Hudson Mohawk Magazine

A reUse center is trying to find a location in the capital region. Two of the organizers, Michael Rosenthal and Brigid Rockwell, spoke about the work that they are doing with Mark Dunlea and Benno Green for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Tonight on Hudson Mohawk Magazine, we hear part 2 from the rally calling for a moratorium on new Data Centers. Then, we talk with Veterans for Peace about their participation in Albany's Memorial Day Parade. Later on, in this week's Beyond the Brink, Rosemary Armao examines some of President Trump's many corruption scandals. After that, we have a live interview about a reUse center which is trying to take root and find a location in the capital region. Finally, Sina Basila Hickey talks to the Albany Pine Bush Preserve about the unique ecosystem of the Pine Bush– including the endangered karner blue butterfly– and what they offer. Hosts: Benno Green; Mark Dunlea Engineer: Joan Eason

Greg Creft gets to sit down with the man who started Albany Comedy Corner, Brad Monkell, where he talks about balancing both his talent for music as well as his comedy. We also get to talk about some of the national acts he's had the pleasure to work with. Brad will be on the Laughin' at The Local 217 with Carmen Lynch, featuring Andrew Schiavone on Saturday May 23rd, 7 pm.

The Pine Bush is a unique ecosystem, important to protecting many species of plants and animals. The endangered karner blue butterfly relies on the blue lupin for survival. Prescribed fires is one way that this ecosystem thrives. Neil A. Gifford, Conservation Director at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, spoke with Sina Basila Hickey for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

On This Episode of the TripleE's, Diana Mbombo-TIte tells her story of growing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all the languages she learned in the DRC. she also talks about her story of how and why she immigrated to the United States of America , and Finally she tells H Bosh Jr about starting her business Akula Interpreting and Translation LLC. https://akulainterpreting.com

When Beyond the Brink Podcaster Rosemary Armao asked political writer Mary Anne Sharkey to pinpoint her favorite Trump-administration corruption scandal, the biggest one had not even been reported yet. Just this week we learned that the IRS has agreed to a deal to exempt Trump, his family and his company from audits centered on past failures to pay taxes. Even without that choice Sharkey has plenty of scandals and sketchy conflict of interest deal to choose from.

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Network Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry attended the New York Upstate Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), annual “James Connolly Memorial " at Riverfront Park in downtown Troy. The gathering celebrates the life and legacy of Connolly, who was also a member of the IWW while in the United States. Connolly returned to Ireland and became a leading figure in the Irish labor movement and in the revolutionary struggle against Great Britain for Irish independence. He was murdered by the British authorities on May 12, 1916, during the Easter Rising. In this two-part labor segment, Willie recorded the ceremony and presentation by IWW Upstate Delegate Greg Giorgio, along with some attendees sharing their thoughts on James Connolly. Part 2.

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Network Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry attended the New York Upstate Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), annual “James Connolly Memorial " at Riverfront Park in downtown Troy. The gathering celebrates the life and legacy of Connolly, who was also a member of the IWW while in the United States. Connolly returned to Ireland and became a leading figure in the Irish labor movement and in the revolutionary struggle against Great Britain for Irish independence. He was murdered by the British authorities on May 12, 1916, during the Easter Rising. In this two-part labor segment, Willie recorded the ceremony and presentation by IWW Upstate Delegate Greg Giorgio, along with some attendees sharing their thoughts on James Connolly. Part 1.

Dan Wilcox of Veterans for Peace talks with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine about why they annually participate in Albany's Memorial Day Parade.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea brings us a story on the Wednesday April 13th rally calling for a moratorium on data centers in Albany. Then, Yi Lu talks with Albany Law professor Dale Margolin Cecka about adultification bias. Later on, Corinne Carey talks with a veterans group about the benefits of psychedelics for treating PTSD . After that, on this Albany Comedy Corner Greg Creft sits down with Brad Monkell to learn more about his upcoming show. Finally, this week, Thom Francis welcomes poet and wildlife rehabilitator J. Lester Allen to the stage. Hosts: Sina Basila Hickey and Caelan McPherson Engineer: Caelan McPherson

