Podcasts about Metro North

Early voting is underway in New York City mayor and turnout has far exceeded previous election cycles. Meanwhile, the MTA says a major project to bring Metro North service to the East Bronx will be delayed by three years. And finally, New Yorkers get a say in the future of housing in New York City.

The New York City Council is working on a plan to protect the city from the Trump Administration's immigration policies. WFUV's Xenia Gonikberg has more. New York's Metro-North extension to Penn Station is delayed by three years. WFUV's Nick Verone explains what the hold up is. Election season is upon us. WFUV's reporters are looking into what New Yorkers will see on the ballot. WFUV's Sienna Reinders explains Proposal 2 which fast-tracks affordable housing. Host/Producer: Lainey Nguyen and Xenia Gonikberg Editor: Robin Shannon Reporter: Xenia Gonikberg Reporter: Sienna Reinders Reporter: Nick Verone Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker

Second public hearing scheduled on parking changes The Cold Spring Village Board, at its Wednesday (Oct. 22) meeting, tabled recommendations from the Planning Board to approve 32 parking waivers for 1 Depot Square and 37 Main St. Since 2010, the board has granted waivers to businesses for $250 each, as payment in lieu of providing the required number of off-street spaces required by the Village Code when parking spaces are unavailable. On Wednesday, Mayor Kathleen Foley questioned the effectiveness of the waivers. "The physical reality of the village is that the parking waivers don't help us," she said. "It's cash in the door, but it doesn't get us closer to solving the (parking) problem." When waivers were initiated 15 years ago, (the first six were issued to Frozenberry, then at 116 Main St., where Angie's is located now), the village population didn't more than double on peak tourist weekends as it does now, she said. At 1 Depot Square, the code requires 14 off-street spots for a planned addition of a 1,250-square-foot event space at the south end of The Depot Restaurant. Angie's Bakery and Café also plans to move and expand at 37 Main St., which would require 18 off-street spots. Both locales are busy sections of the village. Brian Tormey, the owner of 37 Main St., said that while there is space behind the building, it isn't suitable for customer parking for logistical and safety reasons. Greg Pagones, who owns The Depot, said he's been using space owned by Metro-North adjacent to the restaurant for staff parking since 2007 through an informal agreement with the railroad. Pagones said Metro-North indicated several years ago it intended to formally renew the agreement, but that hasn't happened. Foley expressed concern over the lack of a contract with Metro-North. "If we enter an agreement based on the concept that that space is available to you, and a year from now, MTA says, 'Nope, you're out,' we've made decisions about parking based upon space you don't control," she said to Pagones. There was discussion as to whether Depot Square, often described as a private road, is actually a public street, and whether that status would affect off-street parking. Documents related to the street date to the mid-1800s. "There is a public right-of-way that encompasses essentially all of the roadway and the parking on either side," said the Planning Board attorney, Jonathan DeJoy. "On top of that, the street has been used as a public street for decades." The board tabled a decision on the parking waivers pending consultation with the village counsel. "We want to find middle ground that allows entrepreneurial efforts in the village to flourish," balanced with quality of life for residents, Foley said. In a Friday (Oct. 24) email, she described the situation as a quandary. "The practice of parking waivers has kicked the can for new developments down the road for a decade," she wrote. "Now the board has no option but to deal with the reality on the ground, weigh pros and cons, along with property rights, and make the best decision we can for the widest interests of the village. It is by no means a simple question." In other business … A second public hearing will be held on Nov. 12 at Village Hall on proposed changes to Chapter 126 of the Village Code, dealing with vehicles and traffic. The revisions proposed include limiting free parking on the east side of High Street to the section between Haldane Street and Northern Avenue and extending parking limits on both sides of Fair Street to include the section north of Mayor's Park to the village limits. Twenty-four winter parking permits will be available for the municipal lot on Fair Street. Permits cost $40 and are valid from Nov. 15 to April 15.

Why Long Island stand-up crowds are tough but loyal Tom's Best of LI nomination and why he's counting on YOU The eternal war: LIRR vs. Metro North (spoiler: Janette is Team Connecticut) Losing keys in New Haven, surviving Penn Station, and a surprise Uber rescue mission Hilarious stories of dating, aging, and performing on the Island

MTA Chair Janno Lieber is accusing Amtrak of delaying a major rail expansion that would add four Metro North stations in the East Bronx and bring service to Penn Station for the first time. Meanwhile, police say a 60-year-old woman was killed after two men riding the same e-bike crashed into her near the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Also, the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils are all set to open their new hockey seasons this week.

Federal government settles over land claims In a settlement with the federal government, eight Dutchess and Putnam County landowners, including five in Beacon, were awarded $1.06 million in compensation for property taken for a proposed 13-mile rail trail - apparently the first resolution in a slew of similar lawsuits. Metro-North, which acquired the dormant Beacon Line in 1995, is negotiating to relinquish the tracks to the state for a Beacon-to-Hopewell Junction trail. It would wind from Beacon's train station for 4 miles around the city's southern perimeter before running parallel with Tioronda Avenue and the east end of Main Street. The entire Beacon Line is 41 miles long and stretches to the Connecticut border. The eight plaintiffs are represented by Lewis Rice, a law firm in St. Louis that specializes in rail trail "takings" cases. Four own homes on Tioronda Avenue and another is the limited-liability company behind the condos at 1 East Main St. The property under and adjacent to the tracks was seized in February 2024 under the National Trails System Act, which allows abandoned railroad lines to be converted to parks. A feasibility study commissioned by Dutchess County and released in August recommended tearing out the unused tracks between Beacon and Hopewell for $46 million to $56 million rather than installing a path alongside them. Landowners adjoining the corridor can claim swaths of land likely lost in the 19th century, when railroads that needed the corridors purchased or condemned the land or acquired easements, according to Steve Wald of Stewart, Wald & Smith, another St. Louis law firm specializing in rail-trail property cases. The firms argue that modern owners are "predecessors in title" who "have the same rights as the original landowners." The plaintiffs in this case and similar ones elsewhere in the country say that, in the event of a conversion of use to something other than rail access, they should receive "full possession and control" or be compensated. If a court agrees, appraisers determine the amount of land lost, as well as any damages related to loss of privacy and/or security from the trail construction. More than 80 abandoned railroad lines in New York state have been converted to trails, including the 13-mile Dutchess Rail Trail that stretches from Hopewell Junction to the Walkway Over the Hudson and the 12-mile Putnam County Trailway between Baldwin Place and Brewster. More lawsuits are pending. Stewart, Wald & Smith has at least three outstanding cases that name 260 landowners. In Beacon, their clients include the Elks, Lank's Automotive, Lori Joseph Builders, Levi Reavey Sr. and Whitefield Properties. On Aug. 21, Lewis Rice filed a lawsuit on behalf of G.P. Beacon LLC at 578 Main St. and property owners in Fishkill and Pawling. On Sept. 17, Stewart, Wald & Smith filed a claim for owners in Fishkill, Hopewell Junction, Pawling and Poughquag.

The Wednesday (Sept. 10) meeting of the Cold Spring Village Board opened on a somber note. "Today we had a political assassination [of Charlie Kirk] and another school shooting [in Colorado]," said Mayor Kathleen Foley. "I'd like a moment of silence for everyone we've lost to gun violence." The mayor also asked that everyone remember those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. Trustee Laura Bozzi introduced the Flood Resilience Reconnaissance Study submitted to the village in June by Fuss and O'Neill, an engineering firm. The study focuses on the Back Brook watershed, the 160-acre drainage area that sends stormwater from as far upstream as Bull Hill to culverts beneath Fair Street before it empties into the Hudson River. The Fair Street drain collapsed during a severe storm in July 2023. The study recommends improvements to the upstream drainage system, which dates to the late 19th century. Bozzi said that once feedback is received from Nelsonville, Haldane, state parks and other partners, a strategy and timeline will be developed. The board accepted the low bid of $60,098 from PCC Contracting of Schenectady to repair damage to the pedestrian tunnel from the 2023 flooding. Six bids were received; the highest was $177,180. The contractor will inject material into the tunnel walls to make them watertight, and doors will be added later so it can be closed off during flooding. Superintendent of Water and Sewer Matt Krug is investigating why the fecal coliform count in treated wastewater entering the Hudson River from the sewage treatment plant exceeded limits set by the state. Kroog also said that, with less than two inches of rain in August, the reservoirs have fallen to 80 percent capacity. The village will establish its fourth public electric-vehicle charging station at McConville Park. Central Hudson will pay 90 percent of the cost, and the village the remainder, about $3,000. The units will be paid for with a state grant. The Highway Department began installing sidewalk ramps at key intersections that will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The board voted to increase the hourly wage for school crossing guards from $15.50 to $20 an hour. The village is short one guard but had no response to its advertisements. The Planning Board has scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 25 regarding an application for a change of use from retail to bakery at 37 Main St., adjacent to the pedestrian tunnel. As it did last year, the board authorized the Police Department to suspend on-street parking all day on Fair Street and Northern Avenue on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and to divert traffic as needed through November. CSPD handled 123 calls in August, including 18 traffic stops that resulted in 10 tickets. There were also 27 assists to other first responders, nine alarms, six vehicle crashes, five suspicious incidents, three noise complaints, two domestic incidents, and incidents of burglary, harassment, person in crisis and a dispute. Cold Spring Fire Co. volunteers answered 17 calls in August, including six activated alarms, four medical assists, two brush fires and calls for a mountain rescue, mutual aid to Garrison Fire Co., Metro-North elevator rescue, outdoor smoke investigation and propane odor. CSFC was one of four Putnam County fire departments to take part in the first training session at the county's new $1.6 million Fire & EMS Training Center in Kent.

