On Oct. 3 Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) voted for the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would ban abortion for women after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The bill passed 237-189, with only two Republicans voting against, and three Democrats voting for the legislation. Vox reports, "The House bill makes a number of claims that contradict scientific consensus." Cases of rape, incest, or a threat to the life of the mother are exempt from the ban, which now moves to the U.S. Senate, where it will need 60 votes.

The Mid-Hudson News Network reports that Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, who represents New York's 18th District, will be back in the 19th District of John Faso later this month. Earlier this year Maloney, a Democrat, held a traditional town hall meeting in Faso's district because the Republican has failed to host any traditional town hall meetings without certain restrictions. Maloney will speak at the annual fall dinner of the Ulster County Democratic Party Oct. 29 at The Chateau in Kingston. Read the full story at the Mid-Hudson News Network website.

Matthew Hamilton reports in the Albany Times Union that New York gets 84 cents back in services and funding from the federal government for every dollar New Yorkers add to the federal budget in taxes. A new report from state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says New York sent $40.9 billion more in tax payments to Washington D.C. than the state received in federal spending in 2016. "Put another way, New York contributed $12,914 per capita in tax revenue to the federal budget and received $10,844 in per capita federal spending," Hamilton writes. New Jersey, North Dakota, and Connecticut got less bang for their bucks per capita, with New York finishing 47th in the country but first in total difference between ledger lines. Read the full story in the Albany Times Union.

Matthew Hamilton reports for the Albany Times Union that with more than $850 million in federal cuts to New York's Disproportionate Share Hospital payments and the Children's Health Insurance Program taking effect Oct. 1, Gov. Andrew Cuomo threatened to bring back the legislature for a special session to address the shortfall. The cuts for hospital care for the uninsured and underinsured and children came as Congress let the programs lapse. "I don't care if you're a Republican congressperson or a Democratic congressperson, this is very simple: Are you more loyal to your political party boss or are you there to represent the people in your district? This hurts people in their districts," Cuomo said. Read the full story in the Albany Times Union.

Lorna Cherot Littleway reports in The Columbia Paper that Taconic Hills School District elementary students showed a five percent gain in English Language skills and a one percent increase in mathematics test scores over 2016. The New York State Education Department scores released in August show among third through eighth graders at the school, 35 percent were proficient in English, and 33 percent were proficient in math. But while Taconic Hills student testing improved in the past year, Taconic Hill’s students were still behind statewide proficiency in English by 5 percent and seven percent in math. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

DOWNLOAD or PLAY the audio version of the local news headlines for Wed., Oct. 4 (4:39). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

Pat Doxsey is reporting in the Daily Freeman U.S. Rep. John Faso is taking heat on Facebook for accepting NRA money in the wake of the Las Vegas mass shooting that killed 59 people and left hundreds injured. The Kinderhook Republican Tue., Oct. 3, called for better mental health screening of people looking to buy guns and said “it is worth” taking a look at how the shooter in the Las Vegas massacre got the device that enabled him to convert a semiautomatic weapon to a fully automatic one. Before considering any new legislation, though, Faso said he wants to know more about the man who is responsible for the massacre. On his Facebook page Monday, Faso called the shooting an “evil and senseless act” and said his “thoughts and prayers are with the people of Las Vegas and all of the victims and their families in this trying time.” His post prompted a deluge of responses, most criticizing the congressman for taking campaign contributions from the National Rifle Association and calling on him to support gun control. In a telephone conversation with the Daily Freeman Tuesday, Faso said he was aware of the comments posted to his Facebook page and that he pays attention “to all my constituents.” He also said he has yet to take a position on proposed legislation that would allow the use of silencers on guns. Following the Las Vegas shootings, the so-called Hearing Protection Act was pulled from the House agenda indefinitely. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Richard Moody is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the office of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli Tue., Oct. 3, released a report, which found that the state Thruway Authority lacks the security required to protect credit card data. According to the audit, the authority does not have updated security measures for credit card data and does not meet state security standards, which puts motorists who pay tolls or E-Z Pass charges on their credit cards at risk. From March 1 through June 5, the authority directly processed approximately 66,000 credit card transactions totaling more than $1.4 million. The authority accepts in-person credit card payments for E-Z Pass tags. It also takes payments over the phone or online for unpaid tolls, accident reports, oversized truck permits, commercial accounts and other costs. The audit found the authority is not in compliance with State Data Security Standards, identified weaknesses in its security systems protecting cardholders’ data and also noted management was unaware of the security weaknesses. In its response, the authority generally dismissed the concerns and recommendations contained in the audit, saying it was already in the process of implementing the items on the comptroller’s list of recommendations. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

Claire Gilbert is reporting in The Columbia Paper the Ghent Town Board took note at its public meeting last week of the desperate need for volunteers to serve at the town food pantry and Meals on Wheels. In the month of July approximately 80 families were served through the pantry and new customers are being added each month. Food pantry volunteers are needed 9 a.m. until noon, Monday through Thursday. Volunteers for Meals on Wheels are required Monday through Friday until 11 a.m. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer is asked to call Town Clerk Michelle Radley, at 518 392 4644 or to stop by Ghent Town Hall located on Route 66 in the hamlet.

Larry Rulison is reporting in the Times Union the state Public Service Commission will hold two public hearings next week on Central Hudson Gas and Electric's proposed $61 million gas and electric rate increase. Central Hudson serves parts of Albany, Columbia and Greene counties. Each hearing will allow for a one-hour informational session followed by a session when the public can offer comment on the record about the proposed increase. The public hearings will be held 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., Tue., Oct. 10, at Kingston City Hall, 420 Broadway, Kingston.

Today is Day 1 of the WGXC 2017 Fall 2017 Harvest Pledge Drive. During the coming days, WGXC programmers, volunteers and staff must raise $25,000 to keep WGXC Hands-on Radio on the air, live and local during the coming months. Your support will make all the difference. Call (518) 697-7400 or go online to wgxc.org [slash] donate. Thank you for supporting creative community radio in New York's Greene and Columbia counties.


Local weather forecast:
TODAY : Patchy fog in the early morning. Otherwise, sunny. High near 77. Wednesday night, scattered showers, mainly between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Increasing clouds. Low around 57.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS:
THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. High near 77. Thursday night, a chance of showers, mainly after 2 a.m. increasing clouds. Low around 52.
FRIDAY: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 70. Friday night, a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 54.

Sunrise today: 6:56 a.m.
Sunset today: 6:30 p.m.
LENGTH OF THE DAY: 11:33 hrs.

PUBLIC MEETINGS and POLITICAL EVENTS for Wed., Oct. 4:
Please see the WGXC Community Calendar.

Click here to play or download audio of the Oct. 3 Catskill town meeting recorded from a live WGXC webstream. There were several votes, and much discussion.

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local news update for Tuesday, Oct. 3 (4:49). (Produced by Alanna Medlock.)