(Apr 26, 2024) A Netflix documentary revealed abuse allegations at a former facility for troubled teens in Ogdensburg. A conversation with former Ivy Ridge student, and director of "The Program"; plus, how folks in Ogdensburg are grappling with the legacy; and, Potsdam author, Rebecca Donnelly, is out with a new graphic novel. She's joining NCPR and fellow NoCo children's authors Jessica Laurel Kane and Maxwell Eaton III for a story hour for kids at the Massena Public Library Saturday, April 27th from 10 to noon.

(Apr 25, 2024) For the last two months, a nonprofit SPCA in Clinton County has cared for almost 50 dogs seized in an alleged animal cruelty case. The organization's leaders say they've been stretched thin, but things are turning a corner as they ready the dogs for adoption; environmental groups say they'll push the New York State Assembly to approve a key climate change bill before the session ends in June; a conversation with Wilmington author and illustrator, Maxwell Eaton III. He's joining NCPR for a celebration of children's literature Saturday morning at the Massena Public Library. We sat down with him to talk about writing and the fun of getting drawings from young readers in the mail.

(Apr 24, 2024) The new state budget includes the first-ever paid prenatal leave policy in the country. Now, New Yorkers will get 20 hours of paid sick leave for health appointments during pregnancy. That's in addition to their regular parental leave; we'll hear how Essex County is helping farmers manage their land sustainably; also, a conversation with Adirondack children's author and illustrator Jessica Kane. She has two new books out and will join us for a celebration of reading and children's books this Saturday at the Massena Public Library.

(Apr 23, 2024) Stefanik is leading the push to get the President of Columbia University to resign amid pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus; Hochul scored her lowest favorability rating since Siena College began tracking her in 2021, with only 40% viewing her positively, and 49% viewing her negatively; Kitty O'Neil with the Cornell Cooperative Extension talks about the uptick in avian flu during springtime and how to protect backyard flocks.

(Apr 22, 2024) State lawmakers passed a $237 billion budget that incentivizes new affordable housing and restores cuts to school aid; a major newspaper covering the Akwesasne Mohawk community has had to suspend publication as it deals with financial troubles; also, in celebration of Earth Day we'll take a walk and talk with Vermont poet David Crews about how his writing connects him to nature, the environment and a new season!

(Apr 19, 2024) The community of North Creek is crossing their fingers for a state grant to keep their nursing home open. Elderwood is hosting an open house Saturday morning for the community to meet residents, staff and families; we’ll take a tour of the shop in the lower Adirondacks that makes all those yellow and brown Adirondack Park signs; and John Warren checks the trail conditions in the Adirondacks for us this weekend.

(Apr 17, 2024) We’ll take a closer look at the economic impact from the tens of thousands of tourists who came to the region during the total solar eclipse. Tourism officials estimate that Essex County alone saw a $2 million boost in sales; so far, two Democrats and a Republican have thrown their hats in the ring to become Plattsburgh's next mayor. Now an independent candidate is joining the field; New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie says Governor Hochul spoke prematurely this week when she said they’d reached a tentative budget agreement; plus, music and conversation with Brian Keane, the drummer of Gordon Lightfoot’s band. He's performing in Brockville Friday night.

(Apr 16, 2024) Eight years after it was awarded a Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant, Glens Falls is getting close to finishing its DRI projects, which would make it the first community in the North Country to do so; Hochul announced that a tentative $237 billion budget deal has been reached. A surprising and controversial change is a plan to close regional centers that help people with developmental disabilities hire their own healthcare workers, and move them out of state; we debrief with astronomer Aileen O'Donoghue about the eclipse and consider a star that looks like it will explode.

(Apr 15, 2024) Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties recently increased the amount it reimburse funeral homes when they bury people who can’t afford to pay. But, it doesn’t help working families who are on the edge of qualifying; we hear about how a small canal transformed Glens Falls in the 1800s; lawmakers are two weeks late on hashing out a spending plan for the state for the next year and there’s no resolution in sight; and NCPR book reviewer Betsy Kepes shares her thoughts about Canadian writer, Amanda Peters' debut novel, "The Berry Pickers".

(Apr 12, 2024) A nursing home in North Creek in the southern Adirondacks is teetering on the brink of closure; the state budget, now over 10 days late, is hung up over housing, and tenant's rights; the spring snowmelt in the Adirondacks creates powerful, roaring waterfalls, including at Auger Falls in southern Hamilton County.

