Melissa Manno reports in the Times Union that the House and Senate both voted for a bill this week that Rep. Paul Tonko sponsored. The National Heritage Area Act goes to President Joe Biden's desk now, and if he signs the measure would support and develop locally run heritage sites. The bill would also reauthorize all heritage areas for the next 15 years. Tonko said, “My National Heritage Area Act secures a stable foundation of federal support for these partnerships, streamlines bureaucracy, and puts the sites themselves on the strongest possible footing for the future.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Carl Campanile, Bernadette Hogan, and Bruce Golding report in the New York Post that New York legislators voted themselves a 29 percent increase Dec. 22, giving them, at to $142,000 a year, the highest wages of state legislators in the country. Local elected leaders voted along party lines. In the New York Assembly, Republicans Jake Ashby and Chris Tague voted against the pay raise. Democrat Didi Barrett voted for the pay raise. In the State senate, local outgoing Republicans Daphne Jordan and Sue Serino voted against the pay raise, while Democrat Michelle Hinchey voted for the raise. And until 2025, lawmakers can also make unlimited outside income. After 2025, outside income will generally be capped at $35,000. The $32,000 pay raise goes into effect Jan. 1 if Gov. Kathy Hochul signs the bill. Read the full story in the New York Post.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's nomination of Hector D. LaSalle as the next chief judge of New York’s highest court on Dec. 22 came under swift criticism from her left. “Justice LaSalle’s deeply conservative judicial record includes decisions that are anti-abortion, anti-union, and anti-due process,” said Peter Martin, director of the advocacy organization Judicial Accountability at the Center for Community Alternatives. “His decisions make clear that his judicial philosophy is wrong for New York.” Locally, State senator Michelle Hinchey said she would refuse to vote for LaSalle's confirmation. "While I expressed my support for the many other accomplished & experienced Chief Judge candidates, I had also made it clear that I cannot support a nominee who has delivered anti-choice, anti-union rulings. If Hon. LaSalle’s nomination comes to the floor, I will vote no," Hinchey said. Other Democrats also announced initial opposition to the nomination. Critics cite three controversial rulings from LaSalle: He voted to shield a fake abortion clinic from a state investigation; in 2015 LaSalle carved a massive loophole into a state law against management from suing unions and union leaders; and in 2014 LaSalle voted to prohibit a criminal defendant from appealing his conviction. LaSalle would be the first Latino to lead New York's courts.

Andrea Macko reports in Porcupine Soup that on Dec. 14 Dr. Dan Wilson was appointed the new interim superintendent of Catskill schools beginning January 1 through February 28, 2023, or until a new full-time superintendent is hired. The school board accepted the resignation of current interim superintendent Thomas Bongiovi the same night. Bongiovi served as interim superintendent since August 1, replacing Dr. Ronel Cook who left to become superintendent of the Englewood Public School District in New Jersey. Cook was killed in a car accident last month. Wilson was previously the principal of CBI Tech and District Based Secondary Programs in Rockland County. Read more about this story in Porcupine Soup.

