By Patricio Robayo

Experts say the rollback will decrease energy production and add $130 on average to bills by the end of the decade.By Patricio Robayo

Joseph LeDoux is Professor of Neural Science and Psychology at NYU, and Professor of Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone. He’s one of the world’s leading neuroscientists, best known for his groundbreaking work on fear, anxiety, and the brain’s survival circuits. He’s also the author of books including The Emotional Brain and…

As students head back to school at the end of the month, advocates are warning about a new wave of e-cigarettes targeting kids, with some even disguised as everyday objects or with built in video games. Despite crackdowns, more than 1.6 million youth still use e-cigarettes, which can have serious, lasting effects. A press release from the Campaign …

HOST INTRO The New Paltz Community Gardens for Nutrition has been a staple of local growing for 50 years. But now, gardeners are facing a new challenge: climate change. From flooding to shifting seasons, what once was reliable land is becoming harder to farm. Radio Catskill’s Jamie Case brings us to the gardens to hear how members are adapting—and …

A coalition in the Hudson Valley screened the documentary Who Killed Shireen? this past Sunday at the Old Dutch Church in Kingston, NY. Shireen Abu Akleh, the namesake of the documentary, was a Palestinian American journalist. Born in East Jerusalem and raised in New Jersey, Abu Akleh provided award-winning coverage of the West Bank for Al Jazeera …

Well, it's true what they say: bureaucracy takes time. And while judges and politicians draft bills and weigh testimony, life still goes on. In this case, that means homeless teenagers in the Delaware Valley remain tethered to indecision well out of their hands as the center's staff deal with the very circumstances they've dedicated years to preven…

On today’s show we’re taking you to the heart of New Paltz, the Water Street Market, where art meets public health on the side of the road. Artist Ryan Cronin has teamed up with the Ulster County Department of Health for a new campaign called “We are Public Health.” Part roadside art, part community dialogue, and all about rethinking how we communi…

Bill Wiand knows he was abducted by aliens. "Since I was a very, very young boy, they would come, take me out of the house, go through the window. I could actually feel the screen and see the trees glow." He struggled finding people to talk to about instances like these. He asked, " If you went home and told your parents or your husband that you fe…

Sonita Alizada was only 10 years old when her family sold her into marriage. When that deal collapsed, they nearly sold her again—for $9,000. Born in Afghanistan and raised in Iran under strict conditions, Sonita’s future was supposed to be one of silence and servitude. Instead, she found her voice—and used it to fight for the freedom of girls arou…

For the celebration of our 35th year bringing news, culture and NPR to Sullivan County, Radio Catskill put out a call to all local creatives back in May - help us design a logo that will be featured on T-shirts, thank you cards to our listeners, and all of our merchandise. The winning designer was also promised a feature on Radio Catskill. We are s…

Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo speaks to Acting Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck about a growing legal and political clash between two states with vastly different views on reproductive rights: Texas and New York. At the heart of this national controversy is Bruck’s decision—twice—to reject Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s attempt to enforce a…

Radio Catskill’s Jason Dole speaks with New York Focus about New York’s deepening prison staffing crisis. Four months after a mass walkout led to over 2,000 firings, the state remains short 4,700 corrections officers and sergeants—forcing lockdowns, cutting programs, and raising safety concerns across the prison system. https://nysfocus.com/2025/07…

As summer temperatures climb, safety experts are warning families about a persistent and deadly threat: pediatric heatstroke caused by children being left in hot cars. So far in 2025, 15 children have died this way, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Laura Dunn, a Hig…

Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with Times Union Hudson Valley Editor Philip Pantuso about his latest reporting into the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. The conversation dives into allegations of altered accident reports, bulk ammunition purchases delivered to the department, and conflicting claims over whether there’s been an FBI investig…

In New York state, hundreds of individuals are currently incarcerated for second degree murder, even if they were not at the scene of the crime or had no proven intention to commit the crime. It’s all because of the state’s felony murder law that can carry a maximum sentence of twenty-five to life. Prisoners Brain Trust, a multicultural coalition l…

Authorities in Sullivan County say a major cache of illegal weapons, including multiple “ghost guns,” was recovered during a multi-agency investigation that led to the arrest of two Liberty residents. At a press conference Monday, District Attorney Brian Conaty announced felony weapons possession charges against Darrin McCosco, 39, and Kimberly Mur…

