Today's audio daily news update.

Heather Bellow reports in The Berkshire Eagle that voters in four of eight towns voted against a merger between the Berkshire Hills and Southern Berkshire regional school districts, enough to stop the proposal. Seven towns held simultaneous special town meetings on Oct. 23, and a majority of Egremont weighed in against the plan on Oct. 21. Sheffield residents voted 503-to-99 against the proposal. Monterey voters were 87-to-73 against. In New Marlborough, the vote was 165-112 against the merger, and Egremont's vote was 143-78, also against the merger. Alford voters supported the plan 106-to-23. Great Barrington voters went 374-to-88 vote for the proposal, while West Stockbridge voted for it 86-to-14 and Stockbridge voters were 107-to-14 in favor. Lucy Prashker, chair of the 8 Town Regional School District Planning Board, said, "That split brings the work of our eight-town planning board to an end." But Prashker also said that "the challenges remain unsolved — the challenges of low and declining enrollment, the increasing burdens those declines place on our taxpayers, and, most importantly, the limiting of choices and opportunities for our children." Read more about this story in The Berkshire Eagle.

New York State of Politics reports that the Rensselaer County election for sheriff is a little odd this year. Former Troy Police Chief Brian Owens, a member of the New York Conservative Party, is running with the backing of Rensselaer County Democrats against a Republican opponent, Kyle Bourgault. Owens said, “I’ve never run for office before, so all of this is a little bit unusual to me.” Incumbent Sheriff Pat Russo is not seeking re-election, so the race is more wide-open than usual. Bourgault, the Republican candidate, is campaigning to continue the county’s existing agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is called 287(g). Owens has questions about the program. He said, “There’s… a lack of information that has been publicly available. I’d be curious to know who’s been trained, what is the cost to the county, and then is this useful in terms of both protection of county residents, but also is it useful in terms of federal immigration enforcement.” Bourgault did not respond to multiple requests to have his side heard. Voting this year begins at limited locations Oct. 28 through Nov. 5, with all precincts open on Nov. 7. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Michael Mahar reports for News10 that New Yorkers views on the current situation in Israel and Gaza are all over the map. A new Sienna College poll found that 57 percent of New Yorkers support government aid to Israel. Aid to Hamas is not being considered, so instead the poll asked about the effects of the Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians, and 50 percent of respondents said they were concerned. Also, 32 percent of New Yorkers in the poll said they believe the Israeli attacks on Gaza are justified no matter the human cost. Thousands have died on both sides of the conflict between the Hamas terrorist group and the Israeli government. Currently thousands of Palestinians are trapped without food, water, and electricity, and the Israeli army is expected to invade at any time. Read more about this story at the News10 website.

Today's daily news audio update.

Click above to download or play the "Better Weather." Produced by Joe Demanso of the Catskill Makers Syndicate.