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Jammel Cutler is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media a multi-million dollar hotel development at the corner of Warren and 4th streets in Hudson will be among the first minority developed, owned and operated hospitality venues in the city. The Galvan Foundation announced in April 2021, its intention to develop the corner site into the Hudson Public House, a 30-room hotel with ground-floor commercial space on Warren at North 4th Street, within a mile of the Hudson Amtrak station. The cost to redevelop the property is expected to be $6.67 million. The hotel will be the economic shot in the arm the area needs, according to the Galvan Foundation. The project was discussed at a recent meeting of the city's Historic Preservation Commission. In comments to the commission, architect Walter Chatham spoke about the historical background of the site. There are two existing buildings — a square brick building on the corner and a double row house that backs up on the alley. Plans call for raising the roof of the existing townhouses and the installation of elevators, Chatham said. A major concern when it comes to new hotels is parking and the issue it might create if a hotel is built on Warren. When finished, the hotel will not have its parking lot, Chatham said. Chatham said he remains open to making the necessary changes to the building, and one of the biggest concerns is the roof. The Commission asked Chatham to do a mansard roof ... Originally, the plans included a gable roof, which is a barn roof that comes to a flat end like the old Dutch houses. “The Commission didn’t like that and I understand why ...,” Chatham said. Read more at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Capital Region Independent Media the Greenville Town Board on January 16, 2023, will conduct a hearing to hear public opinion on a proposed increase in the town water rate. Water customers currently pay $56.20 a quarter for up to 10,000 gallons or $5.62 for every 1,000 gallons. If the proposed rate hike is approved, the rate would increase to $6.50 for every 1,000 gallons, or $65 each quarter. Water bills are sent out at mid-month in January, April, July and October. The new rate, if approved, would likely be implemented with the April bill. This is the first time water rates have gone up since 2007, Town Supervisor Paul Macko said on December 19. “The town water rates haven’t changed in 15 years,” Macko said. “Anybody that is running a household knows how much electric has gone up for residential and it has gone up equally, or even more, for commercial users.” The cost of both utilities and supplies to operate the plant have increased, he said. The price of chlorine has risen by about 80 percent, as well. The public hearing will be at 6:30 p.m. on January 16, prior to the town board's regular meeting. Read the full story at TheUpStater [dot] com.

The Berkshire Eagle is reporting Michael Ziemba has been appointed chief of the Williamstown, Mass., Police Department. Ziemba, a 22-year veteran of the department, has served as interim chief for more than two years, and as a lieutenant for two years before that. He served as a patrol officer for 18 years and was employed by the Adams Police Department for several years in the early 2000s. During his career, Ziemba has been a K-9 handler, court officer, school liaison and fleet supervisor. He was also a member of the team responsible for the design and construction of the new police station in town. Ziemba holds degrees in criminal justice and environmental science and is a graduate of the FBI LEEDA courses and the Roger Williams University Command Series Program. "The past two years have been challenging for the police department and Mike has shown great vision and determination in rebuilding the public trust," said Bob Menicocci, interim town manager. "He has the experience and integrity needed to build the level of professionalism within the department that the town expects." Select Board Chair Hugh Daley said he is happy the chief will now have the opportunity to continue the improvement projects he started at the department. "...From accreditation to improved community outreach, to recruiting, I believe Mike is the right person for the job and I know he will do the job right,” Dailey said. Read the full story in The Berkshire Eagle.

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Nick Reisman reports for New York State of Politics on Dec. 22 Gov. Kathy Hochul nominated Judge Hector LaSalle to lead New York's top court and oversee its sprawling court system, and Judge Edwina Richardson-Mendelson was nominated as the chief administrative judge. LaSalle would be the first Latino judge to lead the Court of Appeals, if confirmed. Hochul crowed about her picks. "New York's Court of Appeals has a long history as a beacon of justice, and Judge LaSalle is an outstanding jurist in that tradition. He has the skills, experience, and intellect to ensure that our highest court is seen as a leader across the country," Hochul said. "Judge LaSalle has a sterling reputation as a consensus-builder, and I know he can unite the court in service of justice. He has effectively led the largest state appellate court in the country, and in partnership with Judge Richardson-Mendelson, I know he will be focused on expanding access to justice for New Yorkers. Our state courts are more important now than ever when it comes to protecting our rights and upholding New York values, and I know that Judge LaSalle will lead the court in doing just that." LaSalle has served as the presiding justice of the Second Department since 2021, and is excited about the new job. "I am humbled by Governor Hochul's nomination, and I thank her for this tremendous honor. I am committed to leading the Court with integrity and fairness, upholding justice, and protecting the rights of New Yorkers," LaSalle said. "If confirmed, I plan to appoint the Honorable Edwina G. Richardson-Mendelson to serve as Chief Administrative Judge, and I would be honored to work with her to get our courts functioning as efficiently and effectively as possible for the betterment of all New Yorkers." LaSalle would replace former Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, an appointee of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo who resigned amid a judicial conduct investigation. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Melissa Manno reports in the Times Union that Crossgates Mall will expand hours in 2023, because, officials say, business is good. “Given the steady increases in traffic we have been seeing at Crossgates prior to and through the holiday season, combined with pent-up customer demand for more venues to be open earlier in the day and later into the evening, we are excited to offer these expanded hours,” Crossgates Marketing Director Jen Smith said. The changes include opening at 10 a.m. instead of 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and closing at 8 p.m., rather than 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The new hours begin Jan. 2. Some stores within the mall may still keep the previous schedule. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Mid-Hudson News reports that Play Airlines has suspended daily service between New York Stewart International Airport at Newburgh and Iceland from January 9 through February 16. The airline says demand for tickets is currently low, but will return flying daily runs between Newburgh and Reykjavik in February. Anyone with a cancelled flight can change the date or receive a refund. Currently, Play is the only international carrier using the new Stewart International Arrivals terminal. Read the full story at Mid-Hudson News.

