Mid-Hudson News reports that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission are conducting a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System at 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4. Cell phones should receive wireless emergency alerts in either English or Spanish, and radios and television programs will be interupted by the Emergency Alert System. Individual parts of the warning systems are tested regularly, and this is a coordinated nationwide test of the entire system. Read more about this story in Mid-Hudson News.

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.

Diane Pineiro-Zucker reports in the Daily Freeman that prominent conservative and liberal scholars have argued recently that former President Donald Trump cannot run for office under the 14th Amendment, because he took part in an insurrection. Local Reps. Marc Molinaro, a Republican, and Pat Ryan, a Democrat, predictably disagree on the issue. Ryan said, “The constitutional scholars that have written on this, including many very conservative constitutional scholars asserting that Trump should not be on the ballot … is a very compelling argument.... I think it’s something we have to take seriously (and) that I want to certainly hear from more experts on it. I think it could likely end up in the Supreme Court.” Molinaro disagrees, saying, “You can’t consider the 14th Amendment in static, as if it was adopted a week ago. It was in the result of the near loss of the American Union and the concept was that we didn’t want that kind of experience again and, therefore, would use the Constitution to protect against states leaving and those using military efforts to overtake the Union. … When you apply that you have to apply the rest of the Constitution, which is due process. Every man and woman is afforded due process. Level the charge, consider the charges by a court and then get the individual to a penalty. That’s the basic American standard.” The 14th Amendment was passed so that people who take up against fair and legal voting in this country, who acted against the electoral process, were ineligible to win office. Ryan, who represents the 18th Congressional District, said, the amendment “was written post-Civil War to deal with exactly the situation we find ourselves in right now where there were those who had seceded from the Union and hijacked control of it and in 1861 voted to block certification of elections just like we had in 2021. So, we’re at a very perilous time and I’m glad that the folks had the foresight to include this (in the Constitution)." While Molinaro, who represents the 19th Congressional District, does not believe in disbarring Trump from office, he would not say if he supported him. Asked about Trump's role in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and recordings of Trump’s alleged attempt to subvert his election loss in Georgia, Molinaro would only say, “Let’s get through this next chapter.” Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Diane Pineiro-Zucker reports in the the Daily Freeman that Rep. Marc Molinaro, a Republican who represents the 19th Congressional District, supports House Speaker Kevin McCarthy launching an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, while Democrat Pat Ryan, who represents the 18th District, does not. But Molinaro would not specifically say why there should be an impeachment investigation. Molinaro said, “oversight of the Executive Branch is one of Congress’s most fundamental duties. I worry about what appears to be criminal activity benefiting the Biden family and undermining our national interests. That warrants an inquiry.” He did not say what alleged criminal activity needed investigating. Then after appealing to conservative Republicans by backing impeachment, he attempted to court moderates and independents by saying he, “did not come to Congress to impeach the President” and has “pledged to work with him on areas where we can find common ground like mental healthcare and the opioid epidemic.” Then Molinaro's spokesperson would not respond when asked about Rep. Jamie Raskin's assertion that the Biden impeachment investigation, "is a transparent effort to boost Donald Trump’s campaign by establishing a false moral equivalency between Trump — the four time-indicted former president” and Biden, who faces “zero evidence of wrongdoing whatsoever.” Ryan, though, agreed, saying McCarthy has not found “any meaningful evidence for impeachment. … Unlike him, I’ll continue to fight for my constituents and the American people.” And while Democrats took votes on the record to impeach Trump, the House took no vote to begin an impeachment investigation into Biden, with McCarthy announcing it on Sept. 12 on his own. Apparently, the business dealings of the president’s son will be the main thrust of the investigation. Read more about this story in the the Daily Freeman.

Brett Samuels reports for The Hill that former President Donald Trump may be coordinating his election campaign to regain the presidency with the U.S. House leaders that are launching an impeachment inquiry into his opponent, President Joe Biden. Trump spoke Sept. 12 with Rep. Elise Stefanik, the Republican who represents Rensselaer County and the rest of the 21st Congressional District in New York, just after Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced a formal impeachment inquiry into Biden. Stefanik said, “I speak to President Trump a lot. I spoke to him today." Stefanik claimed that whatever House Republicans are investigating is “the biggest political corruption scandal of our lifetime.” Stefanik did not give specific details of what alleged crimes are being investigated. Democrats took votes before starting impeachment investigations into Trump, but McCarthy just announced the current investigation without any vote. Locally Democrat Rep. Pat Ryan said he is against impeachment, while Democrat Paul Tonko has been mum so far. Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro came out for the impeachment inquiry, but also did not specifically say what exactly he wanted to investigate. Read more about this story in The Hill.

