Local Matters Westchester
A new civic affairs podcast, Local Matters, offers in-depth conversations on the issues shaping the region. Hosted by Examiner Media Publisher Adam Stone, veteran journalist Martin Wilbur, and former PCTV Station Manager Shane McGaffey, the show will feature a wide range of influential guests, from elected officials and business leaders to artists, educators, and nonprofit advocates.
Episodes
Republican Assemblyman Matt Slater of District 94 — a rising voice in New York’s GOP politics — joins Local Matters Westchester this week. We open the conversation by asking him about the looming fallout from President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” particularly its massive impact on the state’s Medicaid funding and patient care.
We ask where he stands on the new school cell phone ban, how he squares his criticism of social media wit...
This week on Local Matters Westchester we spoke with Kathleen Reckling, CEO of ArtsWestchester, about the organization’s 60-year journey and what it’s like stepping into a role long held by local legend Janet Langsam.
Reckling shares her background—including an early interest in arts journalism—the potential impact of federal cuts, with up to $8 million at risk for Westchester’s arts economy, and why public investment in the arts is...
At 94, Hartsdale resident Hanne Holsten still remembers her childhood under Nazi rule with stunning clarity. In this special episode, she shares the powerful story of her family’s escape from Germany — and the heartbreaking moment, as an 8-year-old girl, when she realized her life was about to change forever.
Holsten talks about survival, loss and how teaching helped her heal.
We’re also joined by Millie Jasper from the White Plains-...
Pleasantville Mayor Peter Scherer joins our Local Matters Westchester podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about the village’s future. We talk about the uncertain outlook for the Pleasantville Music Festival, his firm opposition to moving local elections to November, and how the village is working to strike a balance between growth and small-town character amid development questions, parking challenges, and lowering school enrol...
Kathy Quinn, founding director of Yorktown-based Support Connection, shares the story behind this nonprofit providing free, confidential support to women and families facing breast, ovarian, and gynecological cancers. We talk about how it started, who it helps, the group’s “Hope Takes Flight” origami crane campaign, the vital annual Support‑A‑Walk in October, and why peer support makes all the difference.
Mount Kisco Mayor Mike Cindrich, a former law enforcement officer, discusses masked federal agents, Medicaid cuts and their impact on his health-focused town, challenges with cell towers and battery storage systems, why he’s back in office, and what’s ahead as the municipality celebrates its 150th birthday.
The Pleasantville Music Festival returns for its 19th year in just a couple of weeks, on Saturday, July 12, with headliner Dawes. But sustaining this local tradition hasn’t been easy. In this episode, we talk with Executive Director Doug Panero, who discusses the challenges but highlights why he believes the reinvention under his leadership will strengthen the festival’s future.
We also explore New York Attorney General Letitia Jame...
State Senator Pete Harckham joins us to break down the just-completed Albany session, including his push for packaging reduction and other environmental priorities. He also talks about attending Mount Kisco’s “No Kings” protest against President Trump—and how the tone shifted as he broke the news of the deadly political shootings in Minnesota. Plus: Con Ed rate hikes, New York’s mental health and addiction challenges, the housing c...
Join us this week as we speak with Larry Beilenson, Board Co-Chair of Westchester Residential Opportunities (WRO) and son of the late founder, Nick Beilenson.
Larry shares the story behind WRO’s founding in 1968, the urgent need for federal investment to address the affordable housing crisis, the growing homelessness problem, and how looming budget cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) could dramatically...
Chappaqua resident Steven Beschloss – award-winning journalist, professor, and author of the popular Substack America, America – joins Local Matters Westchester for a wide-ranging conversation.
He shares his concerns about threats to American democracy, the looming economic fallout he sees coming to local communities, and what’s driving President Trump’s clash with higher education.
Beschloss also discusses why immigration is so cent...
This week on Local Matters Westchester, we spoke with Noam Bramson, executive director of Sustainable Westchester (and former longtime mayor of New Rochelle), to talk about what the organization is doing locally to address climate challenges.
We asked Bramson about Sustainable Westchester’s clean energy efforts, the debate over automatic opt-in policies, concerns around battery storage, the impact of national energy policy, the orga...
Westchester County Legislator Margaret Cunzio joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about her role as Minority Leader on the Board of Legislators—one of just two members in the minority—and what bipartisanship looks like in county government.
We get into term limits, state mandates, the county budget, affordable housing, and the proposed Con Ed rate hikes. Cunzio also shares how becoming a volunteer firefighter after COVID has gi...
Northern Westchester Hospital President Derek Anderson joins us to discuss Northwell Health’s merger with Nuvance, the potential real-world impact of looming Medicaid cuts, and a new mental health initiative for local youth.
We also explore how nonprofit culture shapes care at NWH, the hospital’s embrace of holistic health, what becoming a teaching hospital means for patients, Anderson’s unique journey from missionary work in Cambod...
New York’s $254 billion state budget is finally passed, and on this week’s Local Matters Westchester, State Senator Shelley Mayer breaks down the major highlights — including the new and controversial bell-to-bell school cellphone ban, which she initially opposed.
We also cover ConEd’s proposed rate hikes, affordable housing efforts, public safety measures, and President Trump’s push to abolish the U.S. Department of Education.<...
This week on Local Matters, we speak with Ted Buerger, co-founder of Open Arms for Refugees — a volunteer-led group helping resettle refugee families across our area.
Ted offers a powerful mix of compassion, insight, and personal emotion, shedding light on a complex issue with heartfelt stories and practical ways local people can make a difference.
This week on Local Matters Westchester, we’re joined by Karin Anderson Ponzer, Director of Legal Services at Neighbors Link, for a timely conversation about immigration rights, policy shifts, and how local residents facing fear and uncertainty can navigate the system and find support.
Burdick on the Pod: Budget Standoff, Immigration, Jacob Burns & More
New York’s state budget is now more than two weeks late, with negotiations stalled over key policy disagreements between Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders.
The governor is pushing several high-profile proposals – including a statewide school cellphone ban, changes to the state’s involuntary commitment law, and revisions to pretrial discovery rules – whil...
Podcast Debut: Westchester Congressman on Trump, Tariffs, the Left – and Which of Us Is a Ryan Reynolds Lookalike
The first episode of our new Local Matters Westchester podcast features Democratic Congressman George Latimer, who joins Examiner founding Editor-in-Chief and current Recorder journalist Martin Wilbur, former PCTV station manager Shane McGaffey, and Examiner Publisher Adam Stone for a wide-ranging discussion.
We cover:
Popular Podcasts
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.