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 lock boxes are now required for short-term rental units in the city of Hudson, but open fires are not allowed. On Aug. 3 the Hudson Common Council passed the two new rules. The new fire law says, “No person shall kindle, make or keep a fire in any yard, building, or other public or private space in the City unless in a smokeless container approved by such use by the manufacturer." The new rule also only allows dried, cut and split firewood, and requires all fires be supervised at all times. For the lock box rule, short-term renters must use certain city-approved brands, and then keys to the lock boxes are kept in each City of Hudson Fire Department vehicle, locked in a Knox key control unit. Mayor Kamal Johnson said, “Both of these laws are built around community safety.... The lockbox has allowed for the firefighters and emergency personnel to gain rapid entry into locked buildings. The open burn laws have needed to be updated for some years now, and this is also about safety and the welfare of the people in Hudson. This will make sure that we won’t have open fires that are dangerous to life and property.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Patrick Tine reports in the Times Union that Maple Leaf service between New York City and Toronto on Amtrak is back in both directions after a derailment on Aug. 4 stopped service over the weekend. Empire Service, which runs from New York City to Niagara Falls, remains suspended west of Albany because of the ongoing track repairs. An Amtrak spokesperson said there were "speed restrictions" on the rail line, but did not elaborate. Amtrak spokesperson Beth Toll said, "Full service will be restored as soon as conditions improve and it is safe to do so." Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Luke Parsnow reports for New York State of Politics that New York's slow rollout of legal cannabis stores has another roadblock, with a state Supreme Court judge issuing a temporary restraining order stopping them from giving out new licenses. The reason? A lawsuit filed last week claims New York has largely kept cannabis licenses from disabled veterans "and other minority groups the law prioritizes." A hearing on the issue will be in court on Aug. 11 in Ulster County. Locally, the only cannabis stores open now are in Albany and Rensselaer counties. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Dr. Marcus Martinez, the family doctor from Hoosick Falls who helped lead the fight to clean up local water contamination from toxic forever chemicals, had died after a long battle with a rare form of cancer which he suspected was linked to his exposure to PFOA in Hoosick Falls. Martinez and Michael Hickey were the ones who initially suspected that there was PFOA in the public water supply and pressured the town and other officials to take action, starting with calling on the town to test the water. David Engel, the environmental attorney who led the legal fight to successfully force a cleanup in Hoosick Falls, talks with WOOC's Mark Dunlea.

Today's audio daily news update.

Mid-Hudson News reports that Republican Congressperson Marc Molinaro is choosing his words very carefully when talking about a three-time indicted former president leading his primary field in attempt to regain the White House. About the strongest words he would use after Donald Trump was indicted for a third time last week that it is “very troubling to me.” Trump has been indicted for illegally taking classified documents, making illegal business decisions while paying a porn star hush money, and illegally trying to stay in power after he lost an election. Molinaro does not denounce Trump, who remains very popular with Republicans, and comes close to repeating Republican talking points about the so-called weaponization of the Justice Department. Molinaro said, “We ought to be very careful that we don’t allow government to act in a way that is punitive against political opponents, it doesn’t treat people with lack of equity – and that’s true whether it’s the DOJ or a local police department – there needs to be equitable enforcement of law.... And I believe that Congress’ rightful role is to provide the appropriate oversight of the administration. That includes ensuring oversight and transparency of the enforce entities within the executive branch.” Molinaro also pointed out that there are many other capable candidates in the Republican election. Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

The Troy Record reports that New York Senator Chuck Schumer and Rep. Paul Tonko recently announced a rule change that will bring increased payments to Upstate New York hospitals from the federal government. Schumer said, “This is one of the biggest shots in the arm for federal funding Upstate NY hospitals have seen in decades. This will be a monumental boost to healthcare for our families and to help our healthcare providers fix budget shortfalls, address doctor and nurse shortages and so much more. For years, our hardworking healthcare providers have faced unfairly low Medicare payments, receiving cents on the dollar for the care they provide, but now after over a decade of fighting I am proud to announce I have secured the rules change which will bring nearly $1 billion every single year to hospitals across Upstate NY.” Tonko explained, "that CMS has at last heeded our call to fix the long-broken Medicare Wage Index formula. This fix to the formula means an influx of hundreds of millions to our local hospitals — long burdened by the added strain from the COVID-19 pandemic — to address staff pay and retention, update medical equipment and technology, and further invest in patient care. In short, this MWI adjustment means improved, quality care for our region." Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson receives $8,228,068 annually from this program. Read more about this story in the Troy Record.