This week, Thom Francis welcomes poet and wildlife rehabilitator J. Lester Allen to the stage for a reading at The Linda, WAMC's Performing Arts Studio, on July 27 2022. +++++ J. Lester Allen was one of 11 poets who shared their work as part of a two-night event series presented by the Hudson Valley Writers Guild, Hobo Camp Review, and Trailer Park Quarterly that took place in both Troy and Albany. J. Lester Allen is an American writer and poet. Originally hailing from the Central Pennsylvania region, he currently calls the waterfall rich holler of Ludlowville, NY home. He published his first collection of poems, The Days Carnivore, in 2008 and has since published three other collections of poetry and short stories, most notably This Is a Land of Wolves Now (Kung Fu Treachery 2019). A fourth collection, Beyond The Wounded Horizon, a split effort with fellow poet James H. Duncan, is also available on Alpine Ghost Press. Allen's poetry covers topics from growing up with his brother and single dad, friends who have passed, and why there might be a raccoon in his apartment.

Retired National Weather Service Meteorologist Hugh Johnson speaks about a cold May which turned into a hot May before it is likely to get cooler again. He spoke with Sean Bernyk and Lennox Apudo.

Young Futures is a community organization focused on creating unique art and educational programs that promote the conversation of health and wellness. The organization's founder, James Mitchell, spoke with Lennox Apudo and Sean Bernyk to talk about the various initiatives that the group is currently working on, including the Financial Literacy Arts Program. www.YoungFuturesCo.com

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea brings us coverage from the recent Beyond Plastic's lobby day and rally at the state capitol. Then, EP talks with City Council President Sue Steele, discussing both the lawsuit and pending legislation related to Flock safety. Later on, we welcome back retired National Weather Service meteorologist, Hugh Johnson, for our weekly weather update. After that, we have Everybody Moves our weekly series that profiles the immigration stories of our community. Finally, James Mitchell the founder of the community organization Young Futures joins us on the show to talk about the interesting work they're doing building community and making folks financially savvy. Co-hosts: Lennox Apudo and Sean Bernyk, Engineer: Sina Basila Hickey

Do you know that we are (still) in a state of emergency in Troy? On April 1st the mayor declared a state of emergency to renew the Flock Safety ALPR camera contract. The Troy City Council is suing the administration over it. In this segment, City Council President, Sue Steele discusses both the lawsuit and pending legislation related to Flock Safety. As of time of airing this story, one update is that it is actually unclear if the administration will allow the Troy Police to join the Council on May 21, 2026.

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.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Ruth Foster of Divest NY speaks on Comptroller DiNapoli's investments in Big Oil. Then, Willie Terry covers the NY Statewide Senior Action Council, "2026 Annual Senior Grassroots Advocacy Day" in Albany. Later on, Diane Mbombo-Tite speaks on growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo and her immigration story on another episode of Triple E's. After that, we hear about “Storytime from Palestine,” part of the “Sowing seeds for Palestine” event taking place at Yesfolk Tonics on May 23. Finally, we hear from Guinean musician Natu Camara ahead of her performance at The Sanctuary for Independent Media on May 15 at 7pm!

Sowing seeds for Palestine is a Fundraiser + Livestream of Beekeepers Storytime taking place at YesFolk Tonics on May 23, from 11am-4pm. This event plants hope to feed the future and preserve life-giving stories. Part of this event is Storytime from Palestine, hearing from Palestinian beekeepers and Bees, Land, & Liberation members who recently returned from a solidarity beekeeping trip in Palestine. Hana' and Nora join HMM producers Cricket and Marrow for a live zoom interview about seeds and their experiences in the West Bank.

The New York State Museum is collecting oral histories from Black New Yorkers connected to the Great Migration. The project, led by Jennifer Lemak, focuses on preserving the traditions and experiences that shaped communities across New York State.

In this episode, Jasmeet Kaur, a student at UAlbany, sat down with Delilah Ramos, a junior at University at Albany, to get more insight into the services Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program provides and how student volunteers help support their peers through difficult moments, stress, and everyday challenges on campus.

Albany Law professor Dale Margolin Cecka joins Hudson Mohawk Magazine to talk about adultification bias — the everyday ways institutions stop seeing Black children as children. Drawing on her recent op-eds in USA Today and Slate, she reflects on her own family, her clinic work, and what it takes for institutions to believe the people they're meant to protect.

