Hudson Mohawk Magazine

With an expired permit and the blessings of DEC, the Dunn Dump continues churning up known environmental and health hazards, in a residential neighborhood 500 feet from a school. The Rensselaer Environmental Coalition was formed in a futile attempt to prevent the siting of the dump in that location in the first place, and has been fighting it every step of the way. Bob Welton of the REC summarizes the ongoing saga for HMM producer Cathy Silber, and previews the group's August 25 press conference, at which important new findings about DEC's approval process will be released. See Stopdunn.org for complete information.

The August 23, 2022 election is unusual for two reasons: the 2020 redistricting and subsequent legal challenges settled district lines later than usual, and the appointment of Antonio Delgado to Lieutenant Governor necessitated a special election for someone to serve out his term. Shirley Buel, President of the League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County explains to Producer Cathy Silber what area voters need to know to vote in this election. Visit Vote411.org to see what will be on your ballot and where your polling place will be.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: We begin with Shirley Buel, president of the League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County, who joins us live to tell us what we need to know about the August 23 election. Then, Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry brings us excerpts from remarks at the most recent rally by Capital Roots workers in their quest to unionize. Later on, our very own H. Bosh, Jr. brings us another episode of Triple Es, in his conversation with State Trooper Bobbie Murray. After that, Mama Love, founder of Mother to Son: Mothers, Talk to Your Sons About Gun Violence, introduces her organization and previews their August 13 Summer Jam. Finally, Bob Welton of The Rensselaer Environmental Coalition, joins us live to bring us the latest on the Dunn Dump.

Grassroots environmental activists in New York State have been fighting for decades to stop–and clean up–toxic waste dumping by General Electric and other industrial polluters. These local struggles against multinational corporations have global consequences, because the same business practices have contaminated the environment worldwide. One of those places is in Western Massachusetts, less than 50 miles from the NY State Capital. Hudson Mohawk Magazine correspondent Steve Pierce speaks to Tim Gray, executive director of the Housatonic River Initiative, about their ongoing struggle for environmental justice. https://cleanthehousatonic.com/

Braver Angels, a national non-profit organization, encourages respectful communication among people of different political viewpoints. Local organizers Michael Asbury and William Ernst discuss the group's goals and activities with Hudson Mohawk Magazine producer Brea Barthel. For more information, visit braverangels.org, or email masbury@braverangels.org.

On Friday, August 5, 2022, the Hudson Mohawk Magazine Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry covered a noontime rally supporting "Capital Roots Workers and their fight to unionize." The rally occurred at the Urban Grow Center at 594 River Street in Troy. The Service Employees International Union and local Capital Roots United sponsored the rally. In this part two Labor segment, you will hear the audio recording from the rally of various speakers on why they are protesting against management and a hostile work environment at Capital Roots.

The Climate Change Superfund Act would require fossil fuel companies in NY to pay a fee based on their individual percentage share of total greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere, and will generate $30 billion in ten years. Anne Rabe of NYPIRG provides an update on the organizing effort, including the upcoming Make Polluters Pay Climate Crisis Caravan Tour. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

On Friday, August 5, 2022, the Hudson Mohawk Magazine Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry covered a noontime rally supporting "Capital Roots Workers and their fight to unionize." The rally occurred at the Urban Grow Center at 594 River Street in Troy. The Service Employees International Union and local Capital Roots United sponsored the rally. In this part one Labor segment, you will hear the audio recording from the rally of various speakers on why they are protesting against management and a hostile work environment at Capital Roots.

