Top Stories from NCPR
1,050 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratingsNCPR provides locally-produced news stories from around the Adirondack and North Country regions of New York State, as well as Western Vermont, and Ontario and Quebec in Canada. 010329
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Cuomo extends stay at home order through April 15
March 30, 2020 04:00 - 52 seconds - 413 KB(Mar 30, 2020) Governor Andrew Cuomo has extended the mandatory closure of all non-essential businesses and ban on gatherings in New York for another two weeks, through April 15. That time period includes the Passover and Easter holidays.
Are North Country prisons ready for coronavirus? Employees say no
March 30, 2020 04:00 - 4 minutes - 2.19 MB(Mar 30, 2020) More than 9,000 people are incarcerated in state prisons across the North Country and hundreds more work inside these facilities. With the first reported cases of coronavirus in two North Country prisons last week, we asked staff and state officials if facilities are ready for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cuomo says to expect "rolling apex" of cases, hospitals will need to coordinate
March 30, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 552 KB(Mar 30, 2020) In his daily briefing yesterday, Governor Andrew Cuomo said a rolling wave of COVID-19 cases is projected to wash across New York. He said while the most urgent needs are in New York City now, the health care system will have to coordinate when the apex shifts.
"You're constantly fighting Mother Nature": Lessons from the 2020 maple season
March 30, 2020 04:00 - 4 minutes - 1.86 MB(Mar 30, 2020) Maple Weekend may have been canceled, but the syrup is still flowing at one sugarhouse in Hermon, NY. For a little longer, anyways.
A Colton couple's long road home
March 30, 2020 04:00 - 3 minutes - 1.82 MB(Mar 30, 2020) When Betsy Kepes and Tom Vandewater emerged from a 10-day hike in New Zealand a week ago, they had no idea they'd walked into a worldwide pandemic.
Coronavirus infections continue to spike and spread across NY as state ramps up resources
March 27, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 722 KB(Mar 27, 2020) Governor Andrew Cuomo says the rate of new COVID-19 infections is still rising dangerously. There are now more than 37,000 people sick with the virus in New York state, many of them in New York City, but with a growing number of confirmed cases across Upstate New York.
Cuomo says uncertain economy may lead to quarterly cuts in state budget
March 27, 2020 04:00 - 4 minutes - 1.87 MB(Mar 27, 2020)
Coronavirus case at federal prison in Adirondacks
March 27, 2020 04:00 - 48 seconds - 383 KB(Mar 27, 2020) Here in the North Country one of the biggest challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic is keeping the virus out of the region’s densely packed state and federal prisons. Yesterday, federal officials confirmed a staff member at FCI Ray Brook near Saranac Lake tested positive for the virus.
"No end date in sight": CEO of Ogdensburg's Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center talks COVID-19 preparations, overflow plans
March 27, 2020 04:00 - 4 minutes - 1.98 MB(Mar 27, 2020)
Cheers & air hugs: How a Peru bus monitor is delivering food to kids
March 27, 2020 04:00 - 4 minutes - 2.03 MB(Mar 27, 2020) School districts across the North Country are finding ways to get meals to children who usually get free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch at school.
Wild Center brings wildlife online during coronavirus
March 27, 2020 04:00 - 3 minutes - 1.67 MB(Mar 27, 2020) The Wild Center in Tupper Lake is temporarily suspending public programs until further notice in an effort to help combat the coronavirus. But the animals - turtles, owls, fish and otters - are being well cared for by a limited number of essential staff. And, you can still visit via various digital experiences.
Peru Proud: Parade of school staff shows community solidarity
March 26, 2020 04:00 - 2 minutes - 1020 KB(Mar 26, 2020) All across the world communities are finding ways to connect from a distance. People have been playing music on their balconies or singing with strangers in the street. Last weekend, a parade of teachers and school workers from Peru Central School drove through town to show their community support.
Lawmakers stay they're still on track to finish the budget by April 1
March 26, 2020 04:00 - 3 minutes - 1.71 MB(Mar 26, 2020) State lawmakers have just one week until the state budget is due, and despite the coronavirus outbreak, they say they intend to meet the deadline and will use precautions to avoid meeting in large groups. They face a daunting task of putting together a spending plan while a multibillion-dollar deficit grows each day.
Signs of slowing outbreak, volunteer response cheer Cuomo, recovery aid cheers NY reps
March 26, 2020 04:00 - 2 minutes - 1.28 MB(Mar 26, 2020) Governor Cuomo says there are early signs social distancing may be slowing the spread of COVID-19 in New York state. The total number of cases now tops 30,000, with the vast majority of those cases in New York City. Speaking yesterday from Albany, Cuomo said preliminary numbers suggest the spread rate is easing.
