Story of the Day

7/13/23: Tech programs are on the upswing

July 13, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.67 MB

(Jul 13, 2023) More students are enrolling in BOCES technical programs to learn a trade, like automotive technology, culinary arts, and welding. A visit to a graduation where students and their families say they're seeking alternatives to traditional four-year colleges, and there’s money to be made in the trades. Also: An appeals court is ordering New York to redo its congressional district maps again.

7/12/23: Massena has a way to train new truck drivers

July 12, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.62 MB

(Jul 12, 2023) A new training to get commercial drivers licenses has become a major obstacle for people seeking to enter the profession at a time when plow and truck drivers are in short supply. Massena's public works department is solving the problem by offering the training for free. Also: An update on flood damage in Long Lake.

7/11/23: Flood damage from Long Lake to Vermont

July 11, 2023 04:00 - 10 minutes - 9.22 MB

(Jul 11, 2023) Vermont was hit hardest by the heavy rains and flooding Sunday and Monday. We hear from residents there, as well as in the central Adirondacks, where there was also significant damage. And we get tips on what to do if you come across high water.

7/10/23: Why an infrastructure agency is investing in child care

July 10, 2023 04:00 - 8 minutes - 7.86 MB

(Jul 10, 2023) St. Lawrence County's only city doesn't have a single major child care center. The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, better known for bridges and factories, is working on building a center that would serve hundreds of families. Also: Heavy rains that caused severe flooding in the Hudson Valley are also causing damage in Clinton County and other parts of the North Country.

7/7/23: Why peatlands help explain climate change in the Adirondacks

July 07, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.83 MB

(Jul 7, 2023) The Adirondacks are a prime location to study climate change because the region straddles ecological zones of the boreal north and places much further south. Adirondack ecologist Steve Langdon says peatlands are a special bellwether for climate change inside the Blue Line. Also: New York is putting the brakes on a proposal to sell legal marijuana at farmers markets.

7/6/23: Plattsburgh reckons with the loss of Nova Bus

July 06, 2023 04:00 - 8 minutes - 8.06 MB

(Jul 6, 2023) The announcement last month that Nova Bus is pulling out of Plattsburgh blindsided local leaders and the 350 people who work at the plant. Now the workers and the community are pivoting to what's next in Plattsburgh's economic future. Also: New York has raised the maximum age to enter training to become a state trooper from 29 to 34.

7/5/23: A paddle along a stitch of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail

July 05, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.54 MB

(Jul 5, 2023) The Northern Forest Canoe trail is hundreds of miles long, starting right here in the Adirondacks. Our Adirondack reporter Emily Russell heads out on a paddle in the popular Raquette River stretch near Tupper Lake. Also: A new dog shelter outside Canton has gotten more than a dozen noise complaints from neighbors.

7/3/23: Addressing Vermont's eugenics history

July 03, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.86 MB

(Jul 3, 2023) The state of Vermont is starting a truth and reconciliation process to take a hard look at its history of eugenics. Official policies resulted in the institutionalization of thousands of people in the early 1900s. Also: New York officials are preparing for smoky conditions and air quality alerts to be the "new normal" this summer.

6/30/23: When neighbors pitch in

June 30, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 9.03 MB

(Jun 30, 2023) One benefit of small-town life is that people step in to help each other out. In Saranac Lake, that’s kind of become a tradition when local businesses move from one location to another. Also: An Akwesasne hockey player was drafted into the NHL by the Anaheim Ducks.

6/29/23: Staying healthy amidst wildfire smoke

June 29, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.75 MB

(Jun 29, 2023) The wildfire smoke is back in the North Country, with an air quality advisory for all of New York State Thursday. A Clarkson University air quality expert on what's happening and how you can protect your health. Also: Two hiker shuttles in the Adirondacks may not be running this summer.

6/28/23: You're probably eligible for help with child care

June 28, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.43 MB

(Jun 28, 2023) Most North Country families now qualify for state help to afford child care, but few people know that. Why New York is raising the income threshold for child care assistance to $99,000 for a family of four, and what that means for the child care industry. Also: Results from a handful of primary elections Tuesday, including for sheriff in St. Lawrence and Lewis counties.

6/27/23: At the rhubarb patch

June 27, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.34 MB

(Jun 27, 2023) With rhubarb season winding down, we take a walk through a prolific rhubarb patch at a roadside stand in St. Lawrence County. Amy Feiereisel sends an audio postcard. Also: Adirondack forest rangers returned this week from helping to fight fires way up north in Quebec, the same ones that are bringing unhealthy smoke to the North Country.

6/26/23: Varsity flag football

June 26, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.91 MB

(Jun 26, 2023) There's a new varsity sport for high school girls to play. Flag football has gotten support from NFL teams like the New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills and will have its first state championship next year. We profile a team in Clinton and Essex counties. Also: Gov. Hochul signed into law a measure that protects medication abortion providers who help people in states where the practice is outlawed.

