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.

Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that the Salvation Army thrift store on Fairpoint Ave. in Greenport closed July 29, after 30 years of discount sales. The Salvation Army Maj. Joy Labbe did not return the newspaper's calls, so it is unknown if a new store could open elsewhere, or what will happen to the ten employees at the now-closed thrift store. The store was the largest thrift shop between Albany and Kingston, and many people shopped their for low-cost clothing and home goods. Mellissa Santos of Greenport said, “I come here often to buy clothes for my kids, and sometimes even myself.... Our family doesn’t have a lot of money, so this store closing is going to hurt us. We are grateful that there is a Goodwill Store and donation store in the plaza next door, so we won’t suffer too much.” Harvey Bautista of Hudson said, "This store is very important for low-income folks. Ever since the start of the pandemic, I come here to buy household items. This place helped me out when I was out of work for a while.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

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.

Amanda Salazar reports for City and State that New York's Republican primary for president is not until April 30, 2024, but two Republican Congressional representatives in the state have already endorsed their picks. Long Island’s George Santos, accused of all sorts of lies, and the North Country’s Elise Stefanik have both endorsed former president Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. The publication surveyed the rest of the Republican New York Congressional delegation, including Marc Molinaro, but they declined to endorse anyone this early in the process. Trump, already indicted in two cases and expecting a third imminent indictment, could be at trial or in jail by the time the primary date approaches. Republican strategist William O’Reilly said, “There’s no benefit whatsoever to endorsing Donald Trump early, and I would expect most Republican members from New York to keep their powder dry as long as humanly possible.... Trump is without doubt the prohibitive favorite in the primary as of today, but there’s an awful lot of time between now and then. I’d expect most endorsements to come just days or weeks before the New York presidential primary next year.” Read the full story in City and State.

Fox News reports that Rep. Elise Stefanik is all in on impeaching President Joe Biden. Stefanik said, "Oh, absolutely. I'm in conversations with Speaker McCarthy and all of our members. The important thing to know about an impeachment inquiry is that ensures that the House is at the apex of its power and oversight responsibility. It means that our subpoenas have the most power possible when it comes to litigating this out in court because we know getting the facts is not going to be easy." Her comments say what impeachment would do for House Republicans, not what Biden did that deserves being impeached. On that issue, she only said something about, "illegal money laundering, the fact that nearly 20 Biden family members have profited illegally." Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said this week that he may consider an impeachment inquiry of Biden over claims of financial misconduct. Stefanik, also a Republican, represents the 21st Congressional District, including Rensselaer County. Other Hudson Valley representatives have not joined calls to impeach Biden. Read more about this story at the Fox News website.

Today's audio daily news update.

Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that Patrick Phelan, executive director of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, denounced Saugerties officials on July 27, for not explaining the reasons for putting Police Chief Joseph Sinagra on paid administrative leave. Phelan said, “Currently, we are waiting for information.... As far as we know there has been no reason given for placing Chief Sinagra on administrative leave.” Sinagra was recently sworn in as President of the NYS Association of Police Chiefs. Phelan said he spoke to Sinagra on July 26 and the chief told him he did not know why the town board put him on leave. Sinagra could not be reached for comment by the newspaper on July 27. The Town Board voted to hire former Police Chief Lou Barbaria as interim chief at $50 per hour. Earlier this month, the state Attorney General’s Office recommended that the Saugerties police department “seek to terminate” Saugerties Police Officer Dion Johnson because of sexual assault and harassment complaints. And, Sinagra’s brother, Philip Sinagra, Jr., a “volunteer officer” with the Saugerties Police Department and a part-time officer in Woodstock, was named in a federal complaint by four Woodstock police officers and a former dispatcher who allege that Woodstock Police Department tolerated sexually charged comments by Sinagra, Jr. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Fox News reports that Rep. Elise Stefanik is all in on impeaching President Joe Biden. Stefanik said, "Oh, absolutely. I'm in conversations with Speaker McCarthy and all of our members. The important thing to know about an impeachment inquiry is that ensures that the House is at the apex of its power and oversight responsibility. It means that our subpoenas have the most power possible when it comes to litigating this out in court because we know getting the facts is not going to be easy." Her comments say what impeachment would do for House Republicans, not what Biden did that deserves being impeached. On that issue, she only said something about, "illegal money laundering, the fact that nearly 20 Biden family members have profited illegally." Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said this week that he may consider an impeachment inquiry of Biden over claims of financial misconduct. Stefanik, also a Republican, represents the 21st Congressional District, including Rensselaer County. Other Hudson Valley representatives have not joined calls to impeach Biden. Read more about this story at the Fox News website.

