Hudson Mohawk Magazine

First, Mark Dunlea brings us coverage from NY Immigrant Coalition’s rally at State Capitol to advocate for funding and policy protections for immigrant New Yorkers. Then, the Sanctuary was nominated for a HUDSY Award! Sina Basila Hickey talks to HUDSY about this community celebration. Later on, UAlbany student Justin Hurley speaks with the graduate director of sociology at the college about the challenges facing immigrant students today. After that, Jean Fei of the Social Justice Center in Albany joins us to talk about the upcoming Community Care Wellness Series. Finally, Caleb Taran speaks with singer-songwriter Grace Corbett about her perspective on life, community, and the artistic process. Co-Hosts: Richard Sleeper, Ember. Produced by: Jacob Boston

The Sanctuary for Independent Media has been nominated for a HUDSY, a brand-new community awards celebration, in the category of the Golden HUDSY alongside fellow institutions Youth Fx and Woodstock Film Festival. To learn more about this Vote for the Golden Award, as well as for the Create, Educate, and Connect Awards, Sina Basila Hickey spoke with Destiny Pineda, the Operations Manager at HUDSY. Community voting is now open! Visit www.Hudsy.org

The Capital Region is home to many budding creatives, soaking up the local atmosphere and community and turning it into works of art. Singer-songwriter Grace Corbett is one example, and she has a unique perspective on life, community, and the artistic process. Caleb Taran interviewed her about her music trajectory.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea brings us to the January 13th Climate activist rally. Then, Willie Terry shares excerpts from the All of Us Reclaim MLK Day 2026 event. Later on, Ghauel Yi brings us a sociological talk from Joanne Kaufman. After that, H Bosh Jr. speaks with Analusette Shellello about starting her own fitness company. Finally, Meg Kelly interviews Professor John Garver about Rock Salt ecology.

On Tuesday, January 13, more than a hundred climate activists rallied outside of Governor Hochul’s annual State of the State address at the Egg, calling for her to comply with the state’s climate law rather than promoting an All of the Above energy agenda that includes fossil fuels and nuclear power. In part 2 of our coverage, we hear from Kathy Nolan of Physicians for Social Responsibility, Max Micallef of the American Lung Association, Ethan Gormley of Citizens Action, Yvonne Taylor of Seneca Lake Guardians, and Eric Weltman of Food and Water Watch.

On Wednesday, January 21, hundreds of immigrant rights advocates rallied at the State Capitol to urge state lawmakers to include funding and policy protections for immigrant New Yorkers in the FY26 budget and legislative session. The New York Immigration Coalition and allies called on the legislature to pass the New York for All Act and the Access to Representation and BUILD Acts as part of the state budget. Advocates argued that with federal immigration enforcement intensifying, New York must provide concrete protections for immigrant communities. Prior to the rally, we have a quick interview with Murad Awawdeh, President of the New York Immigration Coalition. Murad also served as Emcee of the rally. We hear from Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, Yousaf Sherzad of the Afghan Community Center, Catherine Grainge of Jericho Road Community Health Center of Buffalo, Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assemblymember Katrina Reyes. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine

On the first show back from break and first show of the year. Local Comedian and do Gooder Greg Creft is in Studio to promote Josephs House Shelter Comedy show on Sunday January 18th 7PM at 217 Taproom and Kitchen in Albany where all of the proceeds will go to the shelter. Local comic Craig Neslar who is also on the show sits down with Greg and Host Juan Pantaleon to talk why charity is important to them and talk Josephs house mission

On Monday, January 19, 2026, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry attended the ALL OF US "Reclaim MLK Day 2026: A Day of Action, Education & Resistance" at the First United Methodist Church in Schenectady. In this labor segment, Willie recorded comments by Shawn Young, Organizer and Co-Founder, of ALL OF US, and a speech by Ramesses Torres, Youth Organizer for 'ALL OF US', giving his views on what reclaiming MLK means to youths.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine: First, we got an update on the ICE protests in Minneapolis from a NYIC staff person. Then, our peace segment looks at the situation in Iran. Later on, Rosemary Armao gives us an intro to the economy on Trump. After that, we hear about the experiences of two UAlbany students as Congressional interns. Finally, we hear about the Freedom Not Fascism rally in Troy for MLK Day from Andrea Cunliffe.

In this week’s Beyond the Brink podcast, host Rosemary Armao asks Wall Street banker Mark Wittman to talk to us as if we were fifth graders to explain what inflation, tariffs, the end of pennies, and control over Venezuelan oil will do to our wallets.

