In this week's Plastic PSA, host Alexis Goldsmith is joined by Deia Schlosberg, lead filmmaker of "The Story of Plastic." The Story of Plastic is a searing 95-minute expose, uncovering the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and how Big Oil and Big Gas have successfully manipulated the narrative of plastic to hide the biggest impacts from policymakers and citizens.

The feature length film has been nominated for an Emmy in News and Documentary Writing. For more info, visit StoryOfStuff.org/StoryOfPlastic.

Groundbreaking Documentary "The Story of Plastic" Receives Emmy Nomination

Meghan Brink talked about how the media underreports climate change as part of the weekly Tonko Tuesday protest in front of the Congressmember's s office in Albany. Meghan is the editor of the Albany Student Press at SUNY Albany. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.

Meghan Brink Climate And The Media

Kaleb Winters was recently elected the Vice-President of the Troy Area Labor Council. Kaleb discusses the local labor movement, including recent support for strikes and union organizing efforts, and the need for expanded organizing. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.

Kaleb Winters New VP Troy Area Labor Council

Michael Trout is a living historian who portrays a loyalist soldier who fought as one of Butler's Rangers during the American War of Independence. Trout met with Brendan Maslauskas Dunn where the Battle of Newtown took place, 224 days to the day. He discusses the American War of Independence, Butler's Rangers, and the tragic plight of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people as they fought for their survival.

Butler's Rangers & The Battle of Newtown

Genevieve Gunther of End Climate Science discusses their new campaign - adsnotfittoprint.com - to get the NY Times to stop accepting and promoting ads from the fossil fuel industry. The NY Times stopped taking ads from the tobacco industry back in 1999. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.

End Climate Silence Stop NY Times Fossil Fuel Ads

Anna Kathawala, a Columbia County resident during the summer, is the co-director of Fridays for the Future NYC! She discusses the international day of student strikes coming up on Friday September 24, including how young people feel about the threat of climate change and the need for national and world elected officials to act a lot faster. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network

Anna Kathawala Fridays For The Future

Daniel Smith, who teaches at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, spoke with us about what the history of public health and medicine can teach us about the current corona virus. He also shared his own personal experience of having his family infected with breakthrough COVID-19 (getting covid although fully vaccinated) and possible ways forward. 

image: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Breakthrough COVID-19 and What History Tells Us

On November 2, Rensselaer County voters will see a new name on the ballot for the position of County Clerk. Justan Foster is running to unseat Frank J. Merola, who is seeking his 7th term as Rensselaer County Clerk.  HMM correspondent Corinne Carey spoke with Justan about his priorities, and the important work of the County Clerk. This interview is part of HMM's Election Watch 2021 Series featuring candidate profiles of those seeking office in the upcoming general election.

Challenger Seeks to Unseat 6-Term Rensselaer County Clerk

The NYCLU tweeted that The Saratoga Police Department's Aggressive Fear Campaign Must Stop. Melanie Trimble, Regional Director for the NYCLU Capital Region Office spoke to Hudson Mohawk Magazine producer Elizabeth Press about the arrests that continue to be made by the Saratoga Police Department. This brings the total number of arrests stemming from a July rally to ten.

NYCLU says: The Saratoga Police Department's Aggressive Fear Campaign Must Stop.

Frank J. Merola is seeking a seventh term as Rensselaer County Clerk. If successful, Merola would longest-serving RensCo County Clerk. HMM correspondent Corinne Carey spoke with Frank about the role of County Clerk, and his view of the office. This interview is part of HMM's Election Watch 2021 Series featuring candidate profiles of those seeking office in the upcoming general election.

Merola Seeks Seventh Term as RensCo County Clerk

Lindsay Koshgarian of the National Priorities Project will give a talk about Militarism, Climate Change, and the Existential Threat We Face at the 23rd annual Kateri Peace Conference being held virtually on Saturday Sept. 18. She talks with Mark Dunlea of the Hudson Mohawk Radio Network about how we diverted $21 trillion to the war on terror after 9/11 and how racism is a root cause of both militarism and climate change.

Climate & Militarism, the Upcoming Kateri Peace Conf on Sept. 18

The Freedom to Vote Act is the newest effort by Democrats in Congress to pass a bill that can attract at least some GOP votes. Howie Hawkins, the recent Green Party candidate for President, explains how while the voting reforms in the bill need to be adopted, the provisions killing the Presidential campaign matching funds need to be rejected. With Mark Dunlea for the Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.

Green Party Howie Hawkins on the Freedom To Vote Act

After police targeting, arrest, and continued harassment of Black, Trans, activists Kasey Charles (He, Him, His) and Mikayla Foster (They, Them, Theirs) organizers in the Black Abolitionist Directive turned themselves in to the Schenectady Police on Thursday September 23, 2021. Shortly after they held a press release and speak out just outside the entrance to the police department.  Produced by Jody Cowan for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Black Abolitionist Directive Organizers Speak Out After Police Targeting

Lexis Figuereo and his mom Nedra Hickenbottom spoke to Hudson Mohawk Magazine producer Elizabeth Press about the targeting and intimidation of Saratoga activists by the Saratoga Springs Police Department.

