DOWNLOAD or PLAY the audio version of the local news headlines for Fri., Aug. 4 (7:10). (Produced by Philip Grant.)

Richard Moody is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the Greenport Town Board Wed., Aug. 2, adopted a new law that will establish a Payment in Lieu of Taxes program for large-scale alternative energy systems. The amount to be paid will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on the project's property assessment, and any company looking to build a large-scale facility, such as solar arrays and wind farms, would have to agree to specified PILOT before the town planning board can give the go-ahead. Under state Real Estate Law Section 487, the developer of an alternative energy source is exempt from taxes for the first 15 years of use. Towns can opt out, but it is an all-or-nothing proposition. “We do not want to tell solar and wind to stay out,” said Greenport Town Supervisor Edward Nabozny. “They can build arrays here, but they will have to pay their fair share.” Greenport's new law will exclude rooftop and small arrays and wind turbines, Nabozny said. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.

The Daily Freeman is reporting speeders and aggressive drivers are the target of the state police “Speed Week” initiative running through Tue., Aug. 8. State police will use marked and unmarked cars as part of the operation. Speeding is listed as a contributing factor in nearly one-third of all fatal crashes in New York state, according to police. During Speed Week last year, state police issued more than 21,600 traffic tickets statewide, including 10,500 for speeding. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Matthew Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announced Thu., Aug. 3, he will not seek the 19th Congressional District seat in 2018. Hein said in a statement there is no question that sweeping change must take place in Washington, and that he will also work diligently to ensure that a Democrat takes the seat next time around. Hein said he shares the “profound concern and frustration about the current direction of our country” that millions of Americans feel. He said the "divisive tone, irresponsible behavior and harmless policies" coming from Washington threaten to undermine the foundation of our democracy. Eight Democrats have already entered the field for 2018. The seat is currently held by Kinderhook Republican John Faso. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

The Albany Times Union reports that a CSX train carrying hazardous materials bound for Selkirk in Albany County careened off the tracks in Pennsylvania Aug. 2. The train caught on fire, and the entire town of Hyndman, about 100 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, was evacuated. One car containing liquid petroleum gas, and one containing molten sulfur leaked and caught fire. Investigators are looking to determine the cause of the accident. Read the full story in The Albany Times Union.

David Klepper reports in the Albany Times Union that New York state will turn over some voter information to President Donald Trump's commission investigating voter fraud, because the information is available to anyone under the state's open records laws. Governor Andrew Cuomo initially said the state would not comply with the request. But on Aug. 2 the state's Board of Elections voted to provide voter names, birthdates, addresses, and voting history, since anyone is entitled to those public records. Social Security numbers and criminal history will not be revealed because of state laws on voter privacy. "The data will be sent out this afternoon," said John Conklin, a spokesman for the Board of Elections. "We had no lawful reason to deny it." Cuomo still sounded defiant after the board agreed to turn over the data. "We will never provide private voter information to anyone, especially a politically-motivated organization seeking to perpetuate the myth of voter fraud," Cuomo said. Read the full story in the Albany Times Union.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation hosts the sixth annual Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count Saturday with local fish counters in Coxsackie, Staatsburg, and Castleton-on-Hudson. The public is invited to count the more than 200 fish species that live in or visit the Hudson River. Volunteers collect fish using seine nets, minnow traps, or rods and reels, count them, and release them. Local sites include:
• Staatsburg in Dutchess County at Norrie Point. 10 a.m.-noon; seining next to Environmental Center; Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve Kingston Kingston Point Beach: 5 p.m.; seining; Hudson River Estuary Program.
• Coxsackie at Riverfront Park. 10 a.m.-noon; seining at Riverside Festival, near boat launch; Hudson River Estuary Program /Capital District Marine Aquarists Society.
• Castleton-on-Hudson at Schodack Island State Park. 10 a.m.-noon; seining at boat launch; River Haggie Outdoors/Rensselaer Land Trust.

Route 385 in Coxsackie will be blocked off for about two weeks while the New York Department of Transportation replaces a drain between Hollister St. and Church St. starting Aug. 7, according to the Coxsackie Fire Department. A car detour will use Sutton Place, Farm to Market Road, Stacy Road, and Sunset Boulevard, with trucks using Routes 9W and Route 23.

Local weather forecast:
TODAY : A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain and frequent lightning. Partly sunny. High near 84. Friday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain and frequent lightning. Mostly cloudy. Low around 69.

FORECAST FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS:
SATURDAY: Showers and thunderstorm likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny. High near 79. Saturday night, partly cloudy. Low around 55.
SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. High near 75. Sunday night, a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 58.

Sunrise today: 5:52 a.m.
Sunset today: 8:10 p.m.
LENGTH OF THE DAY: 14:17 hrs.

PUBLIC MEETINGS
Today is the first Friday of the month.

WGXC is unaware of any recurring public meetings scheduled for today

POLITICAL EVENTS
Weekly events:
Citizen Action HV Action Night, 5:30 p.m., every Tuesday at 7 Grand Street, Kingston. Information at hudsonvalley@citizenactionny.org, or facebook.com/HVCitizenActionNY.
New Paltz Climate Action Coalition, 5 p.m., every Thursday at New Paltz Village Hall, 23 Plattekill Ave., New Paltz. Information at (845) 419-3786 or newpaltzclimateaction@gmail.com.
Faso Friday, 12 p.m., every Friday at U.S. Rep. John Faso's District Office, 2 Hudson Street, Kinderhook. Information at erinpersists@gmail.com.

DOWNLOAD or play the audio version of the local news update for Wednesday, August 3 (3:15). (Produced by Alanna Medlock.)