On Monday May 11, several hundred people attended Beyond Plastic's lobby day and rally. The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act – known as PRRIA - would require producers of single use packaging to reduce the amount by 30% over 12 years and ban 13 toxic chemicals from packaging. The bill has twice passed the Senate but the Assembly Speaker has refused to let it come up for a vote despite having a majority of members as co-sponsors. However, a few days after the rally, the Speaker announced that the Democrat members of the Assembly would be reviewing the legislation in conference. The sponsors recently did an additional 38 amendments to the bill to help with its passage. In part two of our coverage, we hear Dr. Charles Moon of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Chris Alexander of the NYS NAACP Conference, Assemblymember Deborah Glick, and Jay Buckiewicz of the Peekskill NAACP. This has been Mark Dunlea for the Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

More than one hundred New Yorkers were at the Capitol on Wednesday April 13 calling for a three-year moratorium on new data-center development while the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) complete comprehensive reports evaluating the industry's current and projected effects on electricity rates, energy use, water resources, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and electronic waste, and issue new regulations to mitigate those negative impacts. At the rally, we hear from Eric Weltman of Food and Water Watch, Assemblymember Anna Kelles, Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Reverend Dr. Majadi Baruti of PUSH Buffalo, and Assemblymember Dana Levenberg. This has been Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

On This Episode of the TripleE's, Diana Mbombo-TIte tells her story of growing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all the languages she learned in the DRC. she also talks about her story of how and why she immigrated to the United States of America , and Finally she tells H Bosh Jr about starting her business Akula Interpreting and Translation LLC.

On Tuesday, May 11, 2026, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Network Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry covered the NY Statewide Senior Action Council, "2026 Annual Senior Grassroots Advocacy Day" at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, where they were demanding "Budget Equity" for Seniors. In this Labor segment, Willie interviewed Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of the New York Statewide Senior Action Council, about the purpose of Advocacy Day.

The climate crisis is upon us. The upcoming summer is expected to be brutal with dangerous heatwaves, severe drought across the country, wildfires, and extreme storms. We know the solution to the climate crisis is to stop burning fossil fuels, yet, despite his commitment to divest from fossil fuels in 2020, Comptroller DiNapoli continues to invest heavily in Exxon, Shell, Chevron and other Big Oil companies that continue to destroy our climate. In addition, continued investments in risky fossil fuels have hurt the pension fund. Ruth Foster of Divest NY talks with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine as to why the group decided to endorse comptroller candidates Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle in the democratic party primary. Ruth also discusses the effort to shut down the Sheridan Ave. Steam Plant and convert the Capital Complex to renewable energy, including geothermal.

Today On Hudson Mohawk Magazine we hear from Monday's advocacy day by Beyond Plastics. Then, we have a report on a Mother's Day rally around sentencing reform. Later on, in this week's On the Brink and Fighting Back, Rosemary Armao explores Donald Trump's fiscal policies. After that, we have the latest segment from the Skidmore Labor Series. Finally, from our archives, we hear from author Nancy Castaldo about how water is an environmental justice issue.

Wall Street investment banker Mark Wittman talked at length, but in layman's terms, with Beyond the Brink podcast host Rosemary Armao this week about all those egg-heady issues like investing in gold and politics within the Fed and the national debt that can affect your life. You can listen to him in full on YouTube or Apple, or wherever you like to get podcasts. Wittman describes how President Trump has an uncanny ability to show our enemies what their superpower is. Will he be doing that in this week's trip to China?

On Tuesday May 12, Formerly incarcerated moms, moms of incarcerated children and dozens of lawmakers held a Mother's Day rally at the State Capitol to call for the passage of sentencing reform legislation to reunite families, including the Second Look Act, the Earned Time Act and the Marvin Mayfield Act. We hear from Senator April Baskin, Assemblymember Anna Kelles, Senator Robert Jackson, Dr Franchesca Capellan and Assemblymember Jessica Gonzales Rojas.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea talks with NYPRIG Blair Horner to give an update on the budget. Then, Ren Lee gets an update from Humanities NY, a year after they lost much of their funding due to DOGE cuts. Later on, we hear from Sarah Abrahams who tells us all about pet therapy. After that, Craig Neslor of Albany Comedy Corner has an interview about Laughing Out Loud, an elevated comedy experience show with Duncan Harris and Roger Harris. Finally, this week, Thom Francis welcomes poet, artist, and musician Matthew Klane to the mic. Hosts: Caelan McPherson and Richard Sleeper Engineer: Henry VanHaverbeke

