International Journalist Brendan Maslauskas Dunn, artist Lorraine Kreimeyer, SNUG Peace Rally, Trump Tax Bill local impact, and Lily Christopher at the New Hartford Farmer’s Market
This week’s Hot Seat: Media Monday features a dynamic mix of investigative reporting, global perspectives, and local community voices. We begin with a deep dive into the Republican “Big Beautiful Bill,” exposing its devastating Medicaid cuts and the threats they pose to rural healthcare, maternity services, and chronically ill patients in the Mohawk Valley. International journalist Brendan Maslauskas Dunn shares harrowing experiences covering activism in Egypt and draws parallels to the rise of authoritarianism in the U.S., emphasizing the need for fearless journalism. The episode also includes moving stories from a SNUG peace rally against gun violence, an uplifting profile of artist Lorraine Kramer’s fairy-themed healing art project, and a cheerful spotlight on the New Hartford Farmers Market as a hub of local culture and creativity. Altogether, the program weaves together urgent issues and hopeful responses, underscoring the power of media, art, and grassroots action to foster justice and resilience.
Read Global March to Gaza Violently Repressed by Egyptian Authorities by Brendan Maslauskas Dunn at: https://unicornriot.ninja/2025/global-march-to-gaza-violently-repressed-by-egyptian-authorities/
Jonathan Brooks/ DJ J-Easy is the sound engineer. He is online at Facebook.com/easyatm315, Instagram.com/j_easy315/, and https://on.soundcloud.com/XGKd3e4AZeNtrD2X9
Jim Hale is the photographer and records the show for video and podcast streaming. He is online at Jim Hale (@instanteon) • Instagram photos and videos
Nabil Khan is the entertainment correspondent for Hot Seat: Media Monday. Nabil is online at Letterboxd.com/1andonlynabk/and Instagram.com/instanab.k/.
Brian Lazore and Lazore Photography are online at lazorephotography.smugmug.com, Facebook.com/LazorePhotography, https://www.threads.net/@lazorephotography and YouTube.com/@LazorePhotography. The Off The Record with Lazore Photography podcast is online at Spotify and Amazon Music
Ron Klopfanstein is an award-winning multimedia investigative journalist, news and producer for 95.5 FM “The Heat” broadcast and streaming. He hosts Hot Seat: Media Monday every Monday at 5 pm, broadcast on 95.5 FM and streaming at 955TheHeat.com. Podcasts at: https://open.spotify.com/show/4nbrIF49K56OxbPljuw1Lv?si=7e000e7279f54c2a Like him at Facebook.com/ReadRonKlopfanstein, Follow him at Bsky.app/profile/ronklopfanstein.bsky.social, Threads.net/@RonKlopfanstein, Instagram.com/RonKlopfanstein, Tiktok.com/@ronklopfanstein, and subscribe to his channel at YouTube.com/@RonKlopfanstein. Read all his work at Muckrack.com/ron-klopfanstein.
