Hudson Mohawk Magazine

First, Mark Dunlea talks with NY Renews about climate in the NYS budget as legislative leaders are seemingly nearing an agreement on the long overdue deal. Then, Sina Basila Hickey talks to singer-songwriter Natu Camara about her new album and her upcoming performance at the Sanctuary! Later on, Mirai Abe talks to Dr. Aaron Proffitt about becoming a Buddhist priest in Japan. After that, Amanda Case joins us to talk about her upcoming performance at song city. Finally, We bring you a piece on Black and Wild an outdoor club for people of color. Co-Hosts: Ember, Richard Sleeper | Engineer: Jacob Boston.

Singer-Songwriter Amanda Case talks to Richard and Jacob about her journey as an artist, musical inspirations, and what the audience can expect at her upcoming performance at Song City.

While Governor Hochul on May 7 announced that there was a deal on the budget, legislative leaders disagreed, saying only that they were close. Still, some details have emerged about the status of the Governor's apparently successful push to weaken the requirements of the state's climate law (CLCPA). Stephen Edel, Executive Director of NY Renews, talks with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Natu Camara feeds energy from her audience. Her recent album DIMEDI infuses her Guinean roots with Malian sounds and was recorded in Salif Keita's studio. She spoke with Sina Basila Hickey as said the album turned out just as she wanted: "mellow, sweet, and also easy to change on stage, so I can play a soft album into a fire album on stage." Natu also said that concert attendees should bring their dancing shoes but to also be ready for emotion. Natu Camara will perform at The Sanctuary for Independent Media on May 15, 2026. Learn more and get your tickets here https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/natu-camara/

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunley takes us to the state capitol, where climate activists were arrested while protesting Governor Hochul's inaction on key climate legislation. Then, Willie Terry reports from the Capital District Area Labor Federation "May Day Solidarity Event" at West Capitol Park. After that, H Bosh Jr interviews Diane Mbombo-Tite, an entrepreneur who immigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Albany in 2015. Finally, Sina Basila Hickey interviews Jean Stoler about visiting Bergen-Belsen, a former Nazi concentration camp and Jean's place of birth.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: First, we hear about the Climate Defiance protest against Governor Hochul on Tuesday at the Capitol. Then, we hear about the annual Grannies for Peace Mother's Day vigil at the Albany Tulip Festival. Later on, in On the Brink and Fighting Back, Rosemary Armao discusses the recent US Supreme Court ruling weakening the Voting Rights Act. After that, we hear about the mission of the activist group Indivisible. Finally, we join a research group while they are doing eel sampling in the Poestenkill. Co-hosts: Mark Dunlea and Sina Basila Hickey (also engineer)

On Friday, May 01, 2026, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Network Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry attended the Capital District Area Labor Federation "May Day Solidarity Event" at West Capitol Park in Albany, NY. In this labor segment, Willie recorded excerpts from speakers at the rally and interviewed Shana Davis, Civil Service Employees Association Region 4 President; Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers; and Seth Cohen, President of the Capital District Area Labor Federation. The theme of the 2026 May Day rally was "Workers over Billionaires."

Grannies for Peace will hold the annual Mothers' Day Vigil at the Tulip Festival on Saturday, May 9, from 1-2 PM near the Moses Statue, Washington Park, Albany. The theme this year is DIPLOMACY NOT WAR, focusing on the conflicts with Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, Gaza, Lebanon and Ukraine. Granny Mabel Leon talks with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Dr. Aaron Proffitt fell in love with Buddhism after picking up a book about Zen at a book store, and now he teaches religious studies and Buddhism as an ordained Buddhist priest.

In this episode, we hear from leaders at Indivisible about what inspired their work, how they support community voices, and what it takes to create meaningful change in Albany.

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 Grace from the U.S.

