WCDO Radio News

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $185 million dollars in EPA funding to protect New York from exposure to lead in drinking water. This funding will go directly to New York State through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, that provides low-cost financial assistance to help communities upgrade public water infrastructure, offering subsidized loans and grants to replace aging pipes, treat contaminants, and improve public health.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 3-5-26

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced her opposition to President Trump's illegal war with Iran, which she said must be ended as soon as possible:

(Gillibrand 3-5-26)

Senator Gillibrand voted yes Wednesday on the Senate's war powers resolution to reassert Congress' responsibility, demand accountability, and send a clear message that military force must be debated, justified, and authorized before American lives are put at risk. Additionally, President Trump admitted this week that his administration didn't have a plan for how to evacuate Americans in the Middle East caught in the crossfire, leaving Americans stranded, with no support from their government.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who is a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that several of her priorities were included in the 2026 Energy and Water Development, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Environment funding bills. $11.75 million in funding will go to the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program to support wildlife, improve water quality, and enhance recreational access to the basin, $28 million was allocated to help New York households increase the energy efficiency of their homes and lower their energy bills.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 1-15-26

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand co-sponsors a new bipartisan bill to ban congressional stock trading called the Restore Trust in Congress Act today, to step up the law she had passed 10 years ago that members of Congress are not following:

(Gillibrand 1-15-26)

Gillibrand said that 1 in 3 members of Congress traded stocks or other financial assets from 2019-2021, and at least 3,700 of those trades posed potential conflicts of interest with their legislative responsibilities. 86% of those polled believe that the bill must be enacted & followed.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 1-8-26

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is demanding that the Trump administration unfreeze the grants that provide child care assistance to thousands of families in New York, she said that she will work with State Officials to keep the services going:

(Gillibrand 1-8-26)

The Trump administration froze $10 billion in funding for child care subsidies, social services, and cash support for low-income families in five Democrat-controlled states---including New York. The administration is claiming widespread fraud throughout these states, Gillibrand said that they did not provide any evidence of fraud in New York.

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand continues to press for Congress to vote to extend the subsidies that help millions of Americans afford health care:

(Gillibrand 12-10-25)

On Thursday, Democrats will force a vote on a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits. Without an extension, ACA enhanced premium tax credits will expire at the end of 2025, causing 20 million Americans, to see a drastic increase in their health insurance costs.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 12-10-25

The Chenango County Children's Home will hold it's monthly virtual meeting tonight @ 6:00 PM, for those interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent. The session will be hosted by Meryl Juster:

(Meryl Juster 12-10-25)

People can still register today for tonight's session by emailing MJuster@chowc.org.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 11-20-25

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand demanded that the Trump administration immediately release federal LIHEAP funding, which helps low-income New Yorkers heat their homes through the state’s Home Energy Assistance Program:

(Gillibrand 11-20-25)

LIHEAP helps over a million low-income households across the state afford their energy bills and make cost-effective repairs to their heating systems. The program is administered by the state but funded by the federal government. States typically receive their LIHEAP allocations from the Department of Health and Human Services by early November, but funding was put on hold during the government shutdown. The funding bill that ended the government shutdown included the same level of funding as last year, but the administration has not released the $4 billion allocated for the program.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Minority Leader Charles Schumer announced that they secured $104 million for local projects in New York State. Funding includes $667,000 for Chenango Memorial Hospital to replace its existing roof, windows, and exterior doors, reducing energy costs and improving safety and security.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is demanding an end to the Federal government shutdown, so that Congress can act on an extension of the tax credits that help small businesses, their employees, and self-employed individuals afford health care.

(Gillibrand 11-6-25)

Gillibrand said that without an extension, ACA enhanced premium tax credits will expire at the end of 2025, causing over 20 million Americans--including 4.4 million small business owners and self-employed individuals--to see a drastic increase in health insurance costs, which could force individuals to make a choice of either going without insurance or pay for premiums they cannot afford. A county-by-county breakdown of expected ACA premium increases can be found at gillibrand.senate.gov.