East Harlem leaders want to repurpose a long-forgotten rail station to link the incoming Second Avenue subway to the neighborhood's Metro North stop. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has floated federal control of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and WNYC's Hannah Frishberg reports on how local officials and first responders are reacting. Plus, GrowNYC will host a free Fermentation Fest at the Union Square Greenmarket on Friday, with fermentation expert Sandor Katz and Norwich Meadows Farm co-owner Zaid Kurdieh joining us to preview the event.

Waterbury, CT, is transforming transit! In this episode, we explore how the CTDOT and the City of Waterbury are modernizing buses, shelters, and the Metro-North station with expanded parking, ADA access, and updated platforms. Mayor Paul Pernerewski joins to share how these upgrades improve commutes, local business, and equity - paving the way for a sustainable future.

Transportation council issues draft estimates A nearly two-year study of a proposed biking and walking trail between Beacon and Hopewell Junction recommended tearing out 13 miles of unused railroad tracks at a cost of $46 million to $56 million rather than installing the path alongside them. In a virtual presentation on Wednesday (Aug. 20), Mark Debald, transportation program administrator with the Dutchess County Transportation Council, and two engineers with Barton & Loguidice, said that keeping the tracks and widening their corridor to add an adjacent trail would cost $130 million to $150 million, have greater environmental impacts and require land purchases. Their recommendations, which can be viewed at beaconhopewellrailtrail.com and are open for comment through Sept. 12, call for five phases of construction along the unused tracks, which are called the Beacon Line and owned by Metro-North. The westernmost section would begin at Long Dock Park in Beacon and run 3.6 miles to Jan Van Pelt Park in the Town of Fishkill, winding around the city's southern perimeter before running along Fishkill Creek, parallel with Tioronda Avenue and the east end of Main Street. Major Beacon crossings would include Churchill Street and East Main Street (at the dummy light). The trail would continue underneath Route 9D (at Tioronda) and hug northbound Route 52 (Fishkill Avenue) to the city line on its way to Jan Van Pelt. That segment, which is projected to be the most used because of Beacon's population density, would cost $8 million to $10 million, said Chris Hannett of Barton & Loguidice. From Jean Van Pelt Park, the trail would continue 2 miles to Sarah Taylor Park in the Village of Fishkill, cross Route 9 to connect to a 1.7-mile stretch to Doug Phillips Park in the Town of Fishkill, and wind 4.1 miles to the trailhead at the Hopewell Depot Museum in East Fishkill. From there, bikers and cyclists could access the Dutchess Rail Trail and Maybrook Trailway. The study also recommends repurposing and rehabbing six existing bridges, building a seventh over Route 9 and considering two more over Routes 52 and 82. Funding the trail will be a challenge, said Debald. "We need to identify an agency or municipalities that are willing to apply for funding and potentially manage and design and construct a project, whether it's a phase or the entire trail," he said. "Things take time." The report identifies other hurdles: Because the rail ties contain creosote, a wood preservative and pesticide considered to be toxic, they will require special handling and disposal. Installing a paved trail without damaging a fiber optic line alongside the tracks will also be a challenge, and culverts need to be repaired or replaced. Constructing the trail will require an easement from Metro-North and permits from the state Departments of Environmental Conservation and Transportation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and four municipalities, including Beacon. The line runs through private property, such as Montfort Brothers in Fishkill, where forklifts and front loaders cross the tracks between the masonry plant and storage area. But Hannett and Tom Baird, also with Barton & Loguidice, said the company is open to allowing the trail to cross the southern part of its property.

Route 9D to Little Stony Point deemed 'unwalkable' Sidewalks dominated the discussion at the Aug. 13 meeting of the Cold Spring Village Board. Concerns increased recently after a wheelchair-bound village resident tipped over along Morris Avenue/Route 9D near Hamilton Street, at the north end of the village. The incident prompted a meeting at Village Hall at which the state Department of Transportation agreed to allow the village to replace the asphalt sidewalk between Whitehill Place and the Haldane football field. Mayor Kathleen Foley said the project, being implemented "until there is a larger plan for 9D," will cost about $30,000. She said she hopes Putnam County, the Town of Philipstown and the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail will contribute financially. The work will be done "in kind" by local highway crews. The "larger plan for 9D" relates to HHFT having identified Dockside Park as its preferred southern gateway to the 7.5-mile trail being constructed between Cold Spring and Beacon. Foley and Philipstown Supervisor John Van Tassel have advocated starting the trail at Little Stony Point, with a series of improved sidewalks leading there from the village. The final route is yet to be decided. During the Aug. 13 meeting, the board voted 4-1 to pay Hahn Engineering up to $2,000 to estimate the cost of installing sidewalks on both sides of Route 9D from the northern boundary of the village to the Washburn Trail parking lot opposite Little Stony Point. The cost of the Hahn study will be split with Philipstown. Foley said pedestrians along that route encounter "holes you can put your foot in, up to your ankle" and that foot traffic can be expected to increase as the fall hiking season begins. She noted that from May to July, visits to the Washburn and Cornish trails increased by 6.6 percent over last year. Along the entire corridor, where Breakneck and the Metro-North platform are closed for HHFT construction, usage is down 47 percent. Trustee Aaron Freimark voted against the Hahn study, saying it would be spending village money on an analysis of a sidewalk that's not on village property. Foley responded that the estimate will be used to negotiate sidewalk improvements with the Department of Transportation (DOT), state parks and HHFT. "It is in villagers' best interest to have a sidewalk there," she said. DOT estimates the project, which requires relocating power lines and constructing a retaining wall, will cost $1 million. The Hahn study will fine-tune that estimate. Foley said DOT encouraged Cold Spring and Philipstown to apply jointly for funding through its Transportation Alternatives Program. Trustee Andrew Hall described the study as an "investment to unlock funding to improve the infrastructure of the village." In other action, the board tabled a letter from the mayor addressed to state parks and HHFT about the "not safely walkable" Route 9 approach to Little Stony Point and the Washburn Trail from the village. A new draft will be considered at the Wednesday (Aug. 27) meeting. The Philipstown Town Board approved a similar letter at its Aug. 7 from Van Tassel to state parks, although an accusation that HHFT was "directing the general public to walk along the shoulder of Route 9D" was removed. Board Member Jason Angell noted that advisories to pedestrians about construction-related closures do not use those words, and that other routes are available. Foley reported that a Breakneck Closures Logistics Working Group has been formed with municipal representatives from Cold Spring, Nelsonville and Philipstown, as well as state parks, HHFT and the Haldane school district, which has raised concerns because hiking apps encourage people to park at the school and use the campus as a short cut to trails. In other business… Marjorie Gage was appointed as village clerk-treasurer through Dec 1. She will earn a pro-rated annual salary of $72,000; the position had been hourly. Greg Henson resigned as clerk-treasurer on June 10. The boa...