On January 7, 2026, Renée Good, a 37-year-old American citizen, was fatally shot in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross as local residents mobilized to protect community residents from being kidnapped. Reed Dunlea of the NY Immigration Coalition visited the Minneapolis area last week and gives an update on local organizing efforts and the call for an Economic Slowdown on January 23. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

In recent weeks protests have roiled Iran, initially led by merchants complaining about inflation and other economic problems. Average citizens who have long sought reforms have joined the protests., which has resulted in at least 5000 deaths. Iranian leaders blame the violence on the US and Israel, who have long sought regime change. The US is threatening the use of military force to support the protestors. David Swanson of World Beyond War provides an analysis of the situation, including the need to oppose outside military intervention while supporting the right of Iranians to protest for needed changes.

Thom Francis has been producing for the Hudson Mohawk Magazine for a couple of years now. Vinny DamaPoleto and Caelan McPherson sat down with Thom Francis to learn more about his love of poetry , how starting writing poetry and looks at what the future holds of Up Next at the Mic , a segment on Tuesday night

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea brings us Judith Enck of Beyond Plastic, Sam Fein who’s the City Auditor in Albany, and Blair Horner from NYPIRG to talk about the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. Then, Moses Nagel brings us voices from the MLK Day Interfaith Peace Walk on Saturday January 17. Later on, Yi Lu spoke with Prof. Haoyu Wang about Artificial Intelligence: What It Does, What It Means, and Why It Matters. After that, We welcome Thom Francis, the Board President of Hudson Valley Writers Guild , and the producer of the Next up. Finally, Thom Francis welcomes local writers Carlton Wells & Rhonda Rosenheck to the mic. They shared their work at the Poetic License Poetry Reading and Open Mic. Hosts: Vinny DamaPoleto and Caelan McPherson Engineers: Caelan McPherson

This week, Thom Francis welcomes local writers Carlton Wells & Rhonda Rosenheck to the mic. They shared their work at the Poetic License Poetry Reading and Open Mic at the Honest Weight Food Co-op on Friday, November 7, 2025. +++++ For four years, the Hudson Valley Writers Guild and the Upstate Artists Guild have worked together on the Poetic License project, bringing together poets and visual artists from the Capital Region and beyond. With the beautiful, inspired artwork as a backdrop the words filled the air at two readings supporting the shows in both Troy and Albany. On November 7, writers Carlton Wells and Rhonda Rosenheck shared their work in front of a full audience in the Community Room at the Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany. First up to the mic is Carlton Wells who read a sonnet with a lot of word play and then his poem “Wino in the Garden.” Local writer, editor, and educator Rhonda Rosenheck was next with two poems “All the Wonders,” a poem that was picked by an artist to be included in the show, and “Earth’s Watch.” The call for poetry submission for the 2026 edition of Poetic License will be announced in early-spring with the exhibits taking place in the fall. For more information on the Poetic License project and to view the art and read the poems, go to https://poeticlicensealbany.com

On Saturday January 17, people from all around the Capital District joined in an interfaith peace walk through the city of Albany. The walk was a prayer for peace throughout the country and the world and called on the wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr. as well as many local civil rights leaders including Alice Green and Colia Clark. As the walkers wound through the city, they made stops at various places of worship and community centers to join in prayers for peace with leaders of all denominations as well as songs and poems. The first voice you hear is one of the organizers, local musician,Taína Asili.

On this special edition of the Hudson Mohawk Magazine we hear the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr’s epic speech, “Beyond Vietnam,” recorded on April 4, 1967–one year before his murder. Image: CC license; Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking against the Vietnam War, St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota; 27 April 1967; author, Minnesota Historical Society

On January 15, environmental groups and local officials released data showing that nine selected communities across New York state (including New York City, Buffalo and Syracuse) could benefit by more than $400 million each year after adopting the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. This would come from both revenues from polluters and from reducing the amount of solid waste that has to be disposed of at taxpayer expense. The bill would also reduce the amount of packaging by 30% over 12 years. We hear from Judith Enck of Beyond Plastic, Sam Fein the City Auditor in Albany, and Blair Horner in NYPIRG. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea brings us coverage from Governor Hochul's State of the State address where hundreds of activists lined up at to urge the governor to increase investment in renewable and more affordable energy. Then, Moses Nagel brings us coverage from the first Troy City Council meeting of 2026, a meeting entirely dedicated to hearing from the Troy public . After that, Sina Basila Hickey brings us coverage on the Lunar New year with Asian Arts NY. Finally, in commemoration of the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr day. Richard Sleeper will read an excerpt we who believe in freedom, a book from the late Alice Green, a well respected local civil rights activist Co-hosts: Richard Sleeper and Ember Keahi-Grigoraskos Engineer: Jacob Boston *due to a tech issue, the last segment is actually first.

A conversation with TC, UAlbany Sociology Graduate Director