P.M. NEWS Thursday 10-30-25

US Senators Schumer & Gillibrand called on the Trump administration today to allow the SNAP program money to be released to needy Americans, including 3 million New Yorkers, Gillibrand commented this morning about SNAP & the Affordable Care Act tax incentives being taken away:

(Gillibrand 10-30-25)

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 temporarily expanded and enhanced the Premium Tax Credit, and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 extended these enhancements through the end of 2025, Congress must act on that quickly in order for the Tax Credit to be available in 20-26.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand discussed the impact of rising health insurance premiums on New Yorkers across the state and to call on Republicans to extend the health insurance subsidies before the November 1st deadline,

(Gillibrand 10-8-25)

Without an extension, Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits will expire at the end of 2025, causing 20 million Americans to see a sudden increase in their health insurance costs. This includes at least 1.6 million New Yorkers, who will face an average yearly increase of $1,360 in the amount they pay for their premiums,

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 10-1-25

Today is Day 1 of the Federal Government shutdown, which could have dire circumstances for the typical New York Family, according to US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand:

(Gillibrand 10-1-25)

Gillibrand also said that the shutdown jeopardizes the Affordable Care Act, where subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year if no action is taken by Congress, it has been the U.S. health care system for 15 years, providing access to more affordable, health care through provisions like Marketplaces for individual insurance plans, expansion of Medicaid, and patient protections such as coverage of pre-existing conditions.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the No Stock Act, which takes a previous law a bit further in ban government officials---including members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, other high-ranking government officials, from holding or trading stocks:

(Gillibrand 9-18-25)

Gillibrand said that to many of her colleagues are more concerned about their portfolio that serving their constituents, over 3,700 of those trades posed potential conflicts of interest with their legislative responsibilities.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-18-25

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 38 year old Victor Martinez of Allentown Pennsylvania & 44 year old Osnely Arago of Miami Florida following an investigation into the theft of approximately $70,000 worth of diesel fuel stolen from local businesses, they reviewed security footage from several affected locations, which provided key vehicle descriptions, Monday, Deputies observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspected vehicle at a local gas station, the suspects were engaged in stealing diesel fuel. A search warrant was executed & they recovered 85 stolen credit cards, Card skimming devices, Electronic equipment used to steal Debit and Credit Card information & custom storage tanks able to hold over 1000 gallons of fuel, both were charged with 87 counts of Grand Larceny, Unlawful Possession of a Skimmer Device, Martinez and Arago were both arraigned and were released on their own recognizance, The investigation is ongoing, and the Chenango County Sheriff's Office is working with multiple agencies across the state.

Thursday is the 24th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington and Pennsylvania, US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for full funding for the health Issues of the 1st Responders to that disaster, instead of cuts or limited funding:

(Gillibrand 9-10-25)

Gillibrand said that in the past 14 years, the federal budget would include 1 or 2 billion dollars for that fund for 9/11 1st responders, but that amount has never been enough to cover the costs.

With health insurance subsidies set to expire, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is urging her fellow members of Congress to include an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits in any upcoming funding package, to help bring down the cost of premiums for low- and middle-income individuals and families in New York and across the country afford health care:

(Gillibrand 9-4-25)

Senator Gillibrand said that without an extension, ACA enhanced tax credits will expire at the end of 2025, causing nearly 20 million Americans, including 1.6 million New Yorkers, to see a sudden increase in their health insurance costs of $1,360 on average.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for the Kay Hagan Tick Re-authorization Act, named after the late South Carolina lawmakers who died from a tick borne illness:

(GILLIBRAND 7-31-25)

Senator Gillibrand said that reported cases of Lyme disease in New York have skyrocketed in recent years, from about 2,200 in 2020 to over 22,000 in 2023, which shows the need for the act & additional funding for research.

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, announced funding for New York State in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The bill includes funding for $1.25 billion to sustain the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the primary federal program builds more affordable housing; and $73 million in congressionally directed spending for affordable housing, community development, and transportation projects across New York.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand discussed the Trump administration’s cuts to federal agencies that protect seniors from frauds and scams:

(Gillibrand 7-17-25)

Senator Gillibrand said that last year, seniors lost almost $5 billion to scammers; these financial losses can be devastating for older adults with limited income. Gillibrand has called on the Government Accountability Office to examine how cuts affect federal efforts to protect seniors from scams. Tips to help seniors can be found at aging.senate.gov or consumer.ftc.gov.

U.S. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand announced that over $21 Million dollars in federal funding has been allocated to upgrade airport facilities and equipment at 16 airports across the State. This federal funding was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program, locally, the Greater Binghamton Airport will receive $181,174 to Reconstruct 51,000 square feet of existing terminal building and replaces the electrical system and associated lighting.

