NCPR's Story of the Day

(Aug 12, 2025) A new report from the state's chief fiscal officer highlights a shortage of health care providers in the North Country. It comes ahead of big federal changes to health care programs like Medicaid. Also: A new poll finds Gov. Hochul leads North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik by 14 points in a potential race for governor next year, down from 23 points last month.

(Aug 11, 2025) Flooding slammed parts of St. Lawrence County last summer. We visit a demonstration garden in Canton where residents are learning how to make their yards more resilient to stormwater. Also: Former NCPR reporter Brian Mann goes searching for the perfect swimming hole in the Adirondacks.

(Aug 8, 2025) Last weekend, more than 4,000 people celebrated Plattsburgh's local specialty, the Michigan. We take a trip to the inaugural Michigan Fest, which honored the iconic hot-dog-and-meat-sauce combo. Also: Gov. Kathy Hochul continues to condemn Republican plans to realign congressional districts ahead of next year's midterm elections.

(Aug 7, 2025) Activists are traveling across the North Country this week in a "car caravan." They're rallying support for migrant farmworkers and calling on local communities to stand in solidarity. Also: Alcoa and the New York Power Authority are nearing a deal to keep the aluminum giant in Massena for at least another ten years.

(Aug 6, 2025) Eurasian water milfoil is crowding out native species and ruining swimming and boating in water all over the North Country. In Lake George, it's now being treated with an herbicide, but dive crews are still pulling it out of the lake by hand. Also: A significant cluster of the invasive water chestnut plant has taken root in the St. Lawrence River near Ogdensburg.

(Aug 5, 2025) This summer, the Watertown City School District cut dozens of pre-k slots without explanation, even though community partners were willing to provide them. With the school year quickly approaching, many families don't know if their child will be able to attend Pre-K or not. Also: All of the North Country is still under an air quality advisory as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to pollute much of the Northeast.

(Aug 4, 2025) As tensions run high between the U.S. and Canada, people on both sides of the border are coming together to affirm their friendship. Plattsburgh and Cornwall leaders actually put it in writing. Also: A new series of portraits is now on display at John Brown Farm in Lake Placid that puts a spotlight on the faces of activists throughout American history.

(Aug 1, 2025) A festival honoring Plattsburgh's culinary delicacy is taking place tomorrow. Michigan Fest celebrates the hot dog and meat sauce favorite. Officials say it's about bringing locals and non-locals together. Also: Public transit and highway advocates are getting ready to do battle over New York's new transportation master plan.

(Jul 31, 2025) Canadian officials are in Washington today trying to hammer out a trade deal before higher tariffs take effect tomorrow. Reporter Emily Russell spoke with Canadians in Brockville and Gananoque about how they see their neighbor to the south right now. Also: New York's legal marijuana industry is reeling after more than 100 dispensaries have been told they may have to move because they're too close to schools.

(Jul 30, 2025) New York ranks last in the nation for getting therapy for very young children who are showing developmental delays. That's having far-reaching consequences for the children, their families, and the entire state education system. Amy Feiereisel has a special report. Also: One of New York's top lawmakers says raising taxes won't be able to make up for the Trump Administration's federal cuts.

(Jul 29, 2025) Being a funeral director is kind of like being a social worker — for both the dead and the living. We hear about life as a funeral director in Boonville, part of our North Country at Work series. Also: The North Country's only Democratic lawmaker in Albany announced he's resigning at the end of August.

(Jul 28, 2025) The Adirondack Hotel, and its commanding view up Long Lake, is one of the Adirondacks' iconic landmarks. The business is changing hands but is staying in the family. We take a tour with longtime owner Carol Young. Also: Business leaders in Northern New York say recent data confirms a summer tourism downturn due to fewer Canadian tourists.

(Jul 25, 2025) Congress and President Donald Trump have clawed back more than a billion dollars in federal funding for public media. We hear from the North Country's public television stations about how they're responding to the cuts. Also: New federal data shows 376,000 fewer vehicles crossed into New York from Canada this year.

