Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Reclaim MLK Day 2026, hosted by All of Us Untitled and Free, is taking place on Monday, January 19 from 10am-2pm at the First United Methodist Church in Schenectady. To learn about the event Vinny DamaPoleto and Caelan McPherson sat down with Jamaica Miles of All of Us. more info can be found at actionnetwork.org/events

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea chats with City Council President Sue Steele about the Council's plans for the upcoming year. Then, Mark Dunlea speaks with Dr. Joseph Romm, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. Later on, we are joined by Jamaica Miles of All of Us to talk about the upcoming “Reclaim MLK Day 2026” event. After that, on this week's Albany comedy interview corner Juan sits down with Greg Creft and Craig Neslar to learn about the upcoming Josephs House Shelter Comedy show. Finally, up next to the mic Thom Francis welcomes local writers S.L. Maurice & Shannon Kauderer to the mic Hosts: Vinny DamaPoleto and Caelan McPherson Engineers: Caelan McPherson

Several hundred climate activists protested outside of the Governor's State of the State address in Albany on Tuesday, urging her to invest in renewable energy rather than promoting fossil fuels and nuclear power while turning her back on the state's climate law. Among the speakers are Renee Vogelsang of Frack Action; Assemblymembers Anna Kelles and Emily Gallagher; Senator Webb; Dr. Sandra Steingraber; Kathy Nolan of Physicians for Social Responsibility; Matt of American Lung Association; Ethan Gormley of Citizen Action; Yvonne Taylor of Seneca Lake Guardians; Eric Weltman of Food and Water Watch; and others.

Prior to the Governor's State of the State address on Tuesday, we heard from Conrad Seneca of the Seneca Indians, Eric Weltman of Food and Water Watch, Corrine Carey on Medical Aid in Dying, and Morgan Moore of NYC PNHP on single-payer health care. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Dr. Joseph Romm is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media (PCSSM). He joins Mark Dunlea of the Hudson Mohawk Magazine to discuss his new report New York's Nuclear Anti-Affordability Fiasco: Why the State's Deeply Flawed Energy Plan Would Explode Electricity Rates . Romm also responds to Governor Hochul's State of the State address, where she called for the development of 5 GW of new nuclear power.

This week, Thom Francis welcomes local writers S.L. Maurice & Shannon Kauderer to the mic. They shared their work at the annual “Year in Review” event at Mojo's Cafe & Gallery in downtown Troy on Saturday, December 6, 2025. +++++ Early last month, poets and writers got together for the “Year in Review,” the Hudson Valley Writers Guild's Annual Meeting and Open Mic at Mojo's Cafe in Troy. A full range of writers took the stage that afternoon to share their poetry and prose, and today we are going to hear from two of those writers. First up is S.L. Maurice, who been very active in the local community by leading writing workshops, hosting events, and serving on the HVWG board. At the “Year in Review,” Sam shared two poems as a preview of his featured reading at the Third Thursday Poetry Night at the Social Justice Center in Albany on January 15. Next up is science fiction writer and co-founder of the Albany Writers Group Shannon Kauderer. The Albany Writers Group runs two Sunday evening write-in sessions every week in East Greenbush and Clifton Park. Shannon read an except of a short story that was recently published in “Catskill Chaos.”

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea brings us coverage from the launch of the Hinckel United Tenant Union at Hinckel Brewery Apartments in Park Avenue in Albany. Then, Mark Dunlea talks to members of various advocacy groups at the Peoples State of State advocating for various issues such as: a more robust food assistance program and the rejection of building new nuclear capacities in NY state. Later on, Hugh Johnson joins us to discuss some of the significant weather events of 2025. After that, we have our weekly series Everybody Moves where Yue, an international student from China joins us to talk about his migration journey to the US. Finally, Yi Lu talks to end of life doula Michele Polacinski about her work at the Albany Death Cafe.

