The U.S. Drought Monitor released its latest report Dec. 8, with no change locally. "Extreme drought persisted across the region," the report said, with most of Columbia, Dutchess, and Ulster counties categorized in severe drought, and Greene, Albany, Rensselaer, and Schoharie counties in moderate drought, and Delaware County listed as abnormally dry. In the past month the Hudson Valley has received slightly more precipitation than normal, but less than normal since September.