On the heels of his February appointment, Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek sits down with Paul Comfort to break down a banner year for the MTA's northern commuter powerhouse. From 98 percent on-time performance to new “Super-Express” trains that shave up to 50 minutes a day off the New Haven run, Justin walks through the big wins, bigger capital program, and the three metrics he believes define rail's future in North America: reliability, frequency, and trip time.In This EpisodeThe 98% standard — how Metro-North elevated on-time performance across 230k daily tripsSuper-Express strategy — six AM/PM trains, revamped signaling, and a 90-minute New Haven–GCT targetGrand Central Terminal as a “temple to transit”Their nearly $8 billion capital plan (2025-29) — dual-mode Siemens Chargers, battery-electric locos, signal renewals, ADA station upgrades, and the Grand Central arteryPenn Station Access for Bronx riders and reverse-commute opportunities into Connecticut Resources & LinksMetro-North Railroad — https://new.mta.info/agency/metro-north-railroadMTA Capital Program 2025-2029 overview https://future.mta.info/capitalplan/Transit Unplugged episode archive — https://transitunplugged.comSubscribe & Stay ConnectedLike what you hear? Subscribe to Transit Unplugged on your favorite podcast app, or sign up for the newsletter at TransitUnplugged.com for weekly field notes from across the industry.Podcast CreditsTransit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world's people.Creator, Host & Producer — Paul ComfortExecutive Producer — Julie GatesProducer & Newsletter Editor — Chris O'KeefeAssociate Producer — Cyndi RaskinPodcast Intern — Desmond Gates Special thanks to:Brand Design — Tina OlagundoyeSocial Media — Tatyana MechkarovaGot a question or comment? Email us at info@transitunplugged.comDisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent. This production belongs to Modaxo and may contain information subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual-property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it

Seeks ban on use of name it owns A historic Black church in Washington, D.C., awarded rights to the name and logo of the right-wing extremist group Proud Boys is suing the Hudson Valley chapter and its president, a former Beacon resident. In a federal lawsuit filed Aug. 4, the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church accuses the Hudson Valley Proud Boys and Will Pepe of "unlawful and ongoing infringement" of its right to control use of the organization's name. Pepe is one of over 1,000 people found guilty of invading the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and pardoned in January by President Donald Trump. A federal judge awarded those rights to the church in February when the Proud Boys ignored a $2.8 million judgment over a December 2020 attack on the church while hundreds of its members rallied in the city in support of Trump and his unsubstantiated claims that he won the 2020 presidential election. Some Proud Boys, roving the city during a "night march," jumped over Metropolitan's iron fence to tear down and destroy its Black Lives Matter sign. According to the Anti-Defamation League, Proud Boys members "embrace misogynistic, anti-immigrant, Islamophobic and anti-LGBTQ+ ideologies, among other forms of hate, including antisemitism and white supremacy." Despite the February order, which prohibits the Proud Boys from "selling, transferring, disposing of or licensing" the name without the church's permission, Metropolitan AME says the Hudson Valley chapter continues to use the name on websites it and other New York chapters created, and on clothing, hats and other merchandise sold online. Metropolitan said Pepe has not responded to a cease-and-desist letter sent in June to a Long Island address, as well as requests that he provide information on the chapter's use of the name and the amount of revenues from members' dues and merchandise sales. Pepe, who did not respond to requests for comment made through the New York Proud Boys' website, lived in Dutchess County until June 2025, according to court documents. The church said it wants to "evolve" the Proud Boys name to become "associated with the church's mission of love and humanity, rather than white supremacy, hatred and violence." In February, it introduced two limited-edition T-shirts replicating the logo with the slogans "Stay Proud, Black Lives Matter" and "Stay Black, Black Lives Matter." "It is justice. It is karmic," the Rev. William H. Lamar IV, the church's pastor, told The Washington Post in February. "It is our victory in a long line of victories." Metropolitan AME was one of two Black churches in D.C. whose Black Lives Matter signs were destroyed on Dec. 12, 2020, by Proud Boys in support of Trump's challenge to the election results. Weeks later, on Jan.6, 2021, protesters broke into and ransacked the Capitol as lawmakers met to certify Joe Biden's win. Police arrested Pepe six days later, accusing him, as president of the Hudson Valley chapter, of coordinating with other Proud Boys by radio and removing a police barricade. A federal judge found Pepe, who was fired from his job with Metro-North in Brewster, guilty in a bench trial on Oct. 23, 2024, of a felony (obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder) and four misdemeanors. He was scheduled for sentencing on March 21 but, just hours after his inauguration on Jan. 20, Trump issued "full, complete and unconditional" pardons to more than 1,500 men and women charged with participating in the attack on the Capitol. Declaring his inauguration "liberation day," Trump also commuted the sentences of 14 people associated with the Proud Boys or Oath Keepers and convicted of seditious conspiracy for mounting an organized, military-like assault. Because they did not receive pardons, they will continue to face restrictions such as a ban on voting and owning firearms. Metropolitan AME is chasing the Proud Boys' money. The church initially sued Proud Boys International on Jan. 4, 2021 - two days before the Cap...

Town Board also approves Glassbury sales price The Philipstown Town Board on Thursday (Aug. 7) agreed to poll residents about implementing a tax on property sales in which the proceeds would be used to protect open spaces, wildlife habitats and other natural resources through land purchases and conservation easements. Ted Warren, the public policy manager for the Hudson Highlands Land Trust, informed the board that revenue for the Community Preservation Fund would be generated through a transfer tax of up to 2 percent, paid by buyers on the portion of a property purchase exceeding the median price for home sales in Putnam County. That is, if the median price is $500,000, a house that sold for $700,000 house would be taxed on $200,000. People buying homes for less than the median price would be exempt. Philipstown took the initial step toward the fund by in August 2023 by adopting a Community Conservation Plan. But Supervisor John Van Tassel said then that the idea of a new tax during the pandemic "did not settle well" with the board. In addition, said Warren, a survey of Philipstown residents conducted by the Trust for Public Land showed "a lot of ambivalence" about a fund. On Thursday, Van Tassel said the "time is right" to revisit the idea, with the goal of having a referendum ready for the 2026 general election. "There have been several parcels that this fund could have really secured for conservation protection," he said. Under the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act, a state law that gives municipalities in Putnam and Westchester counties the authority to create conservation funds, the money would be administered by a five- or seven-member advisory board of volunteer residents. Proposals to create funds in other towns have faced opposition, usually from the New York State Association of Realtors, said Warren. He said the tax could be considered an "investment" for people buying property in Philipstown. "It's a very small amount, compared to what they're probably paying for that home," said Warren. "It is a way of saying, 'You know, we're moving to this community and this is our little investment in allowing the town to have this flexibility.' " Glassbury Court At its Aug. 7 meeting, the Town Board approved a maximum sales price of $547,558 for one of the 10 Glassbury Court units set aside as affordable housing. It also agreed to waive a requirement that the buyer be approved by an "affordability consultant." Under Philipstown's approval of the Quarry Pond Planned Development District for the construction of Glassbury Court, the maximum price at which the affordable units can only be sold is capped by a formula, and buyers must be approved by the consultant. Because the town does not have an affordability consultant, it agreed to allow the owners of 11 Revolutionary Road to sell to any buyer. State parks letter A letter approved by the board will be sent to state parks and the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail raising concerns about the safety of hikers who use Fair Street and Route 9D to walk from the Cold Spring Metro-North station to the trails in the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve. A draft written by Van Tassel originally accused HHFT of "directing the general public to walk along the shoulder of Route 9D." He agreed to change the wording after a board member, Jason Angell, noted that advisories to visitors about construction-related closures do not use those words, and that there are alternative routes. According to the letter, titled "Dangerous Condition on Route 9D Caused by HHFT," the closure of the Breakneck train station and parking north of the tunnel, and limited parking at the Washburn trailhead lot, means more visitors catch Metro-North to Cold Spring and walk through the village to the trails. Van Tassel reiterated his proposal that the state and HHFT install sidewalks on Route 9D. Nat Prentice, one of two candidates running unopposed for seats on the Town Board, said he and other volunteers at the ...