The federal HUD has given the Cohoes Housing Authority to sell the Saratoga Sites housing complex next to the Norlite hazardous waste incinerator to the City so they can move everyone out and demolish it. This is one of the first such actions by HUD in the country. Joe Ritchie of Lights Out Norlite provides an update. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Math Specialist Lisa Danello Chase integrates simple math into the every day at home and works with math challenged individuals at schools. She rejects the label that there are people who are not good at math and encourages using different methods to get an answer and making math fun (like bringing math into the kitchen). Lisa talks to Sina Basila Hickey about the three steps in math recovery and what she'd like to see implemented into more math classrooms. CC image by perpetual.fostering

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: We begin with an overview of the fight to reduce overtime hours for farmworkers. Then, for our peace bucket, we review the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Later on, we bring excerpts from the "What Is Black August?" virtual talk from the folks from All of Us. After that, Sandra Deer-Standup talks about a community supported land-back effort in Schoharie County and the celebration taking place this weekend. Finally, we hear about Arthur's Point Farm in Ghent, New York, which supports ecological agriculture and land restoration.

It is Black August and many still don't know what that means or recognize the name George Jackson. All Of Us held a conversation about the history of Black August, and this is just ten minutes of the almost hour and a half long recording. Image by Mazatl (JustSeeds)a block print of George Jackson Find the entire recording here: https://www.facebook.com/UntitledAndFree/videos/776877350128579?link_id=0&can_id=530cb7464e3ccb7bca4cb8a4717db406&source=email-black-august-this-history&email_referrer=email_1628625&email_subject=black-august-the-history

After her son survived six bullets, Mama Love founded Mother to Son: Mothers, Talk to Your Sons About Gun Violence. On Saturday, August 13, 2-6 pm, Mother to Son is hosting a Summer Jam at the Troy Boys and Girls Club. Mama Love describes all the festivities at this occasion for family fun and tells producer Cathy Silber about her mission to involve mothers in the 518 and around the world to stop their sons from shooting each other.

A community supported land-back effort is taking place on a strawberry farm in Schoharie County. Sandra Owén:nakon Deer-Standup, a Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) from Kahnawa:ke (By The Rapids), is spearheading the reeducation effort that will be a part of this effort. Sandra is a long time land defender and educator, and she spoke with Sina Basila Hickey about the connection to this land, the importance of agency over one's own education, and what to expect in the upcoming celebration. http://waterfallunityalliance.org/

A wage board at the state Department of Labor is expected to meet next month to accept a report recommending the overtime threshold be lowered from 60 to 40 hours a week, especially after the state budget included a tax credit to help farmers pay for the increase. Yet Governor Hochul has yet to state her support while the Republican candidate for Governor, Lee Zeldin, opposes. Rev. Richard Witt of Rural Migrant Ministry discusses this decades long struggle with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine..

With recent airstrikes from Israel into Palestine, we invited Tom Ellis onto Hudson Mohawk Magazine to talk with Sina Basila Hickey about the ongoing conflict and how Biden, fair elections, and peace talks are ways forward.

Caelan McPherson and Sina Basile Hickey talked to the team leader of Sidewalk Warriors Robin Ford. We talked about how important these events are to the community, How these nonprofits supply these needs to the community, and should these nonprofits get help from the government, and finally we talked about their 2nd annual Fundraising event in October.

Over the last month, Water Justice Lab Youth Fellows have been out in the field as part of Source to Estuary: Water Justice Summer Camp. In this piece Youth Fellow Muzzamil Moate documents his experience doing stream sampling on Otter Creek and the Wynants Kill with mentor Douglas Reed.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, We begin with an overview of the Bond Act, which will be on our November Ballot, with Scenic Hudson. Then, Water Justice Lab speaks with Sherry White of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community about Papscanee Island, the Indigenous land that was recently returned in a land-back. Later on, we head into our archives for a story on Social Ecology and what it means by producer Natalie Meltzer After that, Aliza Gandhi has her debut story and brings us to the exhibition “Another Upstate NY Group Show” featuring various artists. Finally, we invite Sidewalk Warriors to talk about an upcoming event

This summer, Water Justice Lab Youth Fellows have been out in the field as part of the Sanctuary's Source to Estuary: Water Justice Summer Camp. In this piece youth fellows and mentors visit Papscanee Island, which was recently returned to the Stockbridge-Munsee Community.

