Katherine Doyle reports at NBC News that Rep Elise Stefanik is again working for former President Donald Trump, filing new documents to her judicial ethics complaint against the judge overseeing Trump's civil fraud trial in New York. She amended her complaint by attaching the mistrial motion filed by Trump's attorneys accusing Judge Arthur Engoron of bias. Engoron ruled against the motion. On Nov. 17 Stefanik said that motion was “wrongly denied” and that “A week ago, I filed an ethics complaint against Manhattan Judge Arthur Engoron for his partisan antics, bias, and railroading of President Trump.... After my complaint, a New York appellate court smacked down Judge Engoron for his blatantly unconstitutional gag order. Today, I’m supplementing my ethics complaint against Judge Engoron with examples of even more of his egregious misconduct after he just wrongly dismissed President Trump’s motion for a mistrial.” Engoron said the arguments Trump's lawyers made in the motion were “utterly without merit.” Engoron is presiding over a $250 million civil lawsuit about fraud in the former president's business. He has already ruled that the fraud existed, and is now deciding how much to fine Trump and his business. Read more about this story at NBC News.

WNYT reports that the Hudson Police Department is now saying there was no attempted kidnapping last week, and that the incident they warned local citizens about was a misunderstanding. Police originally said a man in a white van asked a child walking home from school to get in the vehicle. But on Nov. 18, police found the driver and learned that a language barrier led to a misinterpretation of events. The driver, with a thick foreign accent, says he was telling the child about a dropped item, rather than directing them into the van. There were many posts and comments on social media about the incident last week after the police posted a warning. Read more about this story at WNYT.

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Larry Rulison reports in the Times Union that Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill that would have kept a state limousine safety task force she assembled operating. But while she ended the task force, Hochul is backing a slate of new limo safety bills recommended by the task force and passed back in January by the Senate. But the Assembly did not vote on any of the bills, including one that would ban stretch limos 10 years and older. So the legislative process starts over in January. Ronald Barton, a retired DOT motor carrier inspector who sat on the task force, said, “I’m just disappointed that she vetoed a well-deserved bill because there was so much unfinished business including the (IG and the NTSB) reports.” A major limo crash in Schoharie County in 2018 recently killed 20 and sparked interest in Albany in limo safety. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Kate Lisa reports in New York State of Politics that Gov. Kathy Hochul has many bills on her desk waiting to become laws if she signs them before the end of the year. One bill she could sign or veto would ban noncompete agreements. The bill would no longer restrict where a person can work after their employment ends. Assemblyperson LaToya Joyner said, "People should be able to go out and seek the best economic opportunity that's best for them.... They should be able to seek better wages, job mobility, change of careers [and] many have signed these agreements unknowingly." But business leaders, such as Paul Zuber, the Business Council of New York State's executive vice president, said, "We believe that it will have a very negative impact on the New York state economy, and that's our concern." The New York Business Council's nonprofit arm has spent $1 million urging Hochul to veto the legislation. Currently, California, Colorado, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Oklahoma have banned non-compete agreements. Read more about this story in New York State of Politics.

Deer hunting season opened Nov. 18, and News10 in Albany reports that the Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating three separate hunting related incidents involving the shooting deaths of a dog in Franklin County on Nov. 16, a man in Wayne County on Nov. 18, and a fatality in Chenango County on Nov. 19. Big Game Biologist for the DEC, Brendan Quirion said that with so many hunters, "obviously that can create some safety concerns with that many people out in the woods and so we are encouraging everyone, regardless of if you are a hunter or not, to wear blaze orange.” Consider bright orange garments for pets too. The DEC says hunters should keep firearms pointed in a safe direction, treat every firearm as if it’s loaded, keep fingers off triggers until ready to shoot, and always be sure of your target and what’s beyond it while non-hunters should stay on designated trails, and wear blaze orange or something bright visible to hunters. Read the full story at News10 in Albany.

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Andrea Macko reports in Porcupine Soup that voters in in the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District will decide on a $29.4 million capital improvement project in a special Dec. 12 election. The district is holding a second information session about the vote at 6 p.m. on Nov. 28 at the high school. The new spending is for renovations at the middle and high school. Proposed projects include include science classroom renovations, enlarging the fitness center, creating a new wellness suite, and air conditioning improvements. Outside, there would be a new multi-purpose synthetic turf field and new softball field, and a reconstructed west side middle school parking lot. And security would be upgraded on all three of the district's campuses with card access added to select exterior doors, and the elementary knob door hardware would be swapped out for levers. Voting takes place on from noon to 9 p.m., Tuesday, December 12 at both elementary schools. Read more about this story in Porcupine Soup.

