Some of the stories that made the news Fri., May 15 through Sun., May 17

Chris Bragg reported at Capitol Confidential Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Fri., May 15, an initiative aimed at ensuring transgender individuals statewide gain equal access to medical care. The AG’s Civil Rights Bureau will begin providing hospitals and medical centers with programming informing them of legal requirements for treating transgender people, as well as best practices for providing that care. A 2011 national survey conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force found 24 percent of transgender people had been denied equal treatment in a doctor’s office or hospital, the AG’s office said. In response to the announcement, a spokesman for the Greater New York Hospitals Foundation said its member hospitals are committed to promoting the best standards of care and treatment for transgender patients, and proud to work alongside the AG's office on this issue.

The Daily Freeman reported Columbia-Greene Community College held its 43rd annual commencement ceremony Sat., May 16. This year 372 candidates were awarded 376 degrees and certificates. Honors Studies Certificate Program awards were presented to Hannah Weinstein-Kastanos of Athens, Jhori Jurgenson of Kinderhook, and Marion Coyne of Round Top. The Life Long Learning Award was presented to Judy B. Grunberg, former director of the Columbia County Council on the Arts. And Cindy D’Esposito of Cairo received the 16th annual Alumni Award. That award is presented to a member of the graduating class who has made significant contributions to either the college or the community.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] Sgt. Henry Johnson[/caption]

John Mason reported in the Register Star the White House announced Thu., May 14, President Barack Obama will posthumously confer the country's highest military award, the Medal of Honor, on World War I veteran and former Hudson resident, Henry Johnson. The ceremony will take place June 2. According to local historian Joseph D’Onofrio, Johnson’s mother is listed in early directories as living in a house on Columbia St. Although Johnson was born in Virginia, he lived in Hudson with his mother for a time. Johnson served in a segregated Army, as a Harlem Hellfighter. During his tour of duty he single-handedly fought off an enemy patrol. Although Johnson was awarded the war cross by the French government for his bravery, he was snubbed by his own government upon his return home. He died in Illinois in 1929.

Michael Ryan reported in the Windham Journal indicted Windham town supervisor Stacy Post is challenging the constitutionality of the search warrant that led to her arrest in January. Post has been charged with 30 counts of felony eavesdropping and official misconduct. Greene County Judge Charles Tailleur, who recused himself from the case last week, issued the search warrant based on information provided by a state police investigator. Post argues there was no probable cause to issue the warrant. She is accused of paying a part-time computer technician to install surveillance software on a computer in her town hall office, which recorded video and audio recordings of private conversations of Windham officials, town employees and civilians.