In November's election, if you flip over your ballot in New York State, you will see the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Green Jobs Bond Act (or the Bond Act). Andy Bicking of Scenic Hudson, Inc, spoke with Sina Basila Hickey about what the Bond Act means.

Land-back is a movement to get Indigenous Lands back into Indigenous hands, and an effort is currently underway in Schoharie County on a Strawberry Farm. Sina Basila Hickey asks Bethany Yarrow of Waterfall Unity Alliance about the upcoming Waterfall Community Celebration, which is taking place on August 12th to 14th, and the Land-back effort for the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) people. http://waterfallunityalliance.org/ Thanks to Sarah Bachinger for her help with this story.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, We begin with Mark Dunlea talking with Jim Walsh of the organization Food and Water Watch about the climate-related parts of the newly passed Inflation Reduction Act. Then, we bring an archive report from Hudson Mohawk Magazine producer Meghan Marohn. We keep her in our thoughts, while the search for her continues. Later on Sina Basila Hickey asks Bethany Yarrow of Waterfall Unity Alliance about the upcoming Waterfall Community Celebration and the Land-Back effort. After that, Moses Nagel and his son Niko bring us a report on our extended heat wave. Finally, retired meteorologist Hugh Johnson is here for his regular climate and weather discussion, this time looking at the impact of lightning storms and safety precautions to consider when they are predicted.

Six year old correspondent, Niko Nagel-Dreby, went to Grafton Lake State Park to get the scoop on how local residents beat the heat in the midst of another heat wave.

The Senate in a rare weekend session passed the Inflation Reduction Act on August 7 which includes $370 billion in funding for climate measures such as renewable energy over ten years. Yet many environmental justice and progressive climate groups raised concerns about the ongoing promotion of fossil fuels and other false climate solutions. Jim Walsh, Policy Director of Food and Water Watch, talks about the bill with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Bobbie Murray a Veteran of the NY State police Force. The first African American father and daughter to serve as a NYS Trooper and the history of New York State . This is part 1 of a 2 part segment on the Triple E's Education, Entrepreneurship, and Empowerment.

TripleE's host, H.Bosh Jr. speaks with Dr Charelle Carter about her career, accomplishments and what it's like being an African-American physician. This is part of a series focusing on 518 Shining Stars.

In today's segment of Reclaiming History, Lovonia Mallory interviews members of Latin Fest who discuss the history of the Fest. The 25th annual event will take place at Washington Park in Albany, NY on Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: We begin with more coverage from the recent national day of climate action to urge President Biden to declare a climate emergency. Then, we get a preview of all the excitement that will be coming to Albany for Latin Fest. Later on, we talk about social insects with Siena College Assistant Professor Rebecca Clark. After that, poet and peace activist Dan Wilcox tells us about Third Thursday Poetry Night. Finally, we follow Water Justice Lab fellows to the river where they sample water at Otter Creek and the Wynants Kill with mentor Douglas Reed.

Leafcutter ants and wing-dimorphic field crickets are the focus of Siena College Assistant Professor Rebecca Clark's research. These social animals can tell us a lot about the world. Producer Sina Basila Hickey asked Rebecca about her research and how we can see the world differently through the lens of insects.

Find Capital Regions poetry events at the New York State Writers Institute and the Hudson Valley Writers Guild HVWG.org.

Kevin Pryor, founder and leader of Troy L.O.O.K. (Life, Options, Opportunity, Knowledge), returns to the show for our weekly check-in with a member organization of the MLK Labor and Community Network to talk with hosts Cathy Silber and H. Bosh Jr. about inspiring 27 Troy kids with a trip to D.C. to learn more about Black history than they'd ever imagined.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: We begin with excerpts from Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan's press conference on Tuesday about Albany's Central Warehouse, falling concrete from which closed westbound train traffic for several days last week. Then, Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry brings us an interview and excerpts from the New York State Community Equity Agenda's Albany meeting on Wednesday. Later on, our very own H. Bosh Jr. brings us the latest episode of Triple E's–that's Education, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship–in his live interview with Yasmin Stewart and Fatima Horne, about the grand opening Saturday of The Studio on Colvin Avenue in Albany. After that, producer and host Blaise Bryant talks with Alex Thompson, Director of Advocacy for the New York Association on Independent Living, about the legislation Governor Hochul just signed, on the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities. Finally, Kevin Pryor of Troy L.O.O.K. joins us for this week's check-in with a member organization of the MLK Labor and Community Network.