It's official: Metro North train ticket prices are going up in September and again in July 2026. How much will it cost you to take the train? We asked Josh Morgan of the Department of Transportation. We also talked about the use of automated flagging to push for more road worker safety in the state. For more information: https://portal.ct.gov/dot?language=en_US IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff

Assembly member says he'll find money for dock State Assembly Member Jonathan Jacobson pledged on Tuesday (July 29) to find funding for the City of Beacon to construct a new ferry dock, the first step, he said, to restoring service between the city and Newburgh. Jacobson, a Democrat whose district includes Beacon, was among more than 100 residents and elected officials who braved sweltering heat to rally at the Beacon waterfront in support of the ferry that had connected the two cities for years before being discontinued by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Chanting "Gov. Hochul, MTA / Bring our ferry back today!" and "Keep us afloat / Fund the boat!", the crowd was joined by a flotilla of kayakers in the Hudson River. The MTA announced in June that commuter ferry service would not return after damage to the agency's floating dock at the Beacon waterfront led the MTA to re-examine its cost amid dwindling usage. NY Waterway had operated the ferry for the MTA since 2005, but ridership, which peaked at an average of 227 people daily in 2008, had slowed even before the pandemic. By 2024, it was carrying 62 people per day. On Tuesday, advocates said they want the MTA to restore service for commuters and to provide daily service for tourists visiting Newburgh and Beacon. Jacobson said the $2.1 million the MTA paid annually to NY Waterway to operate the ferry was miniscule compared to the agency's nearly $20 billion budget. "That's one penny out of $100," he said. "Give us our penny and save the ferry." The Assembly member said he would work to find funding. Earlier this month, he secured $250,000 for the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps and in May obtained $150,000 for Beacon's South Avenue Park rehabilitation project. However, Metro-North President Justin Vonashek said in a statement this week that the expense of operating a ferry for relatively few commuters "didn't add up." The good news, he said, is that the MTA launched a Newburgh-to-Beacon bus after ferry service was suspended in January. It "provides more connections to Beacon trains throughout the day than the ferry did," he said. The bus costs $1.75 each way, the same as the ferry, but Metro-North has said it will become free in 2026. The most popular route for the Beacon Bicycle Coalition's monthly group rides has been to cross the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, stop for food and drinks on the Newburgh waterfront and take the ferry back to Beacon, said Yvonne Caruthers, who spoke at the Tuesday rally and is one of the coalition's founders. "Everybody's jaw drops" when they see the landscape from the water, she said. Equally as important as the economics, she said, is "how you feel about where you live." State Sen. Rob Rolison, a Republican whose district includes Beacon and Philipstown, said that the ferry's fate rests with Gov. Kathy Hochul. The MTA Board members, he said, "take their direction from her." Calling the issue nonpartisan, he said the ferry is "smart and it's good for the environment. We're going to get there, I promise you." The MTA Board met on Wednesday, and a handful of advocates made public statements, including Oliver Meyer, 15, a Beacon resident who said he used the ferry to get to and from the ice cream shop on the Newburgh waterfront where he works. "This is my first job, and the ferry played a huge part in my parents allowing me to work at 14," he said. If the ferry was stopped because "it's not making money, then expand the hours. Newburgh has a thriving waterfront, food and tourism scene, but it could be a million times better if you could take the ferry to and from it." Rep. Pat Ryan, a Democrat whose district includes Beacon, wrote to Janno Lieber, the CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, that "permanently discontinuing the ferry will disrupt our constituents' commutes, harm our community's economic development and rip away a special Hudson Valley feature that connects our community in a way that no other transportation mode...

Train complex to include housing, retail, parking The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Wednesday (July 30) announced that it has selected a developer to transform the Beacon Metro-North station with a complex containing 265 apartments, 15,000 square feet of retail space and a parking garage for 573 vehicles. Jonathan Rose Companies, a real-estate firm that specializes in the development and management of environmentally sustainable, mixed-income communities, won the bid. It was founded in 1989 by Jonathan F.P. Rose, a Philipstown resident who is a co-founder of the Garrison Institute, a retreat and research center on the grounds of the former Glenclyffe Monastery. The parking garage will replace 484 commuter and 89 MTA employee spaces on the station's 41/2-acre north lot. The apartment complex will have 270 spaces for tenants. The contract will be finalized after the Beacon Planning Board completes an environmental review of the development. The MTA received eight proposals for the project, which was announced in November. Beacon is "an amazingly vital, creative community" Rose said in a statement. "We are so pleased to have been selected." The development will be owned by New York State and leased by the Jonathan Rose Companies. The parking structure, which will be built first and take about a year, will be funded by a $24 million grant from the state's Redevelopment of Underutilized Sites for Housing program. Once the parking structure is complete, it will be turned over to the MTA to operate. The residential and retail components will be built next over about two years and be leased and operated by the Jonathan Rose Companies for an initial payment of $669,430 annually. The residential development must conform to Beacon's zoning by renting at least 10 percent of its units at below-market rates. Mayor Lee Kyriacou, who attended an MTA Finance Committee meeting on Monday in New York City, called the project a "win-win-win" that would provide environmentally friendly housing, replace impermeable blacktop with shops and waterfront activity and contribute tax revenue to the city. Without state funding, "it is very, very difficult" to complete transit-oriented developments at suburban stations, said Robair Reichenstein, the vice president of transactions for transit-oriented developments at the MTA. "It's very expensive to replace that [parking]. This was the reason it happened." In 2023, to address an affordable housing crisis, Gov. Kathy Hochul directed agencies to repurpose underused, state-owned sites. The 2025-26 state budget includes $500 million to build up to 15,000 homes on state-owned property, including the Beacon development. In a statement on Wednesday, Hochul said the Beacon project would revitalize the area surrounding the Metro-North station, "giving more New Yorkers the opportunity to live in a vibrant community with an express train to New York City just next door. This project is a model for how thoughtful development can strengthen communities and make our state more affordable and livable." Kyriacou noted that Beacon has come a long way since 2007, when the MTA asked developers to submit "expressions of interest" for projects on 18 acres adjacent to the train station. The city received proposals that included as many as 600 apartments in buildings ranging from two to six stories, along with a parking garage. A citizens' group, Beacon Deserves Better, opposed the plans. In the years since, zoning has been revised to open land around the station to residential and commercial development while preserving areas such as Dennings Point and Seeger Riverfront Park. A 2017 update to the comprehensive plan names the east side of the Metro-North station as one of four locations where the densest residential development should occur. The MTA "had a lot of places it could go to, and they chose here," said Kyriacou. "That's a statement about how far Beacon has come and where it's headed." Kyriacou added that...

Late yesterday it was revealed that Metro North Hospitals have had to postpone non-urgent surgeries for at least 48 hours, as a spike in flu and COVID cases overwhelmed the emergency department. Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls told Dean Miller on 4BC Breakfast, "We've had over 250 hospitalised with the flu in the last week alone, and over 190 people hospitalised with COVID."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Metro North fares will increase by 10% over the next year. Long Island faces a volunteer firefighter shortage. Lawmakers from our region react to the “BBB.” Plus, how one small business in Connecticut is bracing for tariff impact.

Host Paul Pacelli opened Monday's "Connecticut Today" with his thoughts on billionaire Elon Musk's promise to form what he's calling the "America Party" (00:30). Former GOP state legislator Joe Markley dropped by to chat about next year's Connecticut gubernatorial race (14:57), while commuter advocate Jim Cameron detailed the next fare increase for Metro-North rail commuters (25:00) Image Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus

Low ridership, cost drive MTA decision Commuter ferry service between Newburgh and Beacon will not return after being suspended since January, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said last week. NY Waterway has operated the Beacon-to-Newburgh ferry under contract with the MTA since 2005, but the company in March announced that its weekday rush-hour service was discontinued indefinitely due to damage at the Beacon dock. On June 23, Evan Zucarelli, the MTA's acting senior vice president of operations, said during a Metro-North committee meeting that the initial suspension of service was triggered by "typical river icing." However, subsequent assessments "revealed significant damage" to the floating ferry dock the MTA attaches to Beacon's pier, "requiring long-term solutions," he said. After reviewing ridership, which had been "steadily declining" prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the $2.1 million annual cost of the service, the ferry will not return, Zucarelli said. An average of 62 riders used the ferry each day in 2024, down from "approaching 250" per day at its peak in 2008, said Andrew Buder, Metro-North's director of government and community relations. Ridership usually doubles over the summer, but last fall did not rebound to match its numbers from a year earlier, Buder said. "Even with that, we don't see a drop in ridership on the [Metro-North] train correlating to the drop in ridership on the ferry," he said. "If those people are still using the train, they're just choosing to get there a different way." Bus service costing $1.75 per ride will continue ferrying commuters between the two cities on weekday mornings and afternoons for the rest of the year, after which it will become free. The MTA has been working with New York State to expand the frequency and coverage area of the service, Zucarelli said. When pressed by an MTA board member, he said the agency would consider implementing free bus service before 2026. Another factor in the decision, Zucarelli said, is that Beacon is "actively developing plans to activate its dock area for tourism," while in Newburgh, where the MTA had been using a temporary dock, city officials are preparing for similar growth in 2027 with the opening of the $14.3 million Newburgh Landing Pier. The MTA's license to attach its ferry dock in Beacon expired June 30, and the agency notified the city that it did not intend to renew the agreement, City Administrator Chris White said. Neal Zuckerman, a Philipstown resident who represents Putnam County on the MTA board, pushed back against the plans during the June 23 meeting. "It is counterintuitive to me that, at the same time you've mentioned that both Newburgh and Beacon are enhancing their waterfront, that we are finding that use of the waterfront is not valuable," he said. Zuckerman said that what's happening on the Newburgh waterfront is "shockingly nice," while Beacon is a "TOD [transit-oriented development] dream, because it was once a moribund, empty area." Then, when Dia Beacon arrived in 2003, "it created an extraordinary resurgence" in a community that, because of the MTA, was "an easy one to get to." Whether ferry service returns or not, restricted access to the dock has hindered the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, which would typically dock in Beacon for at least six weeks out of its April-to-November sailing season. Clearwater has had to reschedule school sails aboard the sloop to depart from either Cold Spring or Poughkeepsie, while some fee-based sails for private groups and pay-what-you-can community sails, which draw about 45 people per outing, have been canceled, said David Toman, the organization's executive director. "Our core - the idea of getting people out on the sloop, out on the water - provides a unique impact that you can't get otherwise," he said. "It is critically important to be in Beacon and be able to serve the community from that access point." Steve Chanks, an art director who lives in Newburgh, often ...

