Hudson Valley News

Westchester County has a new online service map and directory for behavioral health services. The searchable database has services for mental health, substance use and developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Now that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed the Westchester County Property Taxpayer Protection Act, the county executive is rolling out a plan to implement it. The measure allows for a sales-tax increase, bringing Westchester’s rate in line with nearby counties and cities within the county.

In New York, the Orange County Land Trust has announced the protection of more than 100 acres in the Town of Warwick.

Over the past three years, there have been numerous meetings regarding the ongoing PFOS water contamination issue in Newburgh. A state senator who represents the city says the meetings have not gathered all relevant stakeholders in one room, and wants to change that, especially with regard to the state’s water filtration system.

New York Congressman Antonio Delgado recently briefed reporters about his July in-district work week. The Democrat says he’s keeping close watch on testimony regarding two separate issues.

It was a busy first session for first-term New York state Senator James Skoufis, who represents the 39th district long held by Republican Bill Larkin. Skoufis, who formerly served in the Assembly, is chair of the Senate’s Investigations Committee and, true to his pledge, was proactive in this role. He recently spoke with WAMC’s Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne about that and more.

A New York congressman from the Hudson Valley is holding four town halls this weekend.

New York state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie was in the mid-Hudson Valley Thursday as part of his fourth annual statewide tour. He visited a center in Poughkeepsie that provides community services and programs before heading for lunch at a restaurant in the city.

The New York State Thruway Authority on Wednesday announced the formation of a toll advisory panel for the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, where rates are frozen through 2020.

Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa is seven months into his job. He recently spoke with WAMC’s Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne about his biggest challenges, including how his department is tackling the opioid crisis.

A property adjacent to Westchester Community College will be developed into affordable housing.

In New York, the Ulster County executive has created an Innovation Team.

Democrat Jonathan Jacobson has wrapped up his first session as a New York state assemblyman. The former Newburgh city councilmember says he is proud of his work and is looking forward to next year’s session.

Federal lawmakers from New York are calling on the Federal Aviation Administration to hold a public meeting in Westchester. This comes amid noise concerns of residents near the Westchester County Airport.

State and local officials gathered in front of the city of Newburgh’s water treatment plant Tuesday to urge the state Department of Health to implement drinking water standards.

The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued two violation notices, citing illegal dumping at sites in Saugerties, in Ulster County.

Authorities say white powder found on a plane Tuesday at Westchester County Airport was deemed non-hazardous.

Carole Blodgett is wrapping up her ninth annual Water is Life Walk, the first to include the Hudson River. Blodgett has been carrying water from the Hudson’s source to New York Harbor, where she’ll empty it into the sea. It’s part of her mission to restore the human-to-water connection. WAMC’s Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne caught up with Blodgett toward the end of her walk.

On primary day last week, voters in Hudson backed a challenger to the incumbent mayor.

New York Congresswoman Nita Lowey says federal funding will help spinal cord research at an institute in Westchester County.

Grants from New York state have been awarded for three projects in Westchester County to enhance access to the lower Hudson River.

The Ulster County executive signed an executive order Wednesday concerning cooperation with federal immigration officials. The order was prompted, in part, by planned deportation raids by ICE.

In the final hours of New York’s legislative session, funding was secured to help combat Lyme and tick-borne diseases. But it’s less than initially requested.

The latest count in the Democratic primary for mayor of Mount Vernon in lower Westchester County has the top two contenders waiting for absentee ballots.

Democratic New York Congressman Antonio Delgado has secured a broadband measure in a package of appropriations bills passed by the House of Representatives.

A Center for Film and Performing Arts in Catskill, New York is marking a big step forward.

With the book closed on New York’s legislative session until next year, several items were left on the table, including the legalization of recreational marijuana. One Hudson Valley state senator says a deal was close, but says the session did lead to a lot of big accomplishments.

Hudson Mayor Rick Rector and challenger Kamal Johnson face off in Tuesday's Democratic primary. 

The end of New York’s legislative session brought with it a green light for a video lottery terminal in Orange County. Legislation allows the transfer of a license from the now closed Monticello operation in Sullivan County to a new site in Woodbury.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission held its annual public meeting on the Indian Point plant in Westchester Thursday night. The few who attended had a long list of questions about decommissioning.