July is Disability Pride Month—a time to not only celebrate the contributions of disabled individuals, but also to examine the systemic challenges they continue to face. As Congress debates sweeping changes to Medicare under “One Big Beautiful Bill,” advocates are raising the alarm about exactly what these cuts could mean for the people that rely o…

Governor Hochul announced on June 30th that $75 million will be put into New York's dairy factories. Walton's branch of "Lactalis" is receiving $15 million from that fund. Lactalis, the world's largest dairy company, is giving the money for construction improvements to increase production. In exchange, the state is offering tax incentives through t…

The Woodstock Library may have expanded into a bigger building, but they’re facing big cuts as part of the Trump Administration’s broader cuts to public services. The impact of funding for public libraries would not only be a loss for intellectual curiosity, it would be especially devastating for rural communities. Radio Catskill’s Genevieve Hartne…

Is the U.S. president above the law? That’s what Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo wanted to find out when he spoke to Michael Kirk, an award-winning filmmaker and founding producer of FRONTLINE. Kirk’s latest documentary, Trump’s Power & the Rule of Law, explores how the foundational idea that no one is above the law is being tested like never befo…

The Wurtsboro Founder’s Day Street Fair was held last Saturday, July 12th on Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro, NY. The annual celebration saw one of its biggest years yet with the 200th Anniversary of the village’s naming by William and Maurice Wurts. The street fair included over 100 vendors and featured live music, face painting, a birds of prey exhi…

Votebeat PA reports that the U.S. Justice Department is asking Pennsylvania how it manages voter rolls. Several other states are also facing new scrutiny as the Trump administration refocuses election-law enforcement. Carter Walker explains that some elections officials and observers are wary because of the larger context in which this effort is oc…

New York is staring down billions in lost federal funding for Medicaid and food assistance over the next decadeBy Patricio Robayo

The public now has access to crucial data about air quality around Hudson Valley. Bard College has partnered with an environmental justice group, “JustAir,” to install sensors and publish the data in real time. Before this initiative, only government agencies could view the data without a formal request and it was being measured from farther away. …

Radio Catskill's Jaime Case explores the intersection of biodiversity, conservation, and native plants with environmentalist and landscape designer Carolyn Summers. In this conversation, Summers shares insights from her ambitious 20-year project, Flying Trillium, located on a 100-acre property in Sullivan County. The project serves as both a living…

Camille O'Brien represented the Catskills this Independence Day on Coney Island for a great American tradition, Nathan's annual hot dog eating contest. O'Brien ate six and a half weiners in just ten minutes, placing eleventh out of thirteen women. At the weigh-in on July 3rd, O'Brien was feeling starstruck, surrounded by the biggest names in profes…

Jeffersonville’s Camille O’Brien is heading to Brooklyn this July 4 to compete in one of America’s most iconic eating competitions — the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island. “I can’t even believe it,” said O’Brien. “I actually signed a contract yesterday with Major League Eating, so technically I’m a professional ea…

The story of Sullivan County’s growth and transformation begins along the banks of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. In a recent conversation with Radio Catskill, Fiona Feltman, Assistant Parks Director for Sullivan County, spoke with Patricio Robayo about the D&H Canal Interpretive Center in Summitville. The center highlights the history of the canal…

Statewide spending on hotels has more than tripled in recent years. The shift away from shelters has prevented families from accessing services like child care and help finding housing. Read more here: https://nysfocus.com/2025/06/24/new-york-homelessness-hotelsBy Patricio Robayo

For Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Radio Catskill's Patricio Robayo speaks with keynote speaker and entrepreneur Kevin Green. From Division 1 athletics to fine dining and an appearance on the Food Network’s Chopped, Green’s journey is one of resilience and reinvention. He shares his personal story of facing burnout, divorce, and career shifts…

Author Patricia Grayhall joins Radio Catskill’s Jamie Case to discuss her new book, A Place for Us, an autofictional account of her search for a country where she could legally live with her British partner—years before the United States extended immigration rights to same-sex couples. At the heart of her story is a message to queer youth: “Love wi…

Sweeping changes are coming to a massive program that aims to bring high-speed internet to everyone in the U.S., after the Trump administration rejected one of the initiative’s key policy goals. The new rules for the $42.5 billion program change the way states will evaluate competing proposals, which areas are eligible for funding, and how long sta…

The solar power industry is increasing its presence in the Catskills. This rise is accompanied by debates over land use and accusations of predatory marketing tactics. Pennsylvania, specifically, is in the midst of a heated legal battle. First lies the question of where to put large solar farms. The vast open spaces suited for them are commonly far…

