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WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report

Patricio Robayo

Special Reports from The Local Edition

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9:18

Ellenville’s Budget Deficit Deepens: Mayor Warns of...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/28

Ellenville’s Budget Deficit Deepens: Mayor Warns of Tax Hikes, Says ‘No Bailout Coming’ The Village of Ellenville is at a financial crossroads, facing a $450,000 deficit for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. With rising costs and stagnant revenues, local officials are warning that tax increases may be unavoidable—and dissolution of the village itself is being openly discussed.“This budget is bare bones,” said Mayor Evan Trent at the March 24 Board of Trustees meeting. “We’ve cut what we can, but

11:11

Five Years Later: New Yorkers with Long COVID Juggle...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/26

Five years ago this March, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a statewide lockdown to prevent the spread of the COVID pandemic. Public schools, restaurants, and non-essential businesses closed down. Hospitals and healthcare workers faced overwhelming numbers of COVID patients and bed shortages.The long-term toll it has left on people’s lives is immeasurable. More than 7 million people around the world have died from COVID; more than 1.2 million of that number died in the

13:09

How the New York State Budget Is Made

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/25

Each year, New York Focus reporters examine how lawmakers will spend over $250 billion in public money as lawmakers negotiate over the state budget. New York’s budget is bigger than those of most countries, and outpaces every other state except California.

12:28

Sullivan County Responds to Catholic Charities Closures

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/20

Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties will shutter its chemical dependency clinics across four locations, including Monticello and Goshen, due to staffing shortages and shifting healthcare dynamics. The closures, which include outpatient substance use programs, have raised concerns about addiction treatment gaps in Sullivan County, where opioid overdose rates remain among the highest in New York State.John Liddle, Sullivan County’s Commissioner of Health and Human

8:31

Congressman Josh Riley Pushes to Lower Egg Prices and...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/20

On March 20, 2025, Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) visited Sullivan County to meet with local officials, community organizations, and rural hospitals. During his visit, he spoke with Radio Catskill's Patricio Robayo about two new bipartisan bills aimed at lowering grocery costs and providing relief for family farmers across Upstate New York. Riley highlighted the Lowering Egg Prices Act and the Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act (HPAIA), both of which seek to address key

11:31

What’s Behind the NYSEG Bill Hikes?

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/13

We’ve been reporting on Radio Catskill how customers have been impacted by their high NYSEG electricity bills this winter. This past Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that Canada would add a 25% tariff on the electricity they supply to New York, Minnesota, and Michigan but then quickly pivoted – they agreed to delay the surcharges that same day.So what exactly do these new tariffs mean for New Yorkers and why are customers seeing these NYSEG bill increases? Radio Catskill reporter

16:00

SPOTLIGHT PA: Pennsylvania Signs New Contract to...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/13

The Pennsylvania Department of State said Wednesday that it signed a new $10.6 million contract with Louisiana-based technology company Civix to upgrade the Statewide Uniform Registry of Electors, or SURE, and integrate it with other state-run election systems.The SURE system is a statewide database used by counties to register voters and maintain their records, print poll books, process mail ballot applications, and carry out many of the functions necessary to run elections.

25:55

NY FOCUS: New York’s Prison System Is in Crisis. We...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/13

Former prison agency staff and newly released documents describe a patronage network centered on Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III’s family.

9:58

Federal Funding Freeze Threatens Sullivan County’s...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/13

A freeze on federal funds has halted crucial programs supporting beginner farmers in Sullivan County, leaving many in financial uncertainty. The $1.5 million in funding, distributed through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County, was earmarked for mentorship and technical assistance to foster the next generation of local farmers. The cuts also impact the Sullivan Fresh mobile farmers market, potentially reducing access to fresh produce in underserved communities. In response,

10:29

The $10,000 Bet: A Journalist’s Yearlong Gamble to...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/12

NPR journalist Zach Mack embarks on a deeply personal journey to understand his father, who has become immersed in conspiracy theories. Their relationship is strained by ideological differences, but instead of continuing endless debates, they make an unusual agreement: they write down 10 of his father’s predictions for 2024 and place a $10,000 bet on whether they will come true. Over the course of a year, Zach documents their conversations, explores the roots of his father’s beliefs, and

16:43

Action Toward Independence Warns of Service Losses if...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/12

