Westchester, Explained 18: Exploring Abolition Day in NY with Historian Joyce Cole

TWIW 29: July 13, 2026

In this episode: * County Executive Ken Jenkins gave an update on Cyclosporiasis in Westchester.  * Jenkins gave an update on extreme heat coming into Westchester County.  * Westchester County has submitted comments opposing a proposed federal rule issued by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget that would significantly alter how federal grants are awarded, administered and overseen nationwide.  * Croton-on-Hudson Mayor Brian Pugh joined to discuss exciting updates happening in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson.  * Department of Public Works & Transportation Program Coordinator, SMART Commute Heather Reiners joined to discuss new fare boxes for the Bee-Line Bus System, marking the final transition from MetroCard to OMNY on the Bee-Line Bus System.  * Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability Peter McCartt joined to discuss the launch of the Westchester County Green Initiatives Repository, a new online resource designed to help municipalities share ideas, learn from one another and accelerate local sustainability efforts. The resource allows local governments to explore successful projects, identify partners and connect directly with other communities that have has success with a wide range of sustainability programs.  * Jenkins highlighted the Westchester County Veterans Museum’s newest exhibit, Evolution: 250 Years of Military Gear at Lasdon Public Gardens.  * Deputy County Executive Joan McDonald highlighted the upcoming FIFA World Cup Final Watch Party on Sunday, July 19 at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.  * McDonald highlighted the upcoming Westchester County Office for Women’s Empower Hour on Women’s Health.  * Jenkins invited the public to come celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this Wednesday, July 15 at Playland Park.  * Highlights from Westchester County Parks.  --- Do you have feedback or a suggestion for a future podcast topic? Please let us know by emailing communications@westchestercountyny.gov and include Podcast in the subject line. For the latest news & updates visit the Westchester County Newsroom [https://www.westchestercountyny.gov/all-press-releases] or follow us on social:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/westchester_county_government/]  |  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/westchestergov/]  |  X (Twitter) [https://twitter.com/westchestergov]  |  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/westchester-county]  |  YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC774tkGUZw8xoZtHhuQUsQ]

Westchester, Explained 18: Exploring Abolition Day in NY with Historian Joyce Cole

As an extension of our weekly "This Week in Westchester - The Podcast" we welcome you to Westchester, Explained. In this special long-form series we take you deeper into the headlines, decisions and policies shaping Westchester County and their impact on your family, your neighborhood and your future. Here we slow it down, dig in and bring in the people doing the work, and we explain not just what the County is doing, but why it matters. Because government should be clear. This is your County.  And this is Westchester, Explained.  In this  episode, which is being releassed early in commemoration of New York State Abolition Commemoration Day -- we explore a chapter of history that many Westchester residents may not know.  Joined by returning guest Ossining Village Historian Joyce Cole, today we discuss the history of slavery in New York, the long road to abolition, and the people whose labor, resilience and pursuit of freedom helped shape Westchester County and New York State. We also examine why recognizing this history is essential to understanding our communities today, while celebrating local efforts to preserve and share these important stories.  Join us as we reflect on our shared past, the meaning of freedom, and why it matters to Westchester residents. --- Do you have feedback or a suggestion for a future podcast topic? Please let us know by emailing communications@westchestercountyny.gov and include Podcast in the subject line. For the latest news & updates visit the Westchester County Newsroom [https://www.westchestercountyny.gov/all-press-releases] or follow us on social:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/westchester_county_government/]  |  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/westchestergov/]  |  X (Twitter) [https://twitter.com/westchestergov]  |  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/westchester-county]  |  YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC774tkGUZw8xoZtHhuQUsQ]

Westchester, Explained 17: Building Westchester's Future Today - Inside the RPI + Westchester Partnership