Council considers next five years of capital projects Beacon's five-year schedule of capital projects, presented to the City Council on May 27, includes more than $6.5 million in equipment and infrastructure upgrades planned for 2026. The city updates a five-year plan annually; it includes projects scheduled for the coming year, along with conceptual blueprints for the four subsequent years. Council members must approve capital spending for the coming year by the end of July. A public hearing on the 2026 plan is scheduled for June 16. The most visible project will likely be the renovation and greening of the southwest corner of Memorial Park, estimated to cost $400,000. The city plans to resurface the basketball courts, install pickleball courts, construct a softball batting cage and renovate the bathroom at that end of the park for public use. The adjacent skateboard park has been repaved and will have new skating elements and an "art wall" installed. Phase 2 of that work, including new lighting, is expected to cost $57,500. The parking lot in front of the skate park will be reconfigured, with tree cover added, and numerous trees will be planted in that corner of the park. Further improvements being considered for Memorial Park, if budget allows, include exercise stations and tennis courts. In addition, the city could contract with a food truck to cater to teenagers and young adults. "We've heard over and over again that they're not always welcome in a lot of the restaurants, and they can't afford the local places," said City Administrator Chris White. "People say they don't have a place to go, and the thought is that might be a place to go." Earlier this year, the city was tentatively awarded a $3 million federal grant to rehabilitate Beekman Street. If the funding comes through - confirmation is expected this month - the city plans to spend $245,000 next year on design and engineering. Later, in addition to repaving, crews would repair sidewalks, crosswalks and curbs and add sidewalks where there are gaps. A bike lane would be added on the uphill side of Beekman. The most expensive project planned for next year is the $1.6 million construction of a water storage tank on Mount Beacon. Other high-dollar expenditures include a vacuum truck for the Water Department ($670,000), the ongoing milling and paving of streets and installation of Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible curb ramps citywide ($500,000), replacement of a sanitary sewer pump station near Monell Place ($400,000) and a street sweeper for the Highway Department ($340,000). The city anticipates using about $1.73 million of its savings on the 2026 projects, which, if approved by the council, would leave a combined fund balance between the general, water and sewer funds of more than $15 million. State and federal aid is expected to contribute $1 million, while $200,000 from a recreation fund that developers pay into will be applied to the Memorial Park improvements. The city would borrow the rest, $3.59 million, through bonds. Notable expenditures in subsequent years include nearly $3.5 million to complete the Beekman Street project in 2028 and $1.6 million in upgrades to Seeger Riverfront Park in 2027, although timing there will depend on whether a transit-oriented development at the Metro-North station proceeds, White said. Replacement of aeration tanks at the wastewater treatment plant is expected to cost $2.6 million in 2028. As in the 2024 plan, the five-year schedule pushes a $5.25 million community center to its last year, now 2030. White cautioned that for it and other long-term projects, such as splash pads at Riverfront and Memorial parks and a new municipal pool, "we're not sure how they fit right now, or, frankly, how we afford them." Realistically, he said, a community center could cost up to $15 million and, Mayor Lee Kyriacou added, that's only if the city upgrades the Recreation Department building at 23 West Center St. "This is $10 million ...

This Day in Legal History:  Frederic William Maitland BornOn this day in legal history, May 28, 1850, Frederic William Maitland was born in London. Maitland would go on to become one of the most influential legal historians of the 19th century, widely regarded as the father of modern English legal history. Educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, Maitland initially studied moral sciences before turning to the law. He was called to the bar in 1876 but soon found his true calling in historical scholarship. In 1888, he was appointed Downing Professor of the Laws of England at Cambridge, a post he held until his death in 1906.Maitland's most enduring contribution came through his collaboration with Sir Frederick Pollock on The History of English Law before the Time of Edward I, published in 1895. This seminal work remains a cornerstone of English legal historiography, notable for its rigorous use of original sources and its narrative clarity. Maitland brought a historian's eye to legal development, emphasizing the role of institutions and the evolution of legal ideas over time. His scholarship reshaped the understanding of English common law, highlighting its medieval roots and its organic, often non-linear, development.Beyond his academic writings, Maitland played a critical role in editing and publishing primary legal texts, including year books and medieval court rolls, through his work with the Selden Society, of which he was a founding member. His meticulous editing practices set new standards for legal historical methodology. Despite a relatively short life—he died at 56—Maitland's intellectual legacy continues to influence the study of common law traditions worldwide.A federal judge ruled that a lawsuit brought by 14 states against Elon Musk and the federal agency DOGE could proceed, while dismissing claims against President Donald Trump. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan found that the states had presented a plausible argument that Musk's aggressive cost-cutting measures lacked legal authorization, though she emphasized that courts cannot interfere with a president's official duties.The lawsuit, initiated in February by attorneys general from states including Oregon and New Mexico, argues that Musk has been given sweeping, unchecked authority over federal operations without Senate confirmation or congressional authorization. The states contend this violates constitutional requirements, as Musk has not been formally appointed or confirmed for any federal office.DOGE, a newly formed government efficiency agency led by Musk, has been rapidly eliminating jobs and programs deemed wasteful, sparking significant legal pushback. Since its inception under Trump's second-term reforms, roughly 20 related lawsuits have emerged, with courts issuing mixed rulings. Critics argue the agency operates outside constitutional bounds, while supporters claim it is essential to fiscal reform.US judge allows states' lawsuit against DOGE to proceed | ReutersA federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump's executive order against law firm WilmerHale was unconstitutional, marking the third time courts have rejected such orders targeting legal opponents. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon concluded that Trump's order retaliated against WilmerHale for hiring Robert Mueller, violating the firm's rights to free speech and due process. Mueller, a former special counsel, led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election—a probe Trump has long criticized.The executive order sought to strip WilmerHale's attorneys of security clearances, ban the firm from federal buildings, and block its clients from receiving government contracts. Judge Leon described the move as a “staggering punishment” that undermined the firm's ability to function and penalized it for protected political expression. WilmerHale celebrated the ruling, asserting that it upholds critical constitutional principles.This decision follows similar rulings by Judges Beryl Howell and John Bates, who struck down Trump's executive orders targeting Perkins Coie and Jenner & Block, respectively. A fourth ruling is pending regarding Susman Godfrey. The Department of Justice has defended the orders, insisting they fall within the president's authority, and may appeal Leon's decision.Some firms, such as Paul Weiss and Latham & Watkins, reached agreements with the Trump administration to avoid penalties by pledging nearly $1 billion in pro bono services. These deals have sparked concern within the legal industry, with critics warning they reflect dangerous capitulation to political pressure.Judge bars Trump order against law firm tied to Robert Mueller | ReutersWilmerHale Wins Quick Ruling Against Trump's Executive Order (2)U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman temporarily blocked the Trump administration from rescinding federal approval and funding related to New York City's congestion pricing program. The judge's order came just one day before the U.S. Department of Transportation, under Secretary Sean Duffy, was set to begin withholding environmental approvals and project funds from the city and state. The Trump administration had revoked the program's federal green light in February, arguing it unfairly burdened drivers and lacked a free highway alternative. New York officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), sued to stop the federal rollback, calling the move politically motivated and unconstitutional.The congestion pricing program, which began in January, charges most vehicles $9 during peak hours to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. Designed to reduce traffic and fund transit improvements, the initiative has shown clear signs of success in its first 100 days. Traffic congestion has dropped significantly, with up to 6 million fewer cars entering lower Manhattan compared to the same period a year ago. Commutes through bottlenecks like the Holland Tunnel have seen delays cut by nearly half, and traffic-related injuries in the zone have also declined by about 50%.Other measurable benefits include a 70% drop in complaints about excessive car-honking and improved bus speeds to the point that some drivers have to slow down to stay on schedule. Economic indicators like Broadway ticket sales and pedestrian foot traffic are up, suggesting that the tolls haven't deterred business as critics warned. Public transit ridership has also increased, particularly on the LIRR and Metro-North, reinforcing that many former drivers are switching to trains.Despite early skepticism and political backlash—including Trump's own social media mockery of the program—the numbers show that congestion pricing is working. The MTA expects to raise about $500 million this year, funding upgrades like subway elevators, electric buses, and the next phase of the Second Avenue Subway. While final legal outcomes remain uncertain, for now, both traffic and funding are moving in the right direction.US judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from killing New York congestion program | ReutersHow Well Is Congestion Pricing Doing? Very. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

