Sonia Moghe reports for CNN former President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization are under a civil fraud investigation from New York Attorney General Letitia James. So he filed a lawsuit in federal court in Northern New York Dec. 20, asking a federal court to halt or limit her office's investigations. James' office seeking to depose Trump Jan. 7 as part of its civil fraud investigation into the Trump Organization. The lawsuit claims James has abused her investigatory powers, targeting her political adversaries and attempting to advance her career. James is running for reelection as attorney general. "Since taking office, she has tirelessly bombarded him, his family and his business, Trump Organization LLC, with unwarranted subpoenas in a bitter crusade to 'take on' the President," the suit claims. James sees the lawsuit as Trump attempting to alter her investigation. "To be clear, neither Mr. Trump nor the Trump Organization get to dictate if and where they will answer for their actions," James said in the statement. "Our investigation will continue undeterred because no one is above the law, not even someone with the name Trump." The investigation largely centers on whether the Trump Organization manipulated the value of its properties, reporting lower values to tax officials, and higher values to investors and the public. Read more about this story at the CNN website.

Pete DeMola reports about three more deaths from COVID-19 in Albany County announced Dec. 20. That makes 18 deaths from coronavirus in December in Albany County. Schenectady County also reported one new dead from COVID-19 on Dec. 20. Meanwhile, Columbia County reported 57 more coronavirus cases Dec. 17. Greene County announced 97 new cases on Dec. 17. Of those, 54 were in correctional facilities within Greene County. The Daily Freeman reports that Dutchess County on Dec. 19 had 1,696 active cases of the illness, 49 more than the total reported Dec. 18. That number of active cases is four-and-a-half times higher then at the start of November, with the current numbers similar to the end of 2020, even though COVID vaccines are now widely available. Mid-Hudson News reports that a case of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 was discovered in Dutchess County. “We must stay vigilant against the winter COVID-19 surge by taking the proper precautions against the spread of this virus,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “This is not March of 2020, we are not defenseless. We have the tools to protect ourselves and the vulnerable loves ones in our families: Get vaccinated, get the booster and wear a mask when indoors or in large gatherings. Don’t take a chance during the winter surge.”

Mid-Hudson News reports that New York is giving the Olana State Historic Site $1 million for a new visitor entry and orientation facility. It will be called the Frederic Church Center, and Assemblymember Didi Barrett is claiming credit. “Frederic Church is a singular historic figure who made his home here in our beautiful Hudson Valley and whose impact continues to be felt in the worlds of art, landscape design, architecture, agriculture, environmental conservation and beyond,” said Barrett. Construction is not anticipated to start until 2023, after the project goes through normal approval procedures. Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

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Hate Watch Report is reporting that a white supremacist recruiting sticker was found at the Hudson boat launch on Sat., Dec. 18. The sticker was affixed to a bench in the boat launch parking area. White supremacists on Telegram organized a series of rallies under the banner of “White Lives Matter” in major American cities over the weekend. The Telegram addresses on the notice found Saturday in Hudson lead to an online call-to-action: "Tomorrow, 18th of December we must again go out and spread the message that we ARE fighting for White Children's future and that we welcome all good-willing people to join us. Time is running out, and we are aware of it. For our children! W[hite] L[ives] M[atter] N[ew] Y[ork] is prepping for today's event with eagerness and vigor. We are looking forward to garnering the attention of and raising awareness for our brothers and sisters within The Empire State!" According to Hate Watch, the framework for local white supremacists to organize rallies was launched on the social media platform Telegram in late March. The specific rallies are organized by locals who create new Telegram channels using the initials of their states or cities. In some cases, the channels for local rallies could be a way to gauge local interest. The Anti-Defamation League defines "White Lives Matter" as a white supremacist phrase that originated in early 2015 as a racist response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Since 2015, white supremacists in several states, especially members of the Texas-based white supremacist group Aryan Renaissance Society, have promoted the slogan. Read more at hatewatchreport [dot] com.

Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics two major labor unions have endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2022 campaign for a full term. She has received the nod from the United Steelworkers and the Hotel Trades Council way in advance of the June Democratic primary. Combined, both labor groups have thousands of members statewide and have been politically active organizations. “I am incredibly grateful to receive this endorsement from the men and women of the United Steelworkers,” Hochul said in a statement on December 17. “...I will always stand in solidarity with the labor movement and fight to make sure working families receive the wages, benefits and workplace protections they deserve.” Other candidates for the Democratic nomination next year include U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi [SWAH-zee] and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is also considering a run for governor. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Capital Region Independent Media Ravena Mayor Bill Misuraca is thinking about getting a second opinion on what the gritty substance was that coated parts of the village in late November. Samples were taken from Magnolia Circle after the most recent dusting and the state Department of Environmental Conservation laboratory identified the substance as salt, but it could not say where the dust came from. The samples tested were collected only at Magnolia Circle, but the dusting event was far more widespread, the mayor said. “This was a village-wide event as far up as northern [Route] 9W all the way down to Magnolia Circle and every neighborhood in between,” Misuraca said. “Could some of it have been salt? Absolutely, clearly from the analysis — that’s what it says. In other instances, I’m not so sure. So the next time this happens, I will probably recommend that the village bring in another — and I’m not saying anything is wrong with DEC’s analysis — but I would love a second opinion because this is an important issue.” The health implications are concerning, Misuraca said. “Why are we breathing in salt, or whatever this other substance may be?" Both village and town officials are urging residents to contact local officials or the DEC at 518-357-2345 if a similar event happens again. “Don’t call me a week after it happens, don’t stop me at True Value,” Misuraca said. “When it happens, call me, ..." Timely reporting of dusting incidents is critical to identifying the source, he said. Town Supervisor George McHugh echoed the mayor's advice on November 22, and urged quick action in reporting future dusting incidents so the source of the substance can be identified. Read more in The Ravena News-Herald.

Ted Remsnyder is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media state Attorney General Letitia James has launched an investigation into the death of Jason Jones of Catskill following an incident at the Catskill Police Station in October. Jones, 29, died on December 15, 48 days after he was set ablaze after being tased by an unidentified Catskill village police officer. Jones was allegedly in an agitated state when he entered the station and "doused himself with hand sanitizer," according to reports. He then "became hostile," causing the officer on duty to use the taser, but the shot ignited the fire that engulfed Jones, resulting in severe injury. James said in an announcement December 16, that the Office of Special Investigation has opened a probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident after Greene County District Attorney Joseph Stanzione announced he would be turning the matter over, pursuant to state law. “OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission,” the AG’s Office said in a statement. “Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.” The Jones family attorney, Kevin Luibrand of Latham, released a brief statement on December 16. “Jason fought a 48-day battle in intensive care and his family was with him throughout,” he said. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Kenneth C. Crowe II is reporting for the Times Union Hoosick Falls Village Police Chief Bob Ashe is the latest public official to be interviewed by state investigators over the expanding ballot fraud probe in Rensselaer County. Republican Ashe was suspended with pay December 17, after he was questioned by state police investigators. GOP officials said Ashe was involved in the collection of absentee ballots cast in the November local elections. The GOP swept many local contests. When contacted, Ashe referred questions to his attorney, but called the actions of state police investigators “politics at its finest.” Attorney Brian Premo said, “My client is not concerned about anything. It will work itself out." Ashe is the brother of Troy City Council member Kim Ashe-McPherson. He has been lobbying County Executive Steve McLaughlin and Rich Crist, the county's director of operations, for their support to run for sheriff. Following a special meeting of the Hoosick Falls Village Board on December 16 about Ashe, the board released a brief statement from Mayor Robert Allen the following morning. “Today, Chief Robert Ashe was suspended with pay due to an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by the New York State Police. Officer Bernard Davock has been appointed as officer in charge." Allen later said in an interview that because Ashe's suspension was a personnel matter, he could say nothing more. Rensselaer Mayor Mike Stammel was interviewed last week about absentee ballots in that city, and troopers seized his cell phone, as well. The probe now underway began over complaints about ballots cast in Rensselaer and has grown to include an examination of ballot records at the county Board of Elections. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Tim Williams is reporting for Capital Tonight New York's utility moratorium is scheduled to end just days before the Christmas weekend, leaving almost 1.3 million New York households vulnerable. On December 21, utility companies will be able to turn off service for customers that are behind on their payments, which had been barred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Richard Berkley, executive director of the Public Utility Law Project said the state has not done enough to help struggling New Yorkers. The Public Utility Law Project and 11 other groups last month sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul asking that she take executive action to help those that are behind in their utility payments. Berkley said that even if money is allocated in the state budget, delays in sending that money to those who need it could result in their utilities being shut off. Under state law, electrical service cannot be shut off during the period between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, but that does not apply to other services like internet. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.