Joshua Solomon reports in the Times Union that on Sept. 20 Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill that allows any New Yorker to cast their vote by mail. Hochul said, "It's finally time to allow people to vote by mail.... Why not? What is so sinister? Why would this be attacked? What are you afraid of?" Rep. Elise Stefanik leads a Republican lawsuit filed in the state Supreme Court of Albany County Sept. 20 against the measure. The lawsuit says the state's constitution only allows absentee voting in cases of not being in your registered county on Election Day or an illness or disability. Stefanik said, “Kathy Hochul and extreme New York Democrats are trying to destroy what is left of election integrity in New York." But Hochul framed the issue differently, saying, "There's a more sinister, slow-motion insurrection going on, a little more under the surface perhaps than what we saw on Jan. 6.... It's happening quietly in Republican legislatures all across America ... They're stripping away these rights. They're doing the exact opposite of what needs to happen." Voting by mail was used nationally throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with few reports of any problems. The bill Hochul signed also expands same-day voter registration and requires officials at prisons to provide voting rights information when prisoners are released from incarceration. And the new law also creates a penalty if an electoral college "elector" votes against the will of the people. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that Rep. Marc Molinaro has moved to Catskill. Now the Congressional representative now lives in the district he represents. Until now, Molinaro has been living in the 18th Congressional District, while representing the 19th District. Molinaro did not provide a comment about the move, which was announced by his spokesperson, Dan Kanz. Molinaro won his office while living out of the district in 2022, but promised to move into the district. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Today's audio daily news update.

Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that almost 13,000 people living in the 18th and 19th congressional districts will go without pay if the federal government shuts down this weekend, according to the Congressional Research Service and New York Senator Chuck Schumer. He said, “We cannot afford to let the extreme fringe views of the House Republican Conference risk a government shutdown and needlessly hurt New York families.... This is not an abstract issue – If the House GOP refuses to embrace this bridge towards cooperation and away from extremism, the government will inevitably shut down, causing disruptions for millions of New Yorkers to services they rely on, while thousands of federal workers could be furloughed.” Democrats in the Senate have passed a spending plan, but House Republicans are deadlocked, with a small group of ultra-conservative representatives blocking all compromises. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Sept. 28 that he would not take up Senate legislation designed to keep the federal government fully running. He did not offer an alternative plan, so this weekend's shutdown seems inevitable. Republican Marc Molinaro represents the 19th District and, without giving details, said he has a plan, saying, "In a bipartisan government, our solution must be bipartisan, and that’s what I’m continuing to work on.” Democrat Pat Ryan, who represents the 18th District, said, “I’m pushing relentlessly to keep the government open, but extreme Republicans in the House refuse to negotiate.... They haven’t proposed legislation to fund the government and won’t vote on the overwhelmingly bipartisan Senate legislation that would avert a shutdown.... Thousands of Hudson Valley families, including active duty military personnel and postal workers, will go without pay. Millions more could go without vital services like SNAP and WIC.” Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Philip Pantuso reports for the Times Union about how Tubby's in Kingston is celebrating five years of bringing indie rock, hardcore, noise, and experimental bands to the Hudson Valley. Co-owner Cory Plump, who does the booking for the venue, said, “I want it to feel like a different space, as much as it can, every time you walk in here.... There’s usually something for everybody, if you’re of an adventurous mind, musically.” Plump, and other owners Katy McElroy, Drew Piraino, and Morgan Coy have made the bar into a destination for bands from around the country. McElroy said it began more as a “neighborhood bar that had a few shows a week” rather than the full-scale music venue it is today. Back then, BSP and The Beverly Lounge in Kingston also hosted similar shows, but they are closed now. And now, Coy says, “You’ll see touring bands here that you would never see in a venue this size." Piraino said, “What’s really hard now with businesses is everything has to be a certain thing or fit into a certain ideal or attract a certain kind of people. But we can just do what we want to do. And that feels like a real privilege.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

New York's foliage report says this week, "In Greene County, spotters reporting from the upper elevations around Windham predict up to 40% leaf change with green, red and yellow leaves of average brilliance, while foliage spotters in Catskill predict 10-15 percent change with a mix of orange, yellow and red leaves.... Albany County spotters at Thacher State Park in Voorheesville predict up to 35 percent foliage change this weekend with average shades of yellow, orange and green, along with some wisps of red.... Columbia County spotters in Hudson predict 15 percent change this weekend with average shades of yellow and gold, and a few splashes of orange." Read more about this at New York's foliage report online.

