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 for the Times Union that New York environmental and health officials say the smoke from Canadian wildfires that returned to the Hudson Valley Monday will begin to slowly dissipate on July 18 but air quality will remain unhealthy for sensitive groups locally. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre says currently there are 580 fires burning out of control, and another 203 are under control. So far this year, winds have shifted three times to blow the smoke into the Hudson Valley. While the earlier smoke came from many fires burning across Ontario and Quebec, this round is coming from western Canada. While it has been wet here lately, Nick Bassill, director of Research and Development at the University at Albany’s Center Of Excellence, which works with the NYS Mesonet, says it is dry in western Canada. “They’re far enough away that they haven’t been in the same muggy and wet pattern we’ve been in,” Bassill said. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Roger Hannigan Gilson reports in the Times Union that counting from April, when Democrat Josh Riley announced his second campaign for the 19th Congressional District, he has outraised Republican incumbent Rep. Marc Molinaro, according to second-quarter Federal Elections Commission figures released on July 17. From April 1 to the end of June Riley outraised Molinaro $787,933 to $606,827, or by about 30 percent. Molinaro has been raising money longer, so he has taken $1,278,612 in his reelection campaign. Riley is refusing donations from corporate political action committees, and nearly 95 percent of Riley’s donations came from individual donors. Molinaro only raised 30 percent of his money from individual donors. Molinaro raised $217,000 from more than 160 political action committees, including the Air Line Pilots Association PAC; Avangrid PAC, a single-corporation clean energy fundraising committee, and the American Crystal Sugar Company PAC, which represents the sugar cane and sugar beet industry. If they win their primary elections, Molinaro versus Riley would be a rematch of the 2022 election in the 19th Congressional District, where Molinaro defeated Riley by a two-point margin, 142,354 votes to 136,071. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that the Columbia County Dwyer Program opened the new Widows Food Bank July 13 on Fairview Ave. in Hudson with a ribbon- cutting ceremony. The new food bank is for veterans, widows of service personnel, and families of veterans. Dwyer Program co-chair Holly Crosby said, “This is an emotional event for me, to be able to recognize veterans and to help them in anyway that we can, is amazing.... This pantry is more than the food that we’re giving — it’s recognition, support and family." Co-chair Patsy Leader said, “We had a veteran that came in yesterday who needed food and hasn’t been out of her home in two months.... She can only eat soft foods because she doesn’t have any teeth. It’s appalling that this is happening to our veterans.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Today's audio daily news update.

Nancy Kern reports for Columbia-Greene Media that the two Tannersville Village trustees who were accused of not living within the village, have resigned. David Gallagher sent a resignation letter July 14, and Kim Thompson told Mayor David Schneider last week that she was leaving office. Resident George Kelly is happy about the decisions. “I was the only one with the gumption to go against these lackeys of the Hunter Foundation.... The village will be better off. It is a relief that justice was served. Laws are laws for a reason.” The state requires village board members to live within village boundaries. Former Mayor Lee McGunnigle has filed a lawsuit questioning Gallagher and Thompson's status as village residents. Gallagher’s attorney Kathleen O’Keefe sent a letter March 13 saying that Gallagher is a resident of the village. Thompson did not provide similar proof. In his resignation letter, Gallagher did not address the controversy, saying instead, “The current board and mayor are interested in doing the right thing and appointing people who will move the village in the right direction, and because I am comfortable with their leadership, I am good with my decision to step down. Tannersville will always be my home.” Read the full story at HudsonValley360.com.