Old journalism colleagues Rosemary Armao and Phyllis Jordan mull the effects of the Supreme Court's recent ruling nullifying the civil rights era Voting Rights Bill. In this week's peek into the podcast Beyond the Brink and Fighting Back, the political writers examine the Supreme Court majority's view that our society has fixed discrimination and our laws ought to be color-blind. They worry what that view -- along with a do-little Congress -- and president eager to keep a hold on power will mean for the future and the fate of midterm elections.

This week on Albany Comedy Corner we had on Ethan Wilder to talk about his show "Raise a Glass to Comedy" at the Parting Glass at Saratoga Springs and his experience producing comedy shows and speed dating events in the capital region. This week was hosted by Tyler Artis

HMM_05_05_2026 by Hudson Mohawk Magazine

On Tuesday, May 5, Climate Defiance organized a last-minute protest against Governor Hochul's push to gut the climate law. While the Chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee says that a budget deal has been struck, no official details have yet been released. It is understood that lawmakers have agreed to push back by several years the deadline to issue regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to relax the rules related to methane emissions. Hochul's energy agenda has become very similar to Trump's pro-fossil fuel push. The group initially blocked the entrance in front of Hochul's 2nd-floor office and held a teach-in. Later, a group moved to block the second-floor elevator, which finally got the state police to arrest them and charge them with misdemeanors. We hear from Aviv Kresch of Climate Defiance, Assemblymember Claire Valdez, Pete Sikora of NY Communities for Change, Michael Greenberg of Climate Defiance, Jonathan Westin of the Climate Organizing Hub, Assembly candidate Lydia Green, Eric Weltman of Food and Water Watch, and Topher Dean. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

This week, Thom Francis welcomes poets Kathleen Anne Smith and Nathan Smith to the mic. They shared their work at the 2024 Word Fest Open Mic at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts on April 27, 2024. +++++ After years away, Word Fest returned. What began in 2001 as a one-day open mic at Thatcher Park grew into a week-long celebration of poetry and spoken word across the region. On April 27, 2024, the open mic came back to life after a four-year hiatus at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts with an afternoon of featured readers and community voices. Today, we're highlighting two of those poets: Kathleen Anne Smith and Nathan Smith. Kathleen Anne Smith, author of Let the Stones Grow Soft, read poems including “How Do We Home Alone?” Nathan Smith read “Chapters” from his book Cotton Candy Sun and “The Gay Boys Survival Guide: 20 Rules to Reach 25.”

First, Mark Dunlea brings us coverage from the May Day picnic at Washington Square Park where various advocacy groups met to labour rights Then, Marsha Lazurus speaks with Byrdie Kraut & Jared Niemela, the founders of Anicca Bakery about their experience being small business owners. Later on, retired national weather service meteorologist Hugh Johnson joins us on our first weather segment in the month of May. After that, Dr. Thompson talks with Yi Lui about her family's migration story from Britain and Hong Kong to the Capital District in the weekly segment Everybody Moves. Finally, James Mitchell the founder of and president of Young Futures, speaks with Sarah Abraham about how his organization provides children with a space to explore their creative passions. Co-hosts: Lennox Apudo, Sina Basila Hickey Engineer: Kalix Sausville

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 Conner Lee from the U.S.

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 Dr. Thompson from the U.S.

(revised) On Friday May 1, the Capital District Area Labor Federation sponsored a rally at West Capitol Park, the second May Day rally held in Albany. Organizers said they were united in our resolve to fight for a better future for ALL workers abroad and at home, including those targeted by this administration. We take pride in knowing that we are a global movement standing up to the billionaires who are threatening our rights and freedoms. We hear from Sean Collins, President of the Troy Area Labor Council; Troy City Council member Greg Campbell-Cohen; Danielle Bridger, Region 8 Coordinator for the Public Employees Federation; Shana Davis, President of CSEA Region 4; and long time labor activist Fred Pfeiffer. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