With the State Legislature back in Albany, advocacy efforts are picking up. From Monday January 12, we file reports from an anti-hunger news conference called the People's State of the State with Reverends Dustin Longmire and Joe Paporone, followed by Patty Durand of Georgians for Affordable Energy who along with the Alliance for a Nuclear Free NY met with legislative leaders and staff to explain why NY should not duplicate Georgia's fiasco in building new nuclear plants as Gov. Hochul is proposing. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

With the State Legislature back in Albany, rallies are beginning again. The recent murder by ICE of Renee Good in Minneapolis is increasing pressure of the state legislature and the Governor to finally pass the New York for All Act which would provide prohibit local governments from cooperating with ICE. Here is audio from the January 12 2026 rally on the Million Dollar Staircase in the Capitol

Hands Off Venezuela was the theme of a January 11th rally and march at Townsend Park in Albany, sponsored by a coalition of groups including the Albang Green Party, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Jewish Voice for Peace, DSA, Porcupine, Capital District Sanctuary Committee, and Veterans for Peace. More than 150 people joined the call for the Trump administration to stop its efforts of regime change, to halt the theft of Venezuela's oil, and to immediately release President Madura. We hear from Chris Garamone and Samaiya of PSL; Dio from Capital District DSA; Mark Mishler from Jewish Voices for Peace; Tracy Sangaré from 518CRSC; John Amidon from Veterans for Peace; and Peter LaVenia of the Green Party. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Tenants at the Hinckel Brewery Apartments on Park Ave in Albany publicly launched their tenant union Saturday morning, confronting building ownership over what they describe as dangerous living conditions, rising rents, and management efforts to discourage organizing. After months of unresolved complaints, tenants organized a supermajority of the building and are now going public, delivering a formal demand letter and calling for immediate negotiations with owner Patrick Chiou and Albany Management Group. We hear from Bebhinn Francies of United Tenants of Albany, and tenants Rachel Reilly, Jim Keil, Sadie Drake, and Kate Bohn.

First, Mark Dunlea reviews Governor Hochul's second climate report card with Climate Can't Wait' Bob Cohen Then, Frances Sweet of Indivisible joins us in the studio to talk about their upcoming events that contrasts the the efforts of civil rights activist Martin Luther King to those of President Trump Later on, Yi Lu from UAlbany talks to Amanda E., of the Capital Region Sanctuary Coalition, about community members have come together to report ICE activity and stand against mass deportation After that, we have some youth book recommendations from the Troy Public Library Finally, we hear about chickens and compost at Radix Co-Hosts; Richard Sleeper, Ember. Engineer: Jacob Boston

The Democrats in last year 's elections won all six Council seats in Troy. City Council President Sue Steele discusses the Council's plans for the upcoming year with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine. Issues discussed include increasing public input; Good Cause eviction; City Hall; and a proposed moratorium on Battery Storage.

The woman who was shot and killed by ICE on Wednesday was Renée Nicole Macklin Good, a self described herself “poet and writer and wife and mom.” Good's award-winning poem “On Learning to Dissect Fetal Pigs” is read by poet Nancy Klepsch and followed by a conversation about the power of poetry and the poem "Home" by Warsan Shire. Sina Basila Hickey spoke with Nancy.

Since 1883, YWCA of the Greater Capital Region has been a sanctuary for women—providing safe, affordable, and supportive housing for those who need it most. Jamie Crouse spoke with Vinny DamaPoleto about what they offer and upcoming events. https://www.ywca-gcr.org/

Retired National Weather Service Meteorologist reviews the weather of 2025 with Sean Bernyk and Sina Basila Hickey.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Moses Nagel reports on the emergency press conference in Albany in response to the fatal ICE shooting of a legal observer in Minneapolis. Then, the woman who was fatally shot by ICE is named Renee Nicole Macklin Good. We will hear her award winning poem and talk about poetry's role in activism. Later on, Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry reports from a Kwanzaa event that took place in Troy. After that, Gaheul Yi reports on Cafe Dolce in Albany. Finally, we have some adult book suggestions from the Troy Public Library

Thursday morning local officials held a hastily called press conference in front of the federal courthouse in Albany to respond to the shooting by an ICE agent of a 37 year old woman, Renee Nicole Macklin Good, in Minneapolis. Speakers included State Rep. Gabriella Romero, Albany city auditor, Sam Fein and Jahaira Roldan from the New York Immigration Coalition. The first to speak was State Senator, Patricia Fahy.

On Sunday, December 28, 2025, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry attended day three, "Ujima," of the Capital Region Kwanzaa Celebration at the Troy Boys and Girls Club, which the Troy NAACP and Team Hero hosted. In this part one labor segment, you will hear a recording of Lady A (Anastasia) of Troy4BlackLives and Jerry Ford, Executive Director of Team Hero and Vice President of the Troy NAACP, explaining some of the Kwanzaa Principles and Celebration.