On Monday May 11, several hundred people attended Beyond Plastic's lobby day and rally. The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act – known as PRRIA - would require producers of single use packaging to reduce the amount by 30% over 12 years and ban 13 toxic chemicals from packaging. The bill has twice passed the Senate but the Assembly Speaker has refused to let it come up for a vote despite having a majority of members as co-sponsors. The sponsors recently did an additional 38 amendments to the bill to help with its passage. In part one of our coverage, we hear from Senator Rachel May; Kurt Kruperman of Capital District Zero Waste; Yvonne Taylor of Seneca Lake Guardian; singer Taina Asili; Assemblymember Chris Eachus; and Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Humanities NY suddenly lost much of their funding due to DOGE cuts in 2025. One year later, we get an update on the state of their organization and hear from HNY Executive Director Sara Ogger who spoke with Sanctuary Executive Director Ren Lee who relates to this story from personal experience.

This week, Thom Francis welcomes poet, artist, and musician Matthew Klane to the mic. Matthew read poems at the first Year in Review spoken word event at The Linda, WAMC's Performing Arts Studio, on December 17, 2021. +++++ At the end of 2021, coming out of the pandemic, there were a lot of stories to tell. Albany Poets (soon to be merged with the Hudson Valley Writers Guild) invited eight local poets to perform on The Linda stage in front of their first live poetry show in over a year. The Year in Review was an incredible evening of poetry, art, and community. Matthew Klane was one of the poets who read his work at the event. Matthew is co-editor at Flim Forum Press. His books include Canyons (w/ James Belflower, Flimb Press 2016), Che (Stockport Flats 2013) and B (Stockport Flats 2008). An e-chapbook from Of the Day is online at Delete Press, an e-book My is online at Fence Digital, and a chapbook Poetical Sketches is available from The Magnificent Field. He currently lives and writes in Albany, NY. You can find out more about Matthew at his website matthewklane.com.

First, Elizabeth EP Press brings us coverage of Troy City Council's meeting where local law #3 was discussed. The law is meant to regulate the use of automatic license plate readers in Troy. Then, NATURE Lab Co-Director Ellie Irons tells us about this year's media lab component to the youth Water Justice Lab fellowship. Later on, retired national weather service Hugh Johnson joins us to discuss the weather in this week's weather segment. After that, we hear Conner Lee talking with Gaheul Yi as he shares his parents' migration story from Korea to the Capital District. Finally, this week we have the annual Collard City Growers plant swap, so we hear from Azuré and Christian. Co-Hosts: Sean Bernyk and Lennox Apudo Engineer: Kalix Sausville

This year, Water Justice Lab will also include a Media Lab fellowship, an opportunity for youth to get trained in and create short media to document the summer Water Justice Lab fellowship and specifically the Source to Estuary program. NATURE Lab Co-Director Ellie Irons spoke with the Sanctuary's Programming Manager Sina Basila Hickey about this opportunity. Learn more here: https://www.mediasanctuary.org/project/water-justice-lab/

The City of Troy currently has 26 working Flock Safety ALPR cameras with no public rules and regulations on the books. The Troy City Council is proposing a new Local Law #3 “Establishing Standards Governing the City's Use of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) Systems.” This piece by Elizabeth Press highlights the debate over the possible legislation. OUTRO The Council is hoping to get input from law enforcement before the legislation is finalized. You can also check out the draft legislation here: here:https://www.troyny.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072026-1823?html=true

New York's budget is now six weeks late, though Governor Hochul claims the numeruos policy issues she has inserted into the budget are now largely agreed to. Blair Horner of NYPIRG talks with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine about how the budget undercuts the concept of democracy, particularly in how the climate issue has been handled.

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.

On This Episode of the TripleE's, Diana Mbombo-TIte tells her story of growing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all the languages she learned in the DRC. she also talks about her story of how and why she immigrated to the United States of America , and Finally she tells H Bosh Jr about starting her business Akula Interpreting and Translation LLC. https://akulainterpreting.com

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