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.

Raymond Pignone reports for Columbia-Greene Media that construction could begin early next year for a new building for the Greene County District Attorney and Greene County Public Defender. On Oct. 18, the Greene County Legislature approved issuing $25 million in bond anticipation notes and spending $3.8 million in cash from unexpended fund balance to cover the total $28.8 million cost of the Greene County justice center. The building is going on the site of the former Greene County Sheriff’s office and county jail on Bridge Street behind the Greene County Courthouse in Catskill. A parking garage will be on the first floor of the new building. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Andrea Macko reports for Porcupine Soup that Scott M. Ellis Elementary School Principal Peter Mahan is taking a month off “due to an unexpected health need.” Joseph Lopez will is taking over as interim principal of the Greenville school. In 2009, Lopez retired after 21 years as elementary principal in the Ballston Spa Central School District. Superintendent of Schools Michael Bennett said, “I am confident that Mr. Lopez will make a seamless transition into the role of principal and continue to provide the strong leadership that our school community deserves." Read more about this story at Porcupine Soup.

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 daily news audio update.

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

Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that on Oct. 19 Assemblymember Didi Barrett announced at a press conference $1.5 million affordable housing funds for Habitat for Humanity, and $1.5 million to the Dutchess County-based Hudson River Housing. State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie was at the announcement, alongside Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson, Common Council President Thomas DePietro, Hudson Housing Director Michelle Tullo, Canaan Town Supervisor Brenda Adams, and others. Heastie said, “This housing crisis isn’t just in New York. Recently, I was at a speakers conference in Utah. The Speaker there said the two biggest problems in Utah are affordable housing and climate. Across the nation, the issue is about people having a place to call home. We are in a crisis, and today is a small piece of what really needs to be done.” Al Bellenchia, director and CEO of Habitat for Humanity, said there will be income qualifications for the new homes, saying, “We’re working between 50% and 75% of the area median income.... That is between $40,000 and $55,000 for total household income. We’re talking to a number of towns and municipalities. We don’t have anything to announce yet, but we’re getting close.” Johnson said, “Affordable housing has been the No. 1 priority of my administration.... For the last two years we haven’t been able to field a high school football team because we don’t have enough students. When I think of affordable housing, there are a lot of misconceptions. These are people who work in our schools and grocery stores. They take care of us in the hospital. As we work on a local level to put over 100 new affordable housing units in the city in the last three years, it’s amazing to hear that there’s a state commitment as well, and that is what this should be all about: Local and state officials working together for the community.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Raymond Pignone reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Greene County lawmakers are proposing a tentative 2024 budget of $131 million, up $8.8 million from 2023 with property tax increases in half of the towns. Budget increases include $2.8 million for the Department of Social Services, $641,508 for retirement benefits, $470,800 for vehicles and equipment, $218,872 for health insurance, and $115,947 for workers’ compensation. Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said increased sales tax revenues have kept the tax levy lower. Groden said, “This is the fifth consecutive year that there has been no change in the tax levy, and that certainly is good news.... We have a large increase in spending, and we were able to absorb that this year, but now we have to start asking ourselves how long can we keep doing that.” Still, seven of 14 towns in Greene County will see their property tax rates increase including Cairo (a 3.3 percent increase), Coxsackie (0.8 percent), Greenville (2 percent), Halcott (6.2 percent), Hunter (1.9 percent), Jewett (3.6 percent) and Prattsville (2.9 percent). Tax rates are expected to go down in Ashland (4.6 percent), Athens (33.1 percent), Catskill (7.7 percent), Durham (2 percent), Lexington (0.8 percent), New Baltimore (0.3 percent) and Windham (2.2 percent). A public hearing on the budget will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at Catskill Middle School. Read more about this story in HudsonValley360.com.