6/23/23: A trans poet for Pride Month

June 23, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 9.12 MB

(Jun 23, 2023) The Adirondack Center for Writing has been celebrating Pride month through June. This weekend transmasculine poet-in-residence Elliot Pecora gives a workshop and we have a preview. Also: The Ottawa Jazz Festival kicks off today with hundreds of musicians taking the stage over the next week.

6/22/23: Bringing farming back into school

June 22, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.89 MB

(Jun 22, 2023) Classes about agriculture have become increasingly scarce in North Country schools. A program at Salmon River in northern Franklin county gives students a chance to grow vegetables for their school cafeteria. Also: New York is cracking down on illegal cannabis shops as it seeks to establish its own network of legal recreational marijuana stores.

6/21/23: ORDA's 'Billion Dollar Bet'

June 21, 2023 04:00 - 10 minutes - 9.19 MB

(Jun 21, 2023) The Olympic Regional Development Authority has exploded into a state-funded giant pouring money into winter sports venues in Lake Placid. NPRs Brian Mann joins us for a conversation about ORDA’s “billion dollar bet”.

6/20/23: A new state plan for seniors

June 20, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.58 MB

(Jun 20, 2023) New York's Office for the Aging is conducting a statewide listening tour as it develops a four-year strategic plan for the state's seniors. In Gouverneur, access to daily food and help dealing with technology were top on people's minds. Also: Gov. Kathy Hochul attended the grand opening of a new hotel in Schroon Lake.

6/19/23: What Juneteenth means in the North Country

June 19, 2023 04:00 - 10 minutes - 9.18 MB

(Jun 19, 2023) A special Juneteenth episode, with voices from Saturday's celebration in Potsdam, a Burlington organizer reflects on Juneteenth's meaning, and a deep dive into Black settlers' history in the Adirondacks.

6/16/23: 4-H kids on why they love hands-on learning

June 16, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.84 MB

(Jun 16, 2023) 4-H offers academic support and enrichment through hands-on, fun learning at dozens of school districts around the region. We visit the 4-H after-school program at LaFargeville in Jefferson County and talk to lots of cute kids about what they love about 4-H. Also: Gov. Kathy Hochul launched a youth mental health summit amidst what she called a crisis among teens.

6/15/23: A more public-facing move for the APA?

June 15, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.43 MB

(Jun 15, 2023) The Adirondack Park Agency's headquarters has been in the same aging building in Ray Brook since the APA was born in the 1950s. A plan is emerging to bring the APA out of the shadows to downtown Saranac Lake. Also: We get words of wisdom from Frank White, a Canton resident who turned 105 years old this week.

6/14/23: All aboard a Lake Champlain sunset cruise through history

June 14, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.61 MB

(Jun 14, 2023) Summertime means lots of opportunities to explore the North Country's history and culture by boat. Fort Ticonderoga offers sunset cruises of Lake Champlain that take you back to the war before America's independence. Also: The state education department says students can choose the name and gender they want to use at school without having to inform their parents.

6/13/23: A Canton florist turns 105

June 13, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 9 MB

(Jun 13, 2023) Frank White remembers the tiny hamlet of Pyrites, outside Canton, back when it was a bustling paper mill town before and during the Great Depression. White turns 105 year old today. Also: Two former officers are suing the Clinton County Sheriff's office for harassment when the two women were on the job.

6/12/23: Confidence in college prep

June 12, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.32 MB

(Jun 12, 2023) Rural high schoolers are less likely to pursue higher education. In Ellenburg Depot, a college and career readiness program uses unique tools, like a peer mentoring program, to build confidence in students. Also: Lawyers argued in court whether to change New York's political district lines, again.

6/9/23: Celebrating Pride month in the North Country

June 09, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.45 MB

(Jun 9, 2023) Communities across the North Country are celebrating LGBTQ culture and equality with events during Pride Month. The organizer in Glens Falls says a welcoming community is crucial to the region's future. Also: It looks like Albany won't get much done on housing issues that were deemed critical at the beginning of the year.

6/8/23: Health officials say to stay inside. Some Adirondack hikers aren't listening

June 08, 2023 04:00 - 8 minutes - 7.45 MB

(Jun 8, 2023) Despite the hazy and unhealthy air conditions caused by the Canadian wildfires, hikers are still going into the Adirondack High Peaks. Hear more about those hikers from Wade Bastian, of the Adirondack Mountain Club. He spoke with NCPR's Emily Russell at the Adirondack Loj in North Elba.

6/7/23: How'd all this smoke end up in the North Country?

