using bait and placing salt licks to lure deer for killing. The Department of Environmental Conservation said in a statement that, “Hunting with the aid of bait is unlawful and unethical. It gives the hunter an unfair advantage by luring the targeted game to an unnatural food source. Additionally, multiple deer feeding out of the same bait pile can spread disease amongst the herd." Palmateer also responded to a tip about baiting activity in Prattsville, where he found two hunters in a tree stand on New York State land. with fresh piles of corn on the ground in front of them. A third member of the hunting party was found with bait on a neighboring property. One of those hunters was also charged for maintaining a tree stand on State land without displaying owner information, and another was for failing to wear hunter orange. Read the full story in Porcupine Soup.

Diana Glebova reports for The New York Post that, campaigning for Donald Trump in New Hampshire on Jan. 20, Rep. Elise Stefanik said she would be “honored” to be his vice-president. Stefanik, who currently represents Rensselaer County and the rest of the 21st Congressional District, said, “He’s going to make the right decision. I trust him to make the right decision for him. So he’s going to look for qualities that he thinks are important.... I’d be proud to serve in a Trump administration in any capacity.” Volunteers for Trump chanted "VP" after her remarks at one New Hampshire campaign stop for the former president. Read more about this story in The New York Post.