Roger Hannigan Gilson is reporting for the Times Union that new census data indicates that each of the five counties of the Catskills — Greene, Schoharie, Delaware, Ulster, and Sullivan  — are growing after years of population loss. The five counties were among the top 10 counties for population growth in the state, according to the data, which tracks changes from July 2020 to July 2021. Greene County had the second-largest population gain statewide by percentage, growing 1.3 percent, or by 609 people, led only by Sullivan County, which grew by 1.5 percent. The region’s population had been in decline for at least 10 years. The most dramatic loss was in Schoharie County, which saw its population fall by more than 10 percent during that time. In Greene County, renewed interest in the region has led to economic growth. The county recorded $1.1 billion in sales in 2021, an 18 percent jump from the year before, in large part due to second homeowners permanently relocating to the county as well as a jump in tourism. Six resorts are planning to open in the Catskills this year. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Maura Rosner is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media that real estate developer Aaron Flach promised in public comments May 26, that he would restore the community’s faith in his downtown development project and apologized for the confusion caused by his “casual response” to the permitting process. The comments came during a public meeting of the Coxsackie Village Board about the Empire Riverfront Ventures project. A stop-work order issued by the village against the project remains in place. Flach had applied and received approval for the construction of the 40-room James Newbury Hotel and Wire Event Center, but the village board and Code Enforcement Office learned that the structure under construction did not match either of the original drafts of the two applications submitted to the planning board. Mary Beth Bianconi of Delaware Engineering, the village's consulting engineer on the project, said, “Both plans were in compliance with the village of Coxsackie; however, the Code Enforcement Office realized that the actual construction was not.” Flach was “side-stepping from the plans” and what was permitted and river views were being blocked by the construction, Bianconi said. Village residents have raised concerns about the height of the hotel. “The project will need an updated site plan to be submitted to the planning board for them to review against what the planning board previously approved,” according to the village’s previous statement. “...Once the planning board has a complete list of issues that will need to be addressed, we will hold a public forum with the village board, planning board, code enforcement officer, engineers and our attorney." Once this occurs, the village attorney will outline the proper legal path forward. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Jeanette Wolfberg is reporting for The Columbia Paper that the Hudson Housing Authority on May 16 announced the appointment of Jeffrey Dodson as its new executive director. His selection was announced by the HHA Board of Commissioners chair, Revonda Smith. Dodson has served as regional manager of the Newark Housing Authority for 29 years. His position in Hudson will become official after the terms of his contract are worked out, probably in mid-June, said Nick Zachos, HHA interim executive director. Dodson said he was looking forward to working with the authority and expressed his gratitude to Zachos. “It has been my pleasure to help,” Zachos said, adding that he will be available to assist further as needed. Smith thanked her fellow commissioners for making themselves available to participate in candidate interviews. The HHA runs Bliss Tower, the 135-unit affordable housing high rise, as well as three low rise buildings on North 2nd St. in Hudson. Read more in The Columbia Paper.

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David Cruz reports at Gothamist about the reactions to the murder of 19 elementary school children and two adults in Texas from Republicans running for governor in New York. Long Island Rep. Lee Zeldin Tweeted condolences. Andrew Giuliani, the son of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, urged his Twitter followers to “pray together with me for them.” Millionaire hedge fund manager Harry Wilson called the shooting “unimaginable and unacceptable” on Twitter. Former Westchester County executive Rob Astorino called for “enhanced background checks” but criticized politicians who “rushed out to shamefully politicize this tragedy.” Read more about this story at Gothamist.

