Episodes
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Veterans May Be Eligible for Additional Health Benefits at Stratton VA
In August of 2022 the Pact Act was passed. It expands health care benefits for veterans exposed to a variety of toxic substances. Now the Stratton V.A. is conducting outreach to help identify veterans who have may have been exposed, and to inform them about the expanded coverage. In this episode…
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Opportunities for Coders in the Capital Region and Beyond
Opportunities abound for coders, web designers, and software developers but many people don’t realize they have the aptitude to pursue those kinds of careers. The growing need for training for coders and developers has led to growth for CanCode Communities. In this episode of Upstate Issues…
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Local Parents Warned About Vaping Among Middle and High School Students
More than two-and-a-half million high school and middle school students are vaping, with many of them attracted to the sweet, fruity flavors that are offered. That’s according to a report from the CDC. A local group is trying to educate parents and community members about the risks of vaping. Tim...
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NY Officers Getting Advanced Training to Become Drug Recognition Experts
Helping to keep our roads safe in New York involves the work of over 400 Drug Recognition Experts. In this episode of Upstate Issue, Diane Donato talks with New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Deputy Commissioner Owen McShane about the intensive training that is involved for officers to...
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Local County Providing More Assistance with Childcare
Securing childcare is one of the major hurdles for working parents, especially when children are young. Recent changes in eligibility for aid have made many more New York families able to get financial assistance to pay for care for their children but many families remain unaware that they can…
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Creative Recycling in the City of Troy
The City of Troy has been bringing some unique recycling opportunities to its residents, such as the Pumpkin Smash, curbside composting, and string-lights recycling. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Diane Donato talks with Naomi Pitkin, the Recycling Specialist for the City of Troy about…
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Helping your neighbors and helping yourself in the Capital Region
Be it a home fire, a hurricane, or other natural disaster, the American Red Cross responds with food, shelter, and other resources necessary to stabilize families and communities. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Diane Donato talks with American Red Cross Senior Disaster Program Manager Josh...
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Local Students Mentored All the Way from High School through College Completion
For 25 years, a local group has been supporting area students achieve their dreams of graduating from college. 518 ElevatED, formally known as Capital Region Sponsor-a-Scholar, provides mentorship to students at Albany, Schenectady, and Troy High schools. The program requires students meet weekly...
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Local Libraries Develop Creative Solutions for Sharing Internet Access
Public libraries have long been community centers providing avenues to a better life through shared learning resources. Now, a number of libraries in our region are finding creative solutions to expand community access to internet services. According to the Benton Institute for Broadband and...
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First Responders Get New Tools to Unpack the Pain
As attitudes continue to evolve around mental health and dealing with trauma, first responders are being offered several new tools to help them cope with the many demands of their jobs. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Diane Donato talks with Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple about new…
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Community Resource Helps People Experiencing a Mental Crisis
As a nation and locally we are having a lot of dialogue about aspects of dealing with mental health issues. One of the topics we are trying to get better at is de-escalating when someone is having a problem. Another of the topics has to do with a scarcity of mental health services and providers....
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Bringing People Together in City of Schenectady
Step one: Just show up. That’s the advice William Rivas gives to people who are looking to improve their communities. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Rivas talks about what inspired him to take action and how he navigates his passion for making the City of Schenectady and the neighborhood he...
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Longtime Club for Children Closing in Albany Due to Violence
A club that served the needs of children is closing in Albany because of the violence that surrounds it. Pastor Charlie Muller of Victory Church says it was a difficult decision to close the JC Club but they could no longer ensure the safety of workers or the children coming there for programs.…
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Capital Region Veterans Memorial and Legacy Project Aims to Bring Veterans and Communities Together
A local group is well on their way with an ambitious plan to create the Capital Region Veterans Memorial in Glenville. The 6-acre site will be developed to offer a serene setting complete with a pond and will also feature the Legacy Project. The Legacy Project will include a Welcome Center and...
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9-8-8 Mental Health Crisis Line Coming to the Capital Region
Individuals and families who are dealing with mental health issues are about to have a new tool to help them when a crisis arises. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Diane Donato talks with Matthew Shapiro, Director of Public Affairs, National Alliance for Mental Health New York State about the…
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Veterans Starting Businesses in the Capital Region with help from Boots to Business
Every year in increasing numbers, veterans are launching their own businesses in the Capital Region. Many of them have benefited from an initial boost through the Boots to Business program. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Diane Donato talks with Boots to Business instructor Emil Baker, who is...
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Protecting Schools Against Cyber Security Threats
In this episode of Upstate Issues, James Globe, Vice President of Operations, Center for Internet Security talks about some of the cyber attacks schools have endured and how they can help before and after bad actors target schools.
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Amid Controversy Executive Director Talks of Shelter's Place in the Community
A local homeless shelter is under increased scrutiny as a community weighs the benefits it provides against its proximity to an elementary school. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Perry Jones, Executive Director of the Capital City Rescue Mission in Albany talks about the services it provides,...