Update on Targeting of Saratoga Activists with Lexis Figuereo and his Mom, Nedra Hickenbottom

The Latin American, Caribbean and US Latino and Latina Studies program at the University at Albany has many students working on interesting and important research projects to improve the understanding of people who make up a large part of our population. Moses Nagel spoke to Benoit Vallee about his research on people from the Dominican Republic and the roots of hip-hop culture.

University at Albany researcher Benoit Vallee on Dominicans and Hip-Hop

380 plus groups have sent a petition to the Army Corps of Engineers (i.e., Biden) demanding they stop issuing permits for fossil fuel projects as being contrary to the public interest. Kassie Siegel, Director of the Climate Law Institute of the Center for Biological Diversity, discusses the petition as well as the Oct. 11-15 People vs. Fossil Fuels direct actions in DC. With Mark Dunlea for the Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.

Center For Biological Diversity Army Corps Engineers Fossil Fuel Permits

John Zoccoli, visual artist talks with HMM's  Andrea Cunliffe about the opening of his exhibition  "Out of Darkness" at Collar City Mushrooms in conjunction with Bliss Arts.  He talks about his journey of  25 years in prison to  emerge as a successful and gifted Artist with the support of RTA (Rehabilitation through the Arts).  His work of 50+ paintings with workshops and talks will run through the middle of November.   The opening event on October 16th  includes live Music by Kenyatta Huges poetry by Jose Perez, a variety of Culinary Treats made with Collar City Mushrooms grown Fungi.

Artist John Zoccoli talks of his exhibition at Collar City Mushrooms.

In this conversation with Poet Jose Perez, he talks about the diversified development of his poetry with HMM’s Andrea Cunliffe. He connects his life experiences, influences on his work, and the support of a rehabilitative arts program, Making Art While Marking Time, while in prison.  He is joining fellow artist John Zoccoli at the opening of his Art Exhibition “Out of Darkness” at Collar City Mushrooms along with musician Kenyatta Emmanuel Hughes. 
"Out of Darkness" Art Exhibition and Opening Event is on  October 16th at  Collar City Mushrooms, in conjunction with Bliss Arts, their 3rd art and music event.  There will be paintings by John Zoccoli, live music by Kenyatta Huges, and poetry by Jose Perez.

Jose Perez on Poetry and Prison

The Latin American, Caribbean and US Latino and Latina Studies program at the University at Albany has many students working on interesting and important research projects to improve the understanding of people who make up a large part of our population. Moses Nagel spoke to Andrea Miranda about her research on the the history of Panama and her experience as an international student.

Andrea Miranda- LACS

Connect Center is a community hub for connection and empowerment. Hudson Mohawk Magazine’s Dulcinia Diggs interviews Benn Williams, the executive director of the Center
for more information visit www.connectcenterforyouth.org

Connect Center For Youth

Gwen Wright, Democratic candidate for Rensselaer County Executive, spoke with HMM political & public affairs correspondent Corinne Carey about her priorities; where she stands on some of the issues facing the county; why voters from every party should consider voting for her; and what brings her joy. This interview is part of the Hudson Mohawk Magazine's Election Watch 2021 series of interviews with candidates for local office. Our correspondent reached out several times to Wright's opponents, current county executive Steve McLaughlin, and Sara McDermott, who is running on the Working Families Party line for the seat, but neither McLaughlin nor McDermott responded to repeated requests for an interview.

Gwen Wright On Her Campaign for RensCo County Exec

During this past Halloween weekend, HMM correspondent Jody Cowan attended a social gathering on October 30th and sat with the youngest members in attendance to get their take on what the holiday is all about.

Jody Cowan is currently working to amplify youth voices as an art mentor for Troy Prep High School's Media Club. Visit the Media Sanctuary's website for further features from the Capital District's youth. https://www.mediasanctuary.org/

What Do the Young People Think About Halloween?

At the rally on November 6th, groups from all over the Capital Region came out to demand climate action and to hope for tangible outcomes at COP26. Coming up Saturday, November 13th there will be another climate march, this time to focus on local action, specifically to urge state officials to pass the Climate and Community Investment Act (CCIA). 
In this segment you'll hear Joe Lombardo singing, Sam Engelmyer of Progressive Schenectady, and Gabriel Silva of Citizen Action.

image by Barbara Spink

March to Urge NY Lawmakers to Pass the Climate and Community Investment Act

New York artist GATO has always used the streets as his canvas. As part of the Albany Center Gallery and Collective Effort's Gallery Mixtape Vol. 1 showcase, GATO brings all of his energy and chaotic visuals to the gallery wall. 

The Gallery Mixtape Vol.1 is on display now at Albany Center Gallery until Nov. 19 2021

Produced by Jody Cowan for Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Gato Keeps Odd on Display At Albany Center Gallery

In this episode of "Is Radio Dying," we talk with radio talk show host and teacher, James Lerch who is a teacher at SUNY Oswego and radio sports show host. James spoke with Caelan McPherson about what the radio industry looks like right now, what the future holds for radio, and how radio is trying to get the younger generation into listening.