A Connecticut judge overturned a controversial Connecticut Siting Council decision to install monopoles along the Metro-North railroad in Bridgeport and Fairfield. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim commented on the lawsuit and what happens now with the proposed plan from United Illuminating. Image Credit: Getty Images

Program would connect city with Newburgh Two area residents have been awarded $100,000 by New York State to explore a bike-sharing program that would connect Beacon and Newburgh. Thomas Wright, a Beacon resident and head of the city's Greenway Trail Committee, and Naomi Hersson-Ringskog, an urban planner who lives in Newburgh, were awarded the funding through a Clean Mobility program overseen by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). It aims to add zero-emission connections to public transportation in underserved communities. The award is not to create a bike-share program but to plan how one could work. Wright, who works in Newburgh, and Hersson-Ringskog will be paired with WXY Architecture + Urban Design to develop a blueprint for a program similar to New York City's Citi Bike initiative. Wright and Hersson-Ringskog said they envision stations with eight to 10 bikes each, some electric, which users could check out for a fee or perhaps at no charge because of sponsors. The duo foresee their plan leading to a public-private partnership like Citi Bike's, which partners with the New York City Department of Transportation and Lyft, the ridesharing company. A combination of private funding, sponsors and memberships support the program. Officials on both sides of the Hudson River have indicated they're supportive of bikes for transportation, Hersson-Ringskog said. In Beacon, Mayor Lee Kyriacou has endorsed the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, a 7.5-mile linear park that Scenic Hudson is planning between Beacon and Cold Spring. The city is equally enthusiastic about a proposed Beacon-to-Hopewell rail trail. Both projects would significantly increase safe bike routes. Beacon also has applied for funding from Dutchess County for a rehab of Beekman Street, which leads to the Metro-North station. The project, still several years away, could include bike lanes that would build on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's "first mile, last mile" initiative for environmentally friendly ways for passengers to connect to trains. In Newburgh, Hersson-Ringskog's nonprofit, Dept of Small Interventions, in 2020 partnered with the city's Transportation Advisory Committee to create a community bike action plan, while monthly "critical mass" community rides take place from April to October. "You feel proud of your community that you're not starting from zero," Hersson-Ringskog said. She and Wright are also working to create the "Regional Connector," a 1-mile path that would connect the Metro-North station in Beacon to the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. That effort, they say, could unify a growing network of trails. A bike-share program could accelerate the campaign, Wright said, "by providing a means of mobility which gives users much greater range. When you add in e-bikes, the options are further multiplied." WXY plans to survey residents in both cities (see linktr.ee/newburgh.beacon.bike), while Wright and Hersson-Ringskog will make presentations to community groups. WXY will also help with data analysis, mapping and exploring partnerships for maintenance, operations and funding. "We hope to uncover the voice of a broad cross-section of the communities that desires this," Hersson-Ringskog said. "Here you have a transportation system that could really unite Beacon and Newburgh. We're stronger together, essentially." The bike-share grant was one of 29 - totaling $2.9 million - that NYSERDA announced in March. Projects elsewhere in the state will explore the feasibility of charging hubs, scooter-share programs and electric-vehicle car shares. Ten of the 29 are in the Hudson Valley, including in Kingston, Poughkeepsie and New Paltz. With "transformational" developments being considered in the region, Wright said he believes "multi-modal systems" that can alleviate congestion without polluting the environment "are so important to think about."

Metro-North's New Haven Line had a record-breaking year—with an all-time high on-time performance, rising customer satisfaction, and faster travel times! Join us as former Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi and new President Justin Vonashek share insights on these achievements and what's next for one of the busiest rail lines in the country. Don't miss this inside look at the future of rail travel between Connecticut and New York City!

"We're walking them out on a tightrope. We keep walking them out, and finally, when we push, they fall into the canyon of doom. There is no escape." Ben Rubinowitz shares his masterful approach to cross-examination with host Dan Ambrose. Drawing from over three decades of trial experience, Ben reveals the strategies that make him one of New York's most formidable trial lawyers. Learn how proper witness setup creates powerful impeachment opportunities, why "voice of reason" questions establish credibility with jurors, and how to handle conditional answers from evasive witnesses. Ben will teach these techniques at TLU Beach (June 4-7), along with specialized workshops on voir dire for wrongful death cases and lectures on the bridge between cross-examination and closing arguments.Train and Connect with the Titans☑️ Ben Rubinowitz | LinkedIn☑️ Gair Gair Conason | LinkedIn | X | Facebook | YouTube☑️ TLU Beach☑️ Trial Lawyers University☑️ TLU On Demand Instant access to live lectures, case analysis, and skills training videos☑️ TLU on X | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn☑️ Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeEpisode SnapshotBen recently tried a Metro North crash case in Valhalla, NY, securing a liability verdict against Metro North at 71% responsibility, with damages trials now proceeding separately.Ben emphasizes the importance of "voice of reason" questions to establish credibility and set up witnesses before impeachment, especially when cross-examining doctors and other expert witnesses.For effective cross-examination, Ben recommends using the words "full,” “fair,” “thorough,” and “complete" to establish standards that witnesses must later admit they failed to meet.Ben advocates for carefully using "low-risk...

Representative Rob Wittman is a Republican representing Virginia's 1st Congressional district in the US House of Representatives. Representative Pat Ryan is a Democrat representing New York's 18th Congressional district, and is a former Army intelligence officer who deployed to Iraq.  Together, they formed the House Modernization Caucus, driving key policies in national security innovation. On this episode of the Defense Tech Underground, Representative Wittman and Representative Ryan discuss the launch of the bipartisan Defense Modernization Caucus and early wins from the caucus in the 2025 NDAA. They explain the challenges for the Pentagon to move from a hardware centric organization to a software centric one, and discuss opportunities for the caucus to drive impact in defense innovation.  This episode is hosted by Jeff Phaneuf and Helen Phillips.    Congressman Wittman:  Congressman Rob Wittman was first elected to the United States Congress to serve Virginia's First Congressional District in 2007. While in office, he has focused on strengthening our military and supporting our nation's veterans, promoting a flourishing economy through fiscal responsibility and pro-growth policies, fixing our crumbling infrastructure, increasing access to high-speed internet, and promoting workforce development through Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs. In the U.S. Congress, Congressman Wittman serves as vice chairman of both the House Armed Services Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee, where he is well-positioned to represent the needs of Virginia's First District. He has earned a strong reputation for being an advocate for our men and women in uniform and for being a champion of the Chesapeake Bay. Congressman Wittman was re-elected for his ninth full term in the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2024 and prior to that, he served in several levels of government. Congressman Wittman won his first campaign for public office in 1986 when he was elected to the Montross Town Council, where he served for 10 years, four of them as mayor. In 1995, he was elected to the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors and was elected its chairman in 2003. In 2005, voters in the 99th Legislative District elected Rob to the Virginia House of Delegates, where he served until his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2007. Prior to his election to Congress, Rob spent 26 years working in state government, most recently as field director for the Virginia Health Department's Division of Shellfish Sanitation. Earlier in his career, he worked as an environmental health specialist for local health departments in Virginia's Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula regions. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Public Health degree in Health Policy and Administration from the University of North Carolina, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Virginia Tech.   Congressman Ryan:  Congressman Pat Ryan is a fifth-generation Hudson Valley native, proud Kingston High School alum, and the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in the U.S. House of Representatives. Ryan served two combat tours in Iraq, earning two Bronze Stars. Prior to his 2022 election to Congress, Ryan served the community that raised him as Ulster County Executive. There, Ryan led the County through the COVID-19 pandemic and spearheaded policies that delivered relief to working families while never raising taxes. He led the charge to revitalize the former IBM site, now known as iPark 87, helped put money back in small business owners and residents' pockets, took on corporate special interests, and delivered new investments in mental health services. In Congress, Ryan is focused on defending fundamental freedoms and delivering relief for Hudson Valley families. Serving on the House Armed Services Committee, Ryan is working on issues of military preparedness, countering the threat of a rising China, and investing in the United States Military Academy and the next generation of military leaders. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Ryan is committed to improving the daily lives of all residents in NY-18. Whether you commute to work on Metro North, travel Route 17 through Orange County, or need broadband access in Dutchess County, he will fight every day to improve our region's infrastructure. Ryan has also championed efforts to expand access to affordable health care, support local law enforcement, preserve Social Security and Medicare, prevent gun violence, and protect a woman's right to choose. Ryan lives in Gardiner, NY with his wife, Rebecca, and their two young sons, Theo and Cameron.

