Maria M. Silva
@mariamsilva.bsky.social
Periolista 🗞️ Hudson Valley reporter @timesunion. Local journalism matters. Tips? maria.silva@timesunion.com
The state has given local law enforcement agencies until Aug. 25 to end ICE partnerships. Not everyone plans to.
As ICE cooperation ban nears, some New York law enforcement agencies prepare to defy it
The state has given local law enforcement agencies until Aug. 25 to end ICE partnerships. Not everyone plans to.
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A developer that sought to build two warehouses appears to be considering a data center instead, surprising residents and town officials.
Data center proposal sparks backlash in East Fishkill
A developer that sought to build two warehouses appears to be considering a data center instead, surprising residents and town officials.
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The finale of Long Buried is out now. This series began like all investigate forays: an effort to find out what happened and who’s responsible. But it became a larger exploration about justice, memory and the stories we tell. I hope you’ll listen! www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...
‘Long Buried’: Inside a cold case hidden for 44 years
After human remains were found during the construction of a new home in April 2024, it took investigators nearly two months to identify them. When they did, the mystery only deepened.
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The congressman gave $42,800 to Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, which will launch a new fund to support nonprofits that serve immigrants.
Pat Ryan donates ICE contractor funds to Hudson Valley nonprofit
The congressman gave $42,800 to Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, which will launch a new fund to support nonprofits that serve immigrants.
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A state Supreme Court justice said Cairo officials failed to take a “hard look” at the Blackhead Mountain resort’s potential environmental impacts.
Judge halts controversial Cairo resort project over environmental review
A state Supreme Court justice said Cairo officials failed to take a “hard look” at the Blackhead Mountain resort’s potential environmental impacts.
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If you believe in Hell as a physical place, surely people who scam desperate immigrants with fake offers of legal services belong there. @mariamsilva.bsky.social reports. www.timesunion.com/state/articl...
Scams targeting immigrants are surging amid shortage of legal services
Scams targeting people looking for immigration legal help are increasing and becoming more elaborate thanks to AI and social media.
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International Missionary Community Shining Light is raising funds to help cover a $46,000 debt the church claims isn’t theirs.
Saugerties church faces closure amid billing battle with Central Hudson
International Missionary Community Shining Light is raising funds to help cover a $46,000 debt the church claims isn’t theirs.
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Ali Faqirzada, the Afghan refugee living in Ulster County who was arrested by ICE at a credible fear interview last year and whose case became a rallying point in the Hudson Valley, was released from detention www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...
Afghan refugee Ali Faqirzada released from ICE custody
Ali Faqirzada is back with his family in New Paltz after being detained six months ago following an arrest after an interview in his asylum case.
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A long-delayed project at Williams Lake is moving forward again with an eco-friendly luxury hotel partner, outdoor amenities and single-family homes.
Long-stalled Rosendale lake resort project moves forward with new hotel partner
A long-delayed project at Williams Lake is moving forward again with an eco-friendly luxury hotel partner, outdoor amenities and single-family homes.
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State Sen. Michelle Hinchey introduced legislation to allow localities in some upstate counties to pass a property tax exemption for full‑time residents.
Bill proposes tax break opt-in for full-time homeowners in some upstate counties
State Sen. Michelle Hinchey introduced legislation to allow localities in some upstate counties to pass a property tax exemption for full‑time residents.
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Recorded phone calls and stonewalling local officials: Wild story from Nora Mishanec on the mystery of who, exactly, gave the green light for Flock to install surveillance cameras in Pine Plains?
A Hudson Valley town tried to secretly install surveillance cameras. An uproar ensued.
Pine Plains’ town supervisor said he had not approved the Flock cameras and license plate readers, but reporting by a local website proved otherwise.
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“It’s an existential crisis because (Botstein) really is Bard at this point,” said James Cox “Fergie” Chambers Jr., whose billionaire father chairs the college’s board of trustees. (Note: If the success of your institution depends on one person, your institution has a poor management structure.)
Epstein casts shadow over Bard College president’s billion-dollar legacy
Leon Botstein has remade Bard in his image over the past 50 years. But his ties to Jeffrey Epstein have plunged the college into an “existential crisis.”
timesunion.com
We need positive stories more than ever. Here’s a cool seniors group I got to hang out with a few days ago
Times Union@timesunion.com · 5mo agoNursing homes are often understaffed. Home care is expensive and isolating. One Hudson Valley social group might have a solution.
After nearly 100 years in business and five decades under Tom and Faye Sit, Eng’s has capped its resurgence with one of the nation’s top hospitality honors.
Eng’s Chinese restaurant in Kingston wins James Beard America’s Classic award
After nearly 100 years in business and five decades under Tom and Faye Sit, Eng’s has capped its resurgence with one of the nation’s top hospitality honors.
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Just in from my colleague Nora Mishanec: ICE officials said Tuesday they had made a “mistake” after falsely claiming to have bought a Hudson Valley warehouse for a detention center. On Friday, after multiple outlets ran with ICE’s claims, we reported that county officials had no record of a sale.
ICE retracts false claim that it purchased Hudson Valley warehouse
The federal agency said its statement that it bought a former Pep Boys building in Chester to use as a detention center was a “mistake.”