Annie McDonough reports for NYN Media about how the now-radical U.S. Supreme Court will probably soon overturn New York's rules about who can carry a concealed firearm in public. “We're now in an age in which the court is heavily polarized along party lines. Thirty years ago, this kind of event could have made a difference,” said Scott Lemieux, a teaching professor of political science at the University of Washington, of Tuesday’s mass shooting in Texas. “The reality is that there is pretty strong opposition among Republican elites to gun control. If Sandy Hook didn't change that, if the Orlando shooting didn’t change that, it just seems unlikely that this is going to do it.” The New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision is expected by the end of June. Two Rensselaer County residents brought the suit after applying for unrestricted licenses to carry handguns for self-defense. Instead, they got restricted licenses to carry handguns in specific settings, including hunting and target shooting. They claim that was unconstitutional under the Second and Fourteenth Amendments. “It seems like there’s a majority of the Supreme Court who is skeptical about the constitutionality of New York’s restriction,” said Eric Ruben, an assistant professor at Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law and a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice. “You don’t have to say, when you’re looking for a permit to speak on a street corner or whatever, that, you know, your speech is particularly important,” Chief Justice John Roberts said in November. “So why do you have to show in this case, convince somebody, that you’re entitled to exercise your Second Amendment right?” The state legislature is also expected to respond after the ruling. “We’re not going to just sit back at a time of increasing gun violence and not react when the Supreme Court puts us in greater danger than we’re already in. So you can rest assured that the legislature will move very quickly,” said state Sen. Michael Gianaris. Read more about this story at NYN Media.

Ryan Whalen reports for New York State of Politics that Gov. Kathy Hochul is moving forward with a proposal to block anyone under 21-years-old from buying AR-15-style weapons, even though a California court recently struck down a similar law. In the last two weeks, 18-year-olds have used semi-automatic AR-15-style guns to commit mass murders in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas. A few weeks ago a California court ruled against banning 18-year-olds there from purchasing similar weapons. "I'm not going to let my fear of losing a court case to stop me from what I think is correct for New Yorkers and will protect them because you may get a good judge also who actually cares and has common sense and would understand that these are not punitive measures," Hochul said. "We have the right to protect people as well and I'll make that argument in court any day of the week." Former New York State Supreme Court Justice Penny Wolfgang agreed. "There was a dissent in the decision, number one, and number two, California is a different state from New York, different court, different judges and there may very well be a different interpretation," she said. But, when inevitable appeals of any potential lawsuits over a new New York law head to the U.S. Supreme Court, will it have any chance to survive? Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

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Steve Hughes is reporting for the Times Union a lawsuit has been filed against Albany Medical Center, based on allegations of racial and political bias at the health facility. Albany Med fired Jamaica Miles, a local community activist, as well as two executives who played a role in hiring her, less than a month after she joined the staff. Hospital executives had expressed concerns about Miles' political views and outspoken advocacy, according to the lawsuit filed this week in state Supreme Court in Albany. According to the lawsuit. Miles was hired earlier this year to serve as Albany Med's director of community engagement. She is a Schenectady-based activist involved in racial and social justice protests throughout the Capital Region, an active member of the Working Families Party and a member of the Schenectady City School Board. Her hiring was part of a renewed commitment the hospital was pushing to engage with communities of color. But once top officials at the hospital learned of Miles' selection for the position, they moved to dismiss her, citing "extreme political views," according to the lawsuit filed by Miles and Laura Liebman, the hospital's former assistant vice president of advancement, who also was terminated. James Kellerhouse, the hospital foundation's vice president for philanthropy and chief development officer, was also fired, but is not a party to the lawsuit. Miles and Liebman’s complaint alleges the hospital and its leadership, including CEO Dr. Dennis McKenna and Dr. Vincent Verdile, dean emeritus at the hospital's medical college, violated the state's human rights and labor laws by dismissing them. The lawsuit also alleges racial bias. Albany Med issued a statement defending its actions and denied it fired Miles for any of the reasons included in the complaint. "Albany Med recently made personnel changes in its development department that had nothing at all to do with the race of any employee," the statement reads. "Albany Med is a bridge builder. We are caregivers and unifiers, bringing together diverse populations for the betterment of all. Albany Med is proud of our diverse workforce, which is reflective of the community we serve, and we are committed to the highest standards of equality and fairness in employment opportunities for all." Miles declined to comment beyond what is in the lawsuit. "Everything that needs to be said is within the filings of the court documents," she said. Read more in the Times Union.