Rachel Silberstein reports for the Times Union that while activists continue to work to keep the Burdett Birth Center in Troy open, St. Peter’s Health Partners on Oct. 23 said it would delay the closure date of the only birthing center in Rensselaer County. In June, St. Peter’s executives announced the closure of the facility, but they later agreed to a Health Equity Impact Assessment, an analysis of a community survey before a hospital reduces or eliminates a service. Dr. Steven Hanks, president and CEO, St. Peter’s Health Partners and St. Joseph’s Health, said, “The information we have received from this Health Equity Impact Assessment has been most valuable in highlighting the community concerns surrounding the closure of Burdett Birth Center.” If the Burdett Birth Center is closed, there would not be any maternity ward in Rensselaer County. There already are no birthing services in Greene and Columbia counties. More than 750 community members, leaders, health care providers and parents contributed opinions for the survey, with 98 percent opposing the closure. The study’s authors recommend St. Peter’s pay the full cost of travel expenses for patients with no access to transportation and St. Peter’s should adopt Burdett’s midwifery model, which is popular with patients. But Ashley Saupp, working to keep the birthing center open, said, “Chartis suggests St. Peter’s provide vouchers for local bus or taxi services to help patients reach other hospitals and states that the community can rely on EMS services for emergency delivery services.... Our own assessment revealed that the local EMS is already overwhelmed and cannot take on additional trips to out-of-town hospitals. Moreover, buses and taxis are not available throughout Rensselaer County and do not run 24 hours a day when they are available.” Attorney General Letitia James said, “I am pleased that the decision has been made to delay the closure date, and my office will continue to do everything within our power to ensure this essential facility remains open.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Phillip Pantuso and Joshua Solomon report for the Times Union that Rep. Marc Molinaro has become a key player in deciding who will be the next Speaker of the House. For three weeks, Republicans in Congress have been unable to determine who should be their speaker, effectively shutting down the government. The House of Representatives cannot take any action without a speaker. Molinaro said, “I’ll be very, very candid: These have been distressing, disappointing weeks.... The temperature has been turned up, emotions and harbored ill will remain, and we are surrounded by individuals and groups of members who are more interested in seeing someone or something lose than making sure the people we represent win.” Molinaro voted two times for Rep. Jim Jordan, an ultra-conservative member who worked to undermine the legal and fair results of the 2020 presidential election. Then Molinaro said he was backing the speaker pro tempore, Rep. Patrick T. McHenry, but instead voted for Republican Lee Zeldin, who is not in Congress and lost New York's governor election last year. Molinaro only won his 19th Congressional District election in 2022 by about 1 ½ percent. A court will rule next month whether the District will remain drawn to favor Republicans or altered to favor Democrats. So Molinaro has little room for error in next year's election. He said, “There is animosity, there’s anger, and there’s bitterness.... I want to be clear: I’m a red-blooded Italian; I’ve got a lot of emotions. But I did not come to Congress to express my feelings to my colleagues. And so I don’t necessarily embrace this as a governing philosophy.” For now, though, dysfunction is the governing philosophy of House Republicans. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Porcupine Soup reports that on Oct. 19 the Questar III BOCES school in Durham was renamed the Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham. Questar III District Superintendent Dr. Gladys I. Cruz, and Assemblymember Chris Tague were among those in attendance at the naming ceremony. Cruz said of Noonan, that "She was an extraordinary person who cared deeply about public education and who dedicated her life to public service." Noonan was as a school board member, on different boards in Greene County, for 57 years. The Marilyn A. Noonan School at Durham serves career and technical education and special education students with Heavy Equipment and Agriculture Science programs and elementary, middle, and high school programs in special education. Read more about this story in Porcupine Soup.

Today's audio daily news update.

Raymond Pignone reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Greene County’s legislature voted on Oct. 18 to spend $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds on an Exit 21 development project that originally cost $2,139,000. The Greene County Industrial Development Agency plan is to add a Hampton Inn hotel to a Tourism Center, Stewart's Shop, and another unknown business next to the I-87 highway entrance in Leeds. Already, the former Greene County Tourism Center has been demolished, and the Stewart’s Shop will move into its new building as soon as the company removes the store’s underground gasoline storage tanks and gas islands at its former location across the street. Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden has hopes for a restaurant to go in next to the hotel. Groden said, “Most likely the hotel developers will be instrumental in landing a restaurant deal, because as they’re building their hotel they’ll want a companion piece.... It will most likely be a franchise. At that location you probably want a national name. That’s not to say if someone local wanted to build there they couldn’t.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Mid-Hudson News reports that the Cook Political Report is forecasting that the Congressional elections in New York's 17th and 19th Congressional Districts as "toss-ups." Republicans Mike Lawler and Marc Molinaro unseated incumbent Democrats in 2022 in those districts, helping to give the GOP a five-seat majority. The Cook Political Report is also saying that Democrat Pat Ryan's 18th Congressional District “leans Democrat.” So far each of the three incumbent candidates has at least one opponent. Attorney Josh Riley, a Democrat, is running again after losing to Molinaro in 2022. Democrat Mondaire Jones is challenging Lawler, and Republican Alison Esposito wants to unseat Ryan. Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

Mid-Hudson News reports that Bard College is getting $69,886 from the Hudson River Foundation for Science and Environmental Research, Inc., a New York not-for-profit, for a two-year project to update and improve water quality datasets. Elias Dueker, associate professor of environmental and urban studies, and Gabriel Perron, associate professor of biology, are analyzing microbiological micropollution samples and comparing those results with historical water quality data from the Saw Kill tributary from the mid ’70s to early ’80s, and from 2015 to present. Deuker said, “This partnership with Hudson River Foundation allows the Bard Center for Environmental Science and Humanities to strengthen its commitment to using science as a tool for environmental and social change.... We hope this unique effort to utilize and elevate community-fueled science will serve as a model for contemporary and meaningful approaches to creating climate resilient communities in the Hudson Valley.” Read the full story at Mid-Hudson News.