With the looming possibility of major cuts in federal funding, nonprofit organizations are scrambling to justify the services they provide. Such is the case of Action Toward Independence, a nonprofit that offers counseling and special services to people with disabilities in need in the Catskills. Ever since the Trump administration started announcing cuts in federal spending, the organization has been knocking on doors and participating in public events to draw attention to those who

11:03

2,000 Officers Terminated as NY Prison Strike Exposes...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/11

More than 2,000 New York State correction officers have been terminated in the wake of an unprecedented wildcat strike that paralyzed the state’s prison system for weeks. Governor Kathy Hochul announced that her administration is “ready to move on” as the state scrambles to hire new officers to fill the vacancies left by those who walked off the job.The strike, which began on February 17, 2025, saw over 4,000 correction officers from 38 of New York’s 42 correctional facilities walk off

10:05

Burn Ban Begins March 16: Are We Ready for Wildfire...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/10

Brush fires broke out in Suffolk County, Long Island over the weekend on Saturday, burning over 400 acres and closing several highways.Citing dry conditions and high winds, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency and burn ban for Long Island, New York, and parts of the lower Hudson Valley, including Ulster County – a week before the annual statewide burn ban is set to go into effect.And a reminder - this is how we’re ending a dry winter that was preceded by brushfires in Orange,

7:25

4th Annual Sullivan County Youth Poetry Festival

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/07

4th Annual Sullivan County Youth Poetry Festival, a celebration of creativity, self-expression, and the power of words! The festival, set to take place on March 29th, brings together young poets from across the county to share their voices, explore their artistry, and connect with a community that values storytelling through poetry.\Kevin Graham, the Sullivan County Poet Laureate, shares what attendees can expect at this year’s event. From electrifying spoken word performances to heartfelt

9:43

Fallsburg Zoning Debate Draws Hundreds, Sparks...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/06

Nearly 400 residents attended a heated public hearing on March 4 regarding proposed zoning changes in the Town of Fallsburg. The amendments, aimed at aligning local laws with federal regulations, particularly RLUIPA, have sparked concerns over increased development, environmental impact, and water supply issues. While town officials argue the changes modernize outdated zoning laws, opponents fear they create legal ambiguities and strain infrastructure. With legal threats looming and

25:37

NY FOCUS: DAs Promised to Help Wrongfully Convicted...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/04

Ryan Kost and Willow Higgins, who recently published an in-depth investigation into Conviction Integrity Units (CIUs) in New York at NY FOCUS .Their reporting uncovered troubling findings about how these units, meant to correct wrongful convictions, often fail the people they were created to help.This story is a collaboration between New York Focus and Columbia Journalism Investigations, an investigative reporting unit at the Columbia Journalism School.CIUs operate within district attorney

19:56

Amanda Ward: Honoring Her Father and Celebrating...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/03/03

Sullivan County Legislator Amanda Ward, who represents District 8, shares the story of her late father, Roland "The Gator" Ward, and his lasting contributions to the county.From his early days with the Fallsburg Police Department to his rise as a lieutenant in the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, Roland Ward made a significant impact on the community.Amanda Ward is now advocating to honor her father's legacy by co-naming a street in Fallsburg, emphasizing the importance of recognizing

16:15

NY FOCUS: Lawmakers Press State on Lagging Efforts to...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/02/28

The social services commissioner says New York wants to join other states adopting more secure cards, but lacks funds for the upgrade.

3:44

Tentative Deal Reached to End Prison Strike as...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/02/28

A tentative deal has been reached between New York State and the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) to end the ongoing prison strike that has disrupted nearly 30 facilities across the state, including Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Sullivan County.The agreement, formalized in a Consent Award, follows four days of mediation led by arbitrator Martin F. Scheinman. As part of the deal, the state will temporarily suspend certain provisions of

17:35

NY FOCUS: The Biggest Issue Behind the New York...

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report ·

2025/02/25

The New York state prison system is teetering on disaster as guards have staged an unsanctioned wildcat strike at almost all of its 42 facilities. Governor Kathy Hochul has deployed the National Guard and, on Wednesday, obtained a court order mandating that corrections officers return to work.While striking officers have been mostly mum to the press, Assemblymember Scott Gray, who visited picket lines outside three northern New York prisons and went inside two this week, told New York Focus

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