Noah Eckstein is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Hudson Planning Board has approved the site plan for Upper Depot Brewing Co. at 708 State Street. The Upper Depot Brewing Co. is slated to open this summer or fall. Brewery cofounder Montgomery Bopp said, “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but we are pushing to get open for as much of the summer as possible.” The opening depends on receiving a certificate of occupancy and having the equipment that is needed up and working. The Galvan Foundation owns the property where the brewing company will be located. In 2019, Bopp, 34, and his business partner Aaron Maas, 32, signed a five-year lease with the Galvan Foundation. “We hope to be there for 10 years at least,” Bopp said. Both men have committed to keeping the ingredients for their beer as locally sourced as possible. Maas, a resident of Stockport, said they will obtain grain from Germantown and hops from a farm in Kinderhook. When the brewery opens, it will operate as a tasting room and there are also plans to collaborate with the city to hold live music events. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Patricia Doxsey is reporting for the Daily Freeman former state Sen. Jen Metzger has added her name to the list of Democrats who have declared their intention to run for Ulster County executive, should Pat Ryan win election to Congress. Metzger, from Rosendale, now sits on the state Cannabis Control Board. She announced her candidacy in a tweet May 25, stating: “Should Pat Ryan represent us in Congress, I will run for Ulster County executive. The opportunities for our county to be a model of a people-centered, sustainable economy are incredibly exciting, and I would welcome the chance to bring my experience to this important job.” County Comptroller March Gallagher and Deputy County Executive Marc Rider have also announced their plan to seek the Democratic Party endorsement to become county executive if Ryan is elected to Congress. Gallagher announced her candidacy almost immediately after Ryan announced his plans. In her statement, she said she has worked with the executive and Legislature to implement “important changes” in county government. Ulster County Democratic Elections Commissioner Ashley Dittus said that under state election law, the parties will choose who will be on the ballot for the special election at party conventions. No Republicans have yet announced their plan to run for county executive. Ryan is running in a special Aug. 23 election against Republican Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro for the 19th congressional district seat vacated by now lieutenant governor Antonio Delgado. The winner of the special election will serve in Congress through the end of the year. If Ryan wins, a second special election would be held, this one in late December to fill the remainder of Ryan’s term as county executive, which expires Dec. 31, 2023. Win or lose in August, Ryan will run again in November for election to the newly drawn 18th congressional district, and Molinaro will run in November for in the newly drawn 19th congressional district. But if Ryan loses in August and wins in November, he would remain county executive through the end of December and a special election would be held in April to fill the remainder of his term. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

ProPublica takes a deep dive into the rollout of 5G wireless technology and how that affected airplanes. The Federal Aviation Administration objected to the Federal Communications Commission’s authorization of 5G networks near airports, but the story paints both agencies as incompetent industry toadies. There is no problem with the 5G technology, but with the altimeters of planes. They are often older, and not designed for our new digital world with more radio signals whizzing all around. The FAA was concerned that altimeters on planes, used in automated aircraft landings, would accidentally receive 5G radio signals, and not give pilots proper readings. Aviation experts warned of “catastrophic failures leading to multiple fatalities," the story says. In January, an agreement was struck, with Verizon and AT&T temporarily not turning on more than 600 5G transmission towers near the runways of 87 airports and reducing the power of others. ProPublica trace the entire story revealing "profound failures" at the FCC. On July 5 the temporary agreement expires, but aviation officials say it would take at two years to replace the older altimeters. "The rhetoric of the FCC chief is almost identical to that of the industry she regulates. As recently as last month, Jessica Rosenworcel, the Biden-appointed FCC chair, dismissed aviation concerns as, in effect, a shakedown — a ploy to get telecom companies to fund a nationwide upgrade of airplane equipment," the story says. Even if another agreement is struck in July, "T-Mobile and other wireless companies are approved to roll out additional 5G service at the end of 2023, using a C-band frequency even closer to the one used by the airplane safety equipment," ProPublica reports. “The wireless companies have made it very clear they’re not going to agree to an open-ended situation,” one FAA official told ProPublica. “They seem willing to go past July 5, as long as they know how far past. But they’re making clear their patience is not infinite.” Click here to read the entire ProPublica story.

