Nearly four years ago, a developer bought 47 acres south of Red Hook’s Hannaford and promised a 120-room hotel, with the jobs, tax revenue and lodging the town has long wanted. Since then almost nothing has happened. Then two visitors from Argentina showed up unannounced at Supervisor Robert McKeon’s office. They said the developer, Ruben Santurian, was no longer involved, and they asked how far the project had advanced. Daily Catch reporter Athan Yanos joins editor Emily Sachar to explain what he found: Santurian’s unusual path from sculptor to developer, his record of unfinished projects across the country, at least 15 lawsuits alleging investor fraud, and why the parcel could sit empty for decades. It’s also Athan’s farewell episode before he leaves for Houston, and he hands the Red Hook beat to Aleah Gatto. To close the show, Aleah brings an audio report from the Tivoli Street Painting Festival.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio

In less than 48 hours last week, Dutchess County's network of 65 Flock license plate reader cameras went from bipartisan law enforcement tool to switched off. A packed community forum in Pleasant Valley drew more than 100 people, and about 30 of them spoke out against the system. By Friday, District Attorney Anthony Parisi, Sheriff Kirk Imperati and County Executive Sue Serino had all withdrawn their support.

Daily Catch reporter Athan Yanos joins editor Emily Sachar to explain what happened.

Plus: The Daily Catch launches its new arts and entertainment newsletter, The Culture Catch, on Wednesday, October 7. Sign up at thedailycatch.org.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio

In 2023, Ben and Lindsey Shute of Hearty Roots Farm bought 97 acres of farmland on Route 9 in Red Hook. Because the land had been farmed conventionally, they had to wait three years before anything they grew there could be certified organic. That wait ended this month with a harvest of kabocha squash. Publisher Walter Mullin talks with Daily Catch senior reporter Claire Greenberger, who was in the field for it. They cover the USDA's three-year transition rule and how the town bought the Cookingham East property. They also talk about how the land was split between protected farmland, public trails and affordable housing through RUPCO. Claire explains why local farmers and Scenic Hudson think a critical mass of farms matters. She also covers what the Shutes did with those three years and what's next: garlic, a pollinator meadow, better irrigation and crop rotation with their Clermont farm.

Produced by Emily Sachar, Walter Mullin, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud at the Radio Free Rhinecilff studio