Paul Kirby reports in the Daily Freeman that Republican Hudson Valley representatives voted July 14 for a controversial defense spending bill last week, while the Democrats voted against. Marc Molinaro and Elise Stefanik voted for the bill that would stop military personnel from being reimbursed for travel for out of state abortions. The bill, which Democrats Paul Tonko and Pat Ryan voted against, would also end diversity initiatives in the military. Ryan said, “Far-right extremists just highjacked the (National Defense Authorization Act) to rip away reproductive rights from female soldiers.... These are brave women risking their lives every day to defend our fundamental freedoms. I’ll be standing with my fellow patriots and voting NO on the bill. I was proud to support the NDAA as reported out of committee, which followed the 60+ year precedent of bipartisanship on this crucial legislation. The far-right is risking our national security for selfish, political gain.” Molinaro's statement after the vote ignored the controversial aspects of the bill, and focused on more popular topics. Molinaro said, “(The amendments) are significant wins for our national defense and the well-being of our servicemembers, military families, and veterans.... My measures expand mental health care for our military, support military families with disabilities, and ensure access to quality healthcare.” The U.S. Senate, led by Democrats, will vote on a very different bill, and the two chambers will have to work out the differences. In the House, the vote was 219-to-210, with four Democrats and four Republicans switching sides in a mostly partisan vote. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that former Columbia County Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Jeffrey Hunt could face up to seven years in prison after being convicted by guilty plea July 12 for stealing more than $46,000 from the chamber. Hunt allegedly took the money from the Chamber of Commerce’s credit and debit accounts. He will be sentenced Sept. 25 in Columbia County Court. Hunt quit the Columbia County job after officials noticed financial irregularities, and then became president and CEO of the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce, before being let go because of the Columbia County criminal charges. 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.

The Daily Freeman reports that smoke from Canadian wildfires returns to the Hudson Valley a third time on July 17, with New York's Department of Environmental Conservation issuing an air advisory for the lower Hudson Valley and other regions of the state warning of fine particulate matter. The air quality is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups locally on July 17. The DEC recommends staying indoors to reduce exposure and limiting strenuous activity when air quality is poor. Exposure can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, coughing sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath. Anyone with medical issues such as asthma and heart disease and people with respiratory issues, children and seniors should stay indoors. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.

Roger Hannigan Gilson reports in the Times Union that southeastern Columbia County is now a medical desert, with only one doctor in a five-town area compromising about 120 square miles and the nearest rapid-care clinic in in Greenport, a half-hour drive away. And those five towns that lack medical services — Copake, Hillsdale, Gallatin, Ancram, and Taghkanic — have elderly populations with medical needs greater than the general population. Last year Columbia Memorial Health closed a rapid-care clinic in the area. The Hudson-based hospital also ended all birthing services in 2019. Columbia Memorial Health raised $25,000 in donations from local residents, and got $350,000 in taxpayers money from the state to open the clinic that closed last year. Copake Town Supervisor Jeanne Mettler said the clinic's open hours became sporadic the past few years. CMH spokesperson Bill Van Slyke said the clinic was closed because the hospital was “unable to secure a provider necessary to consistently operate rapid care services at Copake." Van Slyke claims the closure is only temporary and that the clinic was “an important part of CMH and the Albany Med Health System, and we remain committed to its operation.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Matt Martinez reports in The Berkshire Eagle that all the rain that has fallen locally has led to more mowing, mushroom patches, and mosquitos. Chris Horton, superintendent of the Berkshire County Mosquito Control Project, predicts that in about a week, many mosquitoes will be buzzing around locally. Dormant mosquito eggs laid in moist soil in low-lying areas and floodplains and were activated in the rain waters recently. How long it will take for the mosquitoes to develop depends on water depth, temperature, and the amount of food in a specific location. But Horton said all the rain means they are coming soon. “This is a worst-case scenario for us,” Horton said. Removing standing water is the only way to reduce the presence of mosquitoes. Horton's group tests local mosquitoes for Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus but so far, not malaria, which was recently reported in Florida. The arrival of those diseases can't be predicted precisely, but Horton does offer one guess about local conditions. “Mosquitoes will be numerous,” Horton said. “Guaranteed.” 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.

Nancy Kern reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Rep. Marc Molinaro listened to farmers worried about climate change, concerned about milk prices and nervous over reductions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits at a listening session at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. Molinaro said of the progress on the bill, “The work we’re doing is being done in a bipartisan fashion.” Molinaro, a Republican who represents the 19th Congressional District, said that he was raised by a single mother who got Food Stamps, and that he has no plans to make cuts in SNAP in the Farm Bill. But that doesn't mean he doesn't want to add work limits to benefits. “We want the government agencies to return to prioritizing helping people get to independence and not merely having the state process the check,” Molinaro said. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