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Andrea Macko at Porcupine Soup writes that the Tow of Cairo board voted Dec. 15 not to allow cannabis sales or lounges. The vote was 3-2, with outgoing Supervisor John Coyne, and Councilpersons Tim Powers and Mary-Jo Cords voting against cannabis sales, and Councilperson Stephen Kralovich and Supervisor-elect Jason Watts voting to allow sales. A standing-room-only crowd wanted a different decision. “You are our elected officials. You were elected by the people. The people sitting in this room now are clearly telling you they don’t want to opt-out,” said resident Barbara Spohler. “As our elected officials you need to strongly consider what the people in this room who elected you are saying.” Many residents were mad about the tax dollars Cairo was turning away. “Great Barrington within three years I believe they brought in about six million dollars,” said Sherry B. True, county legislator-elect. “The town ended up with like a million bucks.” New York legalized cannabis in April, and towns and villages have until Dec. 31 to opt out of retail sales and/or consumption lounges. Retail sales are not expected to begin until 2023 as regulations are put in place. Coyne said he voted against because all those regulations are not yet set up, while Watt claimed he was listening to the crowd. “Ninety-five percent said they were for it, or they didn’t have an opinion,” Watts said. “I’m just afraid if we opt-out businesses are going to skip right over us.” Read more about this story at Porcupine Soup.

Nick Reisman reports for New York State of Politics the New York Attorney General's office doubts whether the state can take back money former Gov. Andrew Cuomo made while writing a book in office. "There does not appear to be the statutory authority to order payment directly to the attorney general or for the attorney general to determine the recipients of such payments," Attorney General Counsel Larry Schimmel wrote to the Joint Commission on Public Ethics. JCOPE wants to recoup about $5 million because a state Assembly report found Cuomo used substantial state resources to write the book. Schimmel also wrote that the ethics commission requires a substantial basis investigation report before referring recovery matters to the attorney general and that agencies must show they have exhausted "its own collection activity" before turning it over to the attorney general's civil recovery unit. Cuomo's lawyers are elated. “JCOPE’s actions violated fundamental constitutional rights and flagrantly exceeded its statutory authority," Cuomo attorney Jim McGuire said. "It is not at all surprising that the lawlessness of JCOPE’s latest unlawful action is being recognized as just that. We remain ready to vindicate the Governor before a politically neutral body, our courts.” Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Cloey Callahan reports in the Times Union that four Dutchess County men were arrested for first degree robbery as a hate crime, for targeting the race of their victim, Four men from Dover, Joshua A. Benson, age 40, and Joshua A Benson Jr., age 23. The other two men arrested are Nicholas L. Gast, age 34, and Darius L. Robinson, age 19, were arrested for the Dec. 6 incident. The robbers allegedly took jewelry and one with a handgun fired a single shot. No one was seriously injured. If convicted, the four face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. Darius Robinson and Joshua Benson Jr. were jailed with a $50,000 cash bail, $100,000 secure bond, or $200,000 partially secure bond, while Nicholas Gast and Joshua Benson were jailed without bail. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