June 07, 2023 04:00 - 8 minutes - 7.84 MB

(Jun 7, 2023) A conversation with Clarkson University professor Suresh Dhaniyala about the haze in the air from wildfires burning in Quebec. The North Country usually has exceptionally good air quality, but Dhaniyala says the amount of particulate matter in the region's air right now is as bad as it is in some of the most polluted cities in the world.

6/6/23: Plattsburgh is finally getting its veterans memorial park

June 06, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 9 MB

(Jun 6, 2023) Local government officials and some local veterans held a groundbreaking event recently to celebrate Plattsburgh's soon-to-come Battlefield Memorial Gateway park. The park's construction has been delayed by the pandemic.

6/5/23: How Akwesasne processed the tragic migrant drownings in March

June 05, 2023 04:00 - 8 minutes - 7.48 MB

(Jun 5, 2023) In late March, two families drowned in the St. Lawrence River. They’d come from India and Romania, and were trying to cross into the United States. Their bodies were found in Akwesasne Mohawk territory, and a Mohawk man who’s believed to have been transporting them by boat is still missing. David Sommerstein spoke with the editor of Akwesasne’s Indian Time newspaper about how the drownings affected the Akwesasne Community.

6/2/23: What's left in criminal justice reform

June 02, 2023 04:00 - 8 minutes - 8.1 MB

(Jun 2, 2023) A bill to expunge criminal records of people who have served their jail time may be the only measure that has a chance to pass in the final days of New York's legislative session. What else is getting attention and what's getting left behind. Also: Plattsburgh is partnering with the YMCA to fund youth sports programs.

6/1/23: Adirondack youth climate activists

June 01, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.88 MB

(Jun 1, 2023) There is a strong youth movement worldwide to address climate change. Two Adirondack high school students recently attended a youth climate summit in Ontario and met with the famous conservationist Jane Goodall. Also: A part of the debt ceiling bill that passed the House is a measure that would force older food stamp recipients to find work to keep their benefits.

5/31/23: The risk of crumbling dams

May 31, 2023 04:00 - 8 minutes - 7.61 MB

(May 31, 2023) There are dozens of dams in the Adirondacks that are considered high hazard, meaning they pose a serious risk if they fail. What if they do fail, and what their owners and the state are doing to repair them. Also: As much as half of New York's grape crop may have been lost to the frost and freeze in mid-May.

5/30/23: Meet the new St. Lawrence Seaway chief

May 30, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 9.1 MB

(May 30, 2023) A conversation with new St. Lawrence Seaway Administrator Adam Tindall-Schlicht about invasive species, the prospect of year-round navigation, and being the youngest and first openly gay person to hold the position. Also: Jefferson County is hiring a new point person to help the area's homeless population.

5/26/23: A Ukrainian boy graduates in Lake Placid

May 26, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 9.09 MB

(May 26, 2023) Tomorrow, a Ukrainian boy who survived the start of the war will graduate from a boarding school in the Adirondacks. Yehor's journey from bombed buildings to the North Country School in Lake Placid. Also: Akwesasne recognized Missing and Murdered Indigenous People's Awareness Month in May with marches and a round dance.

5/25/23: The search for the last lead pipes

May 25, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 9.1 MB

(May 25, 2023) Lead is very dangerous when ingested even in small amounts, yet there are still lead pipes in some water systems. Warren County has developed a website that teaches residents how to check for lead pipes in their homes and report their results. Also: The government is offering incentives for people who get food benefits to shop at farmers markets.

5/24/23: The woes of the Wolfe Island ferry

May 24, 2023 04:00 - 10 minutes - 9.18 MB

(May 24, 2023) Residents of Wolfe Island, where Lake Ontario empties in the St. Lawrence River, have been waiting a lot lately. The government-run ferry they rely on to get between home and mainland Canada has been plagued by mechanical and labor problems and is often delayed. Also: The St. Lawrence Seaway's new administrator was in Massena to unveil a new tugboat.

9/30/22: Rep. Stefanik and constituent services

September 30, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 9.01 MB

(Sep 30, 2022) As Rep. Elise Stefanik's national profile has risen, many local leaders say she's remained focused on delivering federal funding to local projects. But NCPR found she also has misrepresented her role in some projects and trumpeted funding she voted against in Congress. As Stefanik seeks re-election, a special report on her attention to constituent services.

9/29/22: Akwesasne and Canada's Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 29, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.4 MB

(Sep 29, 2022) The legacy of residential schools hit hard in Akwesasne, where children were taken from their families. Some never saw those families again. The perspective from Akwesasne as Canada holds a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Also: You can now seek an absentee ballot to vote in November's election.

9/28/22: The disappearance of Adirondack winters

September 28, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.65 MB

(Sep 28, 2022) A Paul Smiths College professor has spent a 30-year career documenting climate change in the Adirondacks. His new paper is a culmination of that work, examining how a warming world threatens the very culture of our region. Also: A new poll finds Kathy Hochul with a comfortable 17-point lead over Republican Lee Zeldin for Governor.