The Times Union reports that the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the mid- and lower Hudson Valley through Sept. 30, as an already wet region gets more rain. A slow-moving coastal front could bring heavy rainfall locally. Gov. Kathy Hochul warned of potential disruptions and potential rainfall rates of an inch an hour in some places. Hochul said state agencies will be standing by to respond to weather-related events and assist communities if they need support. Hochul said, “I encourage anyone expected to receive heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours to stay vigilant, keep a close eye on the forecast, and heed any emergency orders from officials if necessary." The National Weather Service predicts two to four inches of rain in the lower Hudson Valley. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

The Daily Freeman reports that the Northern Dutchess Hospital is getting a philanthropic gift of $3 million, the largest in the hospital’s history, they said on Sept. 27. Gayle Bontecou, a resident of Clinton Corners and Tequesta, Florida, made the donation. The money will go to renovate and expand the hospital’s emergency department, which will be named “The Jesse and Gayle Bontecou Emergency Department.” Northern Dutchess Hospital President Denise George said in a statement, “Northern Dutchess Hospital is profoundly grateful to Gayle Bontecou for her extraordinary generosity.... Her remarkable $3 million naming gift for the renovation and expansion of our emergency department is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the well-being of our community." Bontecou explained why she made the contribution, saying, “When my husband needed the best care, he got it through the Northern Dutchess Hospital Emergency Department.... The night I drove Jesse to the emergency entrance, Dr. John Sabia came out to help us — we had no idea who he was, but his kindness and concern set the tone for the way my husband and I were treated throughout that frightening time.” This is not the first major local donation that Bontecou has made, as in 2022 she turned over 1,250 acres of open land in Dutchess County to create the Jesse and Gayle Bontecou Wildlife Conservation Preserve. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Mid-Hudson News reports that bowhunting seasons for deer and bear begins Oct. 1 in this area. In the Adirondacks the season began Sept. 27, and hunters everywhere can't start using guns until later. Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “New York State is home to great opportunities for bowhunters to venture afield in a variety of habitats.... With mild weather and longer days, the early bow season is an ideal time to be in the woods and introduce new hunters to deer and bear hunting.” Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

Today's audio daily news update.

Brendan J. Lyons reports for the Times Union that the U.S. Supreme Court will review New York's new ammunition background checks at a conference on Oct. 6. Democrats in the state Legislature a year ago passed the new rules after a ruling by the Supreme Court threw out New York's century-old concealed carry rules. Some gun store owners have reported glitches in the new ammo background checks, but the State Police issued a statement saying the National Instant Criminal Background Check System “processes transactions immediately. However, some responses will take longer than others depending on the amount of research required.” Rep. Elise Stefanik, who represents Rensselaer County and the rest of the 21st Congressional District, is excited about the Supreme Court conference, saying, “Governor Hochul’s state-run background check system and tax on constitutional rights are causing serious delays and false denials.... I have heard from constituents, including former law enforcement officials, who have successfully purchased a firearm only to be denied the ability to purchase ammunition. The delays are also causing community firearm retailers to lose customers who say they aren’t going to wait and instead go to neighboring states for ammunition to avoid the state registration and extra taxes.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

The Upstater reports that the Taconic Hills Central School District Board of Education on Sept. 5 unanimously approved the appointment of Lynnette Brunger as Superintendent of Schools, effective October 10. Brunger is currently the assistant superintendent at Liberty CSD in Sullivan County. She said, “I am honored to be selected to serve Taconic Hills and look forward to working alongside our families, community members, and board to support our teachers, administrators, and students. Educators today have an exciting, yet intense role and when they are appreciated for all they do, our students and community are the beneficiaries. My goal is to continue to improve our schools and provide our students with the best education and experience possible.” Brunger has been a teacher or an administrator for 27 years. “We are excited to welcome Lynnette Brunger to Taconic Hills CSD and introduce her to our school community. Board President Bonnie Torchia said, "She stood out among a strong pool of candidates with administrative experience. Her background and commitment to providing all students with a high-quality education makes her the right person to lead our school district." Read more about this story at The Upstater.