As part of a national day of climate action, several dozen individuals rallied in Albany on august 2 to call on President Biden to declare a climate emergency and to take strong executive action to halt fossil fossils and speed up the transition to clean renewable energy. In part 2 of Hudson Mohawk Magazine's coverage, we hear from Michael Richardson of GreenFaith; labor active Doug Bullock and Mark Schaeffer of PAUSE and DSA. With Mark Dunlea for HMM.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: We begin with an update on public power efforts in NY. Then, for our peace bucket, Mark Dunlea talks with Mabel Leon about her recent trip to Cuba. Later on, we hear about an upcoming event at the Underground Railroad Education Center on August 11. After that, Albany Center Gallery is celebrating 45 years in operation, and we get the scoop on the pARTy, current exhibition, and new initiative. Finally, as the search continues for HMM producer Meghan Marohn, we have a segment on coping with the absence of a loved one.

On Wednesday, August 3, 2022, the Hudson Mohawk Magazine Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry attended the "Community Breakfast and Retreat" sponsored by the "New York State Community Equity Agenda," which is a coalition of community and labor groups. The purpose of the meeting was to educate these groups about the five-point plan and how they could get involved in this effort. In this Labor segment, Willie interviewed, Co-Director, Sarah Ludwig of the New Economy Project and played excerpts from Senior Campaign Organizer Mike Sandmel's remarks about the NYS Community Equity Agenda. For more information: https://www.neweconomynyc.org/our-work/campaigns/community-equity-agenda/

In its 45 years, Albany Center Gallery has evolved to bring art more into the outdoors and to invite visitors into the process of creating art. This Friday August 5th, ACG will party, celebrate the new Art.Work.Space initiative, and hold an artist's reception for 3 exhibitions. Sina Basila Hickey spoke with Albany Center Gallery's Karina Wojnar about ACG's history and current mission. image by courtesy of Albany Center Gallery: an old black and white photograph of an office and a poster on the side of a shelf which says "Art in public places... center gallery."

July 26 marked the 32nd birthday of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a package of legislation strengthening the rights for people with disabilities. Our Blaise Bryant talked with Alex Thompson, Director of Advocacy for the New York Association on Independent Living about the legislation. This is a clip from the Blaisin' Access Podcast. For more information about the NY Association on Independent Living, visit ilny.org

On Tuesday, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan held a press conference about the Central Warehouse. Loose concrete fell from part of the building, causing westbound train traffic to be shut down from last Friday to Monday. Our Blaise Bryant brings us a clip from her Tuesday press conference. CC image of the Albany Central Warehouse behind a gas station and electrical wires by Tyler A. McNeil

Mabel Leon is a long-time activist with Albany Cuba Solidarity and Pastors for Peace. She talks with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine about Cuban art and culture following her most recent trip to Cuba.

On July 28, the NYS Assembly held a 10-hour long hearing on the Build Public Renewables Act (BPRA) after failing to bring the bill up for a vote at the end of the recent legislative session even though a majority of Assemblymembers said they would vote for it; it did pass the Senate. Aaron Eisenberg of Public Power NY talks about the hearing, including the opposition to the bill expressed by Justin Driscoll who the Governor has nominated to run the NY Power Authority, which the BPRA is directed at. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