In the US, May Day is a traditional day of solidarity with workers. Itnrecent years, support for immigrants has been a major theme, with an increased emphasis this year in opposing the attacks by ICE and in solidarity with those killed by ICE in Minneapolis. I covered two events in Albany, The first was a community solidarity picnic and rally in Washington Park, with many groups participating, including We Are Revolutionary, Palestinian Rights Committee, various DSA chapters, United Tenants, Green Party, Capital District Sanctuary Committee, and Black Lives Matter. We unfortunately lost our interview with BLM but we hear from Greg Giorgio of the Industrial Workers of the World; Pater LaVenia of the Green Party; and Saturn from the Porcupines. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

The suffragettes are activist women who agitated for the right of women to vote. To learn more Ashley Hopkins-Benton, the Senior Historian/Curator at the New York State Museum and co-author of "Votes for Women: Celebrating New York's Suffrage Centennial," spoke with Sina Basila Hickey about New York's role in women's fight for the right to vote in the United States.

Song City is a multi-genre, songwriter showcase, in the round, at The Waiting Room, on the 2nd Tuesday of every other month, 7:30pm. Song City Founder Scott Womer spoke with Arbor Mae about the origins of the project, connection through creation, and the atmosphere of the showcases ahead of Song City's season finale.

First, Elizabeth Press brings us excerpts of The Troy City Council's law committee meeting about how Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests are handled in Troy. Then, Sina Basila Hickey speaks to Ashley Hopkins-Benton of the New York State Museum about suffragettes. Later on, Mark Dunlea speaks with Beyond Plastics National Organizing Director about their upcoming lobby day and rally on May 11th at the Capitol to support the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. After that, Arbor Mae talks to Scott Womer, the Founder of Song City. Finally, Sephora Quinones speaks with Eli Boonin-Vail, a filmmaker and Professor at UAlbany about the relationship between incarceration and Hollywood cinema.

Today we air excerpts of The Troy City Council's law committee meeting about how Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests are handled in Troy. Topics discussed include training for those filling the requests, procedures and protocols. The piece starts with the voice of Hudson Mohawk Magazine producer, Elizabeth Press.

Jean Stoler was born in the Bergen-Belsen DP Camp, a former Nazi concentration camp. In 2025 Jean traveled back to her place of birth in Germany to understand her roots with her sister, daughters, and a grand kid. Sina Basila Hickey spoke with Jean to reflect on this experience and how this experience changed her world view. Image: a painting by Jean of her mother wearing a Jude yellow star, with a photo of Jean as a baby with her parents held in front.

On Monday, May 11, Beyond Plastics is organizing a lobby day and rally at the Capitol to support the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA). National Organizing Director Alexis Goldsmith talks with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine. PRRIA applies Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to packaging, requiring manufacturers and distributors to manage the waste from the products they package EANY. Its goals include:Reducing packaging waste by 30% over 12 years for producers with $5M revenue; Improving recyclability and recycling infrastructure; and Banning 13 toxic chemicals commonly used in single-use plastic packaging, such as PFAS, lead, mercury, phthalates, and bisphenols

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea brings us to a Fair Immigration Reform Movement press conference about immigrant rights and May Day. Then, Willie Terry speaks with Leon Van Dyke about the late Civil Rights leader, Jessie L. Jackson. Later on, Sina Basila Hickey brings us to a Tax The Rich press conference in Albany. After that, we are joined for an in-studio interview with Avery Stempel--forager and mastermind behind the NY Foraged Foods Festival. Finally, Andrea Cunliffe speaks with Leah Gooch about her work teaching Yoga and Meditation in prisons.

NY Foraged 2026 by Hudson Mohawk Magazine

We welcome back retired National Weather Service Meteorologist Hugh Johnson to give us our weekly weather update. Co-hosts: Sean Bernyk, Sina Basila Hickey Engineer: Kalix Sausville

With the goal to eliminate furniture poverty and restore hope to struggling households, the Capital Region Furniture Bank helps to furnish homes while also diverting furniture from landfills. This is a project of The Homeless and Travelers Aid Society of the Capital District, and Executive Director Liz Hitt spoke with Mark Dunlea and Benno Greene for Hudson Mohawk Magazine. More info: https://www.hatas.org/capital-region-furniture-bank

At the Tax the Rich rally at the Albany Capitol on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, many pointed out that in NYState it isn't the ultra rich who are leaving, it's the working class families who can no longer afford to live here. In this segment we hear from

On Sunday, March 15, 2026, Hudson Mohawk Magazine's Roaming Labor Willie Terry interviewed Leon Van Dyke, founder and Community Organizer of the Albany "Brothers." In this Labor segment, Willie interviewed Leon about his interactions with the late Civil Rights Activist, the Rev. Jessie L. Jackson, and other civil rights leaders—part 2.

