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We talk again with @coachnicodemo the president of the teachers union in Greenburgh-North Castle where more Covid-19 cases have ben discovered at Reach Academy summer school.  Though local media has reported six cases yesterday, including three teachers and three students, Coach Nicodemo tells us two more teachers have tested positive and there are two more student cases waiting for official confirmation, which will bring the total to 10. http://westchester.news12.com/story/42427477/3-positive-coronavirus-cases-confirmed-at-north-castle-school-for-special-needs Interview conducted July 30, 2020

Following the news a positive Covid test at the Reach Academy in West Harrison, New York's first in a summer school setting, we speak to the president of the teacher's union in the district @coachNicodemo about the surprising response by the Department of Health, the new operationalized guidelines, and the ramifications to the school community as fall approaches. Recorded July 24, 2020. NYupdate.org

A clip of NY State Senate candidate Justin Sweet talking about the conflict in the East Ramapo school district. From a January 14, 2020 interview in Nyack, NY.  As Tuesday's primary election approaches, Sweet's opponent Elijah Reichlin-Melnick has been targeted in Yiddish language mailers for his opposition to state-funded yeshivas who do not provide basic academic instruction, but as this clip shows, Justin Sweet also says all students need an basic education so they can function in society. Mr. Sweet also speaks about the inability for the state to enforce existing regulations, religious freedoms and more. See the mailers targeting Reichlin-Melnick here: https://www.facebook.com/ElijahForSenate/posts/169598417879181 Full episode here: https://anchor.fm/nyupdate/episodes/Interview-Justin-Sweet-for-NY-State-Senate-NYS-38-ebiav6?fbclid=IwAR3lb0QCdsMs0P8iLSNNAaen94jsrpz-x5It_T6bC-30AWceZxjLhUU-mTY

A veteran NYC teacher dishes on her journey into activism, the fight against charter schools, teaching remotely during the pandemic, her experience as a Sanders delegate and more. Recorded April 16, 2020

Now running for Congress in Rockland/Westchester, Evelyn Farkas, former Deputy Assistant Secretary to the Secretary of Defense under President Obama stops in to discuss education. Original air date: March 7, 2020.

Discussion about charter schools, standardized testing, education funding and more with Ossining Immigration attorney Tony Martinez, running for the State Senate seat of David Carlucci in Rockland/Ossining. Originally aired Feb. 27, 2020.

Discussion of education issues in New York including charter schools, standardized tests, school funding, yeshiva standards and more. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick is a Nyack Village Trustee and senior aide to neighboring NYS Sen. James Skoufis.  Originally aired Jan. 21, 2020.

A discussion about standardized testing, charter schools and more with Clarkstown Town Clerk Justin Sweet, running for NY State Senate in Rockland County and Westchester. Original air date Jan. 14, 2020.

Interview with Erica Vladimer, running in NY's 12th congressional district to unseat 30-year incumbent Carolyn Maloney. We discuss education funding, privatization, campaign finance and much more. Original air date: Dec. 10. 2019

Are we headed for a "brokered" convention in the 2020 Democratic primary? What happened when Elizabeth Warren was protested by charter school supporters? Why is Cory Booker writing pro-charter editorials again? How much charter school PAC money is NYS Senator Kevin Parker taking and why? What's the latest with the NY yeshiva controversy and more. Original air date Nov. 25, 2019.

Conflicted charter school supporters attack Elizabeth Warren, NYS Senator David Carlucci on PAC money, Senate Republicans unveil new bill to reduce school shootings, Zephyr Teachout endorses Jamaal Bowman and more education news.  Also - we try to debate with Trump supporters out on 7th Avenue during a Trump protest! Originally aired Nov. 5, 2019

News on Trump impeachment proceedings, education headlines and more: Mayor de Blasio gets PAC money and is also selling student data to charter school marketers. Randi Weingarten reacts to a Jacobin article on Bernie Sanders, another yeshiva parent speaks out, Erica Vladimer launches run for NY-12  and much more. Originally aired 09-24-19.