Climate Can't Wait, a statewide coalition of over 55 environmental, climate, and community groups, released its second climate report card for Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY). The final grade was an F based on her track record of backsliding on implementation of critical climate legislation and failing to take actions to achieve the mandates of New York State's 2019 Climate Law (the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act or CLCPA). An Albany Supreme Court decision last October, Citizen Action of New York vs. DEC, found that the Hochul administration's failure to issue greenhouse gas reduction regulations as required by the Climate Law was illegal. Bob Cohen reviews the report card with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, we hear part 2 of a recent protest of ICE's kidnapping of members of a Muslim family. Then, we hear from Medea Benjamin on Venezuela. Later on, Rosemary Armao discusses sex, AI, and young people. After that, we discuss the Prairieland Defendants and the Albany benefit to bring awareness to these protesters and their criminal charges. Finally, we finish with a story about a chili cook off last November and its support for the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement.

Local groups are coming together to bring awareness and support for the Prairieland Defendants, a group of people who have been criminally charged after demonstrating outside an ICE facility in Texas. Local advocates are concerned because the outcome of this case could set framing around the rights of protesters around the country. Co-organizer Roxanne spoke with Sina Basila Hickey about this group and the event taking place on Saturday January 10 from 2-6pm at the Free School.

Young people in America are having far less sex than than they used to and The U.S. fertility rate is at a historic low. In this week's chapter of Beyond the Brink and Fighting Back, journalist-professor Rosemary Armao talks with UAlbany sophomores about whether they want to have children someday and what the 20-year-olds think is the meaning behind these statistics.

Recreating a teenage go-to spot! Journey to opening a small business in Albany. This story features Musa, the owner of Cafe Dolce in Albany, NY.

This interview features Amanda E., a volunteer with the Capital Region Sanctuary Coalition, who shares how local community members use social media to report confirmed ICE activity — and how we can protect and support one another during a period of mass deportation.

Chili Cook Off: This interview features David, a member of the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement. He explains the role the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement has in the community. The interview also features Matt, a member of the Capital District Socialist Party, who shares about the history of the chili cook off, and why they decided to choose to donate the proceeds to the CCSM. 

Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink, discusses the kidnapping of Venezuela's President Maduro by the Trump administration with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine. ON Tuesday, Medea interrupted a presentation by the American ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS) to challenge their claim that this was purely a law enforcement action rather than regime change and seizure of oil. Medea expects a close but losing vote along party lines on Thursday when the Senate votes on a War Powers Resolution seeking to rein in Trump and restore constitutional rules.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea talks with Joe Seeman, who is a volunteer with Indivisible ADK/Saratoga, who held a rally in Glens Falls to remind people of the coup attempt on January 6th, 2020. Then, we have a segment about the resources provided by the YWCA and speak with Jamie Crouse. After that, we mark the new year with a recording from a peace walk. Finally, Thom Francis welcomes local poets Celeste and R.M. Engelhardt to the mic. Co-hosts Vinny DamaPoleto and Sina Basila Hickey

This week, Thom Francis welcomes local poets Celeste and R.M. Engelhardt to the mic. They performed their poetry at the “Year in Review” event at Mojo's Cafe & Gallery in downtown Troy on Saturday, December 6, 2025. +++++ It's a new year and the Hudson Valley Writers Guild has a lot of exciting opportunities for poets and writers to share their words at readings, workshops, and other events. We can't wait to find out what our region is writing about in 2026. 2025 was an incredible year of dynamic poetry and prose from our very vibrant, creative community. To start off 2026, we are going to go back to the last event of 2025 and hear from two poets who took part in the annual “Year in Review” open mic, hosted by the great Mary Panza, at Mojo's Cafe in Troy on Saturday, December 6, 2025. First up is Celeste, a young, new voice to the area who reads some reworked poems for the afternoon event in the Collar City. And then, long-time Albany poet and open mic host R.M. Engelhardt, takes the stage to share two poems - one calm, the other one, as he says, “different.”