(Apr 11, 2024) One pizzeria in Warrensburg sold pies to people in bumper-to-bumper traffic as they left the North Country after Monday's eclipse; just 26% of FBI special agents are female. The agency held a career fair in Albany to attract women to the profession; we talk with Lisbon photographer Beverly Patchin about her love for travel and nature photography. An exhibit of her favorite photos is on display in Waddington this month.

(Apr 10, 2024) Colleges and universities are a pillar of the North Country's economy. Many are under financial pressure and communities are worried about the future; New York State’s budget is over a week late. Lawmakers plan to meet on Thursday to pass another spending extender that will last until April 16th; Canton musician, Kyle Tupper, was inspired by his dad to pursue his dreams in Nashville. Tupper has just released a cover version of a song made popular in the 80s by his dad's band, Double Axel.

(Apr 9, 2024) It was a once-in-a-lifetime, awe-inspiring day across the North Country yesterday. The clouds held off just enough for thousands of people to soak in the total eclipse of the sun. People laughed, whooped, and cried all over the region. Today, we bring you scenes of totality from our reporting team.

(Apr 8, 2024) Our NCPR's news interns checked in with folks around St. Lawrence County to hear how they're feeling about this afternoon's eclipse; a Louisville woman with a love for her St. Lawrence County town is trying to bring her community's historic town hall back to life; the wonder and awe of big celestial events like a total solar eclipse can ignite a passion for astronomy in people. For Olmstedville astrophotographer Bob Fisher, it was the first time he saw Saturn through a homemade telescope. Thirty years of his night sky photos are on display now at the Chestertown Public Library.

(Apr 5, 2024) Tupper Lake has been preparing for the total solar eclipse for years. It's expected to be a main hub on Monday; communities across the North Country are gearing up for Monday's total solar eclipse. In Plattsburgh, the Strand Center for the Arts and SUNY Plattsburgh's Feinberg Library decided to do that with a collaborative art exhibition; and John Warren checks the trail conditions in the Adirondacks this weekend.

(Apr 4, 2024) A new state report says emergency services agencies across New York are struggling with staffing and costs, and that they need more help from the state. We hear from North Country ambulance services in Jefferson and Warren counties; Watertown's zoo has been struggling to stay open for months. This week, the city council has approved some short-term funding to keep it open for the season. But local leaders still aren't sure about the long-term; also, we talk with the director and crew of an original theatrical experience at SUNY Plattsburgh this week. "How We Walk on the Moon" includes outer space, astronauts, and a trip to the moon — all designed to prepare you for Monday's eclipse. It opens Thursday night in Plattsburgh's Blackbox Studio Theatre.

(Apr 3, 2024) One school district in the North Country is making the eclipse a special day for students; six inmates are suing the state over the its planned prison lockdown during Monday's eclipse; also, Chef Curtiss Hemm shares a fresh spring dish: pasta with fresh arugula, peas, and Romano cheese.

(Apr 2, 2024) School districts in New York have to switch to all electric buses by 2035. It's drawn the ire of districts and Republican lawmakers. Today, we visit the first district to get electric buses on the road - Alex Bay; all the prisons in New York State will go on a three hour lockdown during the total solar eclipse on Monday. The state says it’s for safety, but advocates say it could do the opposite; and astronomer Aileen O'Donoghue joins us to answer your science questions about the total solar eclipse.

(Apr 1, 2024) A program that aims to increase the pool of non-US doctors who can work in the North Country is opening up to specialty physicians; a disagreement over increasing criminal penalties for retail theft is one of many issues making the state budget late; UVM announces the winner of its first "VT Pitch Challenge" later this week. It's a contest for high schoolers around the world to develop business ideas for their communities. The finalists include teens from the North Country and Vermont.

(Mar 29, 2024) On Wednesday, a sure sign of spring on the Paul Smiths College campus. Professor Curt Stager has been monitoring the same sandy hillside for the first bees of the season; student athletes in Glens Falls were honored with a parade earlier this week; once again, the state budget will be late this year; and Aileen O'Donoghue combines astronomy and gastronomy, by helping Todd and Monica make a sweet-n-salty snack to enjoy during the total solar eclipse April 8th.