It has been a summer of plagues in the Hudson Valley, with floods, heat, smoke from Canadian wildfires, and an invasion of spongy moths. Now Mid-Hudson News reports that West Nile virus in mosquitoes has returned to the area. West Nile virus was found in a mosquito pool in the Town of New Windsor, in Orange County this week. So officials are alerting residents to get rid of any standing water they can, as mosquitoes can breed in any stagnant water that lasts more than four days. With all the rain recently, there is a lot of standing water in the Hudson Valley, which means a lot of mosquitoes. Besides eliminating standing water, officials recommend wearing appropriate clothing, and using bug repellent sprays when outdoors. 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.

The Associated Press reports that New York's State Police are breaking a 2019 state law requiring employers to let most workers follow attire or grooming obligations for their religion. State Trooper Charanjot Tiwana, based in Jamestown, requested permission to grow a beard one-half inch long in March of 2022 for his wedding, but was denied. The State Police require troopers to shave and cut their hair short, and Tiwana was told he could not grow a beard because it posed a safety issue regarding the use of a gas mask. His union president, Charlie Murphy, said it amounted to “persecution,” and that Tiwana, who follows the Sikh religion, would also like to wear a turban, but has not asked after not being allowed to grow a beard. Murphy said, “All New Yorkers, including law enforcement officers, must be free from employer oppression when practicing their religion." A State Police spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. Read more about this story in the Associated Press.

Rick Karlin reports in the Times Union that Central Hudson has agreed to pay for an independent monitor to verify and correct billing errors for customers, the state Public Service Commission announced on July 27. Central Hudson also agreed to conduct monthly meter readings a year earlier than planned. Central Hudson will pay up to $750,000 for a third-party monitor to oversee billings through June 2024. Customers should see monthly meter readings by December 2024. The Public Service Commission and Central Hudson also said that the PSC will continue to investigate customer billing complaints. Central Hudson has heard many complaints since it began more estimated readings and fewer meter readings in September 2021. Customers complained about bills that were late, and much larger than usual. Public Service Commission Chair and Department of Public Service CEO Rory M. Christian said, “Customers rightly expect to receive timely and accurate bills for their utility services.... Unfortunately, our investigation and audit found that Central Hudson wasn’t meeting this basic expectation. There is evidence, however, that the company has corrected many of the problems that led to the billing system errors, and our independent monitor will verify that these corrective actions are working and will be sustained.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Andrea Macko reports for Porcupine Soup that Town of Catskill officials believe a law degree is not necessary to be a judge. On July 19 the Catskill town board passed a resolution opposing a bill that would require justices in New York’s 100 highest-volume local courts to be licensed attorneys for at least five years. Catskill Town Supervisor Dale Finch was not sure if his town fits that category but said, “In our estimation the legislation is just a first step. Once implemented there will be a desire by some to expand the legation to include all town courts in the State of New York.” Senator Sean Ryan, who sponsored the bill disagreed, saying, "In towns and villages across the state, the people handing down jail sentences have often never spent a day studying law.... This legislation is a significant criminal justice reform which will help ensure that New Yorkers receive their due process right to appear before a judge who is qualified as an attorney.” New York is one of just eight states currently allowing non-lawyer judges to hand down jail sentences for misdemeanors without the right to a new trial before a lawyer-judge. Read more about this story in Porcupine Soup.

