Breaking tonight: Bard has retained an outside law firm to conduct an independent review of Leon Botstein’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the college’s public first response to mounting scrutiny over its president’s relationship with the convicted sex predator. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Just in from my colleague Nora Mishanec: ICE officials said Tuesday they had made a “mistake” after falsely claiming to have bought a Hudson Valley warehouse for a detention center. On Friday, after multiple outlets ran with ICE’s claims, we reported that county officials had no record of a sale.

The Times Union’s Hudson Valley team, ladies and gentlemen

Last week, several news organizations uncritically ran with ICE’s claim that it had purchased an upstate warehouse to use as a detention center. The Times Union didn’t. We did some actual reporting and found there were no records of a deal. Then, tonight: www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

It’s been two weeks since new revelations emerged about Bard President Leon Botstein’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The board of trustees has said nothing. A college spokesperson has said only, “The president is listening and engaging.” Students and alumni want more. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Our latest story on Leon Botstein’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein shows the college president knew of the trafficking allegations as he sought donations from the sex offender, despite his repeated claims in recent days to the contrary. Much more herein: www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

In the four-plus days since the @timesunion.com reported that Leon Botstein’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was much closer than previously known, neither Bard College nor its trustees have said anything. But students are talking. Including to us. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Bard College President Leon Botstein appears in the Epstein files more than 2,500 times, including arranging travel to Epstein’s island, hosting a visit with “girls” to campus and telling the child sex predator, “I miss you.” Sarah Trafton reports: www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Bard College President Leon Botstein appears in the Epstein files more than 2,500 times, including arranging travel to Epstein’s island, hosting a visit with “girls” to campus and telling the child sex predator, “I miss you.” Sarah Trafton reports: www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

“Ultimately, that’s what journalism is in for: You need to shed some light and bring true understanding.” www.semafor.com/article/01/2...

BREAKING: The first upstate city to adopt rent stabilization became the first one to do it again. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Less than three days after Maria Silva reported on the cancellation of naturalization ceremonies across upstate, an apparent reversal by USCIS. Journalism, amirite?

This doesn’t happen without Maria’s intrepid reporting on this policy change, which USCIS tried to keep quiet.

Christopher Baldner, the first state trooper in New York to stand trial for murder in connection with a vehicle pursuit, was found not guilty of that charge on Thursday. But jurors are split on whether to convict him of manslaughter. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Naturalization ceremonies are described by new citizens and local officials as joyful celebrations of American values. U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services has been canceling them indefinitely in counties across upstate New York, and it won't say why. Maria Silva reports.

I’m hearing Mark Sanford ran for president?

Breaking late on Monday: a man has died mysteriously in upstate New York after “striking” two state police troopers with his vehicle. More when I know it. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

His attorney called the arrest "a gross misunderstanding" and alleged the Ulster County DA was using it "to try to get an enhancement of his sentence” — that is, the plea agreement in which Boyle admitted to a series of felony child sexual abuse material charges.

Absolutely fascinating story on the links between today's migrant detentions and the role played by North Country jails where Chinese migrants ended up in the bad old days of the Exclusion Act. Esther Sun reports.

EXCLUSIVE: A New York judge has rejected Texas’ attempt to enforce an abortion-related judgment against an upstate doctor who mailed abortion pills across state lines. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Will Truitt, a fast-rising young Republican who chairs the Dutchess County Legislature, says he lives in his parents’ basement. But he bought a home outside his district last June and we observed him there several times. The law requires reps to live in district. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

As the NBA season opens, this is a good story on the early days of "basket ball." www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

BREAKING: An Afghan refugee whose family resettled in New York after fleeing Taliban persecution was detained by ICE agents following a routine asylum interview on Tuesday. @mariamsilva.bsky.social has the story www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

At the Hudson Valley Apple Project, a cider pioneer is reviving rare apples that showcase the fruit’s remarkable — and nearly forgotten — genetic diversity. This is one of the coolest stories we’ve published this year. Liz Susman Karp reports www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Yes, "hit-and-runs" plural. @phillippantuso.bsky.social reports. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

“If Hudson’s gonna be this fancy, it better have weird music shows.” Tristan Geary is out with a terrific profile of Basilica Hudson, which celebrates its 15th year with a new Soundscape festival and a partnership with Bowery Presents. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Babe, wake up: The new Ulster County "I voted" sticker (IYKYK) just dropped ... and it's a good one. Shoutout to sixth-grader Ryker Darmanin for the winning design. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

New York AG Letitia James will intervene in Texas’ lawsuit against an upstate county clerk, setting up a constitutional showdown over the state’s telehealth shield law. www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...