Is Radio Dying Ep.3 ft James Lerch

The COP26 world climate summit in Glasgow concluded last weekend with no agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions at the level scientists pleaded for when they declared a Code Red for the planet. HMM's Sina Basila Hickey produced this segment from the Nov. 6 Global Day of Action for Climate Justice March in Albany with Howie Hawkins, , co-founder of the US Green Party and the party's 2020 presidential nominee, discussing an ecosocialist ‘Green New Deal’.

image by Jon Flanders

Howie Hawkins at the Climate Justice March

The Food Pantries of the Capital District represents 75 food pantries serving 4 million meals annually. Natasha Pernicka discusses their efforts, which includes assisting infants and the working poor. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.

Food Pantries Of The Capital District On Local Hunger

The Prospect Park Disc Golf Course opened in Troy in August of 2020 after a group of disc golf enthusiasts gathered signatures, raised funds, and petitioned the city for a permit. Today, dozens of disc golfers flock to the course in all kinds of weather to play. HMM correspondent Corinne Carey spoke with Sam Wechsler and Jeff Daniels (pictured here)-- two disc golfers who worked to get the course up and running -- as well as disc golfers out on the course. Carey also spoke with the founder and proprietor of New York Disc Golf Supply, Heidi Williams, who opened her shop in downtown Troy after trying her hand on the course and finding there was no way to buy supplies from a store within a 100-mile radius.

Troy Becomes Disc Golf Hub

For the first of November's Holiday week of Hudson Mohawk Magazine special episodes, radio producer Jody Cowan brings us this interview with Saratoga NY recording artist Sime Gezus.  Earlier this month Sime released his full length album Shadow of Death, this recorded conversation covers a deep dive into the inspirations and processes involved in bringing it to life.

HMM 11 - 22 - 21

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, Andrea Cunliffe brings us a special selection of segments focusing on the Capital Region’s Community Arts Projects that were developed and produced during 2021.  

We begin with Common Unity Banners Block Party in Schenectady in August;
Then, we revisit the annual exhibition of Mission Accomplished Transition Services “FASHION SHOWCASE”;
Later on, Benjamin Seretan and GraceLee Lawrens of the new collaborative studio Eight Plums speak of their window art installation in Albany;
After that, artist Meg Jala of the art project The Fish Market in North Central Troy;
Finally, founder and Artistic Director of the Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York Jean-Remy Monnay talks about addressing social justice issues through performance and theatre.

HMM 11 - 23 - 21

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine we take a break from our regular program to bring you a special episode where we go into our archives to bring you stories around food. 

We begin with Azuré Keahi of Soul Fire Farm who talks with McKenna Conners about the importance of urban farming and Soul Fire Farm’s efforts towards greater food justice and food security;
Then, Anna Steltenkamp speaks with Chef Sean Sherman about his efforts to revitalize Native American cuisine;
After that, Corinne Carey visits Justin Butts and his Kunekune pigs on the farm;
Finally, Mark Dunlea interviews Mark Bittman about his recent book Animal, Vegetable, Junk, the evolution of the unhealthy American food diet, and the need to refocus the food system

HMM 11 - 24 - 21

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine we take a break from our regular program to bring you a talk by Heather Bruegl from August entitled "Not the Last of the Mohicans: A History of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community". This talk was hosted by Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, part of a larger guest speaker series.

HMM 11 - 25 - 21

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine we take a break from our regular program to bring you a talk by Dr. Max Liboiron, our headlining speaker at the Sanctuary’s Ruderal Ecologies 2 conference.

HMM 11 - 26 - 21

Building Blocks Together assists low-income individuals in communities such as the South End of Albany in buying and rehabbing homes. These communities have usually redlined by banks. Virginia Rawlins founded the group after her work with the Albany County Land Bank. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.

Building Blocks Together Home Ownership

The mission of the Upstate New York Black Chamber of Commerce is expanding the economic footprint and advocating for Black and Minority businesses throughout the Capital Region and beyond. Cofounder Tony Gaddy talks with Mark Dunlea of the Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.

Gaddy Upstate NY Black Chamber Of Commerce

Phillip Oswald, on behalf of residents at Saratoga Sites public housing project in Cohoes, has filed a notice of intent to file suit against Norlite Incinerator, EPA and DEC for the burning of toxic firefighting foam (AFFF). With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.

Norlite Oswald Lawsuit 9'53 News 6-23-2020

Intro: Troy Zoning Appeals Board  Update with Gary Pavlic in conversation with HMM's Andrea Cunliffe  and reminding us to get out the Vote this November.   
Outro:  HMM's correspondent Andrea Cunliffe was speaking with Troy Zoning Appeals Board member  Gary Pavlic  more information can be found on Troy's government website

Update on Troy Zoning and Voting with Gary Pavlic

The Hudson Mohawk Magazine is a locally-produced nightly news hour that provides sanctuary for the discussion of a wide range of topics, scaling from the global to the hyper-local. The show is broadcast on WOOC 105.3 FM, The Sanctuary for Independent Media's low-power radio station based in Troy, NY.

With the support of people like you, the Sanctuary uses art and participatory action to promote social and environmental justice and freedom of creative expression.

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