In a stunning political shift, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani’s decisive victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary has not only toppled former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s attempted comeback but also stirred speculation about the future of Democratic politics across New York State. Speaking with Jason Dole on Radio Catskill’s Local Edition, D…

What do a half-eaten batch of brownies and a grassroots movement have in common? In this episode, Mariabella Todaro, founder and CEO of “Millions of Butterflies,” shares how one spontaneous moment sparked a community-powered effort to fight hunger in Ulster County. Relying on the heart of a town that shows up, Todaro discusses accomplishments and e…

The bill package will now head to Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk, and she could either sign, veto, or scale it back through amendments to the legislation. Amid one of the most chaotic years for New York’s prison system in recent memory, the state legislature passed a limited omnibus prison reform bill Thursday night, hours before one of its chambers …

This fall, the State of New York is launching SUNY Reconnect, a tuition free program for all SUNY Community Colleges for adult learners with no prior degree between the ages of 25-55. As the cost of higher education increases exponentially year after year, New York state is taking steps towards making the pursuit of an education more accessible and…

Today, on Juneteenth, we celebrate the generations of Black Americans whose contributions have shaped our country’s history. In New York’s Catskills region, community leaders and public officials took the day to recognize important Black leaders in our community. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar was at the Sullivan County’s legislative meeting on Jun…

With four confirmed cases of measles recently reported in neighboring Orange County and over 1,000 cases nationwide this year, local health officials are urging residents to take action to prevent a wider outbreak. Dr. Jodi Galaydick, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist with Garnet Health Doctors, emphasized the highly contagious na…

As June marks Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Association is amplifying efforts to educate the public on the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, with new data revealing that over 7 million Americans are currently living with the disease—a number projected to double by 2060. Speaking with Radio Catskill, Dr. Carl V. Hill…

The City of Middletown became the latest upstate city to adopt a local 'Good Cause Eviction' law, which protects tenants against eviction without justifiable cause and from predatory rent increases. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with For the Many's Brahvan Ranga and Vanessa Cid just hours before the Middletown Common Council adopted the legi…

By Patricio Robayo As millions prepare to celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday, mental health professionals are calling attention to a lesser-known reality facing thousands of new fathers: paternal postpartum depression. Often overshadowed by maternal mental health discussions, paternal postpartum depression affects approximately 1 in 10 new dads, ac…

In this "Meet the Candidates" episode, Patricio sits down with Tim Dymond, a longtime Sullivan County resident and recently retired senior investigator with the New York State Police. With more than 20 years of law enforcement experience—including service with both the NYPD and State Police—Dymond discusses why he's running for Sullivan County Sher…

In this "Meet the Candidates" interview, we sit down with Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff as he seeks re-election. Sheriff Schiff reflects on his extensive tenure since 2006, outlining the key initiatives he's led to improve public safety, such as implementing drone technology, launching a dedicated emergency services unit, and enhancing youth …

A video that’s been making the rounds on Facebook has sparked controversy and political tension in Sullivan County just weeks before the Republican primary for sheriff. The video alleges an improper relationship involving a Sullivan County undersheriff, a former deputy, and an inmate—and suggests a cover-up. The footage, posted in the group Behind …

The New Paltz Pride Coalition co-hosted a special documentary honoring singer-songwriter Janis Ian’s life at the Rosendale Theatre on June 11 as part of their lineup of Pride Month events. The documentary, Janis Ian: Breaking Silence, is named after her 1993 album where she publicly came out as a lesbian. New Paltz Pride Coalition is a haven for th…

The Forestburgh Playhouse in the Sullivan Catskills is hosting its second Drag Me to the Catskills, a weekend-long series of events from June 13 to 15, focused on celebrating drag performance. Featuring a renowned cast of drag queens, who have been critical to the modern drag movement and drag’s rise in pop culture through shows like RuPaul’s Drag …

Before the New York State Senate and Assembly leave for summer recess, Catskill Mountainkeeper is pushing for a statewide ban on toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in farm fertilizers. An environmental advocacy group in Sullivan County, Catskill Mountainkeeper is sounding the alarm about the use of biosolids in fertilizers to grow food. They are calling for…

As the clock runs out on this year’s legislative session in Albany, lawmakers are trying to wrap up key bills and settle budget concerns before heading home for the summer. The State Assembly will stay in Albany through June 17, while the Senate is set to finish by June 12. To help explain what’s at stake and what it means for local communities, Ra…