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Thomas Franck reports for CNBC that New York-based Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer failed to pass legislation introduced after the mass shooting of Blacks at a grocery store in Buffalo, two days after a mass shooting of elementary school children in Texas. Schumer "pleaded with his Republican colleagues on Wednesday to consider the bill," Franck wrote, but to no avail. The vote on the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act was 47-47, with the Senate's odd rules favoring the minority by requiring 60 votes to pass the legislation. On May 18 the U.S. House of Representatives voted for the bill 222-203 with Democrats Paul Tonko, Sean Maloney, and Antonio Delgado on the record in favor, and Republican Elise Stefanik voting against. Delgado did not actually vote for the bill, as he turned over his vote on May 10 to Colorado Rep. Joe Neguse, claiming he was "unable to physically attend proceedings in the House Chamber due to the ongoing public health emergency." Delgado resigned May 25 to become New York's lieutenant governor, without announcing any COVID-19 infection. While Schumer was ineffective in passing legislation to slow the spate of mass shootings, on May 25 he did block a Republican bill he said, that "could see more guns in schools." The Luke and Alex School Safety Act that Schumer blocked was about collecting data to increase the presence of law enforcement on school campuses. "The truth: There were officers at the school in Texas," Schumer tweeted. "The shooter got past them. We need real solutions—We will vote on gun legislation starting with the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act." And that vote failed. Read more about this story at the CNBC website.

Nick Reisman reports for New York State of Politics that on May 25, a federal court turned back a legal challenge to a New York law that makes it easier to bring lawsuits against gun manufacturers. "As we mourn the deaths of 19 innocent children lost to gun violence in Uvalde and the countless more in Buffalo and across America every day, this is a moment of light and hope. New York is proud to defend the right to impose reasonable gun restrictions that protect all of us," said New York Attorney General Letitia James. "As public officials, we were elected to solve problems and address the needs of the people. Prayers alone will no longer do, and cowardliness is not part of the job description. New York will always lead, and I urge others with a backbone to follow.” But the celebration will most likely be short, as the radical Supreme Court is expected to soon strike down New York's strict conceal gun carry provision. Gov. Kathy Hochul said on May 25 that she would call a special legislative session this summer to address the ruling if the law is overturned. In the final weeks of New York's current legislative session, Democrats are expected to tighten the state's red flag law meant to keep guns away from people deemed to be a danger. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Emilie Munson in the Times Union tracks the 76 school shooting incidents since 1971 in New York. That number comes from the Advanced Thinking in Homeland Security program at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School's Center for Homeland Security and Defense, which counts a school shooting incident "when a gun is brandished, is fired, or a bullet hits school property for any reason, regardless of the number of victims, time of day, or day of week." By that definition, there have been four shootings at New York schools this year, in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Buffalo, and Mount Vernon. Of the known cases since 1971, 33 of the perpetrators were between 13 and 17 years old, and four were 18 years old, and eight were 21 years of age or older. Handguns were used in most of these incidents, with rifles used in four cases. "The 76 incidents produced 97 victims, most of them male students who were wounded. In nearly all the incidents, one or two people was injured or killed," Munson writes. FBI records say there were ten active shooter incidents in New York from 2000 to 2019. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

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The Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition has announced that Bliss Towers residents in Hudson, will officially receive the $65,000 in back rent owed over the pandemic on May 27. The donation was made by an anonymous donor through the coalition. Quintin Cross and Claire Cousin will deliver a ceremonial check to the residents in front of Bliss Towers at 41 N 2nd Street at 2:30 p.m. Claire Cousin, coalition executive director, said in a statement, "People deserve support with no questions asked. We know that the pandemic created brand new and unconventional barriers in our community. We want to see people happy and housed. That was our goal, and it is a blessing to provide this opportunity of relief to our community." Following the announcement on May 27, there will be a cookout and activities for Bliss residents and members of the community.