St. Lawrence, Franklin counties report first positive cases of COVID-19; residents urged to stay home
March 26, 2020 04:00 - 47 seconds - 375 KB(Mar 26, 2020)
Bullheads: For "bottom feeders" and "trash fish" they make pretty good parents
March 26, 2020 04:00 - 4 minutes - 2.3 MB(Mar 26, 2020) Bullheads are slimy and hard to clean without hurting yourself, but both those qualities help them survive. The spines protect them for being swallowed whole, and their lack of scales makes way for thousands of cells that let them "smell" the water with their whole bodies, and even identify each other in a group. They also herd their young together for protection, watching over them for an extended period. Martha Foley and Curt Stager talk trash about bullheads.
Canada closes the door at Roxham Road asylum-seeker crossing
March 26, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 510 KB(Mar 26, 2020) Thousands of people seeking asylum have walked into Canada from a little road in Clinton County. But because of the coronavirus, Canada is closing that door. Canada has begun returning asylum-seekers to U.S. border officers. The change was agreed to as part of new limits on travel between the two countries to slow the spread of Covid-19. Emma Jacobs reports from Montreal.
Preparing for surge of COVID-19 patients, Glens Falls Hospital pivots to free up beds
March 26, 2020 04:00 - 5 minutes - 2.48 MB(Mar 26, 2020)
Groceries work to keep shelves stocked, keep shoppers and staff safe
March 26, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 902 KB(Mar 26, 2020) On Sunday all non-essential businesses in New York state were ordered to close. High on the list of essential businesses are grocery stores. As the coronavirus has spread in the U.S., grocery stores are trying to keep up.
COVID-19: More NoCo counties urging NYC travelers to stay away
March 26, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 715 KB(Mar 26, 2020) At least four more county governments in the North Country are urging non-locals to stay away during the COVID-19 outbreak. Officials in Washington County say they’ve identified one traveler who tested positive for the virus.
Pressure is on to put NY's presidential primary off until June
March 25, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 490 KB(Mar 25, 2020) New York’s elected officials are under pressure to delay next month’s presidential primary in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Music and hope from a North Country native quarantined in Spain
March 25, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 909 KB(Mar 25, 2020) Catherine Brownell is 24, and grew up in Canton and Potsdam. In September of 2019, she was hired by the Spanish government to work as a language assistant, and moved to Valencia, Spain. She was teaching until Valencia quarantined on Monday, March 16. Catherine is currently quarantined with a roommate in her apartment in Valencia. She's been listening to NCPR to feel connected to home. Catherine sent us a recording of a nightly ritual that's happening in Valencia right now.
Potsdam small business starts making hand sanitizer
March 25, 2020 04:00 - 3 minutes - 1.71 MB(Mar 25, 2020) When trade shows began to cancel and orders dried up recently, a Potsdam small business switched to making a product in demand: hand sanitizer.
Why so few COVID-19 positives in the North Country? Because tests are in short supply
March 25, 2020 04:00 - 4 minutes - 1.98 MB(Mar 25, 2020)
With NY infections doubling every three days, state scrambles for medical resources
March 25, 2020 04:00 - 3 minutes - 1.76 MB(Mar 25, 2020) Governor Andrew Cuomo says quarantine measures now in place across New York state aren't working to contain the spread of COVID-19. He delivered the grim news at a press conference yesterday, as the total number of cases in the state surged above 25,000.
Inmate at Clinton Correctional in Dannemora tests positive for COVID-19
March 25, 2020 04:00 - 42 seconds - 338 KB(Mar 25, 2020) An inmate at Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
North Country wary as people flee to region from COVID-19 outbreak
March 25, 2020 04:00 - 2 minutes - 1.03 MB(Mar 25, 2020)
Another major North Country health provider scales back Covid-19 testing
March 24, 2020 04:00 - 36 seconds - 290 KB(Mar 24, 2020)
Officials step up coronavirus outreach to North Country's Amish community
March 24, 2020 04:00 - 4 minutes - 1.92 MB(Mar 24, 2020)
NY opens hate crimes hotline as Asian Americans face harassment in the pandemic
March 24, 2020 04:00 - 35 seconds - 278 KB(Mar 24, 2020) New York’s Attorney General Letitia James has launched a new hotline for reporting coronavirus-related hate crimes and bias incidents.
Less testing, more fatalities as coronavirus spreads in region
March 24, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 560 KB(Mar 24, 2020)
Concern grows for inmates in state prison system
March 24, 2020 04:00 - 3 minutes - 1.77 MB(Mar 24, 2020)
Audio Postcard: Endless views from the St. Regis firetower
March 24, 2020 04:00 - 3 minutes - 1.75 MB(Mar 24, 2020) We're all being told to stay home to slow the spread of coronavirus, but staying home from work doesn't mean depriving ourselves of the outdoors. Exercise that’s safe and mostly solitary is still okay and even encouraged. Reporters Emily Russell and Julia Ritchey went for a hike up St. Regis Mountain and sent this postcard.
