Porcupine Soup reports that the First Reformed Church in Athens is getting a $6,000 grant from the New York Landmarks Conservancy to help fund fascia and gutter repairs. Peg Breen, president of The New York Landmarks Conservancy, said, “Our grants help maintain historic religious institutions that often anchor their communities.... Our recent grantees have food, cultural and outreach programs that reach well beyond their congregations.” The First Reformed Church of Athens was built between 1825 and 1826. The church is active with a congregation of 350, and hosts the Hudson River Handbell concerts, and the Athens and Coxsackie Community Band’s annual Christmas concert, classical music concerts, and an annual Halloween Haunted House Tour. Read more about this story at Porcupine Soup.

Today's daily news audio update.

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

Nick Reisman reports for Spectrum News that on July 17 State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's office reported the state took in almost $7 billion less in the first quarter of the fiscal year in 2023 then New York received in the same quarter last year. State revenue from personal income taxes fell $7.1 billion in the first fiscal quarter of 2023. Mid-Hudson News reports that DiNapoli has now issued a report warning that the state’s deficit could climb to $36 billion by 2027 if lawmakers don’t change their spending policies. DiNapoli’s deficit report says, “Our position is that you shouldn’t be spending all of those reserves to balance the gaps.... The deteriorating fiscal outlook is rooted in several factors, including anticipated revenue declines from a weakening economy and a volatile stock market, and increases in recurring spending.” DiNapoli also warned that recent weather events will likely cost the state more in rebuilding costs. Read more about this story at Spectrum News.

WTEN reports that the Ulster County Legislature unanimously adopted the “Drag is Not a Crime Act” on July 18, to protect drag performers. The Act adds gender expression to the Ulster County Human Rights Law. Ulster County Legislature Vice Chair Peter Criswell said, “By passing this proposed local law, we are announcing to the country that Ulster County is a welcoming place for everyone to live and express themselves, as they truly are without fear of discrimination.... I am grateful to those who gave public comment, sent emails, letters, and postcards, and called their legislator in favor of this law.” Recently the Woodstock Library held a drag story hour, which went on after the board mulled complaints that did not want the show to go on. Read the full story at the WTEN website.

Roger Hannigan Gilson reports for the Times Union that after a group filed a Federal Election Commission complaint alleging that Rep. Marc Molinaro illegally transferred $2,000 from his former campaign for Dutchess County executive into his current reelection campaign, Molinaro on June 8 returned the money to his dormant Dutchess County campaign account. In April the group End Citizens United filed the complaint, alleging the money transfer violated federal campaign finance law. End Citizens United spokesperson Bawadden Sayed asserts that the return of $2,000 to the Dutchess County campaign committee amounted to Molinaro “shamefully admit(ting) wrongdoing in his own quarterly report.” The Molinaro campaign did not explain the money transfers, with Molinaro campaign advisor Dave Catalfamo saying, “The Molinaro campaign has always and will continue to comply with all state and federal laws.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Paul Kirby reports for the Daily Freeman that Rep. Marc Molinaro said July 18 that he will vote to censure fellow Republican George Santos. Molinaro previously voted against kicking Santos out of Congress. Democrats are expected to introduce a censure resolution into the House soon. Molinaro said, “George Santos should not be a Member of Congress.... I called for his resignation months ago and I’d censure him now.” Republicans have just a four-seat majority in the House of Representatives and don't seem likely to remove one of their members, even with a record of lying like Santos. The Long Island Congressperson has been charged with embezzling money from his campaign, falsely receiving unemployment funds, and lying to Congress about his finances. Molinaro represents the 19th Congressional District. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Today's audio daily news update.

