Lissa Harris is a staff writer at The River and a volunteer firefighter. She was the founding editor of the Watershed Post, a site that covered local news in the rural Catskills from 2010 to 2017.
Community Choice Aggregation Programs Flex Their Power
CCAs are confusing, acronym-laden, and embroiled in municipal government minutiae. They also might be the key to unlocking the power of local clean energy.
In Climate Week Actions, Hochul Shows Signs of Getting Real
New initiatives announced this week show promise that state leadership is getting serious about addressing the climate crisis. But the biggest actions are still down the road.
7 Locals Tackling New York’s Toughest Climate Problems
From carbon sequestration and solar siting to sail freight and managed retreat, the hard work of climate solutions is well underway in the Hudson Valley and Catskills.
What Cuomo’s Removal Could Mean for Climate Action in New York
With the governor out of the picture, advocates see a chance to make better state climate policy—if state leaders decide to take it.
The CDC Is Urging Masks Again. What Does it Mean for New York?
The Delta variant has brought on a new wave of the pandemic, which may force behavioral changes even for the vaccinated.
New York Officials Are Souring on Gas Power
Grassroots opposition to new fossil fuel projects is turning up the heat on the state’s most powerful politicians.
Keeping New York Honest on Climate Progress
The state has adopted ambitious climate goals. But so far, there’s no real way to measure its progress.
New York State’s Mask Mandate Is Lifting. What Now?
Vaccination has sent COVID-19 infection rates sharply downward, but we’re a long way from herd immunity, and now we’re on the honor system. Here’s our guide to navigating the new normal.
Ashokan Power Project Faces Uphill Battle
A surprise proposal from a California energy company to build a pumped storage hydroelectric plant on the Ashokan Reservoir has managed to anger just about everybody.
Coronavirus Roundup: Universal Vaccine Eligibility for Adults Is Here in New York
All New Yorkers 16 and up can get a vaccine starting tomorrow. Plus: New travel guidance from the CDC, positive news on child vaccinations, and a note on the future of the roundup.
Coronavirus Roundup: All Adults in New York Will Be Eligible for Vaccination Next Week
Surprise! Plus: Cases are rising, a new mass vaccination site is coming to the Hudson Valley, and the CDC has good news on how well the vaccines are working.
Need a Vaccine? Meet the Greenburgh COVID Angels
A Westchester County volunteer group has helped more than 2,000 local residents get appointments in less than two months.
New York Expands Vaccine Eligibility, Pharmacy Guidance in Race Against Variants
State confirms first case of P.1 variant, and new cases overall are declining more slowly. Plus: free internet for low-income students and free donuts for any vaccinated person.
Coronavirus Roundup: Biden Vows Return to Normal by Summer, While Cuomo’s Vaccine Czar Twists Arms
Plus: New York Democrats increase heat on governor, a new law guarantees time for vaccination, and the state’s rapid testing program is expanding.
Coronavirus Roundup: Vaccinated Americans Can Socialize Indoors, CDC Says
A glimpse into the post-pandemic future. Plus: Cuomo stripped of emergency powers, the Senate passes Biden’s stimulus bill, and more vaccine is coming to New York counties.
A Guide to Getting Vaccinated in the Hudson Valley and Catskills
The who, what, when, where, why, and how of COVID-19 vaccination in our region.
Coronavirus Roundup: On New York’s COVID Anniversary, Cuomo Dodges the Limelight
Amid allegations of sexual harassment and scrutiny over his handling of the pandemic, the governor has gone quiet. Plus: the FDA approves a third vaccine, Kingston gets a rapid testing site, and county health departments can now vaccinate the elderly.
Coronavirus Roundup: Scrutiny Surrounds Cuomo As Calls to Strip Emergency Powers Grow Louder
Plus: new nursing home visitation rules, an update on child vaccines, a mass vaccination hub is coming to Yonkers, and the US surpasses a half-million confirmed COVID-19 deaths.
Coronavirus Roundup: New York Confirms First South African Variant Case
At least 70 cases of the UK variant have also been found. Plus: new CDC guidance on schools and masks, a non-apology from Cuomo on nursing home data, and vaccination opens to those with comorbidities.