New York State of Politics reports that Rep. Pat Ryan says it will take some time to clean up all the damage from storms this week that left one woman dead. The lower Hudson Valley, including much of Ryan's 18th Congressional District, were hit hard by the storms on July 9 and 10. He said, “West Point, where I went to school, and the surrounding areas, were the epicenter of the entire storm.... In just a few hours, they had over eight inches of rain, which normally takes an entire season or summer to fall. The area was absolutely overwhelmed.... There are several larger senior apartment complexes, one in particular, where almost all the seniors are without a home – many for potentially months....That’s the thing. This is not going to be a quick clean up. We are in it for the long haul.” And while West Point is asking the Army Corps of Engineers for help, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will help others, and Ryan says he's “marshalling the full force and power of the federal government to get recovery dollars.... We are assessing the damage now. It’s going to be significant, tens of millions of dollars if not more in damage to bridges, roads, homes and businesses." Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Kevin Frey at New York State of Politics reports that New York Democrats say they will attempt to coordinate their elections in 2024, after losing several seats in the House of Representatives in 2022. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said of the cooperation, “It lifts up the entire Democratic brand. It helps the first time candidates with how to get your message out.” Republicans flipped the 19th Congressional District in 2022, and almost won in the 18th District too in the Hudson Valley. Democrats lost six seats in 2022 in the House in districts won by President Joe Biden. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries claims they are focused on reversing that, saying, “I have never seen this level of cooperation and coordination in my time in electoral office." And about cooperation from Gov. Kathy Hochul, Jeffries said, “I’ve never seen this sort of outreach when anyone was governor, even though they always indicated a willingness to be helpful to the congressional delegation.” The House Majority PAC announced in February a $45 million fund to elect Democrats in New York’s congressional contests. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Nick Reisman reports for New York State of Politics that an appeallate court on July 13 sided with Democrats and said congressional lines should be redrawn in New York. In 2022 Republicans flipped several New York Congressional districts their way, helping them regain a majority. Political observers believe if Democrats get the districts redrawn the way they want, they could hold the 18th Congressional District, and flip the 19th District, in 2024 voting. Republican John Faso, who used to represent the 19th District in Congress, said of the Democrats, "They're trying to eliminate a state redistricting plan that has the most competitive districts in the United States of America." Now the case goes to New York's top court, now lead by Gov. Kathy Hochul's recent appointment, Chief Judge Rowan Wilson. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Heather Bellow reports in The Berkshire Eagle voters in West Stockbridge are voting again July 17, after the May 8 election and a May 19 recount ended in a 202-202 tie between Kathleen Keresey and Jon Piasecki for a town board seat. Because only 406 out of the town’s 1,217 registered voters cast ballots in May, Keresey says, “I really think that it’s a get the vote out situation.” A controversy between two neighbors and business owners over noise, zoning, and permits has had tempers high in West Stockbridge recently, and both candidates have said they want to see a return to civil discourse. Voting is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Town Hall gymnasium. Read more about this story in The Berkshire Eagle.

Nancy Kern reports in Columbia-Greene Media that officials in the Town of Coxsackie want Gov. Kathy Hochul to veto a bill that would consolidate local elections to even years, to save money and increase the number of people voting for local offices. Election turnout is much higher in even years, when presidents and Congressional representatives are on the ballot. But Coxsackie Town Supervisor Rick Hanse does not see the benefit of more people voting in Coxsackie elections, saying, “If the proposed legislation is enacted into law, local elections will have to compete with state and federal election campaigns for the attention of voters.” While most observers believe not having elections in odd-numbered years would save money, Coxsackie board member Patrick Kennedy said, “It will put added costs into local elections.” Hanse makes a clearer argument that, “separating local elections from the federal and state election campaign cycles gives voters more time to focus on and better understand important local issues. As the law stands now, town and county candidates can present their positions on issues without having to compete with high profile national and state level campaigns.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.

Mike Randall reports in the Times Herald-Record that after severe storms damaged the area twice in the past week, more bad weather is forecast from July 14 through July 18. The series of rainstorms on the way will include some severe thunderstorms, and could cause more flooding locally. AccuWeather meteorologist Jeff Nordeen said, "There are going to be some damaging winds — 40 to 60 mph at times.... AccuWeather's max forecast for these storms is 70 mph." And hail "can't be ruled out completely," Nordeen said. There could be between 2 and 4 inches of rain falling over the weekend, with as much as 4 to 8 inches in some spots, Nordeen said. So with the ground still saturated by last weekend's storms, flooding could occur with the new rainfall. Read more about this story in the Times Herald-Record.

Today's daily news audio update.

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