Greg Creft gets to sit down with local Capital Region comic, Alanna Gill, where she talks about her time opening for headlining acts at the Albany Funny Bone and her early days of comedy. Alanna will be on the 'Will They, Won't They' Comedy Show at the Local 217 on Saturday May 2nd, 9 pm.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: First, we have a live interview about the Capital Region Furniture Bank a program of the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society. Then, we hear from botanist Rich Ring about the changes that spring brings. Later on, in On the Brink and Fighting Back, we hear about the challenge of repurposing 5 closed prisons in the Adirondacks. After that, we hear from Dr. Aaron Major about how W.E.B. Du Bois's racial theory can provide guidance for current and future emancipatory endeavors. Finally, we hear about a new office for Violence Prevention in Albany. Co-hosts: Mark Dunlea and Benno Greene. Engineer: Sina Basila Hickey

Continued conversation with home-based bakery founders Byrdie Kraut and Jared Niemela...more about the choices they've made...the types of bread that they sell and the significance of the name, ANICCA bakery. Part 2 of 2-part interview. Produced by Marsha Lazarus

...and the entrepreneurs and small business owners who start their own businesses! Part 1 of a conversation with Byrdie Kraut & Jared Niemela, founders of Troy-based Anicca Bakery. Byrdie and Jared share about what led them to starting up and operating a small home-based bakery and all that's involved! Produced by Marsha Lazarus

On April 20, the Albany Common Council voted unanimously to approve a new Office of Violence Prevention. The office will have seven members, four appointed by the mayor and three by the council. Before the unanimous vote, members of the community came to speak in favor of the city taking a new approach in the face of recent shootings and violence in the city.

What can you do with five big but no longer needed prisons scattered through remote areas of the Adirondack Mountains? As it turns out, not much. Sales to private concerns for repurposing or economic development are impossible because the New York State Constitution demands that the enormous Adirondacks region remain forever wild. Long-time investigative journalist and NY State expert Jim Odata is a guest of Beyond the Brink and Fighting Back podcast this week. Listen to him tell stories about empty prisons, Olympic event venues, and the demands of rich landowners that have kept him busy for decades.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunela talks with Mark Emanation of CDALF about the upcoming May Day Rally in Albany . Then, we headed to the Albany Capitol where a press conference in support of Tax the Rich and Invest in Our NY took place. Later on, Meg Kelley talks with Lindsey Malek is a board member of Shenendehowa's Environmental Club about Youth climate activism. After that, Greg Creft Tells about the “Will They Won't They” Stand up comedy Show . Finally, This week, Thom Francis welcomes poet Andy Fogle to the mic. He was one of the eight featured poets who read their work at The Fish Market in Troy last fall. Hosts: Sina Basila Hickey and Caelan McPherson Engineer: Henry VanHaverbeke

At the Tax the Rich rally at the Albany Capitol on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, many pointed out that in NYState it isn't the ultra rich who are leaving, it's the working class families who can no longer afford to live here. In this segment we hear from the campaign manager of Invest In Our NY, Senator Robert Jackson, Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, and Assemblyperson Phil Steck. Recording and editing by Sina Basila Hickey.

While May Day has traditionally been about worker rights, in recent years, immigrant rights have become a major focus. This year groups across the country will join to demand an end to ICE funding, the closure of detention centers, and a pathway to citizenship for all. We hear from a press conference by the Fair Immigration Reform Movement or FIRM. Speakers are Murad Awawdeh, of the New York Immigrant Coalition, Adriana Rivera of the Florida Immigrant Coalition; Angelica Salas of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights; and, Lawrence Benito, of The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. May Day events in Albany include a picnic and rally with Indivisible at 2:30 pm in Washington Park and by labor unions at 5:30 PM at West Capitol Park.