How NY state's definition of "proficiency" was farmed out to a corporation, plus the latest NY and national headlines in education - standardized testing, opt out updates, charter schools, data privacy and a special tweet from Valerie Bertinelli! Originally aired Sept. 10, 2019 on rocklandworldradio.com All archives available at NYupdate.org

Following news headlines, we speak to Andom Ghebreghiorgis ("Geh-bruh-gee-or-jiss"), former special education teacher, running for House District NY-16 in the Bronx and Westchester, a seat held for over 30 years by Democrat Eliot Engel. Discussion includes education policy, charter schools, standardized testing, teaching in both public and charter schools, campaign finance and more. Originally aired 08-20-2019. [Note: NY Update Host Jake Jacobs endorsed Dr. Jamaal Bowman in this race on June 18, 2019]

Following a week of mass shootings, we discuss education stories showing the effect of the super-wealthy. In California, the NAACP says the dissent against its 2016 charter school moratorium is being led by members who work for the Koch brothers, ALEC and the California charter schools association. We also expose the efforts of billionaire Laurene Powell Jobs to recruit and groom school board candidates through a new TV ad campaign. Also discussed is an eye-opening story about the segregation caused by NYC's gifted and talented program, a new law banning teachers from having weapons in NYS classrooms, and a recap of an interview with Congressional candidate Erica Vladimer, running on a pro-public education platform which makes her our choice for NY-12. Originally aired 08-06-2019. Links: https://www.ericaforny.com/ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/naacp-charter-school_n_5d433931e4b0aca3411ab9a4

Lying Trump enflames racial tensions telling The Squad to leave the country,  calling Ilhan Omar anti-Semitic, while NY yeshivas fight to continue their education funding fraud during a public comment period on the new enforcement of the substantial equivalency law. Meanwhile charter billionaires score a coup in California, planting Hillary's favorite school privatizer Ann O'Leary in the governor's office. The governor of Puerto Rico is on the way out and also the SCOTUS case that might break the wall separating church and state in the First Amendment. Originally aired 07-23-19 Related links: https://dianeravitch.net/2019/07/20/leaks-reveal-how-billionaires-shaped-hillarys-education-agenda/ https://www.kappanonline.org/meeting-charter-schools-middle-policy-school-leadership-starr/

Hear a strong new position against standardized testing by Elizabeth Warren, stong position against charter schools by Bernie Sanders, all about Mondaire Jones who announced a primary challenge against Rep. Nita Lowey in Rockland + Westchester Counties for Congressional District 17. Plus more news headlines and a crazy clip of right wing radio shock jock Sebastian Gorka, a former advisor on the Trump campaign. Originally aired 7-9-2019

A conversation with Bronx high school English teacher Lola Osoria on her campaign against Nita Lowey in New York's 17th Congressional district. A resident of White Plains, Ocosia explains why she is running against a longtime incumbent, her views on education, climate, campaign finance, healthcare and much more. Originally aired June 28, 2019.

Informative discussion with Trish Gunning, Democratic candidate for District Attorney in Rockland County. We discuss the difficulties in first-time candidates actually getting on the ballot to run for office, her views on the race against Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski and former Supreme Court Judge Tom Walsh, and other issues that affect Rockland county. Interview begins 07:30. Originally aired May 21, 2019. Note: Gunning spoke briefly about testifying at the historic NYS Legislature Joint Public Hearing on Sexual Harassment - the video for her full testimony is here: https://youtu.be/KLRJtlIvn0Q?t=37789

Following the 2018 elections, a new wave of young candidates has stepped up to run for public office. Interesting views from attorney Schenley Vital who is challenging Republican Don Franchino for a town council seat in Clarkstown the NYC suburb of Rockland County. Also in this episode, updates in the fight against charter schools in New York state.  Original air date: 04-16-19