BREAKING: AG Letitia James' office will intervene in a lawsuit brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that seeks to compel a New York court to enforce Texas’ abortion ban against a Hudson Valley doctor. @phillippantuso.bsky.social reports.

1/x 🧵 🔌💡 #Greensky. Hey climate peeps! Here’s a local victory to celebrate, and some lessons from it. Last night, the Town of Poughkeepsie, NY, voted to overturn its 18-month moratorium (6 months, renewed twice) on grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS).

A targeted shooting at an Orange County barbershop, committed by a perpetrator who fled on an electric scooter. @phillippantuso.bsky.social reports. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

EXCLUSIVE: A New Jersey man is suing an upstate New York town and one of its cops over serious injuries he suffered when the officer slammed him to the pavement during an arrest, knocking him unconscious. The @timesunion.com obtained video. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

A man who was taken into custody during a DUI stop last December is suing the Ulster County town of Lloyd for $27M after he allegedly suffered serious injuries from bring sent to the pavement by a police officer. @phillippantuso.bsky.social reports. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

EXCLUSIVE: A New Jersey man is suing an upstate New York town and one of its cops over serious injuries he suffered when the officer slammed him to the pavement during an arrest, knocking him unconscious. The @timesunion.com obtained video. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Excited to share that the @timesunion.com is hiring another Hudson Valley reporter. We want someone with deep reporting skills and an eye for scoops. You may also take on some editing eventually (no prior experience required). Reach out w/ questions! eevd.fa.us6.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...

INVESTIGATION: an NY Senate candidate reported contributions of $250 from several homeless people who told the newspaper that they never donated money to his campaign and that they were paid to submit contribution forms for the campaign. www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...

The man, who was mentally ill, was shot following an encounter with a Dutchess County crisis team.

BREAKING: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the acting clerk of Ulster County over his repeated refusal to file a summary judgment and court summons against a New York doctor who mailed abortion pills to a Texas patient.

A former high school wrestling coach was charged with 18 counts of rape of two teenage students — which investigators learned about while looking into similar crimes a local cop allegedly committed. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

A retired police officer stands charged with murder after a shooting at a home in Beacon on Monday evening. @phillippantuso.bsky.social reports. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

EXCLUSIVE: For the second time, an upstate New York clerk has rejected Texas’ attempt to enforce a court ruling against a doctor who mailed abortion pills to a patient in that state. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

BREAKING: New York’s Court of Appeals has upheld Kingston’s vacancy study and historic rent reduction. Major decision in a test case for the state’s rent stabilization law. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Lana Bellamy's story includes video of John Reilly shooting at the DoorDash driver's car as it is on the far side of the front lawn traveling away from the house. Reilly's new attorney previously represented Daniel Penny, who was acquitted of killing a man on the NYC subway.

Over the last 140 years, fungi and insects from Europe and Asia have been introduced to ecosystems with no way of absorbing them. The invasives have spread across the Catskill Mountains, chewing through native tree populations. Three arrived generations ago, while two hit recently and are spreading.

It was a true pleasure speaking with Jeremy Sodergren, Emily Clayton, Lilly Sabella and Dylan Murphy of the New Paltz Oracle about covering last year’s pro-Palestine protests, the encampment and police raid, and the long aftermath on campus. They make me feel inspired. megaphone.link/SFO3254003758

New York is investigating Coxsackie over the construction of a waterfront luxury hotel in 2022. The project deviated significantly (e.g. a whole extra story) from the designs that were approved by the village planning board. Roger Hannigan Gilson reports. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

this is how I find out @phillippantuso.bsky.social is on bluesky? lol hi friend, what a bad old world

There's a lot of lousy news we need to pay attention to, but this story about perseverance and community is worth your time and then some. @mariamsilva.bsky.social reports.

Police said they have arrested and charged a man they allege is responsible for destroying the outdoor dining area at Rough Draft Bar & Books in Uptown Kingston last month. (📝 @phillippantuso.bsky.social )

John J. Reilly III, the town of Chester highway superintendent and a federally licensed firearms dealer, was arrested Saturday for allegedly shooting a DoorDash food delivery driver who apparently got lost. (📝 @phillippantuso.bsky.social )