9/27/22: The rise of co-working?

September 27, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.71 MB

(Sep 27, 2022) The pandemic has triggered a reconsideration of the whole concept of the workplace. A new co-working site in Plattsburgh is trying to find the middle ground between working at home and going to work every day. Also: SUNY Potsdam has been warned about its accreditation being "in jeopardy".

9/26/22: A march for transparency over a Mohawk residential school

September 26, 2022 04:00 - 8 minutes - 8.05 MB

(Sep 26, 2022) The push across North America to bring to light the dark truth of residential schools came to Akwesasne over the weekend. Mohawks marched across the bridge to Canada to call on the Anglican Church to release records about Mohawk children who died at the Mohawk Institute boarding school. Also: Canada will drop all COVID-19 restrictions at its borders starting Saturday.

9/23/22: Another step forward in child care

September 23, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 9.14 MB

(Sep 23, 2022) The child care crisis exposed during the depths of the coronavirus pandemic was a reality check, and led to an infusion of funding. That's starting to pay off with a new child care center in the works at SUNY Canton. Also: Akwesasne Mohawks march this weekend for more information about the children who died at a residential school in Ontario.

9/22/22: COs call for reinforcements at FCI Ray Brook

September 22, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.5 MB

(Sep 22, 2022) COs say the federal prison in Ray Brook is dangerously understaffed. They're calling for more hiring and more pay, and for federal officials, including Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, to pay them more attention. Also: The not-for-profit that helps seniors get to doctor's appointments is drastically short on volunteer drivers.

9/21/22: An Olympic luger comes home to Massena to train the next generation

September 21, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.48 MB

(Sep 21, 2022) The Winter Olympics are three years away, but USA Luge is out searching for the next generation of sliders. One luge Olympian hosted a street-sledding clinic for kids in his hometown of Massena to find young speed-loving talent. Also: New York's Attorney General is suing Donald Trump and his family for allegedly inflating his businesses' value by billions of dollars.

9/20/22: Fall foliage and climate change

September 20, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 9.1 MB

(Sep 20, 2022) The magnificent fall colors may be a bit muted in the North Country this year because of drought conditions. As for the effect of climate change on leaf peeping, it's still anybody's guess what could happen. Also: The city of Plattsburgh is trying to solve its discolored water problem.

9/19/22: The future of Adirondack brook trout

September 19, 2022 04:00 - 8 minutes - 8.16 MB

(Sep 19, 2022) New research suggests wild brook trout in the Adirondacks have more genetic diversity than previously thought, but the species is still susceptible to threats like climate change. Also: Gov. Hochul is sending Spanish-speaking police officers to Puerto Rico to help with the devastation caused by Hurricane Fiona.

9/16/22: The pow wow returns to Akwesasne

September 16, 2022 04:00 - 8 minutes - 8.15 MB

(Sep 16, 2022) The pow wow is a symbol of indigenous resilience, beauty, and strength, and they're lots of fun, too! A trip to the Akwesasne International Pow Wow, back after a pandemic hiatus. Also: Rep. Elise Stefanik co-sponsored a bill to ban abortions nationwide after 15 weeks.

9/15/22: A visit to the Butterfly House in Paul Smiths

September 15, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.83 MB

(Sep 15, 2022) Monarch butterflies continue their southern migration this month. A great place to watch new butterflies emerge and take flight in the Adirondacks is the Butterfly House at the Paul Smith's College VIC. Also: A debate over whether to demolish the Crete Civic Center in Plattsburgh.

9/14/22: A relief for North Country ambulance service

September 14, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.32 MB

(Sep 14, 2022) For years, volunteer fire departments in the North Country haven't been allowed to bill for ambulance service. That's left them holding the bill, and has caused many to discontinue their ambulances. A new state law changes that. Also: Congresswoman Elise Stefanik says she plans to seek another term as the GOP's Conference Chair in the House if she wins re-election.

9/13/22: PCBs still in the Grasse River

September 13, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.73 MB

(Sep 13, 2022) An ice jam last spring punctured a hole in a cap of toxic sludge in the Grasse River. Akwesasne Mohawks say they told the federal government that would happen, and the only real solution is to dredge the river and truck the toxic chemicals away. Also: Railbike tours on an old rail line in North Creek.

9/12/22: Will Lake George voters dissolve the village?

September 12, 2022 04:00 - 9 minutes - 8.91 MB

(Sep 12, 2022) Lake George has considered dissolving its village government since the 1970s. But tomorrow is the first time the village's 667 voters will actually get to decide. A recap of the debate leading up to Tuesday's vote. Also: An audio postcard from the kitchen on food, family, and expressing love.

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