January 6, 2026, is the 5th anniversary of Donald Trump's unsuccessful coup to overthrow the election of Joe Biden as President. Unfortunately, the Justice Department and Democrats failed to hold Trump accountable for the coup and once re-elected, Trump pardoned all those convicted of violent actions at the Capitol. On January 3, Indivisible ADK/Saratoga held a rally in Glens Falls to remind people of the coup. That morning Trump kidnapped the President of Venezuela, killing at least 40 people in doing so. Joe Seeman talks with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine about the event.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea brings us coverage of a protest on Wolf Road against the US government's actions to kidnap and criminally charge the President Maduro of Venezuela. Then, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood will be showing the documentary film “Heightened Scrutiny” in Troy on January 22, and we'll hear from the film's director, Sam Feder. Later on, we welcome back retired National Weather Serviceman Hugh Johnson for our weekly weather update. After that, we have Everybody Moves our weekly series that profiles the migration stories from people in our community. Finally, we have Mark Dunlea brings us his coverage of the protests to demand the release of the Bakhtani family from ICE detention. co-hosts Sean Bernyk and Sina Basila Hickey

Following the shocking news on Saturday morning that Trump had directed the US military to kidnap the elected President of Venezuela to face criminal charges in NY, more than 100 protests have taken place nationwide. In day two of the protests in Albany, 200 protestors gathered at Wolf Road and Central Avene to demand that President Maduro and his wife being released. We hear from Dan Wilcox of Veterans for Peace; Eyad Alkurabi of the Palestinian Rights Committee; a member of the Socialist Party; Peter LaVenia of the Green Party; and Sam of Code Pink. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

On Saturday, January 3, 200 people gathered in Townsend Park in Albany to demand the immediate release of all FOUR members of the Bakhtani family from ICE detention. In early December, the Bakhtanis, refugees from Afghanistan, had their family ripped apart after two targeted kidnappings by immigration enforcement agents. At the rally, we heard that 2 of the family members had been released so far. We first hear from Jahaira Roldan of the NY Immigration and Capital District Solidarity Committees, followed by various activists and elected officials.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, on this Special broadcast Andrea Cunliffe focuses on the work of volunteers who bring education and rehabilitation to incarcerated people within the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision the DoCCS.

On this special episode of Hudson Mohawk Magazine we play excerpts of the recording from Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!'s visit to the Sanctuary on Saturday, April 22, 2023. On the second night of the weekend celebration "Rooted in Independent Media, Growing Toward a Just Future!", Amy Goodman spoke about her work in independent media, her history with the Sanctuary, and welcomed Steve Pierce to join her on stage to talk about his incredible contribution to independent media and the history of The Sanctuary for Independent Media. The full recording is available on Sanctuary TV.

This show includes five climate related segments from the past year. 2025 was a bad year for climate action in both New York and the United States. At the federal level, President Trump took action to remove the US from the Paris climate accords while dismantling existing programs that supported the development of clean, renewable energy while promoting the expansion of gas, oil, coal, and nuclear power. In New York, Governor Hochul increasingly distanced herself from climate action while the state legislature failed once again to pass strong climate bills. The five segments look at the state energy plan, 100-foot rule for gas hookups, the 10th anniversary of NY Renews, the climate lawsuit against Hochul for failing to implement the CLCPA and nuclear power. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine

HMM_12-30-2025 by Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Everybody Move Series: Migration Stories from our Community. This weekly series profiles the migration stories of members of our community, whether the migration be their own stories of that of their parents or grandparents, and reminds us that migration touches us all–and teaches us much–because it is a part of the human experience. This week we feature a full hour of some of our favorite moving stories from season 1. Produced by Moses Nagel and Joanna Dreby.

This weekly series profiles the migration stories of members of our community, whether the migration be their own stories of that of their parents or grandparents, and reminds us that migration touches us all, as it is a part of the human experience. This episode is a part of Season 2 of the Everybody Moves series. Season 2 features stories collected and produced by a team of students at the University at Albany. This week we feature Ashanti from Guyana.

This weekly series profiles the migration stories of members of our community, whether the migration be their own stories of that of their parents or grandparents, and reminds us that migration touches us all, as it is a part of the human experience. This episode is a part of Season 2 of the Everybody Moves series. Season 2 features stories collected and produced by a team of students at the University at Albany. This week we feature Eddie from China.

This weekly series profiles the migration stories of members of our community, whether the migration be their own stories of that of their parents or grandparents, and reminds us that migration touches us all, as it is a part of the human experience. This episode is a part of Season 2 of the Everybody Moves series. Season 2 features stories collected and produced by a team of students at the University at Albany. This week we feature Yue from China.