As an extension of our weekly "This Week in Westchester - The Podcast" we welcome you to Westchester, Explained. In this special long-form series we take you deeper into the headlines, decisions and policies shaping Westchester County and their impact on your family, your neighborhood and your future. Here we slow it down, dig in and bring in the people doing the work, and we explain not just what the County is doing, but why it matters. Because government should be clear. This is your County.  And this is Westchester, Explained.  In this episode, we explore Westchester County's innovative partnership with the globally renowned Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) -- and how this first-of-its-kind collaboartion is strengthening our local workforce and creating new opportunities for residents and businesses alike. Listen now as we sit down with Westchester County Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons and the Westchester County RPI Partnership Director Bonnie Bloomer to discuss how this program is helping develop the next generation of engineers, technology professionals and industry leaders right here in Westchester.  From degree completion pathways and workforce training to artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies -- we examine how this partnership is helping prepare residents for the jobs of tomorrow. Join us as we look at how education, innovation and strategic economic development planning are coming together to build Westchester's future, today -- and why it matters to Westchester residents and employers. --- Do you have feedback or a suggestion for a future podcast topic? Please let us know by emailing communications@westchestercountyny.gov and include Podcast in the subject line. For the latest news & updates visit the Westchester County Newsroom [https://www.westchestercountyny.gov/all-press-releases] or follow us on social:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/westchester_county_government/]  |  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/westchestergov/]  |  X (Twitter) [https://twitter.com/westchestergov]  |  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/westchester-county]  |  YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC774tkGUZw8xoZtHhuQUsQ]

TWIW 28: July 6, 2026

In this episode: * Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, Westchester County Emergency Services Commissioner Susan Spear and Department of Public Works & Transportation Commissioner Hugh Greechan give update on recent storm and discuss response.  * Mayor of Ardsley Steve Edelstein joined to discuss exciting updates from the Village.  * Westchester County Department of Social Services Commissioner Leonard Townes provided an update on his department.  * Westchester County Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons, Westchester County Association President and CEO Michael Romita and The STEM Alliance President Margaret Kaufer spoke on the upcoming Converge Conference on July 16.  * Jenkins discussed the upcoming FIFA World Cup Final Watch Party at the Kensico Dam on Sunday, July 19.  * Deputy County Executive Joan McDonald highlighted the County’s upcoming celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is taking place on Wednesday July 15, at Playland Park. * McDonald also gave an update on upcoming events at Westchester County Parks. --- Do you have feedback or a suggestion for a future podcast topic? Please let us know by emailing communications@westchestercountyny.gov and include Podcast in the subject line. For the latest news & updates visit the Westchester County Newsroom [https://www.westchestercountyny.gov/all-press-releases] or follow us on social:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/westchester_county_government/]  |  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/westchestergov/]  |  X (Twitter) [https://twitter.com/westchestergov]  |  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/westchester-county]  |  YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC774tkGUZw8xoZtHhuQUsQ]

Westchester, Explained 16: Inside Westchester's Office of Housing Counsel

As an extension of our weekly "This Week in Westchester - The Podcast" we welcome you to Westchester, Explained. In this special long-form series we take you deeper into the headlines, decisions and policies shaping Westchester County and their impact on your family, your neighborhood and your future. Here we slow it down, dig in and bring in the people doing the work, and we explain not just what the County is doing, but why it matters. Because government should be clear. This is your County.  And this is Westchester, Explained.  In this episode, we take a closer look at one of Westchester County’s newest initiatives that has quickly become a powerful resource for residents facing housing instability.  We sit down with George Asante, Director of the Office of Housing Counsel, to discuss how the County is connecting tenants with legal assistance, advocacy services and critical resources to help prevent evictions and keep families housed. We explore the real-life challenges that can place individuals and families at risk of losing their homes, the success stories emerging from the program and the partnerships making this work possible across Westchester. Join us as we examine how stable housing strengthens individuals, families and communities -- and why it matters to Westchester residents. --- Do you have feedback or a suggestion for a future podcast topic? Please let us know by emailing communications@westchestercountyny.gov and include Podcast in the subject line. For the latest news & updates visit the Westchester County Newsroom [https://www.westchestercountyny.gov/all-press-releases] or follow us on social:  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/westchester_county_government/]  |  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/westchestergov/]  |  X (Twitter) [https://twitter.com/westchestergov]  |  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/westchester-county]  |  YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC774tkGUZw8xoZtHhuQUsQ]