Today's audio daily news update.

Diane Valden reports in The Columbia Paper that Hecate Energy submitted its third response to the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting’s third notice that its application for the Shepherd’s Run Solar project in Copake was incomplete. Hecate Energy, a Chicago-based energy company, wants to build a 60 megawatt solar facility east of the Taconic Hills School District and north of Copake Lake in Craryville. The proposal would include 200,000 solar panels on about 228 acres of an 880-acre property. The proposal has much community opposition, with some lamenting lost property values. Copake Zoning Law would not allow the project, but the state is now bypassing some local regulations to get more renewable energy projects approved. Hecate filed its latest round of materials with the state on June 27, and 60 days from then the state must determine if their application is now complete. Copake Deputy Supervisor Richard Wolf said town officials recently met with state Sen. Michelle Hinchey about the solar proposal. Wolf said, “We discussed our concerns about the proposed size and location of Shepherd’s Run, and then toured the site with Senator Hinchey and her staff. Altogether, we met for more than an hour. When we finished, Senator Hinchey expressed her view that the location was all wrong, noting in particular her concern for the loss of prime farmland. I have forwarded to her information from Hecate’s most recent submission: more than 81% of the ‘to-be-disturbed’ land is designated as prime farmland.” Read more about this story in The Columbia Paper.

David Robinson reports in the Poughkeepsie Journal that health insurance providers in New York want to increase rates by 20.9 percent next year for individuals and 15.3 percent for small group plans. They blame rising prices for health care and drugs, and government taxes on insurance for the proposed increase. New York's Department of Financial Services, which regulates insurers, is looking at the rate proposals and will finalize the 2024 rates in August. In past years, the state agency often reduces the rate increases proposed by insurers. Last year, insurers requested 18.7 percent and 16.5 percent increases, but regulators approved average rate increases of just 9.7 percent for individuals and 7.9 percent for small group plans. The average rates for individual health care plans have gone up 31.4 percent since 2019, with an average yearly increase of about 6 percent. Read more about this story in the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Mid-Hudson News reports that New York's Department of Environmental Conservation and the Open Space Institute announced on July 26 the acquisition of 261 acres adjacent to the Catskill Forest Preserve’s Sundown Wild Forest. The property along the east side of South Mountain in the Town of Olive was purchased by the Open Space Institute and with a $665,500 grant from the state’s Environmental Protection Fund. The Open Space Institute initially bought the property in 2019 from Dr. Sam and Delia Adams, whose family owned the land since the Hardenbergh Patent of the 1700s. The Sundown Wild Forest covers 30,100 acres and includes ten mountains over 2,000 feet tall. 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.

Mid-Hudson News reports that the Saugerties Town Board placed town Police Chief Joseph Sinagra on paid administrative leave on July 26, but did not say why. Sinagra had been the Saugerties police chief since 2012 and was recently sworn in as President of the NYS Association of Police Chiefs. But the town board held an emergency meeting on July 26 that was not publicly posted at least 24 hours in advance to remove Sinagra. Instead, former Saugerties Police Chief Lou Barbaria agreed to lead the department on an interim basis for $50 an hour. Barbaria was chief when the town and Village of Saugerties police departments merged in 2012. Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that the City of Hudson wants to replace the water lines on Robinson Street and North Third Street. So they are applying for funds from the New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, to cover part of the expected $1,026,260 cost. The City of Hudson Department of Public Works says the water mains were last replaced in the early 1900s. Department of Public Works Superintendent Rob Perry said, “We are an old city with old architecture and old infrastructure.... Many of the water mains are over 100 years old, made of cast iron.... In this project we would replace the existing four-inch water main that most certainly has mineral build-up, or tuberculation, which further restricts flow. Also the cast iron degrades over time, making it more prone to breaks.” The city is preparing its grant application for the Aug. 14 deadline, and then will wait for Gov. Kathy Hochul to announce the winners in December. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.