H. Rose Schneider reports in the Times Union that North American fireflies are at risk of extinction, according to invertebrate conservation group the Xerces Society, as they fight habitat loss, pesticide, climate change, and light pollution. Sara Lewis, professor emerita of biology at Tufts University and author of "Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies," said, "Every single person who pays attention notices there are fewer fireflies than there used to be." There have been about 30 different firefly species in New York. But the Dot-dash firefly, with a greenish, Morse-code like signal, hasn't been spotted in the state for over two decades. Fireflies, also called lightning bugs, are not doing well in the extreme conditions of climate change, as they get washed away in floods, and can't survive in lengthy droughts. Anyone who wants to help fireflies should reduce pesticide use, turn off outdoor lights, and let leaves fall to the ground and grass grow longer. "They provide a lot of nostalgia," said Juliana Chauca, a senior at Ossining High School in Westchester County helping with a firefly count. "People remember going out seeing them when they were little on a warm summer night." Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Today's daily news audio update.

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

Patrick Tine reports in the Times Union that about 30 members of the racist, far-right Proud Boys extremist group marched briefly in Saratoga Springs on Aug. 5. They wore masks to hide their identities. Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner James Montagnino said, "We didn’t have any prior notice.... The whole thing was done in a matter of minutes. We have regular patrols and there was nothing that called out for intervention." The Anti-Defamation League says the Proud Boys are, "a right-wing extremist group with a violent agenda. They are primarily misogynistic, Islamophobic, transphobic and anti-immigration. Some members espouse white supremacist and anti-Semitic ideologies and/or engage with white supremacist groups." Four leaders of the group were convicted of seditious conspiracy charges earlier this year in relation to the Jan. 6, 2021 attempted coup in Washington D.C. Saratoga Black Lives Matter leader Lexis Figuereo pointed out that while Montagnino said, "There didn't seem to be any need for any major calling up of additional personnel" for the group that is associated with violent protests, whenever his non-violent group march they face a heavy police presence. Figuereo said, "This is a white supremacist gang and hate group." Montagnino also said he did not contact Mayor Ron Kim about the presence of the violent group in his town. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Lauren Stanforth reports in the Times Union that after a freight train derailment Aug. 4 near the border of Schenectady and Montgomery counties, all Amtrak service in upstate New York from Buffalo to Albany was halted this weekend. But Amtrak spokespeople put out statements during the weekend alleging that the derailment had nothing to do with cancellations and delays of the Empire, Lake Shore Limited, and Maple Leaf lines. Later, though, Amtrak spokesperson Olivia Irvin said, “Apologies — that’s incorrect. Customers should expect two to four hour delays stemming from the incident.” Then later, Irvin said they could not tell when the trains would run again, saying, “We do not own the tracks. You’ll have to contact CSX regarding track work.” But CSX did not get back to the newspaper, so when the trains will run again is unclear. The train that derailed was traveling west from Selkirk in Albany County to Buffalo with 157 cars. Thirteen of the cars derailed, including an empty tanker with xylene residue, seven empty tankers with propane residue, and five box cars carrying scrap metal or sand. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Heather Bellow reports in The Berkshire Eagle that there was a second regional railroad accident on Aug. 4, with a train worker struck by track equipment near Great Barrington who died from their injuries. Officials did not say whether the equipment involved at the tracks near Lime Kiln Road in Sheffield in the accident belongs to Housatonic Railroad Co., or the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, which now owns the tracks, and they did not yet release the name of the dead worker. Read more about this story in The Berkshire Eagle.

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.

Mid-Hudson News reports that Rep. Pat Ryan wants Congressional hearings about the potential risks posed by the network of lead-sheathed telecom cables across the country. A recent Wall Street Journal story said hundreds of communities across the country including Wappingers Falls in Dutchess County have lead telecommunications cables leaching into the ground. In Wappingers Falls one lead cable runs along the perimeter of a children’s playground and basketball court. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that children avoid soil containing more than 400 parts of lead per million, but samples taken on the local playground tested at 850 parts per million. Ryan says Verizon, AT&T, and US Telecom are avoiding answering questions about the lead cables’ location and remediation plans. Ryan said, “This week, Verizon and AT&T reported billions in profits, yet when it comes to answering questions about toxic lead cables, they’re silent. If they won’t be honest with the American people and take accountability, we will compel them to.... In particular, it’s outrageous that these companies denied the public health impacts of their negligence, which flies in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence that even trace amounts of lead can pose serious health risks for children. I’ll keep fighting until the last lead cable is safely removed.” Read the full story at Mid-Hudson News.