Joshua Solomon reports in the Times Union that on July 18 Gov. Kathy Hochul again said she wants to build more affordable housing despite the recent legislative session not moving forward on her proposals. Hochul wants to give $650 million to “pro-housing” municipalities. Hochul said, “We’re changing how we’re going to do business and we’re sending a very simple message that communities that do their part to build housing will get priorities for funding over those who will not.... How do you like that?” Hochul also ordered a statewide study of the housing issue. Hochul’s order says it is “onerous local government policies that unduly inhibit housing development generally or prohibit the approval of certain housing proposals and thereby increase development costs and restrict the housing supply.” Local governments with “pro-housing” policies would get a leg-up on state dollars for supplementing housing developments, although her order also says other communities will “not be deprioritized.” Housing expert Annemarie Gray, executive director of Open New York, said, “These actions are necessary, important, and yet insufficient to address the scale of our housing crisis.... Nonetheless, we are pleased to see the governor do what she can to make up some ground after Albany’s disastrous and inactive legislative session on housing.” Hochul's plan was to build 800,000 new housing units, but the legislature did not pass any such measure. “We announced this bold plan; the Legislature was not ready for it,” Hochul said. “But I still believe we need a comprehensive solution to meet the scale of the crisis.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Andrea Macko reports for Porcupine Soup that Judge Adam W. Silverman, acting justice of the New York State Supreme Court in Greene County has dismissed the lawsuit filed by a group of Cornwallville residents who alleged that the Durham Town Board failed to acknowledge the adverse environmental impacts of a proposed housing development. The Bosque Development, LLC of Hudson will now get to build 12 high-end homes on 95 acres that border Strong Road and Cornwallville Road. Meave Tooher, an attorney for the group bringing the lawsuit, Cornwallville Residents for Rural Preservation, said she is unsure if they will appeal the dismissal. The story does not say what specific environmental concerns the group bringing the lawsuit had about the development. Read more about this story in Porcupine Soup.

Alex Gault reports for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise that Rep. Elise Stefanik took in nearly $1.2 million in contributions in 2023's second fiscal quarter, far outpacing any rivals. But half of that, $612,658, was from transfers from her other campaign committees and the GOP Battleground fund. Jill A. Lochner is running against Stefanik in a Republican primary election for the 21st Congressional District, and only reported $2,702 in donations last quarter. Steven W. Holden Sr., a Democrat who ran against Congressperson Claudia Tenney in 2022 and recently declared his candidacy for the 21st Congressional District, failed to file any financial disclosures for this election cycle. AT&T, Amazon, Raytheon, the Dairy Farmers of America, a number of groups representing doctors and pharmacists, American Express, and Wells Fargo all donated to Stefanik's campaign. Holden, the Democrat who promises he will take on Stefanik, filed paperwork to run, but his listed campaign website connects to a woodworking blog rather than a campaign page. Stefanik's 21st Congressional District now includes Rensselaer County. Read more about this story in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.

Today's daily news audio update.

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

Nancy Kern reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden is floating the idea of constructing a new $12-$15 million building for the Greene County Mental Health Services clinic. The current building was built in 1883 in Cairo. Groden said, “It’s not falling over. It’s not decrepit. But when a patient in a wheelchair or using a cane comes for an appointment they need to go use the ramp around the back of the building.... Then, they need to stay on the first floor, because there is no way for them to get up the stairs.” The building's air conditioning is 50 window units and it is located in a 100-year flood plain. Greene County Legislator Harry Lennon said the county is also considering a new site for the building, and might move it to a parcel at Routes 23 and 32, which the county is touting as a new large development to bring businesses to the middle of the county. But, unfortunately, that site has wetlands. Groden said, “Do you keep putting your finger in the dyke to keep it operational? At some point you’ve just got to say, It’s time to move on." Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Brendan J. Lyons reports for the Times Union that on July 19 the state Cannabis Control Board is expected to allow cannabis sales at fairs, festivals, concerts, and other events. New York legalized cannabis sales over two years ago, but the Cannabis Control Board has not been able to get many stores open throughout the state. So far, only 20 stores are open in New York. Locally, the nearest is in Rensselaer County. Growers, processors, and retail license holders would get a cut of the proceeds from event sales, under the proposal. Dozens of farmers who received conditional licenses to grow the first cannabis crops for New York’s retail market have been stuck with thousands of pounds of product because of the state's slow rollout of stores. Assemblyperson Donna A. Lupardo, chair of the Assembly’s Committee on Agriculture, said, "I am anxious... to see what rules will need to be followed, hoping they are not too complicated or onerous," Lupardo said of the sales at events. "I would urge the (state Office of Cannabis Management) to move as quickly as possible to help alleviate the cannabis over-supply problem and encourage the governor to greenlight the tribal nations bill.” If approved, it is unclear when cannabis sales at events will begin. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that fire chiefs, assistant chiefs, and company line officers for the Hudson fire department no longer have to live within the city of Hudson. Hudson Fire Chief Shawn Hoffman said, “I’m redoing all of our policies and procedures for the fire department.... Some of the things are outdated. The residency requirements are way outdated.... What’s happening is that half of our fire department doesn’t live in the city of Hudson because of housing costs, no jobs, and other reasons. We had to make those changes and expand the mileage so the guys that don’t live in Hudson can still be officers and chiefs for the future.” Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson said, “This is something that we have been looking at across the board, even with our police force.... It just increases our chance at having a larger pool of potential candidates.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Today's audio daily news update.