African Americans in Albany played a critical role in helping people escape enslavement in the 1860's. Learn about them, and hear about projects created by students participating in a summer program, at the free "Young Abolitionists Leadership Institute" open house on Thursday, August 11, 2-4, at the Stephen and Harriet Myers residence at 194 Livingston Ave in Albany. That's now the home of the Underground Railroad Education Center. For more info, visit undergroundrailroadhistory.org. Segment produced by Brea Barthel.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: We begin by heading to Cong. Paul Tonko's office where groups urged Pres. Biden to declare a climate emergency. Then, Dulcinia Diggs continues to talk with visiting RPI professor Caleb White about the true art of architecture. Later on, for background to Mark Dunlea's interview in our next episode with Mabel Leon about her recent trip to Cuba, we replay Mark's coverage of last year's Rally in Solidarity with Cuba, featuring remarks by Mabel Leon. After that, to support those who are missing a disappeared loved one, Cathy Silber interviews Skidmore College Social Work Professor Crystal Moore about the impact of ambiguous loss. Finally, we play a segment from our archives by producer Meghan Marohn, our beloved producer who has been missing for over four months now. We continue to keep the light on.

Caleb White, visiting professor at RPI in the School of Architecture, spoke with Hudson Mohawk Magazine producer Dulcinia Diggs about the true art of architecture. He also spoke about being an architect, what it took for him to become one, and what country has the best architect in his opinion. This is part of producer Dulcinia Diggs' ongoing look into S.T.R.E.A.M. work.

On Tuesday, August 2, the People vs. Fossil fuels campaign held events across the country urging President Biden to declare a climate emergency, halt new fossil fuels, and issue a series of executive orders (see climatepresident.org). In the first part of our coverage of the rally held in Albany in front of Cong. Paul Tonko's office, we hear from Mark Dunlea of PAUSE, followed by Bob cohen of Citizen Action and then Alycia Bacon on Mothers out Front. For Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

In this second of a two-part segment, Crystal Dea Moore, Professor of Social Work at Skidmore College, joins HMM producer Cathy Silber to explain how narrative becomes essential for coping with ambiguous loss. For the first part, see https://soundcloud.com/mediasanctuary/keeping-the-light-on-for-meghan-marohn?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Meghan Marohn, a cherished member of the Sanctuary for Independent Media community, was last seen on March 27, 2022. To help keep the light on for Meghan, for all who miss her, for anyone coping with the absence of a loved one, Crystal Dea Moore, Professor of Social Work at Skidmore College, joins HMM producer Cathy Silber to explain ambiguous loss, in this first of two segments. Chris Hedges, “The Disappearance of Meghan Marohn”: https://chrishedges.substack.com/p/the-disappearance-of-meghan-marohn Local support for families of missing loved ones: https://www.hope4themissing.org/news.php

Now joining us once again is retired National Weather Service meteorologist Hugh Johnson, for our weekly discussion of weather and climate.

President Biden is promoting new efforts to combat climate change but fell short in his declaration. A rally to urge President Biden to declare a climate emergency will take place on Tuesday August 2 at 12pm in front of Cong. Tonko's office. Mark Dunlea, the convener of PAUSE (People of Albany United for Safe Energy), joined Brea Barthel and Blaise Bryant to talk about the rally. CC image of poster painted with "climate emergency" by Takver

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: We begin with Mark Dunlea joining us to talk about a Tuesday rally to urge President Biden to declare a climate emergency. Then, we hear excerpts from Senator Schumer's press conference announcing passage of the CHIPS Act supporting expansion of the computer chip industry here in New York and beyond. Later on, we have a report from a recent public hearing regarding New York's proposed Build Public Renewables Act. After that, our Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry shifts gears to bring us part three of his coverage of poetry by D Colin and by Amani Olugbala. at a recent event at the Fish Market art space in Troy. Finally, retired meteorologist Hugh Johnson joins us for his regular weekly segment on climate and weather, looking once again at heat waves, to prepare us for the days ahead.

The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act was passed by Congress last week. The legislation gives a 52-billion dollar investment to manufacturing. On Monday Senator Charles Schumer was at the Albany NanoTech Complex discussing the impact this has on the capital region. His remarks are courtesy of a Facebook live stream from WNYT-News Channel 13. CC image of Senator Schumer