Everybody Move Series: Migration Stories from our Community. This weekly series profiles the migration stories of members of our community, whether the migration be their own stories of that of their parents or grandparents, and reminds us that migration touches us all, as it is a part of the human experience. This episode is a part of Season 2 of the Everybody Moves series. Season 2 features stories collected and produced by a team of students at the University at Albany. This week we feature Sri from India.

This is the Hudson Mohawk Magazine's holiday special on Gaza, produced and hosted by Moses Nagel. The stories we highlight include: - Benno Green's interview with with a healthcare worker at Albany Medical Center. - Elizabeth EP Press speaks with a nurse who volunteered in Gaza and the WestBank.  -Mark Dunlea speaks with Phylis Benis ahead of this years' Kateri Peace conference. -Albany's Jewish Voice for Peace chapter on the detention of Columbia student Mahmoud Kahlil. -A public Sukkot celebration to demand an end to the starvation of Gaza -Mark Dunlea speaks to Tom Ellis of The Palestinian Rights Committee about the current ceasefire and fundraising for Gaza.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s last Christmas Sermon focused on peace and nonviolence. “Massey Lecture #5” (also known as “Peace on Earth” or “a Christmas Sermon on Peace”) aired on December 24th, 1967 The sermon is followed by readings of seasonal poetry. This special was created by volunteer Garrett McCarey In addition, there is a portion of the interview with Pamela McColl, author of "'Twas the Night: The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem," who speaks with Carolyn Tennant.

Today's episode of Hudson Mohawk Magazine is a holiday special created by Will Kempe's Players and an updated recording of "A Christmas Carol." Will Kempe's Players is a regional theater cooperative from Troy, NY that produces a wide range of theatrical performance utilizing the methods used by William Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Their aim is to create quality experiences by promoting an inclusive creative environment and making Shakespeare's works engaging and accessible to modern audiences while retaining historical authenticity. WillKempesPlayers.com

HMM_12-23-2025 by Hudson Mohawk Magazine

H Bosh Jr sat down with Mikki Conn and Rev.Jerry Ford to learn more about about the history and traditions of Kwanzaa and Where there are Kwanzaa celebrations here in the Capital Region.

The Sanctuary for Independent Media was faced with the unexpected and difficult decision to remove the taller of the two spruce trees in front of its main space after the installation of a new access ramp for the Sanctuary's front entrance resulted in the damaging of two significant roots of that giant beauty. Guidance was given by tree lover Jack Magai of More Trees Arborist Collective, and he spoke with Sina Basila Hickey about his assessment and what we can learn from this situation.

Starts with a short exploration of the meaning of Chanukah...followed by highlights from 5 interviews with folks that Marsha spoke with over this past year: Ann Hackler of the Institute for the Musical Arts, Layla Khafaga of Meezan Kitchen, Sheilah Sable of Call Sheila, Walter Thorne of Albany Business Review and Elizabeth Press (who goes by EP) of the Sanctuary for Independent Media and RPI. Produced by Marsha Lazarus

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: First, Moses Nagel brings us coverage from an upcoming speakout and vigil for unhoused people in Albany being sponsored by the National Union of the Homeless and the Poor People's Campaign. Then, Sina Basila Hickey brings us coverage from a rally organized by No Kings Collective Albany and Capital Region Sanctuary Coalition to stop ICE's detainment of immigrant labor workers at Home Depot parking lots. Later on, Mark Dunlea brings us coverage from a recent press conference where the Schenectady Food Council discussed their legislative priorities for the year. After that, Sina Basila Hickey talks to Jack Magai of More Trees Arborist Collective about the Sanctuary's recent loss of one of our spruce trees. Finally, we celebrate Hanukkah with an interview with singer/songwriter and Klezmer musician Adah Hetko about what it means to be Jewish in America.

Seeking the opportunity for work, Home Depot parking lots are often a gathering place for immigrants who hope to get chosen by a contractor for work and wait long hours in the elements without a promise for any job. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have come to Home Depot parking lots to detain immigrant laborers, and the Albany community showed up to condemn this relationship with a rally and short march, coordinated by No Kings Collective Albany and Capital Region Sanctuary Coalition (CRSC). Sina Basila Hickey reported from this rally and spoke with No Kings Collective Albany co-leader Bryan Paz-Hernandez, Jahaira Roldan of New York Immigration Coalition and a volunteer with CRSC, CRSC volunteer Amanda, and Chris, and organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation. All donations went to @518CRSC