Today's audio daily news update.

Victor Mather and Matthew Haag in The New York Times reports that Amtrak train service on the line between New York City and Albany remained disrupted for a second day with structural issues in a parking Manhattan garage halting the trains. Amtrak service between Pennsylvania Station in New York and the Croton-Harmon station in Westchester County was stopped because of problems with the garage. Amtrak says it does not know when the building owner will fix the problems, so it is unknown when normal train service will resume. Metro-North trains are still running between Grand Central Terminal and Croton-Harmon, and Amtrak tickets are being honored on that line. Read more about this story in The New York Times.

Roger Hannigan Gilson reports in the Times Union that the first local cannabis stores have finally opened after the state legalized the drug more than two and a half years ago. But the two stores in Hudson are only temporary pop-up shops operating only until the end of the year. Gotham Dispensary’s pop-up store is on Front Street, and Legacy Dispensers are selling cannabis on Union St. In October, New York officials opened up licensing for temporary pop-up shops to sell some of the cannabis that has been piling up with few stores officially open. So far, the only other official cannabis stores open nearby are in Albany and Rensselaer County. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Kathleen Moore reports in the Times Union that a Blue Ribbon Commission told the Board of Regents its recommendation on how to change high school graduation requirements on Nov. 13. The commission wants students to have more ways to graduate from high school, besides passing Regents exams. The state has been giving regents exams for 145 years, but they were not required until the mid-'90s and now all students have to pass five Regents exams to graduate. In recent years students have been allowed to substitute the fifth Regents exam with a career-and-technical education program or a project in arts or civics. But New York is one of only seven states in the country requiring passage of similar exams to graduate. The commission recommended no longer requiring specific courses, including algebra, and instead said students should be able to show competency in some STEM topic – which includes science, technology, engineering and math, and that students should be able to graduate early if they show competency. Commission member Sagrario Rudecindo-O’Neill said, “The commission placed a great deal of interest in increasing student flexibility. This would provide students with more opportunities to meet graduation requirements.... Increase the number of elective courses that may be used to fulfill credit requirements.” 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 Amtrak service has been suspended between New York City and Albany since Nov. 12 because of "safety concerns stemming from structure issues of a non-Amtrak, privately owned building above the Empire Line Tracks in New York City." The problem is with a parking garage on West 51st Street in Manhattan. Amtrak is giving out very little information about when trains will run again. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Michael Ryan reports for the Mountain Eagle that Windham Town Board members on Nov. 8 made Greene County native Richard Selner the new Windham police chief. Selner replaces Tor Tryland who retired last month. Selner takes over the part-time role with 20 years of local law enforcement history. Selner said, “I have the experience to do this job and I am familiar with this area. This is a beautiful area. I have worked the whole mountain top with the sheriff’s office.” Selner more recently worked as a welfare fraud investigator for Greene County Department of Social Services. Read more about this story in the Mountain Eagle.

Mid-Hudson News reports that Democrats took the District Attorney positions in three Hudson Valley county elections. In Dutchess County, the news outlet says Anthony Parisi is the first Democrat to ever be elected to the position. In In Ulster County, Democrat Manny Nneji, the Chief Assistant District Attorney beat Michael Kavanagh, a Republican. And in Columbia County, Chris Liberati-Conant was elected District Attorney. Now the Democrats there control the DA’s Office, Sheriff, Coroner, and both judgeships with Republicans elected to the County Clerk and County Treasurer seats. Just two years ago, the Republicans controlled every countywide office in Columbia County. Liberati-Conant said, “We’re here to make the District Attorney’s office a place of transparency, fairness, and accountability for all,” adding “Together we’ll forge a path that truly serves the people of Columbia County, no matter their background or circumstances.” Read more about this story at 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.

On Nov. 7, New York's Hudson Valley Congressional representatives split their votes on whether to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib. Republican Reps. Marc Molinaro and Elise Stefanik and Democrat Pat Ryan voted with the majority, 234-to-188 to censure the Michigan Democrat, "for promoting false narratives regarding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the State of Israel." Democrat Paul Tonko did not vote to censure Tlaib. Only four Republicans voted against the measure, and 22 Democrats, including Ryan, voted for the censure measure that was brought by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Tlaib is the first Palestinian-American woman to serve in Congress. After the vote, she said on the House floor, "The idea that criticizing the government of Israel is antisemitic sets a very dangerous precedent, and it’s been used to silence diverse voices speaking up for human rights across our nation.”