Today's daily news audio update.

Click above to download or play the "Better Weather." Produced by Joe Demanso of the Catskill Makers Syndicate.

Lauren Stanforth reports in the Times Union that a mudslide off a residential property in Westchester County covering all Metro-North train tracks halted all passenger train service between New York City and Albany over the weekend. The mudslide was blamed on recent soaking rains. All four Metro-North Railroad tracks near Scarborough station in the village of Briarcliff Manor were covered in the mudslide. Now most train service between Albany and New York City will be restored on Oct, 23, officals said, after the tracks got cleared on Oct. 22. Gov. Kathy Hochul said, “Hundreds of thousands of commuters will be able to use Metro-North to commute to work Monday morning because of this extraordinary effort." Read more about this story in the Times Union.

HudsonValley360.com and the Times Union report about rallies for Israel and Gaza held in Catskill and Hudson last week. Jammel Cutler in Columbia-Greene Media does not say how many people attended, in person and online, the interfaith rally for peace at Temple Israel in Catskill on Oct. 18. Rabbi Zoe Zak said, “This is just not in support of Israel. It’s in support of everyone that needs prayers. It’s for the Israelis and the Palestinians and all those who have lost their lives. For those struggling to find food and have a roof over their head, my hope is to comfort people who are feeling upset, angry and grieving. I felt like I had to do something to bring people together.” Greene County Sheriff Pete Kusminsky said, “I’m glad this gathering is promoting peace during this time of crisis.... The horrible attack on innocent people should never be condoned or tolerated. Our office has contacted federal, state and local law enforcement partners to monitor potential threats. I’ve been happy to report that there have been no active threats. I want people to remain vigilant, and if you see something, say something. My office remains dedicated to protecting all the people of Greene County. My thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish people at this time.” Maria M. Silva writes in the Times Union about the 100 activists and community members in Hudson’s riverfront Promenade Hill Park on Oct. 20 to show support for Palestine. Silva writes, "Jabin Ahmed, a Hudson resident who is involved with Hudson Muslim Youth and was one of the organizers of the event, said she and other young community members were disturbed by the unwavering local support for Israel and accusations that they are “terrorist sympathizers” because of their support for Palestine." Jewish supporters also held signs at the rally supporting the Palestinian cause, but at least four counterprotesters also were in the park. After an hour and a half, the rally ended with the crowd singing “We Shall Overcome,” Pete Seeger’s song for unity during the civil rights movement. Read more about these stories in HudsonValley360.com and the Times Union.

Rebecca C. Lewis reports for City and State that the the Working Families Party last week endorsed Claire Cousin in the Hudson Valley’s Assembly District 106 election against incumbent Democratic Assemblymember Didi Barrett. Cousin is the First Ward Supervisor from Hudson for the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, and the first Black woman elected to that board. Cousin is also President of the board of Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition, and is a member of the Board of Commissioners for the Hudson Housing Authority. Barrett has held the 106th Assembly seat since 2012, when then-incumbent Republican Marc Molinaro gave up the seat to become Dutchess County Executive. The local affordable housing crisis is likely to be the main issue in the election between Barrett and Cousin, as Barrett did not support “good cause” eviction legislation meant to protect tenants that Cousin backs. Cousin said, “We need to elect more champions for working families who will fight for housing as a human right, a Green New Deal for the Hudson Valley and a New York that’s affordable for everyone.... That’s why I’m running – because the Hudson Valley deserves better.” A spokesperson for Barrett did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read more about this story in City and State.

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.

The New York Times reports that Reps. Elise Stefanik and Marc Molinaro both backed Jim Jordan on Oct. 17 in his first attempt to become Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Stefanik even nominated Jordan, but his effort failed with 20 Republicans voting for other candidates. Both Hudson Valley Democrats, Paul Tonko and Pat Ryan, voted for Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, who got 12 more votes than Jordan. New York's Lee Zeldin, who does not currently hold any office and lost to Gov. Kathy Hochul last November, got three votes to become Speaker of the House. Read more about this story in The New York Times.