Learn more at TheCityLife.org

Real estate website Zillow says Milford, Connecticut was the country's most popular coastal city with its users in 2024. The LIRR had its best “on time” rate in its history last year. Connecticut Democrats say two major utilities are intimidating lawmakers for rate increases. New York City police make efforts to crack down on toll evasion. Plus, Governor Hochul looks to cut travel times on Metro-North.

Gov. Hochul is expected to propose a “major investment” in Metro-North's Hudson Line in her annual State of the State address next week. Meanwhile, Mayor Adams will deliver his State of the City address on Thursday. Plus, New York Giants President John Mara confirms General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll will remain in their roles. Finally, drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street are now paying a $9 congestion pricing toll. WNYC's Stephen Nessen has more on the plan's implementation.

Learn more at TheCityLife.org

We did it!!  This is our 200th episode of Grating the Nutmeg! Thanks to our listeners, we have travelled across the state during every time period to bring you vivid, fascinating stories from our state's history. Become a podcast subscriber to get notified every time there's a new episode!   During this holiday season, it seemed like the perfect time to bring you the story of Connecticut's biggest toymaker!    Of all the toys that are enshrined in the National Toy of Fame, two stand out as having solid Connecticut connections, the Cabbage Patch doll and the Erector Set. In this episode, we're going to find out how A.C. Gilbert, a Yale educated doctor, became a millionaire with an idea he got while riding the Metro North train from New Haven to New York City. His construction toy, the Erector Set, sold in the millions and helped to educate generations of scientists and engineers. He came up with dozens of best-selling toys that were all manufactured at his factory in New Haven, Connecticut. We'll also interview Walter Zawalich, Gilbert Trains Curator, at the Eli Whitney Museum about their holiday Gilbert train show. Co-host Patrick O'Sullivan will share his information on 1965's James Bond slot car toy that helped to push the company into closing.   Much of today's information comes from the book The Man Who Changed How Boys and Toys Were Made, The Life and Times of A.C. Gilbert, the Man Who Saved Christmas by Bruce Watson and the website of the Eli Whitney Museum in Hamden, Connecticut. The Whitney Museum collects and studies the products and legacy of A.C. Gilbert and his company.   Find out more here: https://www.eliwhitney.org/museum/-gilbert-project/-man/a-c-gilbert-scientific-toymaker-essays-arts-and-sciences-october   The information on the Eli Whitney Train Show is here: https://www.eliwhitney.org/exhibitions/train-display-2024-25   Other museums with train shows: Connecticut River Museum https://ctrivermuseum.org/events/steve-cryans-31st-annual-train-show/   Wilton Historical Society https://wiltonhistorical.org/events/great-train-holiday-show/   To get information about how to  visit Erector Square, the A.C.Gilbert Factory complex now adaptively reused as artist studios, go to their website at https://erectorsquarestudios.com/   -------------------------------------------------------   To celebrate reaching 200 episodes, we're asking listeners to donate $20 a month or $200 annually to help us continue to bring you new episodes every two weeks. It's easy to set up a monthly donation on the Connecticut Explored website at ctexplored.org    Click the donate button at the top and look for the Grating the Nutmeg link. We appreciate your support! Subscribe to get your copy of our beautiful magazine Connecticut Explored delivered to your mailbox or your inbox-subscribe at  https://simplecirc.com/subscribe/connecticut-explored Our current issue is on food-find out where to get the best ice cream sundaes in West Hartford.   This episode of Grating the Nutmeg was produced by Mary Donohue and engineered by Patrick O'Sullivan at https://www.highwattagemedia.com/   Follow GTN on our socials-Facebook, Instagram , Threads, and BlueSky.   Follow host Mary Donohue on Facebook and Instagram at WeHa Sidewalk Historian. Join us in two weeks for our next episode of Grating the Nutmeg, the podcast of Connecticut history. Thank you for listening!      

Juan Soto is a Met.....Yanks plan B, C and D....Santa Con vs. Metro North...Picks...Odds and ends...

20: An Obesity Update, a Cabinet of Quacks, Rail Woes & Another Woke Assault on BroadwayWelcome to episode twenty of David & Stu… Unhinged! As always, we'd like to thank Clara Wang for creating the fantastic artwork for this podcast. Here is what is on deck for this week's milestone episode.1) New statistics on the obesity epidemic and the health concerns it raises for Americans;2) A discussion of some of the terrible choices for Trump's cabinet, including Matt Gaetz, who has an undistinguished record in the House and is under an ethical cloud for sex trafficking and other offenses, Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator with no experience in national defense and checkered personal history of three marriages and sexual misconduct; Kristi Noem, a dog killer, and Tulsi Gabbard, who cozied up to our enemies, including Putin;3) Stu's ride home on Metro North from Pelham, where the ride was interrupted by a scumbag fare beater who was tossed from the train.4) The woke hysteria directed towards Nicole Scherzinger, who is getting rave reviews for her performance in a revival of Sunset Boulevard, for liking Russel Brand's Jesus hat on InstagramConnect with David & Stu: • Email David & Stu: davidandstuunhinged@gmail.com and share your comments, concerns, and questions.The views expressed on air during David & Stu... Unhinged! do not represent the views of the RAGE Works staff, partners, or affiliates. Listener discretion is advised.

Honestly, we just felt like talking about “Unfaithful” this week! It's got strong fall vibes, an Oscar nominated Diane Lane, Kate Burton in the Friend role, a face journey on the Metro North, wind machines at a 27, that song in the trailer and two beloved BSAs in practically nonexistent cameos. Join us for The Best Supporting Aftershow and early access to main episodes on Patreon: www.patreon.com/bsapod Email: thebsapod@gmail.com Instagram: @bsapod Colin Drucker - Instagram: @colindrucker_ Nick Kochanov - Instagram: @nickkochanov

The Centers for Disease Control is urging doctors to offer patients a range of pain relief options before they get an IUD which is a long-term birth control. In other news, the City of Newark is concluding Peace Week with a free community event called "24 Hours of Peace." Plus, thousands of new homes are planned for the East Bronx after the city council passed a rezoning proposal earlier this month near two new Metro-North stations. WNYC's Sean Carlson speaks with John Doyle, a district leader in Northeast Bronx, to learn more.

Mayor Adams holds one off-topic press conference per week, where reporters can ask him questions on any subject. Michelle Bocanegra, WNYC and Gothamist political reporter focused on campaigns and the New York City Council, recaps what he talked about at this week's event, including the new Bronx Metro North rezoning that will allow roughly 7,000 new housing units around two of the new Metro North stations, his plans to go to the DNC and more.

In this podcast, Shimon Shkury, President and Founder of Ariel Property Advisors, discusses the findings in Ariel's Mid-Year Bronx report with Jason Gold, Senior Director, and Daniel Mahfar, Director. Overall, the dollar volume of investment sales in the Bronx rose 13% to $445 million in 1H 2024 compared to 2H 2023, according to Ariel's Bronx 2024 Mid-Year Commercial Real Estate Trends report. Transactions fell 10% to 90 for this period. Compared to 2H 2023, multifamily dollar volume increased by 38% in 1H 2024 from 2H 2023 for a total of $208.5 million. Transaction volume declined by three transactions to 36 over the same period. A total of 33 development site transactions were recorded in the first six months of 2024 totaling $166.4 million, which marked a 50% and 86% increase, respectively, compared to H2 2023. The podcast participants noted that development is expected to increase in the Bronx because of the 485x tax abatement, which was part of the new housing policy, and a major rezoning in the Bronx, which is expected to produce new housing along 46 blocks surrounding the new Metro North stations in the Parkchester, Van Nest, and Morris Park neighborhoods. More information is available in the Bronx 2024 Mid-Year Commercial Real Estate Trends report.

