Maria M. Silva

Trump’s tariffs are tying knots in New York’s yarn industry For the vibrant upstate fiber industry, which heavily relies on imported yarn and tools, the local infrastructure can’t keep up with rising costs and uncertainty.

🧶 Trump’s tariffs are impacting many industries, even unexpected ones. I recently spoke with several New York fiber business owners, who said they are running low on inventory, being hit with surprise levies and seeing delayed shipments www.timesunion.com/business/art...

Trump’s tariffs are tying knots in New York’s yarn industry For the vibrant upstate fiber industry, which heavily relies on imported yarn and tools, the local infrastructure can’t keep up with rising costs and uncertainty.

For the vibrant upstate fiber industry, which heavily relies on imported yarn and tools, the local infrastructure can’t keep up with rising costs and uncertainty.

ICE arrests Afghan refugee living in New Paltz after asylum hearing Ali Sajad Faqirzada, who resettled with his family in Ulster County in 2022, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Tuesday.

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...

Here's where ICE is arresting immigrants in New York Immigration arrests in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany and Saratoga have dominated upstate New York. In New York City, arrests skyrocketed at Federal Plaza.

Where ICE arrested thousands of immigrants in New York this year. @timesunion.com mapped the arrests so you can see the enforcement action by county, court house and jail

www.timesunion.com/news/article...

USCIS stops paying New York clerks for swearing in new citizens For decades, county clerks have been reimbursed for administering the Oath of Allegiance. This summer, the federal agency quietly ended the practice.

Important story by my colleague @mariamsilva.bsky.social: the federal government has stopped paying for new citizen naturalization ceremonies
www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Homeless people say they got paid to be donors in Senate campaign Law enforcement are investigating whether Caleb Slater allegedly paid people in exchange for donations to get money from the New York State Public Campaign Finance Program during the 2024 election.

SCOOP: Homeless people said they were paid to be listed as donors for a NY Senate candidate. Others told the @timesunion.com the candidate paid them with pre-paid cash gift cards worth 2x the value of their donation

www.timesunion.com/capitol/arti...

Back in June, my partner and I found an injured, fledgling robin in our yard. A Google search and some text messages later and we were driving up the Northway with a robin in a shoebox to a rehabilitator for passerine birds --- one of the few people who knew how to care for them, we'd soon learn

Plans are up in smoke

National Grid bills going up after PSC approves rate hike The new rates will take effect in September, increasing the typical monthly gas and electric bill by about $22.

Beginning in September, the new rates will add roughly $14.29 to an average customer’s monthly electric bill and $7.66 to the customer’s monthly gas bill. National Grid provides utility service to 2.3 million customers in upstate New York.

Central Hudson admits ‘regulatory violation’ in Wappingers Falls gas explosion The utility, which separately got a rate increase Thursday, will pay a $5 million penalty as part of a settlement with the state Public Service Commission.

Central Hudson admitted it did not provide safe and adequate service in the lead-up to a gas explosion in Wappingers Falls that hospitalized eight people, including children, two years ago.

The company will also pay a $5 million penalty. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Judge rejects Rhinebeck immigrant’s petition to halt deportation A judge denied Gerson Josué Santamaría Turcios’ petition to halt his deportation but gave him a two-day extension to appeal.

A federal judge denied a Honduran immigrant’s petition to halt his deportation, but extended his restraining order by two days to give him time to appeal.

Gerson Josué Santamaría Turcio’s arrest July 18 prompted an outcry in Rhinebeck, where locals have raised $75,270 to support his legal defense.

Meet the woman bringing Ulster County services to rural residents “Community concierge” Janet Nuñez is the link between social services and residents who can’t access them.

“Community concierge” Janet Nuñez is the link between social services and residents who can’t access them.

Letitia James says she's suing Trump over states' rights And Texas AG Ken Paxton is suing the acting clerk of Ulster County.

New York is suing Trump for states' rights, Tish says. Monday CapCon: www.capitolconfidential.com/p/letitia-ja...

- Texas AG is suing the acting Ulster County clerk in NY
- Former NYDEC commissioners pen letter over emissions
- Hochul and the politics of MAID
- & more

Honduran immigrant detained by ICE in Rhinebeck to face deportation A Manhattan judge declined to pause deportation proceedings against Gerson Josué Santamaría Turcios, whose arrest prompted outcry.

A Manhattan judge declined to pause deportation proceedings against Gerson Josué Santamaría Turcios, whose arrest prompted outcry.

‘One of our own’: Rhinebeck rallies for Honduran immigrant detained by ICE Rhinebeck locals and celebrities raised $55,000 for Gerson Josué Santamaría Turcios and are sending a bus with supporters to his immigration hearing.

U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan: "Trump said he’d focus on violent criminals; instead, he’s snatching law-abiding small-business owners off our streets, which is a betrayal of our country and our values.” @mariamsilva.bsky.social reports. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

Retired police officer involved in fatal home shooting in Beacon A retired city police officer was allegedly involved in a shooting at a home on Rombout Avenue on Monday night.