This week, Thom Francis welcomes poet Andy Fogle to the mic. He was one of the eight featured poets who read their work at The Fish Market in Troy last fall. +++++ Andy Fogle read at the Eight Poets event on October 11, 2025, at The Fish Market in Troy, presented by Trailer Park Quarterly, Hobo Camp Review, Paper Moon bookstore, and the Hudson Valley Writers Guild. He shared poems about family and abolitionist John Brown, along with other work. Fogle is the author of Mother Countries, Across from Now, and seven chapbooks. A 2021 Saratoga Arts grant recipient, his work has appeared in Best New Poets 2018, Tahoma Literary Review, and Potomac Review. He is the poetry editor at Salvation South and teaches English at Bethlehem Central High School.

First, Ellie Irons talks with Fruition Seeds about The Gift of Seed: Growing Gardens & Cultures of Care Beyond Consumption, an event taking place Saturday May 2nd at The Sanctuary for Independent Media. Then, we have a story on ticks and tick prevention from our broadcast partners, WGXC. Later on, we welcome back retired National Weather Service Meteorologist Hugh Johnson to give us our weekly weather update. After that, we have Everybody Moves, our weekly series that profiles the migration stories from members of our community. Finally, we join Paul Smart as he interviews patrons of the Albany Public Library about their relationship to the works of Shakespeare. Co-Hosts: Sean Bernyk, Sina Basila Hickey Engineer: Kalix Sausville

The Capital District Area Labor Federation is holding a MAY DAY rally in West Capitol Park in Albany on May 1st at 5:30 PM. International Workers' Day is the day the world celebrates the bravery of workers throughout history who have sacrificed for safety, dignity and justice on the job. This year's even will speak out against the attacks on immigrannts, the war in Iran, and the suppression of democracy. Mark Emanation of CDALF talks with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Join Fruition Seeds and Soul Fire Farm at The Sanctuary for Independent Media for a special seed gifting and exchange event. Receive an abundance of seeds to sow in your community as we cultivate gift culture together. Petra Page-Mann of Fruition Seeds speaks with the Sanctuary's Ellie Irons. Learn more: https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/the-gift-of-seed/

This piece focuses on a protest safety training in the Capital Region, combining on-site observations with interviews from participants and organizers.

With spring slowly progressing in the Capital District, botanist Rich Ring with the Natural Heritage program talks with Mark Dunlea about the changes we are seeing. He discusses birds, ephemeral flowers, fireflies, maple syrup, amphibians, and tree leaves.

Musician Ian Galipeau once had an audience once member compare his sound to Nirvana, or James Taylor. This has been the best compliment Ian has received about his music. Ian Galipeau talks evolution as a musician, love for new instruments, and his upcoming performance at Song City with Jacob Boston and Sina Basila Hickey.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea reports on pending NY legislation to require large social media platforms to comply with law enforcement subpoenas with the grandfather of a youth who died due to a bad social media sale. Then, Moses Nagel brings us coverage on the Albany Common Council's changes to the affordable housing measure. Later on, Elizabeth EP Press reports on a Troy resident's use of Freedom of Information Law Requests to attempt transparency around the City of Troy's agreements with Flock camera company. After that, Ian Galipeau joins us to talk about his music influences and upcoming Song City concert. Finally, we'll go to Troy High School to speak with the girls lacrosse team about their first season at the varsity level. Co Hosts: Jacob Boston, Sina Basila Hickey | Producer: Jacob Boston

For the very first time, Troy High School's girls lacrosse will field a team at the varsity level. To learn more about this historic moment, Jacob Boston and Elizabeth took a trip to Troy High to speak with Coach Horan and players on the team about what this season means to them, the sport, and the city of Troy.