Potsdam mom on parents and kids at home, adjusting to a new normal
March 24, 2020 04:00 - 2 minutes - 1.22 MB(Mar 24, 2020) The schools in our region have been closed since Monday, March 16. Kids are at home parents are trying to navigate a new normal of living, working, and caring for their children when many 'normal' resources (like the library and play-dates) are now gone. Kayla French lives in Potsdam. She and her husband have two young children, aged two and four. French is a middle and high school English teacher; on Monday, March 23 she started teaching her students virtually from her home...
At Pendragon Theatre the show must go on - virtually
March 23, 2020 04:00 - 6 minutes - 3.11 MB(Mar 23, 2020) For the first time in its more than 40-year history, Pendragon Theatre, in Saranac Lake, is suspending its live on-stage performances. The coronavirus pandemic has shut down Broadway and many other theatres and concert halls across the country. To help contain the spread of COVID-19, Pendragon's management is substituting regular audience-in-seats spring and summer performances, with a variety of online offerings.
Stefanik calls for Trump to do more to help NY
March 23, 2020 04:00 - 3 minutes - 1.45 MB(Mar 23, 2020) Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is taking a bigger, more active role preparing the North Country for the COVID-19 threat as the days go by. She’s focused on helping blunt the economic damage of the crisis. At times the Republican lawmakers has also joined Governor Cuomo in challenging the Trump administration to do more to help New York.
North Country at Work: Amidst closures, Sackets Harbor farm stays open and gives away food
March 23, 2020 04:00 - 2 minutes - 1.3 MB(Mar 23, 2020) Closures due to COVID-19 are shutting businesses down across the North Country. Movie theatres, casinos, malls, and gyms are closed by state mandate. Restaurants and bars can only offer takeout and delivery. One agricultural company in Sackets Harbor, a business called Agbotic that grows organic vegetables, has seen 95% of its business disappear since Monday, March 16.
Cuomo asks for federal Defense Production Act, says April 28 primary might be mail-in only
March 23, 2020 04:00 - 3 minutes - 1.56 MB(Mar 23, 2020) Governor Andrew Cuomo is among those calling on the federal government to invoke the Defense Production Act so the Trump Administration can order factories to produce badly needed hospital gear to combat the corona virus. Cuomo also says he’s looking at ways to allow mail in balloting for the April 28 Presidential primary.
NY hospitals ordered to expand capacity, Army and Navy to help downstate
March 23, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 748 KB(Mar 23, 2020)
As coronavirus spreads in NY, testing supplies run low
March 20, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 502 KB(Mar 20, 2020) The number of coronavirus cases in the North Country rose again yesterday, with new cases in Fulton, Hamilton, Jefferson and Saratoga County. Saratoga County now reports 21 sick people in hospital or quarantine.
Stefanik echoes "stay home" message in teleconference, supports NY disaster declaration
March 20, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 545 KB(Mar 20, 2020) North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is urging people in the North Country to follow the “stay at home” advisories issued by the CDC, New York state, and local public health departments.
This weekend in the Adirondacks, 3/20/20
March 20, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 681 KB(Mar 20, 2020) Although snow is patchy at the periphery of the Adirondack Park, there remain deep snow in places, and more winter-like weather will return tomorrow.
Cuomo urges younger people to stay home, too
March 20, 2020 04:00 - 1 minute - 638 KB(Mar 20, 2020)
Chef Curtiss: Stuck at home? Here's an easy pantry recipe for dinner
March 20, 2020 04:00 - 5 minutes - 2.51 MB(Mar 20, 2020) Despite the COVID-19 crisis, you still need to eat. Chef Curtiss Hemm says If you have a decently stocked pantry, you can make a wonderful meal out of a few staples.
NYS Comptroller says deficit could be $4-7 billion higher due to coronavirus costs
March 20, 2020 04:00 - 3 minutes - 1.54 MB(Mar 20, 2020)
Streaming Storytime: Plattsburgh children's author organizes online video library
March 20, 2020 04:00 - 4 minutes - 2.11 MB(Mar 20, 2020) Schools are closed and kids are studying from home all across the North Country in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The science behind maple syrup
March 19, 2020 04:00 - 4 minutes - 2.27 MB(Mar 19, 2020) You can get the sugar out of a lot of trees, but there's something special about the sugar maple. Its trunk is highly efficient at storing and moving sap. That's in part because the sap is stored throughout the trunk, rather then down in the roots, as with most trees in winter. Martha Foley and Curt Stager look at that other "sweet science," the one behind our favorite breakfast condiment.
Key NY-VT ferry crossing to close as COVID-19 hits transportation
March 19, 2020 04:00 - 43 seconds - 343 KB(Mar 19, 2020)
Non-profits pivot to coronavirus response and assistance
March 19, 2020 04:00 - 53 seconds - 422 KB(Mar 19, 2020) Across the North Country community groups, non-profits, and social service organizations are jumping into action to assist those in need. But they’re having to change the way they do things.