Mid-Hudson News reports that Stewart International Airport opened in Orange County in April 1990 with flights by American, Delta, US Air, and later added Midway, Jet Blue, AirTran, Norwegian Air, and Frontier airlines. Today it Allegiant Air flies to Florida and seasonally to Myrtle Beach and Play Air goes to Iceland. Atlantic Airways recently flew a few flights to the Faroe Islands, but that is it. Still, Stewart Development Director Yil Surehan remains upbeat, saying, “We feel pretty good about getting another domestic carrier in here by next year and one to two international carriers next year." Read more about this 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.

Molly Burke reports for the Times Union that a report from New York's comptroller released Sept. 25 says many rural counties face difficult economic and quality of life conditions because of population loss, aging residents, a shrinking labor force, and a lack of access to housing, health care, food, and broadband service. Greene and Delaware counties were among the ten rural counties studied in Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's report. From 2011 to 2021, the ten counties lost 3.4 percent of their population, while during the same period the rest of New York's population rose 4.2 percent. The rural counties are much older too, with their median age rising 6.5 percent from 43 years to 45.8 years, compared to 39.2 years-old in the rest of the state. And the affordable housing crisis can be explained with this sentence, "More than 32 percent of housing units in the rural counties are vacant, due to their use as second homes and vacation residences." New York has a $100 million plan to revitalize rural communities’ downtowns, a $21.7 million rural rental assistance program, and $9.4 million for expanding rural health care access. DiNapoli said, “Demographic and other changes pose difficulties for local and state officials as they look for policies to boost communities and increase connectivity and access to health care and other services.... Yet the shift in remote work and migration from urban areas could offer opportunities for rural communities to grow and thrive.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Liz Montgomery reports in Porcupine Soup that a new state report says that visitors to Greene County spent an estimated $283 million in 2022, up $52 million from a year earlier and $90 million more than in 2019. Travelers to the Catskills spent 51 percent on lodging, 20 percent on second homes, and 14 percent on food and beverages. Warren Hart, Greene County deputy county administrator and director of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism, said during a recent meeting of county lawmakers, “We have surpassed where we were in 2019… before the pandemic.... We all know how important the tourism/travel sector is to Greene County.” Read more about this story in Porcupine Soup.

Spencer Conlin reports at New York State of Politics that Attorney General Letitia James has New York in a lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission and 16 other states, accusing Amazon of using its position in the market to inflate prices, overcharge sellers, and stifle competition. Amazon Senior Vice President David Zapolsky posted a statement saying the company is not acting as a monopoly, saying, “Over the last several years, we’ve engaged cooperatively with the FTC during a broad-ranging investigation of our business.... It was our hope the agency would recognize that Amazon’s innovations and customer-centric focus have benefited American consumers through low prices and increased competition in the already competitive retail industry.” Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Today's audio daily news update.

Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that Rep. Marc Molinaro said Sept. 26 that he is working closely with other Republicans to avoid a government shutdown. Currently, a group of ultra-conservative Republicans are rebuffing all efforts to compromise with Democrats on a plan that could pass both the House of Representatives and Senate and get signed by the president. But Molinaro, who represents the 19th Congressional District, says he can help solve the impasse, saying, “I have lived through it as a local official and I am certainly doing everything in my power to help push my colleagues toward avoiding one.... I have been heavily involved in intensive conversation to mold a consensus with the Republican majority to present a budget proposal that reigns in federal spending, meets the needs and respects taxpayers, and secures the border.” Some sort of spending bill must be passed by Oct. 1 to keep the federal government operating, but a deal seems unlikely. Democrat Pat Ryan represents the 18th Congressional District, and explained how Republicans are unlikely to pass a spending bill in time. Ryan said, “Laterally, from going back to the first days of this Congress, where it took 15 rounds for the Republicans to choose their leader, it’s been chaos, chaos, chaos.... This is really a continuation and sort of culmination of what chaos and division gets you with very real and very dangerous consequences for our district and the country.” Ryan suggests that if five Republicans in the House signed on to it in order to keep the government open a “discharge petition” could be passed that would cut House Speaker Kevin McCarthy out of negotiations and allow for the government to remain open while a budget deal could be made. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.