A retired city police officer was allegedly involved in a shooting at a home on Rombout Avenue on Monday night.

Kingston apartment complex cannot be exempted from rent regulation, state finds The Office of Rent Administration said tenants at Stony Run still deserve rental protections.

The Office of Rent Administration said tenants at Stony Run still deserve rental protections.

‘One of our own’: ICE arrest of Honduran immigrant causes stir in Rhinebeck Rhinebeck locals and celebrities raised $55,000 for Gerson Josué Santamaría Turcios and are sending a bus with supporters to his immigration hearing.

Rhinebeck locals are coming together to rally behind a Honduran man arrested by ICE last week. They’ve raised $55,000 in two days to fund his legal defense.

“He’s one of our own, he’s not ‘other,’” a woman who employed him said.
www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

New York expects a $3 billion gap next year from the 'Big Beautiful Bill' And a federal appellate court has upheld a big New York gun law.

New York is expecting a $3 billion loss in annual revenue because of the 'Big Beautiful Bill,' Budget Director Blake Washington said Thursday. CapCon: www.capitolconfidential.com/p/new-york-e...

- NY gun law upheld
- Enviros launch ad campaign on 100-ft. rule
- An AI ad of Stefanik
- & more

Hudson Valley farm refuses to recognize state-imposed union contract A state-appointed arbitrator awarded a contract to workers at Porpiglia Farms in Ulster County after the farm’s owners refused to acknowledge the union.

A state-appointed arbitrator awarded a contract to workers at Porpiglia Farms in Ulster County after the farm’s owners refused to acknowledge the union.

ICE returns to Kingston without contacting local police Contrary to how it’s operated previously, ICE did not contact Kingston Police before a “targeted enforcement action” on Tuesday.

Contrary to how it’s operated previously, ICE did not contact Kingston Police before a “targeted enforcement action” on Tuesday.

Play Airlines cancels North American flights starting this fall The Icelandic budget carrier is a major draw to Stewart International Airport and one of its only airlines.

Play Airlines, the low-cost Icelandic airline that is one of the only commercial carriers at New York Stewart International Airport, has canceled North American flights starting this fall amid a takeover that will see it cease operations on the continent.

What’s on your ballot? Your vote will decide these Capital Region races on May 20.

The Times Union's digital team, led by Erica Smith, put a TON of work into this comprehensive rundown of Tuesday's school elections, including budget votes and propositions. Scores of Capital Region communities are covered. Check it out: www.timesunion.com/projects/202...

Louisiana investigating second abortion case against New Paltz doctor Dr. Margaret Daley Carpenter is being accused of sending abortion medication to another woman in Louisiana who took it while 20 weeks pregnant.

The New York doctor previously charged in two southern states for allegedly mailing abortion medication to women is being investigated again for sending pills to a woman in Louisiana, according to that state’s attorney general, Liz Murrill. (📝 @mariamsilva.bsky.social )

Locals outraged at pet crematorium proposed near school in Highland Next month, the Zoning Board of Appeals will hear arguments about whether Heavenly Heart Pet Cremation’s project is permitted in the business district.

In the hamlet of Highland, residents are fuming over a proposal to build a pet crematorium near an elementary school. (📝 @mariamsilva.bsky.social )

New York's $254B budget faces shaky future amid federal uncertainty Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democratic lawmakers said they’ll likely return to Albany later this year and reopen the state budget if federal funding drops.

The latest state budget in 15 years was signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul Friday after more than a month of negotiations that resulted in a $254 billion package with tax relief, new spending and other key items sought by Democrats. (📝 @danclarkreports.bsky.social )

A fresh start, with familiar flavors After losing her husband in 2018, Verónica Martínez was consumed by grief. With her children’s support, she opened a new restaurant.

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.

West Point instructor explains why he sued Trump over transgender military ban Gordon Herrero, an Army captain who is joining West Point as an incoming instructor, fears Donald Trump's ban on transgender troops would threaten his career.

“This is the family business … and the only job I’ve ever wanted,” Army Capt. Gordon Herrero said. Now the president is trying to drum him out of the military. Maria Silva reports. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...

West Point instructor explains why he sued Trump over transgender military ban Gordon Herrero, an Army captain who is joining West Point as an incoming instructor, fears Donald Trump's ban on transgender troops would threaten his career.

Trump’s demand for a new and more sweeping ban drew immediate legal challenges. A day after the executive order, six active-duty members and two others who were trying to enlist sued the Trump administration in federal court. Herrero is one of the plaintiffs. (📝 @mariamsilva.bsky.social )

Mistrial in Orange County THE EAGLE: A Times Union Podcast · Episode

This week's The Eagle podcast: Reporter Lana Bellamy was in court every day of the trial of Edward Holley, the man accused of murdering Megan McDonald in 2003, and joins us to go over how it all went down. Capitol Confidential’s Dan Clark also sits down w/ NYS Budget Director Blake Washington.