Spencer Conlin reports for New York State of Politics reports that protesters who want a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war held a "die-in" on Nov. 9 outside Rep. Paul Tonko's Albany office. Members of Upper Hudson Peace Action and Jewish Voice for Peace held a "die-in" at the Democrat’s office. The protesters wanted Tonko to sign onto a Ceasefire Now resolution in the House. Jewish Voice for Peace organizer Karen Carmeli said, “A ceasefire is the bare minimum that we can do stop killing civilians.... We need to stop killing civilians immediately.” So far, Tonko supports a humanitarian pause, which ceasefire advocates say is not enough. Tonko was mum on Thursday, but one of his representatives released a statement that said, “Congressman Tonko’s top concerns are avoiding further deaths of innocent civilians and facilitating the return of all hostages.... Which is why he has called for a immediate stop to the violence in Gaza and continues to call for aid workers to be allowed to deliver the food, water, medical care and resources needed in Gaza.” Protesters panned Tonko's statement. Carmeli said, “Giving them water, giving them a little bit of something to eat and then continuing to bomb them with weaponry that is provided by the U.S. government, using U.S. taxpayer dollars is unconscionable.” Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Mid-Hudson News reports that several hundred people rallied outside Rep. Pat Ryan’s Kingston office on Nov. 10, asking him to support a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas. Many in the crowd also want the U.S. to stop sending taxpayer money to Israel to pay for the war. The terrorist group Hamas attacked Israeli citizens on Oct. 7, in horrific acts of violence. Since then, all sorts of civilians have been injured or killed in the conflict. Mie Inouye, a member of Mid-Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America, said, “We grieve every life that has been lost in this conflict, including Israeli and Palestinian lives.... Our point is we are against war and we want to put an end to the violence and we believe that what Israel is doing in Palestine, which is they have killed over 10,000 people, half of them children, is not going to bring peace to the region, in fact, it is just going to perpetuate the cycle of violence.” Felice Gelman, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace – Hudson Valley, said she is “deeply disappointed to see my congressman line up with the same militarists who brought us the Iraq war. Didn’t he learn anything from serving?” Ryan, on social media, wrote that “Our ally, Israel, is surrounded by enemies who seek to destroy it. It has both the right and the responsibility to defend itself and its people – including rescuing hostages, reasserting control of its border, and establishing deterrence against future attacks.” Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

Mike Goodwin reports in the Times Union that Rep. Elise Stefanik filed a legal complaint on Nov. 10 against state Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, who is currently presiding over Donald J. Trump’s civil fraud trial. Stefanik claims that Engoron has shown “inappropriate bias and judicial intemperance” while judging the case about Trump's business fraud, where he claimed properties were larger and worth more than they actually were on legal documents. Stefanik wrote that Engoron “has displayed a clear judicial bias against the defendant throughout the case, breaking several rules in the New York Code of Judicial Conduct.” But to prove her point she quotes the judge without context, Stefanik makes it sound as if the judge was talking about his own opinion, when he was clearly speculating out loud what the prosecution's opinion might be. Stefanik also cited evidence from Zillow.com in her complaint. Stefanik's complaint to the Commission on Judicial Conduct could lead to a warning, public admonition, censure, or removal from the bench. While the Trump case in question is in civil court, the former president also faces criminal cases that accuse him of concealing his possession of classified documents after he left office, trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat, and paying hush money to cover up a sex scandal. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Today's audio daily news update.

Mid-Hudson News reports that several hundred people rallied outside Rep. Pat Ryan’s Kingston office on Nov. 10, asking him to support a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas. Many in the crowd also want the U.S. to stop sending taxpayer money to Israel to pay for the war. The terrorist group Hamas attacked Israeli citizens on Oct. 7, in horrific acts of violence. Since then, all sorts of civilians have been injured or killed in the conflict. Mie Inouye, a member of Mid-Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America, said, “We grieve every life that has been lost in this conflict, including Israeli and Palestinian lives.... Our point is we are against war and we want to put an end to the violence and we believe that what Israel is doing in Palestine, which is they have killed over 10,000 people, half of them children, is not going to bring peace to the region, in fact, it is just going to perpetuate the cycle of violence.” Felice Gelman, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace – Hudson Valley, said she is “deeply disappointed to see my congressman line up with the same militarists who brought us the Iraq war. Didn’t he learn anything from serving?” Ryan, on social media, wrote that “Our ally, Israel, is surrounded by enemies who seek to destroy it. It has both the right and the responsibility to defend itself and its people – including rescuing hostages, reasserting control of its border, and establishing deterrence against future attacks.” Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

Luke Parsnow reports for New York State of Politics that for the Veteran's Day holiday Gov. Kathy Hochul signed several bills for New Yorkers who previously served in the armed forces. Among the new laws announced on Nov. 10, veterans and members of a Gold Star family tree now get free admission to state parks, historic sites and recreational facilities in the state. Other new laws ease regulations and paperwork for veterans, and provide some economic benefits.... We owe a debt of gratitude to the veterans who risked their lives to serve our country,” Hochul said in a statement. “This legislation will provide resources and support to New York’s veterans, honoring their service and recognizing their heroism.” Read more about this story in New York State of Politics.