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The number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths recently has been troubling, and that's before the Omicron variant has arrived here. On Dec. 16, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan talked about the impending wave that's about to hit the Hudson Valley in his weekly COVID-19 address on social media. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR PLAY AN EXCERPT OF WHAT RYAN SAID. Ulster County is the first to give out free COVID-19 test kits. Ulster officials started handing them out this week, and continue next week, from several locations including from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Saugerties Senior Center. Meanwhile, Greene County officials reported another COVID-19 death on Dec. 15. They also reported 34 more cases Dec. 15, and 45 more on Dec. 16. Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said the death was a vaccinated woman in her mid-60s who had severe comorbidities. Greene County officials have taken no action recently to stop the spread as case counts have risen, and they say they will not enforce Gov. Kathy Hochul's recently announced mask mandate. Columbia County officials reported 25 more cases Dec. 15, and 43 more on Dec. 16.

Andrea Macko is reporting for Porcupine Soup that Greene County officials are moving forward with plans to build an addition on to the back of the county courthouse in Catskill to house the Greene County Public Defender and District Attorney offices, as well as the New York State Office of Court Administration. On Dec. 15 the County Legislature released a 186-page Request for Qualifications, or RFQ, for architectural and engineering services for design and construction. The criminal justice center is to be located on Bridge Street on the site of the former jail that was demolished earlier this year. The RFQ is the beginning of the process beginning with an evaluation of the space needs of the occupants to determine the overall size of the building. According to the RFQ, the construction budget is to be between $12 and $18 million. Preliminary building evaluations indicate a potential building footprint of 16,000 gross square feet per floor and include the potential for an optional 3,000 gross square foot per floor building on the southern portion of the property that fronts Clarke Street. A two-story 2,160 square foot garage, located along Clarke Street and commonly referred to as the Carriage House, will be used as part of the new criminal justice center. The RFQ calls for the reuse of approximately 3,500 square feet of historic Ohio Sandstone blocks preserved from the old jail. The historic courthouse was built in 1910 and then renovated in 2009. The project timeline starts with the selection of the architectural design team in March 2022; moving on to concept design in May 2022; and construction documents and bidding in August of 2022. Contracts will be awarded to the principal contractors in November of 2022. A 16-month construction schedule is anticipated with a final completion date in June 2024. Read the full story at porcupinesoup [dot] com.

Steve Hughes and Paul Nelson are reporting for the Times Union that Albany County is creating an online portal to let residents report violations of the state's new indoor mask mandate, as well as other issues they see involving mask and vaccine requirements. The portal is expected to go live in the next few days. It is part of the county’s plans to enforce the state’s new requirement, but at the same time, the county does not seem to be looking to immediately punish businesses that do not enforce the mandate. A county spokesperson said on December 15, that any potential issues reported will be reviewed to decide what next steps are necessary. The county intends to work with businesses to educate them on the new policy and/or enforcement. Schenectady County intends to focus on public education about the value of wearing a mask to slow the spread of coronavirus. Aggressive enforcement has not been a central part of the county's response to the virus. When an earlier state mask mandate was in effect, the county cited a few local businesses for violating the rule. Gov. Kathy Hochul last week announced the indoor mask mandate, but left enforcement up to local counties. Schenectady County Majority Leader Gary Hughes said the county does not have the money to be the so-called mask police and that the onus needs to be on people to be good citizens. Even before Hochul's announcement, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy and Schenectady Manager Rory Fluman issued a health advisory encouraging residents to resume mask-wearing and for private businesses to require it, but they stopped short of mandating the practice. He said this week that educating people about the importance of masks and vaccinations remain the top priority. McCoy expressed some frustration that other counties in the region were not offering a similar message. "We haven't been able to do all that, to get everyone in sync to come up with the same message," he said. Read the full story in the Times Union.