New York's foliage report says that several locations around the region are now in past-prime leaf season. The report says, "In the Catskills, Ulster County volunteers reporting from Belleayre Mountain in Highmount predict that foliage will be at-peak with more than 70 percent leaf change and an array of seasonal shades. Foliage in the southern part of the county should be near-peak with around 60 percent transition.... Foliage in Greene County will range from midpoint of change to past-peak this weekend, depending on the area. Visitors can expect bright orange, yellow, red and green leaves around midpoint of change in the river region, near-peak foliage in the valley region, and past-peak conditions in the county’s higher elevations.... In the Hudson Valley, leaves will be near-peak in Columbia County with 75 percent color change, according to spotters in Hudson. The amount of change varies across the county, with the canopy featuring significant bright yellow and gold leaves, along with some green leaves and pops of red. In Dutchess County, spotters in Beacon and Fishkill predict near-peak foliage with 45 percent leaf change and shades of yellow, along with some red. Poughkeepsie spotters at Bowdoin Park also predict that foliage will be near-peak with at least 45 percent transition and average shades of light-green and yellow, along with some shades of orange.... Albany County reports from Thacher State Park in Voorheesville predict peak conditions with 70 percent change and orange, yellow and brown leaves, along with wisps of deep vibrant red.... Foliage is expected to be mostly at-peak in Rensselaer County, with reports noting an impressive mix of hues, ranging from bright purplish-reds through all shades of red, orange-red, orange and yellow, creating an unforgettably beautiful palette." Read more abouot this in New York's foliage report.

Today's audio daily news update.

Mid-Hudson News reports that there weren't many fans of Central Hudson's proposal to raise its electrical service rate 16.4 percent, and its gas service rate 19 percent, at a public hearing Oct. 18 in Kingston. Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said, “The proposed double-digit increase is unconscionable on the heels of what thousands of Central Hudson customers have endured over the last two years." Central Hudson, and the Public Service Commission, have received many complaints about Central Hudson bills since the company began estimating bills rather than reading meters. Susan Nickerson, of Saugerties, at the hearing said, “In January 2022, I received an outrageous bill for my electric. I live in modest house. My husband, just the two us, we’re seniors.... I could have lit up the entire Town of Saugerties with what my bills look like. I didn’t even put up Christmas lights to have the extra electric.” New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Hudson Valley residents still today face issues with inaccurate and inflated bills, large, automated withdrawals from their saving account after not receiving bills for many months, unclear and confusing bills and other receiving multiple bills in one month.... Because of the company’s own errors, a rate increase should not be on the table.” Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

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.

Raymond Pignone reports in Columbia-Greene Media that the Summit Lake Conservation Group will hold a benefit concert Nov. 12 at The Avalon Lounge in Catskill to stop a high-end housing development in the wooded in Philmont. Catskill fiddler Greg Farley; indie-pop craftsman Philip Goth; jazz and avant-garde keyboardist and composer John Medeski; and Red Hook’s Laura Zarougian and Little Tree will perform. Clover Reach Partners wants to construct 16 high-end homes on 22 acres around Summit Lake in Philmont. Last year, they got the Philmont Planning Board's approval for that project, but a lawsuit reversed that decision, sending the developers back to the planning board. But both times, the planning board has not done a full environmental review of the proposal. The Summit Lake Conservation Group says the lake is home to bald eagles and the endangered Northern Long-Eared Bat and Indiana Bat. They also say the proposed narrow, one-way loop road through thedevelopment does not meet state code. The group said in a statement, “Restoring Summit Lake through the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program and preserving Summit Lake’s historic viewshed are vital steps in energizing the local economy by focusing redevelopment funds on Philmont’s natural and historic assets.” WGXC has live webstreams of most Avalon Lounge shows at wgxc.org/listen. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Today's daily news audio update.

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

Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Taconic Hills High School student Landon Delease died and fellow student Richard Jennings III was injured in a car crash on Oct. 18 on Hunt Road. Delease was driving a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt when it hit a tree. Lynnette Brunger, the Taconic Hills school supervisor, said, “We are saddened to report that one student passed away, and the other has been airlifted to the hospital. Taconic Hills Central School District will mobilize its Crisis Response Team tomorrow to initiate our crisis plan to support our students and staff at school throughout the week. We encourage families to send their children to school so we can support them through this difficult time....“All of us are still struggling to make sense of this tragedy and the sudden loss of one of our students.... Please know that the Taconic Hills Central School District has an incredible support system, and we will be offering counseling for our students and staff members throughout the week. We also have counselors from Questar III BOCES available to assist us." Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Courtney Ward reports for News10 that while many New York politicians have not gotten anything accomplished to battle the affordable housing crisis, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey was in Pittsfield on Oct. 18, announcing a new bill she signed that will create 40,000 new homes. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul had a proposal to build 800,000 new housing units over the next decade, but the legislature did not pass that last spring. Healey, in Pittsfield, said, “As you know, housing costs are maybe our greatest challenge in the state.... It’s an issue no matter where I go. Certainly here in northern Berkshire County, but honestly, across the entire state.” Homeowners in Massachusetts will also save money with a rental deduction and low income housing tax credit in the new bill. Read more about this story at News10.