Mike Goodwin reports in the Times Union that Rep. Elise Stefanik filed a legal complaint on Nov. 10 against state Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, who is currently presiding over Donald J. Trump’s civil fraud trial. Stefanik claims that Engoron has shown “inappropriate bias and judicial intemperance” while judging the case about Trump's business fraud, where he claimed properties were larger and worth more than they actually were on legal documents. Stefanik wrote that Engoron “has displayed a clear judicial bias against the defendant throughout the case, breaking several rules in the New York Code of Judicial Conduct.” But to prove her point she quotes the judge without context, Stefanik makes it sound as if the judge was talking about his own opinion, when he was clearly speculating out loud what the prosecution's opinion might be. Stefanik also cited evidence from Zillow.com in her complaint. Stefanik's complaint to the Commission on Judicial Conduct could lead to a warning, public admonition, censure, or removal from the bench. While the Trump case in question is in civil court, the former president also faces criminal cases that accuse him of concealing his possession of classified documents after he left office, trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat, and paying hush money to cover up a sex scandal. 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.

Timmy Facciola reports for the Times Union that Rep. Pat Ryan says his 18th Congressional District includes two families with relatives who were taken hostage by Hamas at the beginning of the war with Israel. The war has Ryan pulled all sorts of ways by constituents and donations. Many people showed up at two recent protests calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War on Oct. 25 in Poughkeepsie and on Nov. 9 in Kingston. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC has gave Ryan nearly $26,000 to his 2022 congressional campaign. On the hostages Ryan said, "Two families in the district have relations currently held by Hamas as hostages. There are about a dozen American hostages; two of them are from Goshen. I’ve been texting and speaking almost daily with the niece of these two individuals, who are 72 and 73 years old. They were out on a morning walk in their kibbutz when they were taken hostage. We think the gentleman, 73, was shot by Hamas terrorists. We have no idea where they are now. The last time their phone was pinged by the Israeli Defense Forces, they were in Gaza. So we’re working night and day, 24/7 to do everything we can to get them home." Ryan also decried what has spilled over from the war into this country. Ryan said, "Now, we’re at near unprecedented levels, at least in my lifetime, of both antisemitism and Islamophobia. We’ve had many more incidences of antisemitism reported to us — not to say that there aren’t others that haven’t been reported.... Personally, my wife and her family are Jewish. It’s very scary talking to rabbis and religious leaders across the district. Their fear about just having their congregations meet for services is unprecedented. It is infuriating and also saddening that we’ve reached this point where we’re pitting American against American. That’s exactly what our adversaries in Iran and in Hamas want." Ryan voted with Republicans Marc Molinaro and Elise Stefanik on a measure put forth by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to censure Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib for making a statement using a phrase many Israelis say is antisemitic. But, in the interview with the Daily Freeman, Ryan refused to disavow an extremely similar statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party. Ryan said, "I’ve not heard him say that. What’s clear to anyone who wants to see a resolution here, who’s studied the history, and who’s followed the facts on the ground, is the only durable solution is a two-state solution, which I certainly remain committed to, which the United States has to remain committed to." Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Spencer Conlin reports for New York State of Politics reports that protesters who want a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war held a "die-in" on Nov. 9 outside Rep. Paul Tonko's Albany office. Members of Upper Hudson Peace Action and Jewish Voice for Peace held a "die-in" at the Democrat’s office. The protesters wanted Tonko to sign onto a Ceasefire Now resolution in the House. Jewish Voice for Peace organizer Karen Carmeli said, “A ceasefire is the bare minimum that we can do stop killing civilians.... We need to stop killing civilians immediately.” So far, Tonko supports a humanitarian pause, which ceasefire advocates say is not enough. Tonko was mum on Thursday, but one of his representatives released a statement that said, “Congressman Tonko’s top concerns are avoiding further deaths of innocent civilians and facilitating the return of all hostages.... Which is why he has called for a immediate stop to the violence in Gaza and continues to call for aid workers to be allowed to deliver the food, water, medical care and resources needed in Gaza.” Protesters panned Tonko's statement. Carmeli said, “Giving them water, giving them a little bit of something to eat and then continuing to bomb them with weaponry that is provided by the U.S. government, using U.S. taxpayer dollars is unconscionable.” Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Carina Dominguez reports for News10 in Albany that New York's Division of Criminal Justice Services said on Nov. 9 that the number of violent crimes have dropped in the first half of this year compared to 2022. The number of murders outside New York City is down 27 percent, while rapes are down 16 percent, and the number of robbery and aggravated assault cases are also lower. Those are the facts. The opinions, though, are the opposite, with an October Siena Research Institute poll finding 59 percent of voters saying crime has gotten worse over the last year. A spokseperson for the City of Albany said, “While crime is down, we sometimes hear that people feel unsafe when approached by those panhandling or suffering from mental illness and substance abuse.” Read more about this story at News10.

Today's audio daily news update.