A.M. NEWS Friday 7-11-25

The Annual Gus Macker 3 on 3 Basketball tournament will be held in Downtown Norwich this weekend, with some activities & registration going on today, organizer Tom Revoir explains:

(Tom Revoir 7-11-25)

Revoir said that the number of teams participating is getting closer each year to pre-Pandemic levels, the event brings thousands of people to Norwich each year.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a virtual press conference to highlight the catastrophic impact President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” would have on New York’s children and families:

(Gillibrand 6-26-25)

Gillibrand also said that the Senate version of the bill has no special does not exempt single parent families from the work requirements; red tape could force thousands of kids to go hungry when their parents lose access to benefits.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will reintroduce her legislation to help end food deserts, which are locations where a significant portion of residents don’t have easy access to a grocery store and affordable, nutritious food, and may rely on smaller convenience stores, that usually lack fresh produce:

(Gillibrand 6-18-25)

Gillibrand’s legislation would provide $50 million annually in mandatory federal funding for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative. Much of the WCDO listening is described as a "Food Desert" a map of those areas can be found at ers.usda.gov.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand discussed legislation to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for seniors as millions of older adults struggle to afford their prescription medication. As a result, many resort to cutting pills in half, skipping doses entirely, or switching to over-the-counter medication in an attempt to save money:

(Gillibrand 6-5-25)

Gillibrand’s legislation would lower the cost of some of the most expensive and commonly used prescription medications by enhancing the Department of Health and Human Services’ ability to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies on the price of certain prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part D. This will lower costs for people with Medicare while simultaneously reducing drug spending by the federal government.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is opposing a Republican proposal that would cause over a million New Yorkers to lose their Medicaid coverage:

(Gillibrand 5-14-25)

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would cut federal spending on healthcare by more than $700 billion over a decade, the largest Medicaid cut in history, The proposed changes include adding new work requirements, new cost-sharing fees for Medicaid enrollees and much stricter and more frequent eligibility checks.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand commented on the impact President Trump’s tariffs on China will have on the availability and cost of essential baby products, including strollers, car seats, and cribs, more than 90% of these products come from China:

(Gillibrand 5-8-25)

Over the past weeks, the Trump administration has raised tariffs on Chinese goods imported to the United States by 145% and shipments of goods into the U.S. have plunged. Gillibrand is calling on President Trump to consider American parents and exclude baby safety essentials from tariffs.

President Trump is working to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau which is a federal agency that prevents Americans from getting scammed by big banks and corporations and responds to millions of consumer complaints each year. Trump has attempted to fire nearly 90% of the agency’s staff, including all but one employee of the Office of Financial Protection of Older Americans. Senator Gillibrand said that there other avenues that seniors can use if they are scammed, but it might not be sufficient if the President's cuts are implemented:

(Gillibrand 5-1-25)

Senator Gillibrand said that Older Americans are disproportionately the targets of scams and fraud; in 2023 alone, Americans over age 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand slammed President Trump’s tariff tax hike, as her office has received numerous stories from constituents concerned about the return of higher inflation. Gillibrand signed on to the bipartisan Trade Review Act, calling for Congressional oversight on all proposed tariffs:

(Gillibrand 4-9-25)

Senator Gillibrand also said that she has signed on to a letter demanding that the Trump administration immediately repeal the tariffs, however, the President has doubled down with threats to increase tariffs on China from 54% to 110%.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand slammed the Trump administration’s massive cuts to funding for food banks, soup kitchens, Schools and to farmers who provide much of that food to those low income families across the nation & in the state:

(Gillibrand 4-2-25)

Last month, President Trump slashed $1 billion in federal funding used to purchase food for food banks and other organizations that provide meals, he is canceling another $500 million in already approved funding for food banks and other emergency food providers through The Emergency Food Assistance Program. 1 in 7 New Yorkers are already going hungry, & that number is expected to get worse with the new cuts.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 4-2-25

Governor Hochul and State Leaders failed to pass a budget by the April 1st deadline. the main sticking point are changes to the state's Discovery laws passed in 2019 to speed up trials requiring prosecutors to turn over more evidence at a faster rate. To keep state operations going and to pay employees, a $1.7 billion dollar budget extender has been issued until Thursday.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is calling on VA employees and vets to contact her office with concerns they may be having regarding the Trump administration demanding they return to in person work, cutting staff, and making it more difficult for mental health professionals to administer confidential help to vets.

(Gillibrand 3-37-25)

Lawsuits have put a temporary hold on many of the VA firings, Gillibrand is calling on President Trump to reevaluate return to office policies and ensure that veterans’ needs are being met fully.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 3-13-25

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand blasted the Trump administration’s plan to fire more than 80,000 VA employees, including roughly 20,000 veterans, and to push back against the administration's dishonest claim that these cuts will not affect veterans’ ability to access health care and receive the benefits they are owed.

(Gillibrand 3-13-25)

Senator Gillibrand said she hopes that the VA & Veterans in good standing file lawsuits to try to stop the cuts at the Veterans' Affairs.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, announced legislation to cap the cost of prescription drugs for individuals and families with private insurance:

(Gillibrand 2-12-25)

Gillibrand said that a large number of constituents have contacted her office about capping prescription costs, however President Trump has been reversing health care initiatives and she hopes that he will listen to the will of the people & sign the legislation.