The worst of the snowstorm has passed through Radio Catskill's listening area, with several local jurisdictions, including Ulster and Orange counties, activating local emergency orders.

Kimberly Izar spoke with Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger earlier today about the latest storm conditions and what residents can expect in the coming days.

A powerful winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow across the Catskills and northeast Pennsylvania, disrupting travel and daily life throughout the region.

The system delivered widespread snowfall totals of at least 12 inches, with some communities seeing significantly more.

“We saw a widespread snowfall across the region of at least 12 inches,” said Ben Watts, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Binghamton. “There were some higher totals in the Catskills of 15 to even 17 inches of snow. In parts of Pike and Wayne counties, we even saw totals as high as 20 inches.”

Watts said the storm largely performed as forecasters expected.

“Results generally fell within the forecasted range,” he said. “For most of the region we were looking at 12 to 18 inches, possibly higher amounts in the Catskills. This was pretty much what we were anticipating.”

Travel concerns linger

While the heaviest snowfall has ended, slick conditions remain a concern.

Road crews have treated many main highways, but patchy black ice is likely, especially on secondary or untreated roads.

“Anyone out on the roads, just take it easy,” Watts said. “Be prepared for maybe some patchy black ice, just in case.”

Officials are urging drivers to slow down and allow extra travel time.

Heavy snow, but limited structural risk

Despite the storm’s high totals, Watts said the dense, compacted snow shouldn’t pose widespread structural issues.

Based on what forecasters observed, he does not expect serious roof damage from this system.

However, clearing snow can still be physically demanding.

“It is a pretty dense snow now that it’s settled, so it’s going to feel a little heavy when shoveling,” Watts said. “Take frequent breaks, stay hydrated, and don’t overexert yourself.”

Next threat: Arctic cold

Forecasters are now shifting their focus from snow to extreme cold.

It’s too early to say whether another storm system could arrive this weekend, but temperatures will remain well below normal all week.

“We are looking at a very cold week ahead,” Watts said. “Highs are only going to be in the teens and lows will be in the single digits or even below zero later in the week. That’s going to result in wind chills well below zero each night and morning.”

The National Weather Service warns that wind chills could dip into the negative single digits tonight, with another Arctic blast expected Thursday through Saturday.

Residents are advised to:

Dress in layers

Cover exposed skin

Limit time outdoors

Check on vulnerable neighbors and pets

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plan to freeze billions of dollars in federal funding for child care and social services, a move that local leaders say could have had immediate and devastating impacts on families in Sullivan County and across New York.

On Friday, a judge in New York’s Southern District issued a two-week temporary restraining order halting the administration’s plan to withhold funding from three major programs serving low-income families and people with disabilities. The proposed freeze targeted five Democratic-led states — including New York — and involved more than $10 billion in funding for programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and the Child Care and Development Fund, according to reporting by The New York Times.

The pause came after attorneys general from the affected states filed suit, warning that even a short interruption could disrupt child care, employment, and essential services for hundreds of thousands of households.

“It’s very scary”

In an interview with Radio Catskill, Nadia Rajsz, chair of the Sullivan County Legislature, said the uncertainty alone is already taking a toll.

Rajsz questioned how funding aimed at children and working families could be used as leverage in political disputes.

Ripple effects felt locally

While the lawsuit focuses on statewide funding streams, local officials say the consequences would be felt immediately at the county level. Child care subsidies, food assistance, and other social services are often the backbone that allows families to stay employed and financially stable.

Rajsz emphasized that rising costs have already pushed many households to the edge.

What happens next

The temporary order keeps funds flowing while the legal challenge continues. The case will now move forward under a different federal judge, with further hearings expected in the coming weeks.

It’s been a challenging year for many rural New Yorkers – from high utility bills to frozen USDA funding to SNAP benefit delays. Radio Catskill spoke with 19th Congressional District Representative Josh Riley about how those issues shaped his first year in office in 2025, what lies ahead in 2026, and what’s top of mind leading up to the midterms.

An incarcerated prison reform advocate is calling for a major expansion of presidential clemency authority.

In an interview with Radio Catskill, Atiq Weston outlined his proposal, the Presidential Pardon Powers Act of 2025, which would allow U.S. presidents to issue pardons for state convictions, not just federal crimes.

Weston spoke from Woodbourne Correctional Facility, arguing that the Constitution’s pardon clause should be interpreted more broadly. He says presidents, as the nation’s highest executive authority, should have clemency power equal to or greater than that of state governors.

He tied the proposal to what he described as systemic problems in state prisons, including inadequate medical care, limited mental health services, and a lack of meaningful avenues for relief. Weston said expanding presidential pardon power could offer incarcerated people an additional path toward review and redemption.

Weston is urging lawmakers, advocacy groups, and the public to review the proposal and consider broader reforms to clemency and prison oversight.