Chris Lisinski reports in the Berkshire Eagle that as of Dec. 1 anyone incarcerated in Massachusetts can make unlimited no-cost phone calls. On Nov. 16 Gov. Maura Healey signed the bill making Massachusetts the fifth state in the country to allow incarcerated individuals to make unlimited phone calls free of charge. Massachusetts, though, is the first state in the country to extend the free call rule to county jails. William Ragland, chair of the African American Coalition Committee of men incarcerated at MCI-Norfolk, said, "Black and brown people — many in poverty — make up 21 percent of the Massachusetts population but roughly 60 percent of its prison and jail population. It is a monstrosity and repugnant. It's not surprising then that Black and brown people spend the most on phone calls, video calls, and e-messages with their incarcerated loved ones, to the tune of $25 million annually.... Given our low prison wages, our families are often left with the bill, deciding whether to put money on their loved ones' phone accounts or pay their rent, put gas in their cars, or put food on their tables. This is all while prisons, jails, and their telecom vendors rake in profits." Healey said, "Ensuring that individuals in state and county prisons can keep in contact with their loved ones is key to enhancing rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, and improving community safety.... I'm proud to sign this important legislation and grateful to the Legislature and advocates for their partnership." Read more about this story in the Berkshire Eagle.

On Nov. 19, state Senator Michelle Hinchey named WGXC programmer the Rev. Kim L. Singletary a "Woman of Distinction" in the 41st district. Previously Hinchey named Minerva Solla (2022), and Evelyn J. Clarke (2021) for the same honor. Singletary hosts "There's a Bright Side Somewhere" every Sunday at 8 a.m. on WGXC, and co-hosts the "WGXC Afternoon Show" every other Tuesday with Randall Martin. Hinchey's press release said, "Pastor Kim L. Singletary is a woman who builds community and offers a hand to every person who needs it – a thread that carries through every endeavor she champions." Singletary has been Pastor at the African Methodist Episcopal Churches in Chatham and Rockville Center, the first woman Chaplain at the Berkshire Farm Center’s Burnham Chapel, and founder of Overcomers Ministries International in Hudson. WGXC's Kimberley Erwin interviewed Singletary about the award. Click here to download or play the brief excerpt.

Today's daily news audio update.

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Joshua Solomon reports in the Times Union that last week Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law the Clean Slate Act, expanding the sealing of certain criminal records. The law will help thousands of formerly incarcerated New Yorkers return to society after a stint in prison. Hochul said, “You only get this if you’ve turned your life around,.... The good news is millions of people have.” Getting a job, renting or buying an apartment or house, and earning financial aid for higher education will all be easier for the formerly incarcerated under the new law. Under the new law anyone who committed misdemeanors, has to wait at least three years after serving their sentence and completing their parole or supervision for the law to seal their records. For certain felony crimes, the wrongdoer has to wait at least eight years after that point. Most Republicans, though, opposed the legislation. State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said in a statement, “There should be no question in the minds of New Yorkers: Albany Democrats will always prioritize criminals over victims and law-abiding citizens.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Spectrum News reports that in a new Siena Research Institute poll almost three-quarters of New Yorkers said antisemitism has increased since the October 7 Hamas attacks. And also in the poll 59 percent of respondents say Muslims in the state are experiencing increased Islamophobia. Almost six of every 10 people surveyed said the Hamas attacks should be condemned without explanation or hesitation. The poll also has President Joe Biden leading Republican frontrunner and former president Donald Trump by 10 points in the state. Read more about this story at Spectrum News.

Porcupine Soup reports that David Proper has beeen appointed interim principal at Catskill Middle School following the retirement of Kerry Overbaugh. Proper said, “I hope to provide a great experience for everybody here at Catskill Middle School.... I’m very excited to accept this appointment because middle school education is a passion of mine.” Proper is coming back out of retirement for Catskill; last year he served as interim principal at Cairo-Durham High School. Before that, at the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District, for 13 years he was the middle school principal and, prior to that, 11 years as the assistant principal for the high school and middle school, and also was the athletic director. Proper’s new appointment in Catskill is is through June 30, 2024. Read more about this story at Porcupine Soup.

Here is this week's WGXC Congressional Report, tracking the votes, statements, positions, and campaigns of the representatives and candidates for the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st Congressional seats in New York. Democrat Pat Ryan is representing the 18th Congressional District, Republican Marc Molinaro represents the 19th Congressional District, Democrat Rep. Paul Tonko represents the 20th District, and Republican Elise Stefanik represents the 21st District. Click here to listen to this report.

Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Battle Ground New York, with members of the Working Families Party, and 1199 SEIU and the Indivisible Communication Workers of America unions rallied against Rep. Marc Molinaro in Hudson's Public Square on Nov. 13. Several local politicians attended the rally, including Columbia County District Attorney-elect Chris Liberati-Conant, Columbia County Democratic Party Chairman Sam Hodge, Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson, Hudson Third Ward Supervisor Michael Chameides and 4th Ward Supervisor Linda Mussmann. Crystal Perry, political organizer for 1199 SEIU United HealthCare Workers, said, “Today is to shed light for the constituents of Congressional District 19, on how we’re being misrepresented in Washington.... The folks of CD19 face a lot of issues, and they’re being failed by U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro. We want Molinaro to say what he means and mean what he says. Don’t tell the constituents that you believe in them, but in Washington you vote for something different.” Others at the rally complained about Molinaro's political positions on on abortion rights, and his votes supporting Rep. Jim Jordan and Rep. Mike Johnson for Speaker of the House. Molinaro did not comment for the story, but there is a quote from his spokesperson making an unsubstantiated allegation against some unnamed member or members of one of the group's involved in the rally. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

All four Hudson Valley Congressional representatives voted to keep the federal government open on Nov. 14. Republicans Elise Stefanik and Marc Molinaro and Democrats Pat Ryan and Paul Tonko all voted for "Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024." The bill to temporarily fund the government until the beginning of 2024 passed 336-to-95 with 93 Republicans and two Democrats voting to shut down the government. Meanwhile, The Daily Freeman reports that the group Empire State Voices had planned a protest to demand that Molinaro do whatever he could to avoid a government shutdown on from 3-5 p.m. Nov. 15 on the Rip Van Winkle Bridge between Greene and Columbia counties. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Tiffany Greenwaldt-Simon reports for Columbia-Greene Media that on Nov. 13 an unknown number of protesters gathered outside of Rep. Marc Molinaro’s office in Leeds for a ceasefire in Gaza. The protest was part of the American Friends Service Committee’s Day of Action for peace in Palestine. Spee Braun, organizer of the Greene County protest, said of the makeshift memorials for those killed in the fighting, “We wanted to remember the children who have been killed up to now.” In a statement to the media, Molinaro said he does not support a ceasefire. He said, “There was a ceasefire on Oct. 6. Then, on Oct. 7, Hamas launched a savage attack, murdering innocent civilians and taking hostages. Israel has every right to defend itself against terrorism and the United States will stand with them.” Braun disagreed, saying, “Our tax dollars are paying for Israel’s actions, we’re paying for bombs to be dropped on hospitals.... We need Molinaro to stand up and say no tax dollars for war crimes.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

WGXC November Top 10
As of Nov. 17, 2023.
1. The Rolling Stones, "Hackney Diamonds" album
2. Laura Zarougian, "Cairo" from "Nayri" album
3. Matmos, "Return to Archive" album from Folkways Records archives
4. P.G. Six, "Murmurs & Whispers" album from Copake on Drag City
5. Negativland "Speech Free" album
6. Matana Roberts, "Coin Coin Chapter 5" album
7. The Replacements, "Let It Bleed" re-engineered reissue album
8. boygenius, "The Rest" EP
9. Bobby Previte and Ray Anderson "Double Trouble" album from Columbia County-based drummer
10. Arone Dyer and stargaze, "It's Over," "Define" new singles
11. Feist, "Multitudes" album
12. The Serfs, "Order Imposing Sentence"
13. Caroline Polachek, "Dang" single
14. d4vd, "You and I"
15. Meshell Ndegeocello, "The Omnichord Real Book" album

Today's audio daily news update.

Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that six projects in Columbia County won $5.6 million of more than $57 million of New York’s latest Regional Economic Development Council initiative awards. F. Michael Tucker, president and CEO of the Columbia Economic Development Corporation, said “Columbia County did really well.... We are very grateful to the governor’s office considering projects in Columbia County and awarding funds to the individual project sponsors to advance economic opportunities in Columbia County.” Montgomery Street Projects in Hudson received $1,526,168 for rehabilitation of the Kaz building; the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society gets $500,000 to fix the underwater foundation of the lighthouse; Friends of the Public Square Hudson receive $500,000 for renovations; the town of New Lebanon got $500,000 for improvements to Shatford Memorial Park and $25,000 for a public utilities project; Klocke Estate of Kinderhook received $275,000 for tourism events; and Hudson Hall gets $70,650 for the Hudson Jazz Festival. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.