Andrea Macko reports in Porcupine Soup that there is an “Interfaith Rally for Peace in Support of Israel” in Catskill Oct. 18 and a "Free Palestine Rally" in Hudson on Oct. 20. The first requires showing a photo identification at Temple Israel of Catskill at 7 p.m. The other is organized by the Hudson Muslim Youth at 6 p.m. at Promenade Hill Center in Hudson. Rabbi Zoe B. Zak said of the Oct. 18 event, “My friends, you are invited and it’s important that we come together. It’s important we find out how we can help. It’s important to be there for one another." The Hudson Muslim Youth said, “It is our responsibility to resist violence in our country, and abroad… We must stand and defend the right of Palestinians, and all colonized people to resist occupation and fight for freedom by any means necessary." The Hamas group attacked Israel last week, and since then the region has been engulfed in bloodshed and chaos. President Joe Biden, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Senator Chuck Schumer all made visits to Israel this week. Rep. Marc Molinaro requested that sheriffs across New York’s 19th Congressional District remain vigilant about any potential unlawful activities targeting Jewish centers, synagogues, and the Jewish community, saying this, “as Khaled Meshaa, the former chief of the terrorist organization Hamas, called for global protests and for other countries to join the war against Israel.” Read more about this story in Porcupine Soup.

Kevin Frey reports for New York One that the six Republicans who won so-called swing districts in New York in the 2022 election are split on who should be House Speaker. The six are largely credited with giving Republicans a slim, five-seat majority. But now Reps. Marc Molinaro, Brandon Williams, and George Santos voted for Jim Jordan to be House Speaker on two votes on Oct. 17 and 18. But he other three — Reps. Mike Lawler, Anthony D’Esposito, and Nick LaLota — backed other candidates. D’Esposito is opposed to Jordan’s past votes opposing aid for victims of 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy and to shut down the government. LaLota says he has been talking with Jordan, and Lawler is backing former speaker Kevin McCarthy. Molinaro, who represents the 19th Congressional District, told reporters last week that people “don’t give a s--t who the speaker of the House is, they care if we are functioning and delivering for them” and now that two votes for Jordan have failed he said, “I made a choice because I felt two very important things: We need to unite the conference and we need to govern. I gave that opportunity.... But at this point, very clearly, we need to govern. And if we as a conference can’t coalesce around a singular candidate, we at the very least coalesce around the responsibility to govern.” Molinaro now says temporarily empowering the caretaker speaker, Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, is the best next step. Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan, who represents the 18th Congressional District, is no fan of Jordan, saying, “Not supporting a known insurrectionist, who is also incredibly incompetent, and nasty and divisive — that should just be what every member did.... You would think in a moment like this, we’d see some moderate step forward, not just in an oppositional way to block a bad candidate, but to actually say, ‘This is what the American people want: a bipartisan way forward.’” Read more about this story at New York One.

Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that after voting unsuccessfully twice for Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House, Rep. Marc Molinaro now says he supports an alternative solution. Molinaro, who now lives in Catskill, voted for Jordan, who continues to say that the 2020 presidential election was somehow stolen without presenting any evidence. Now, Molinaro has had enough, saying, “We have been without a Speaker for nearly two weeks, putting on hold priorities like fighting inflation and securing the border.... At the same time we have witnessed savage attacks against our ally Israel which threatens to destabilize the region. We have to get back to governing.” Now Molinaro is wants interim Speaker Pro-tempore Rep. Patrick McHenry to have more powers to reopen the House and conduct business until January. Molinaro said, “As we work within the Republican Conference to elect a permanent Speaker, I support empowering Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry on an interim basis.... Time is a luxury we do not have and this will allow us to get back to governing.” It took Republicans 15 ballots to elect Kevin McCarthy as speaker in January, while Steve Scalise has already taken his name out of consideration and Jordan has lost two votes. On a third vote Oct. 20, Molinaro did not back Jordan, and did not vote for McHenry either. Instead he voted for Lee Zeldin, who does not hold any office now and lost as the Republican nominee for governor last year. Jordan failed again to win enough votes again on that third try. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Today's audio daily news update.