Raymond Pignone reports for Columbia-Greene Media that developer Dennis Frascello has filed an Article 78 lawsuit against the Village of Catskill and the Catskill Village Zoning Board of Appeals for denying a variance to convert the former St. Patrick’s Academy into 43 rental units. The former school is in a neighborhood with mostly single-family residential houses with a few multi-family homes. So without a variance, the former school. building could only be turned into another school. Gov. Kathy Hochul and many other local and state officials have identified an affordable housing crisis in the Hudson Valley. But the Zoning Board voted 3 to 1 not to allow the 43 rental units to become available. Village President Peter Grasse III said the zoning board ruled that Frascello did not prove "hardship" to get the variance. The Zoning Board ruled that a 43-unit apartment complex would alter the essential character of the neighborhood and that Frascello self-created his hardship because when he purchased the property in 2017 he knew multi-family housing was prohibited. That second reason would mean no one should buy the property unless they wanted to use it for a school. If the variance was approved, the housing proposal would have gone to the Village of Catskill Planning Board. Instead of new housing in Catskill, taxpayers will be paying lawyers. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Kate Lisa reports for New York State of Politics that the family of Jason Jones is still seeking answers in his 2021 death at the Village of Catskill police station. Jones caught fire when an officer shot him with a Taser after Jones had doused himself with hand sanitizer in the lobby of the Catskill police department. Mary Jo Snyder, Jones's biological mother, said, "I'm trying to move on, you know, but with the investigation still going on, it's kind of hard.... I'm angry about it. I don't see why it's taking so long — it seems like we're all getting the runaround." Investigators with the state attorney general's office met the family last week, but did not provide an update, only telling them that thorough investigations take time. Security camera footage shows Jones covering himself in hand sanitizer, and the officers setting him on fire with the Taser. It also shows the officers running away when he catches fire, instead of helping Jones. The Taser shot led to severe third-degree burns, and Jones died weeks later in the Clark Burn Center at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital. Snyder said, "I'm pretty sure they were taught that when you have alcohol base on your skin, don't use a Taser.... Retraining is good, they should retrain everyone, but when this incident happened, they [the officers] were already trained. ...They should be charged. I just hope Jason gets some justice for this because this should have never happened." Officials with the Catskill Police Department and the state attorney general's office declined to comment on the ongoing case on July 17. Kevin Luibrand, a lawyer with Luibrand Law Firm PLLC, represents Jones' family and said, "I've done this almost 40 years — I know things take time, but this is now at the almost 20-month mark with a video.... With a case that's not real complicated, it's fairly simple, and a decision has not even been made as to what to do with the case?" Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Andrea Macko reports for Porcupine Soup that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is now doing aerial surveys of the Hudson Valley to find out how bad the damage to local forests is from spongy moth caterpillars. The winged nuisances, formerly called Gypsy Moths, have been seen locally in large numbers this summer. In Round Top, Cairo, and Coxsackie, specifically, swarms have been reported. According to the Cornell Cooperative Extension, “The caterpillars feed on leaves of the forest, shade, ornamental and fruit trees, and shrubs. A single defoliation can kill some evergreens, but usually, two or more defoliations are needed to kill hardwoods." Rachael Ashley, manager at Story’s Nursery in Freehold, has not noticed too many moths there but says, “I have had lots of calls from Round Top and the mountain areas.” They recommend two chemical sprays, Bacillus Thuringiensis and Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew to combat the moths. The Cornell Cooperative Extension recommends the “crush and brush” approach, saying, “During its pupal stage [spongy moth] can be crushed or brushed into a container of soapy water to prevent them from making it to the adult stage.... Adult spongy moths appear within two weeks. Adult females (pale colored) have limited mobility and can also be crushed or brushed into a container in soapy water. Since each female can easily lay upwards of 1,000 eggs, eliminating adult female moths could help prevent future problems." Read the full story in Porcupine Soup.