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Patricia Doxsey reports for the Daily Freeman that Acting Ulster County Executive Johanna Contreras December 21, signed the county's $381.3 million 2023 spending plan. Contreras said the budget invests in critical programs and services and will bring “stability, accountability, and responsibility” to a county government that has experienced unceasing change over the last three years. The spending plan carries what she called a “historic” three percent decrease in the amount to be raised by taxes, which will result in property tax rate decreases for property owners in in the county, as well as the city of Kingston. The $381.3 million budget was adopted by the county Legislature in early December after lawmakers made more than two dozen changes to the $378.6 million spending plan proposed by Contreras. The final budget increases spending by 8 percent over the 2022 budget. In a press release, Contreras said the budget invests emergency management, social services, environmental health, transportation, and public safety, and includes funding to support the crisis stabilization center, enhanced mental health services, expanded child care eligibility and a pilot program to provide home energy assistance. Contreras added 42 new full-time positions and the county legislators then added additional positions on top of those she called for including a second investigator to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, a new quality analyst position in the Comptroller’s Office, a technical support position in the legislative clerk’s office, a position to administer the agriculture crisis relief program, and the addition of four new caseworkers in the county’s Office For the Aging. The budget also creates an emergency services division within the Emergency Services Department to address the critical shortage of first responders able to answer medical calls countywide. The adopted budget also includes additional funds to cover the costs of pay raises for all the county’s elected officials except the district attorney, whose salary is set by the state. Read more in the Daily Freeman.

Mid-Hudson News is reporting the sales of legal, regulated adult-use cannabis will begin next week, on December 29 at a dispensary in Manhattan. The dispensary will be operated by Housing Works, the nation’s largest minority-controlled HIV/AIDS service organization. The non-profit New York City group operates a range of direct and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS, the homeless, formerly incarcerated and justice-involved individuals. It also operates a network of charitable retail storefronts. “New York is taking the right path in building its legal cannabis industry, with the state’s first dispensaries operated by entrepreneurs and non-profits dedicated to serving their community and prioritizing public health,” said Jen Metzger, the incoming Ulster County executive and a member of the state’s Cannabis Control Board. The state is reviewing other applications for cannabis dispensaries across the state, including at locations in the Hudson Valley. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.

WRGB-TV is reporting Gov. Kathy Hochul announced December 21, that she signed a bill into law requiring employers to list salary ranges for advertised jobs and promotions. Hochul said, "This historic measure will usher in a new era of fairness and transparency for New York's workforce and will be a critical tool in our efforts to end pervasive pay gaps for women and people of color." The new pay transparency law in New York will require that all advertised job descriptions and promotions list the salary range for the position. The measure is designed to reduce discriminatory wage setting and hiring practices and also level the playing field and ensure fair and equal pay for all workers. Read the full story at cbs6albany [dot] com.

Elle Kehres reports for Radio World that according to Edison Research 38 percent of Americans aged 12 and older listened to a podcast in the last month. Many radio shows are also podcasts, and the subscribable audio shows all use internet radio signals to deliver programming. That's an estimated 109 million Americans tuned in to podcasts, at least sometimes. But a higher percentage of listeners in England, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand tune in to podcasts than in America. Perhaps because of the popularity of the mostly-talk podcasts, there has been a 45 percent increase in America in the time spent listening to spoken word audio since 2014. For those aged 13–24, Edison Research reported an 117 percent increase in listenership in the last eight years. Read the full story in Radio World.

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