Kevin Frey at New York State of Politics reports that Reps. Marc Molinaro and Elise Stefanik, the Republicans representing local Congressional distritcs, are considering voting to impeach President Joe Biden. Stefanik, who chairs the House GOP Conference, talked about wanting to impeach the Democrat president on Fox Business last week, saying, “I’m in conversations with Speaker McCarthy and all of our members." Molinaro, who represents the 19th Congressional District said, "Having served every day of my adult life in New York state politics, I can smell corruption. And frankly, the administration would be well served to answer the questions, be transparent and provide their response to the committees that are inquiring.” Republicans have not exactly said why they would impeach Biden, but it seems to have something to do with financial issues with his son Hunter. Another Hudson Valley Republican Congressperson, Mike Lawler, who represents the 17th District, said, “Are the [investigations] producing enough facts and evidence that warrant taking it to the next step? I don’t think it’s there at the moment.” Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Steve Benen at MSNBC reports about Rep. Elise Stefanik's reaction to the news that former President Donald Trump is being indicted on a third matter. This time Trump is being indicted for his role in the attempted coup on Jan. 6, 2021. But Stefanik, now representing Rensselaer County, did not mention that. Instead she accused President Joe Biden of trying to “weaponize his corrupt Department of Justice against his leading political opponent,” even though Biden did not have anything to do with the Trump indictment. Last week, after more charges were added to a previous Trump indictment, The New Republic said Stefanik had the “stupidest” reaction in the classified documents case. Stefanik had said, “Our Republic is in peril, our justice system is broken.... The American people understand that Joe Biden and his administration are engulfed in one of the biggest political corruption scandals of all time." What scandal, exactly, Stefanik is referencing is unclear, but the legal peril the former president faces is becoming clearer every day. Read more about this story at MSNBC.

Today's audio daily news update.

Joshua Solomon reports for the Times Union that on Aug. 3 Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $108 million to help schools address learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to support mental health. Hochul said, “If we don’t give (young people) support now, it’ll be irreversible.... We are setting them up for a lifetime of dependency.” School officials, such as Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa were enthusiastic, saying, “Together we know we can do great things in partnership with the governor.... We can provide innovative resources to meet student needs in these unprecedented times.” Schools and cooperative educational services can apply for the funding by Aug. 18 for the first round of the program. Sixty percent of the money is promised to schools outside New York City. Hochul said she heard from a student in the Bronx that there was just one guidance counselor for 700 students with a months-long waiting list. “We’re going to fix this,” Hochul said. “We’re not going to abandon you.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Andrea Macko reports for Porcupine Soup Greene County Emergency Medical Services wants a 12.8 percent funding increase next year with $2,171,000 from the Greene County and $382,000 to be split among the 14 towns there. Funding keeps paramedics in fly cars 24 hours a day, seven days a week in a county with a large valley and a big mountainous area. When the agency was started in 2000, call volume was less than 800, but Greene County EMS President Mark Evans said, “We anticipate in the next year or two we will break 4,000 calls." Earlier this year, Greene County EMS added three ventilators to its fleet, the first regional agency with ventilators. “They have only been on the trucks for three weeks and have already been used three times,” Evans said. The story does not say when Greene County legislators will vote on the funding. Read more about this story in Porcupine Soup.

Jammel Cutler reports in Columbia-Greene Media that the Kaaterskill Farm Natural Storehouse health food store in Greenport closes Aug. 31 after 27 years open. Martha Stephenson of Greenport said, “I’ve been coming here for the last seven years, the prices were fair, and I liked that they made me feel welcome when I walked through the door.... It’s a shame that so many businesses are closing, first the Salvation Army Thrift Store, now this.” The store will continue to operate a Catskill location, where the six Greenport employees will be transferred to. Brian McGowan, chief executive officer for Kaaterskill Farm Natural Storehouse, said, “My wife and I started the business back in 1996, and we’ve grown the business, taken over more space.... To be honest, we really wanted to retire by selling the store, but our lease expired at the end of December. Our emails, phone calls and texts have gone unanswered since the early part of February. They haven’t responded to our attorney’s email, either. For 27 years, we have paid our rent on time every single month. The only thing I can assume is that they don’t want us as a tenant anymore.” The landlord, TRG, could not be reached for comment. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.