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A Capital Region Space for Young Women to Heal and Grow
Mental Health issues are something people are becoming much more comfortable talking about, but at the Charlton School in Burnt Hills, the discussion had already been going on for decades. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Alex Capo, LMHC, Executive Director at The Charlton School talks about…
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New Community Space and Gym For Capital Region's Neurodiverse Population
A new community space and sensory gym designed with a neurodiverse population in mind, is about to open on Fuller Road in Colonie. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Lisa Audi, and her daughter Carabelle, talk about why she decided to open Bring on the Spectrum and her mission to offer social,...
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Pioneering Radio Station WGY Celebrates 100th Anniversary
On February 20, 2022, radio station WGY celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first time the station signed on to the air. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Chris Hunter, Vice President of Collections and Exhibitions at miSci talks about the historical significance of WGY on Schenectady, New...
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Local Amateur Radio Association Provides Vital Backup for Emergency Communications
On this podcast, WGY's Mike Patrick speaks with Bryan Jackson, president of the East Greenbush Amateur Radio Association. Besides being a backup for local law enforcement agencies in times of emergency, Bryan refers to Amateur Radio as the original form of social media. On January 20th, to...
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Capital Region Chamber Helping Businesses and Communities Thrive
In this episode of Upstate Issues, Mark Eagan, President and CEO of the Capital Region Chamber talks about the Chamber’s long range plans and advocacy for issues affecting everyone in the community. Eagan says that while the Chamber has always been there to support local businesses, the real…
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Famous Events Put Schenectady County in the Spotlight
Schenectady County has been the historical epicenter of many inventions and famous people, making its impact on state, national and world history profound. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Mary Zawacki, Director of the Schenectady Historical Foundation, shares facts from our past touching on...
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Capital Region Employment Outlook
In this episode of Upstate Issues, Miriam Dushane, Managing Partner of Alaant Workforce Solutions, talks about the current Capital Region jobs outlook as indicated in the Alaant Hiring Index. Dushane talks about which sectors are looking to hire and discusses why some employers are having...
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Work Continues to Support Recovery in New York State
Friends of Recovery-New York has long been doing work to support people through their individual Recovery from substance abuse but as time as passed, the definition of what Recovery means has changed. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Diane Donato talks with Dr. Angelia Smith Wilson, Executive...
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Local District Takes Unique Approach to Attract New Teachers
A local city school district is trying a novel approach to attracting new teachers. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Anibal Soler, Jr., Superintendent of Schenectady Schools, talks about the “Grow Your Own” program which will help members of the local community and high school students become...
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Local Volunteer Opportunities with Wreaths Across America
This week, Mike Patrick fills in to talk about a great organization called “Wreaths Across America.” Their goal is to “remember, honor and teach” about the brave souls who have given their lives for our country. Mike speaks with Jeff Pierce about “National Wreaths Across America Day” on December...
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Changes Make It Easier For Family And Friends To Provide Foster Care
A fairly recent change in federal law has marked the beginning of a new era for young people who need care when their parents are unable to provide it. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Colleen Vogel, Senior Director of Foster Care, Northern Rivers talks about the Family First Prevention…
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Staff Sergeant Laughs At His Own Misconception and Talks About Service in NYARNG
Service in the New York Army Nation Guard is not always well understood. Case in point, Staff Sergeant Michael McLean who says he was working at a Pizza Hut and looking for ways to advance himself when a colleague talked to him about joining the Guard. He laughs now at his own misconceptions and...
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Discover Upstate New York Ruins and More with "Paths to the Past"
Whatever the season, the Capital Region has a lot of offer to people looking to take a stroll, a walk, or a more intensive hike. The Capital Region is also rich in history. A local couple, Russell Dunn and Barbara Delaney took their love of hiking and combined it with their curiosity about the...
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Local Group Raises Awareness To Prevent Deadly Sepsis Infections
In this episode of Upstate Issues, potentially life-saving information about sepsis is shared by Al Cardillo, National Sepsis Alliance Advisory Board, Collaborating Partner to ENDSepsis-Rory Staunton Foundation, and President and CEO, Home Care Association of New York State. He is joined by…
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Mental Health Resources for New York State Schools
The concept that children have mental health needs is more understood than even a decade ago, but mental health resources are still lacking for parents and educators. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) talks about...
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ACPHS on Utilizing Pharmacists to Fill More Medical Needs and Training for Biopharmaceutical Jobs
Our medical response to a pandemic has been at the forefront of our minds for a year and a half. The vaccine is part of the story. Expanded treatment options have been another part of the story. In this episode of Upstate Issues Dr. Greg Dewey, President of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health...