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“I don’t think they get just how furious people are,” said one Bard student, who described a recent Q&A with Botstein at the president's house — where he had previously hosted Epstein — as “a shitshow. ... By the end, people were shouting ‘resign.’” Sarah Trafton and Nora Mishanec report.
‘S___show’: Bard students protest Botstein’s ties to Epstein as trustees meet
Anger on campus is mounting amid Bard College’s silence about President Leon Botstein’s relationship with the convicted sex predator.
timesunion.com
Orange County officials said they have no filings indicating that ICE has purchased the property where it wants to build a new detention center.
ICE says it bought Hudson Valley warehouse, but county has no record yet
Orange County officials said they have no filings indicating that ICE has purchased the property where it wants to build a new detention center.
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New York’s governor signaled her ban on local law enforcement being deputized by ICE could be rolled into an omnibus immigration bill.
Hochul signals fast-track on New York immigration bills
New York’s governor signaled her ban on local law enforcement being deputized by ICE could be rolled into an omnibus immigration bill.
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An Albany Law School student has filed a federal lawsuit alleging he faced retaliation when administrators took steps to formally discipline him after he accused a Black professor of directing racist remarks at him for appearing to be a “white conservative.” Brendan Lyons reports.
Albany Law School student accuses school, professor of discrimination
Lawsuits accuse Albany Law School and a Black professor of retaliation after 'white conservative' student filed complaint alleging he was singled out in class.
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Many call him a dedicated community member. Others say he is ripping families apart. A community in upstate New York is split over a school trustee’s job with ICE. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...
Should an ICE officer serve on a school board? Some Putnam County residents say no.
Many call him a dedicated community member. Others say he is ripping families apart. In Putnam County, residents are split over a school trustee’s job with ICE.
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An excellent, lucid profile of one young man’s journey through the digestive system of an ICE detainment. Maria Silva reports.
Guatemalan migrant rebuilds life after judge finds ICE detention illegal
A Guatemalan man living in Dutchess County recounted his two weeks in detention. His experience highlights an ongoing legal battle over who can be detained.
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A Guatemalan man living in Dutchess County recounted his two weeks in detention. His experience highlights an ongoing legal battle over who can be detained.
Guatemalan migrant rebuilds life after judge finds ICE detention illegal
A Guatemalan man living in Dutchess County recounted his two weeks in detention. His experience highlights an ongoing legal battle over who can be detained.
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The upstate New York's largest immigration raid since President Trump returned to office was on Sept. 4. That was just the beginning. Lawsuits and long fights for freedom are underway. www.timesunion.com/state/articl...
Fear, scrutiny linger months after upstate NY ICE raid
The upstate New York's largest immigration raid since President Trump returned to office was on Sept. 4. That was just the beginning. Lawsuits and long fights for freedom are underway.
timesunion.com
Fernando Isaias Carranza Chuqui had federal humanitarian protection and long-standing work authorization when he was detained in July.
Albany teen with special immigrant protections caught in ICE ‘collateral arrest’
Fernando Isaias Carranza Chuqui had federal humanitarian protection and long-standing work authorization when he was detained in July.
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Less than three days after Maria Silva reported on the cancellation of naturalization ceremonies across upstate, an apparent reversal by USCIS. Journalism, amirite?
USCIS reverses course, reinstates halted naturalization ceremonies across New York
The move comes days after the Times Union revealed abrupt cancellations in at least seven counties, sparking bipartisan criticism and demands for answers.
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BREAKING: USCIS is reinstating halted naturalization ceremonies in several New York counties, per U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler. The move comes days after a @timesunion.com report revealed abrupt cancellations in at least seven counties. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...
USCIS reverses course, reinstates halted naturalization ceremonies across New York
The move comes days after the Times Union revealed abrupt cancellations in at least seven counties, sparking bipartisan criticism and demands for answers.
timesunion.com
In other food news: Local businesses are helping SNAP recipients, two new bars open in Kingston, and Little Rye Bakehouse is launching an events program.
Ollie’s Slice Shop in Kingston is closing after costs ‘outpaced’ revenue
In other food news: Local businesses are helping SNAP recipients, two new bars open in Kingston, and Little Rye Bakehouse is launching an events program.
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🧶 Trump’s tariffs are impacting many industries, even unexpected ones. I recently spoke with several New York fiber business owners, who said they are running low on inventory, being hit with surprise levies and seeing delayed shipments www.timesunion.com/business/art...
Trump’s tariffs are tying knots in New York’s yarn industry
For the vibrant upstate fiber industry, which heavily relies on imported yarn and tools, the local infrastructure can’t keep up with rising costs and uncertainty.
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For the vibrant upstate fiber industry, which heavily relies on imported yarn and tools, the local infrastructure can’t keep up with rising costs and uncertainty.
Trump’s tariffs are tying knots in New York’s yarn industry
For the vibrant upstate fiber industry, which heavily relies on imported yarn and tools, the local infrastructure can’t keep up with rising costs and uncertainty.
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BREAKING: An Afghan refugee whose family resettled in New York after fleeing Taliban persecution was detained by ICE agents following a routine asylum interview on Tuesday. @mariamsilva.bsky.social has the story www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...
ICE arrests Afghan refugee living in New Paltz after asylum hearing
Ali Sajad Faqirzada, who resettled with his family in Ulster County in 2022, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Tuesday.
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