U.S.-Canada Border Separates Couple During Pandemic

Longtime couple Mert LaBounty and Tammy Yonkers never met an obstacle as large as the pandemic-related U.S.-Canada border closure. Since March 20 of last year, the couple have had to rely on technology to communicate. This reached a breaking point for LaBounty, which he recounted. “I got into this wicked depression where all I couldContinue reading “U.S.-Canada Border Separates Couple During Pandemic”

Hudson Valley Parents Debate Masks in Schools

As the Delta variant rages on, so does the debate over students wearing masks in schools come fall. Children across the country, especially those ineligible for the vaccine, are ending up in the intensive care unit for COVID-19. This is a concern for Tameka Arroy-Santiago, a Hopewell Junction parent of two school-aged children under theContinue reading “Hudson Valley Parents Debate Masks in Schools”

Connecticut Native Seeks to Brighten Up Community

New Haven, Connecticut brought longtime medical professional Doreen Abubakar positive memories as a child. Today, Abubakar makes the revitalization of one of its deprived neighborhoods her life’s work. The Newhallville area was a thriving working-class community before the 1980s. Like many working class areas across the country, an economic downturn left the area in direContinue reading “Connecticut Native Seeks to Brighten Up Community”

COVID Survivors for Change Founder Shares Story

Lawyer and gun control advocate Chris Kocher pivoted when the pandemic hit New York City the hardest last spring. After seeing friends survive COVID-19 or lose loved ones, Kocher knew there was a need to address the emotional trauma. “I wanted to see if there was something I could do to support families most impacted,”Continue reading “COVID Survivors for Change Founder Shares Story”

New Jersey Chiropractor Discusses Son’s AD/HD

When New Jersey chiropractor Daniel Cardellichio discovered that his 13-year-old son James had attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (or AD/HD), he started to reflect on his own childhood. “I think that I had AD/HD growing up,” he said. “It was a situation where I remember sitting in class, looking at that clock every 10 seconds. I wasContinue reading “New Jersey Chiropractor Discusses Son’s AD/HD”

Critical Race Theory Debate Rocks Connecticut Schools

Critical Race Theory has sparked a nationwide debate over how to talk about race in schools. In Connecticut, the debate arose within schools, and made its way to the state legislature. Connecticut State Senator Rob Sampson introduced an amendment last month to ban critical race theory in K-12 education. The amendment ultimately failed to pass.Continue reading “Critical Race Theory Debate Rocks Connecticut Schools”

Dutchess County Family Court Judge Candidate Saunders Speaks

Fresh off a decisive victory, Democratic nominee for Dutchess County Family Court Judge Rachel Saunders reflects on her journey. Saunders secured the Working Families Party ballot line for the November general election in a surprise move. She beat incumbent Denise Watson, the county family court judge since 2011, in a narrow 76-74 vote. The twoContinue reading “Dutchess County Family Court Judge Candidate Saunders Speaks”

Spotlight on: Dr. Roseann of Ridgefield

Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge knew from a young age she had a calling to help children. “As I went to school, I saw the impact that could have on kids,” she said. Years later, when she had a psychotherapy and pharmacology practice, she saw her young patient bouncing off the walls. She knew she had toContinue reading “Spotlight on: Dr. Roseann of Ridgefield”

Rare brain disorder changes family’s perspective

When their son Eli received the diagnosis of a rare brain disorder in September 2019, time stopped for parents Scott and Ilissa Reich. Once the initial shock dissolved, they dove headfirst into finding a cure. Eli, 2, has FOX G1 Syndrome, a condition that causes severe cognitive impairment. Symptoms include nonverbal communication, immobility and seizures.Continue reading “Rare brain disorder changes family’s perspective”

Senator Skoufis Discusses Water Testing Bill

A water testing bill sponsored by Senator James Skoufis (D-39) passed this week. It promises to be a breakthrough in the ongoing statewide issue of water contamination. The bill expands testing for toxic chemicals in drinking water. Through this legislation, every municipality will be able to detect 40 different contaminants. “This bill requires virtually everyContinue reading “Senator Skoufis Discusses Water Testing Bill”