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Capital Region Bosses Get Lessons on Work at 109th
On September 8th, Upstate Issues host Diane Donato was invited to the 109th Airlift Wing, at Stratton Air National Guard Base to learn about the amazing people who work both civilian jobs and serve part-time in the ANG. They, and those who serve full time, do incredible work supporting four…
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New partnership helps expand housing for Shelters of Saratoga
Through a new partnership with the Business for Good Foundation, Shelters of Saratoga has been able to expand supportive housing for low-income individuals in Saratoga. In this podcast, Diane Donato brings an update from Executive Director Duane Vaughn about the work Shelters of Saratoga is doing.
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Capital Region Group Responds as Pandemic is Linked to More Overdoses
Drug overdose deaths during the pandemic hit the highest number ever recorded. CDC data shows that deaths skyrocketed to 93-thousand in 2020, up from 72-thousand in 2019. That's an increase of close to 30-percent. Dr. Nora Volkow with the National Institute on Drug Abuse says the numbers are...
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City Mission of Schenectady Expands Transitional Housing
For over 100 years the City Mission of Schenectady has been helping people in need. Even during the pandemic, services were still provided to men, women and children. On an average day, the mission serves over 600 meals and provides shelter for about 100 people. In this episode of Upstate Issues,...
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Camaraderie Begins Weeks Before Freihofer's Run for Women
Part of the appeal of the annual Freihofer's Run for Women has always been that women at various ages and fitness levels can come together with a goal of reaching for their personal best while running a 5K. For decades the event has attracted world-class athletes and novices. That spirit of...
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Upstate Fire Departments Trying to Find New Ways to Attract Volunteers
People who are concerned about safety are more than a little worried about the numbers when it comes to volunteer fire departments. According to John D'Alessandro, Association Secretary of the Firemen's Association of the State of NY (FASNY) more than 80 percent of fire and emergency response in...
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Alternative Court in Albany Designed to Help Those with Mental Illness
Through a collaborative effort, Albany is getting its first Mental Health Court, officially referred to as the Albany Alternative and Treatment Court (AATC). In this episode of Upstate Issues, Diane Donato talks with Judge John Reilly about who this court is for, how the court will work, and the...
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Responding To New Calls For Service With Same Resolve
For decades to come we will be talking about the COVID pandemic, where we were, what we were doing, even what we would do differently. We will also always remember those who stepped up, at times put themselves in danger, and provided services to those in need. In this episode of Upstate Issues…
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UPSTATE ISSUES INSURANCE FRAUD_1
We generally have an idea about how we are affected when someone else cheats a system we are all a part of but sometimes it doesn't seem too closely connected to us. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Frank Sztuk talks about Insurance Fraud. Frank is the Senior Vice President of Investigative...
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People You Depend on During Your Greatest Time of Need
They are the people you depend on during your greatest time of need. In this podcast edition of Upstate Issues, Steven Gordon, Director Emergency Communications for the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office talks about the people on the other end of the line receiving 911 calls. Gordon discusses the...
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Community Considers Impact of Proposed St. Peter's and Ellis Merger
St. Peter's Health Partners and Ellis Medicine have signed a letter of intent to merge operations, but it is not a done deal. Some members of the community served by Ellis are voicing concerns about the implications of such a merger. In this podcast edition of Upstate Issues, Diane Donato talks...
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Resources and Ideas for Better Mental Health in NYS
Mental health issues affect us all and have an impact on all aspects of our lives, from our relationships, our workplaces, our living space, our justices systems, our communities. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Matthew Shapiro Associate Director, Public Affairs for the New York State chapter…
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Stratton VA in Albany Responding to Expanded Agent Orange Disease Identifications
Decades after their exposure and decades after Vietnam veterans first heard of the health effects of exposure to Agent Orange, more illnesses associated with Agent Orange are now covered for care at the VA. This is something not all Vietnam veterans are aware of. In this podcast with Diane…
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Upstate Issues: Capital Region Businesses Start Grassroots Effort to Promote Diversity and Equity
The Social Justice movements of 2020 created a lot of opportunity for reflection in all aspects of our lives. Discrimination in the workplace is part of the larger picture that some local business professionals hope to address with the formation of the BRIDGE Network. The group announced its…
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Longtime Activist Looks at Police Reform and Reinvention Collaboratives
Longtime local activist, Dr. Alice Green is the Executive Director of the Center for Law and Justice, a civil rights organization she founded in 1985. In June of 2020, Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order requiring police agencies to consult with local community members and develop a plan to...
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NY Debates Legalizing Marijuana; Local College Offers Classes on Cannabis Control
For many years now New York lawmakers have been discussing the possibility of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. It wasn't until only a few years ago that the use of medicinal marijuana was legalized. Meanwhile other states (including many of our neighbors) have legalized the use of...
About this show
WGY's Diane Donato presents the important issues facing New York's Capital Region.
Hosted by
News Radio 810 and 103.1 WGY (WGY-AM)
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