Kodey Stauffer only has a few (yet very notable) 5A programs left to discuss before cracking open the 4A division with some heavy hitters early on and some programs that are looking for their next savior. Timestamps: 0-1:14 Intro 1:15-12:38 Chatfield 12:39-21:33 Littleton West 21:33-28:25 Brighton 28:26-35:58 Fairview 35:59-41:23 Frederick 41:24-46:24 Monarch 46:25-50:39 Greeley West 50:40-54:41 Silver Creek 54:42-1:00:22 Loveland 1:00:23-1:04:31 Skyline 1:04:32-1:05:40 Outro https://linktr.ee/PlaymakersCorner Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlaymakerCorner Tik Tok: Playmakers Corner Instagram: https:https://www.instagram.com/playmakerscorner/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlaymakerCorner Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUEcv0BIfXT78kNEtk1pbxQ/featured  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/playmakerscorner  Website: https://playmakerscorner.com/  Listen to us on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rkM8hKtf8eqDPy2xqOPqr  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cycle-365/id1484493484?uo=4  Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/the-cycle-365Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mODg4MWYwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz

Kodey Stauffer discusses a batch of teams that move up to 5A in two divisions that should be extra competitive following division realignment who all kind of intersect at various points throughout the season in Lakewood, Overland, Boulder, Northglenn, Westminster, Mountain Range, Erie, Rangeview, Horizon, Legacy, Mullen, and Vista Peak Prep. Timestamps 0:00-0:59 Introduction 1:00-5:33 Lakewood Tigers 5:34-10:58 Overland Trailblazers 10:59-16:07 Boulder Panthers 16:08-22:04 Northglenn Norsemen 22:05-27:07 Westminster Wolves 27:08-32:37 Mountain Range Mustangs 32:38-41:05 Erie Tigers 41:06-46:00 Rangeview Raiders 46:01-51:22 Horizon Hawks 51:23-57:31 Legacy Lightning 57:32-1:04:24 Mullen Mustangs 1:04:25-1:09:41 Vista Peak Prep 1:09:42-1:11:20 Outro https://linktr.ee/PlaymakersCorner⁠⁠ Social Media: Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/PlaymakerCorner⁠⁠ Tik Tok: Playmakers Corner Instagram: https:⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/playmakerscorner/?hl=en⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/PlaymakerCorner⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUEcv0BIfXT78kNEtk1pbxQ/featured⁠⁠  Twitch: ⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/playmakerscorner⁠⁠  Website: ⁠⁠https://playmakerscorner.com/⁠⁠  Listen to us on: Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4rkM8hKtf8eqDPy2xqOPqr⁠⁠  Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cycle-365/id1484493484?uo=4⁠⁠  Breaker: ⁠⁠https://www.breaker.audio/the-cycle-365⁠⁠ Google Podcasts: ⁠⁠https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9mODg4MWYwL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz

For today's episode, we are joined by Danielle Centofanti-Davidson, owner of Main St. Business Strategies and president of the Rivertowns Chamber of Commerce. Danielle gives us tons of ideas for a great day out in the Rivertowns of Westchester - and the itineraries are all walkable from Metro North. She also shares some bonus key marketing advice for small businesses, start-ups, and solopreneurs! Main St. Business Strategies can be found at mainstreetsmb.com and the Rivertowns Chamber of Commerce at rivertownschamber.com. Both are also on Instagram. Check out valleygirlspodcast.com/blog for links to all content mentioned in the episode. Follow Valley Girls from our show page on your favorite podcast platform and at instagram.com/ValleyGirlsNYpod, youtube.com/@ValleyGirlsPodcast, and valleygirlspodcast.com. Episode music by Robert Burke Warren entitled Painting a Vast Blue Sky can be found at robertburkewarren.bandcamp.com/track/painting-a-vast-blue-sky.

Get up and get informed! Here's all the local news you need to start your day: Harvey Weinstein's overturned rape conviction has spurred a new push to update New York's laws. Meanwhile, New York City shelter provider WIN is launching a pilot program on Monday to give homeless families debit cards to help them find housing more quickly. Plus, the New York Knicks will try to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals on Friday night against the Indiana Pacers. Finally, on this week's segment of On The Way, WNYC's Stephen Nessen and Clayton Guse discuss New York City Transit head Richard Davey leaving his job, plans to build housing near two new Metro-North stations in the Bronx, and a street redesign in Brooklyn.

We're gearing up to celebrate Pride Month coming up in June! To get ready we're talking to Jimmy Prada, who DJed the very first New Paltz Pride March & Festival back in 2004, and is now bringing his years of NYC event production experience back home to the Hudson Valley, through Out Loud Hudson Valley. They're giving us dance parties, club nights, drag shows, and more entertainment that you used to have to hop on Metro North to find. Find out what Out Loud Hudson Valley is up to on their website, outloudhudsonvalley.com, or on Instagram or Facebook. Check out valleygirlspodcast.com/blog for all the links and more info on the HV queer community and the history of Pride! Follow Valley Girls from our show page on your favorite podcast platform and at instagram.com/ValleyGirlsNYpod, youtube.com/@ValleyGirlsPodcast, and valleygirlspodcast.com. Episode music by Robert Burke Warren entitled Painting a Vast Blue Sky can be found at robertburkewarren.bandcamp.com/track/painting-a-vast-blue-sky.

New York City plans to rezone areas for more housing in the East Bronx near two Metro-North stations currently under construction, but some local residents do not want a population boom. In other news, with warmer weather approaching, some students are considering summer jobs. Vilda Vera Mayuga, commissioner of New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, offers tips for students preparing to work this summer.

Suzanne Colucci has this afternoon's top local stories from the WCBS Newsroom.

The All Local 12pm Update for Monday, April 29th 2024

Get up and get informed! Here's all the local news you need to start your day: The NYPD says it's upping its patrols of Central Park after a string of robberies over the weekend. Meanwhile, amid rising costs for Manhattan drivers, the MTA is offering a 10 percent discount on monthly passes for Long Island Railroad and Metro-North riders. Plus, the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Mets, and Yankees all collected wins on Sunday.

Governor Hochul and state lawmakers continue to struggle to reach a deal on the state budget, which is now 12 days late. WNYC's Jon Campbell has more. Meanwhile, acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su is praising the work of local community organizations, such as the Harlem-based group ‘African Communities Together,' for connecting migrants to job opportunities. Plus, a group of Atlantic City casino workers is suing New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, hoping to end a long-standing carveout in state law that lets casinos allow smoking on the gambling floor even though it's banned in most businesses. WNYC's Sean Carlson speaks with casino dealers Pete Naccarelli and Lamont White, who co-founded the group ‘Casino Employees Against Smoking's Harmful Effects,' or CEASE, to learn more about their lawsuit. Finally, in celebration of National Poetry Month, we hear from Paul Pasante, a longtime conductor on Metro-North's Hudson Line known to riders for his rhyming announcements.

In this "Giant Mess", host Neal Lynch recaps his trip to South Carolina for Christmas, New Year's Eve at his girlfriend's home, Krystyna Hutchinson stand-up comedy show at the Stress Factory, meeting his girlfriend's daughter on MLK Day, dining at Esquina Latina and Metro North for the first time, and the biggest, loudest Emo Karaoke night of all-time. ABOUT "GIANT MESS": "Giant Mess" is a sloppy sports and entertainment talk show about New York Giants football, Mets baseball, movies, TV shows, funny stories and life lessons. It's hosted by a giant mess, The Real Cinch Neal Lynch.   ABOUT NEAL LYNCH: I'm an Irish-Italian-American who graduated from a Catholic high school (but isn't Catholic), and a college known for producing doctors and lacrosse players, then became neither. Instead, I'm a former college quarterback & pitcher with a film and media studies degree who currently overthinks everything. Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT     Follow me on: Link Tree - https://linktr.ee/neallynch  My Official Blog - http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG  Giant Mess Facebook Page - http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB   Twitter - http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW     Instagram - http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG   Subscribe to Giant Mess on Apple Podcasts - http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple   Subscribe to Giant Mess on Spotify - http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/neal-lynch/message