(Jul 24, 2025) Last month, an Adirondack assistant forest ranger died while out on an extended work trip in the backcountry. But his death went unnoticed for days. The incident is prompting calls for better state support and monitoring of rangers while working in the park. Also: The military has paused a plan to cut the North Country's only ROTC program based at Clarkson University after an outcry from lawmakers and residents.

(Jul 23, 2025) Kayaking and canoeing is a great way for people to get exercise and enjoy the North Country outdoors. But older people can have problems getting in and out of the boat. We visit a new public dock in the southern Adirondacks that's helping paddlers of all ages and abilities get on the water. Also: Congressman Mike Lawler announced today he's not running for Governor, potentially clearing the way for North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to take on Kathy Hochul next year.

(Jul 22, 2025) Big Democratic Party star power came to Plattsburgh over the weekend. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez came to Republican Elise Stefanik's district to speak out against President Donald Trump's massive policy bill as a time when Stefanik is considering a run for Governor. Also: Three Democrats are lining up to challenge Republican Claudia Tenney in the 24th congressional district next year.

(Jul 21, 2025) Nina Schoch has banded hundreds of loons in the Adirondacks to track their health as their population has rebounded. We talk with the founder of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation about the state of loons as she steps away from the organization. Also: School districts across New York have less than two weeks to figure out how to ban smartphones from the classroom.

(Jul 18, 2025) NOTE: This is Friday's episode, which didn't feed due to a technical error. We apologize for the delay! A conversation with the Lewis County angler who caught a record-breaking brook trout in the Adirondacks earlier this month. Also: the U.S. Army plans to shut down the ROTC unit at Clarkson University, ending a decades-old program that includes students from several colleges.

(Jul 17, 2025) Less than two months before the upcoming school year, schools across the nation—and here in the North Country—find themselves in a tough spot as the Trump administration withholds billions in federal education funding. Also: Earlier this week, a panel of judges declined to make President Donald Trump's pick for U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York permanent. But now, it seems he's sticking around.

(Jul 16, 2025) Volunteerism is down across American society. But there are still exceptional individuals who make big differences in their communities. For our series on volunteerism in the North Country, we profile a 17 year-old who seems to be involved in everything in Lake Placid. Also: The top Democrat in the New York State Senate joined other progressive state lawmakers from across the country on Tuesday to denounce funding cuts from Congress.

(Jul 15, 2025) Longstanding ties between North Country and Canadian communities have come under strain during the second Trump administration. A group of Americans and Canadians recently came together to talk about their role in preserving the relationship. Also: A mudslide has closed the popular Adirondack trail to Avalanche Lake.

(Jul 14, 2025) The Lazy River Playground in St. Lawrence County has been delighting children and adults for more than 80 years. We pay a visit as a new generation of owners is working to bring fresh life to the roller rink, mini-golf, and river shoreline. Also: People with disabilities are worried about the trickle down effects of Medicaid cuts on the services they rely on regularly.

(Jul 11, 2025) Gov. Hochul announced New York plans to build a new nuclear power plant to fill the need for electricity that doesn't contribute to climate change. Leaders around the North Country are talking about building it here to provide new jobs. Also: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says Republicans will "probably" eliminate a billion dollars in funding for public radio and TV stations.

(Jul 10, 2025) Canadian leaders are meeting this week to try and strengthen the country's economy amid steep US tariffs and threats of more to come. A Canadian economist says the country is being forced to look beyond its historic relationship with the U.S. Also: Homeowners in Tupper Lake can now get help eradicating Japanese knotweed from their property.

(Jul 9, 2025) Local healthcare groups and officials say that Medicaid cuts included in President Trump's spending bill will devastate the North Country's health care system. Reporter Amy Feiereisel breaks down how Medicaid works, what is getting cut, and how it will impact our region. Also: Senator Chuck Schumer is calling on Republicans to block a billion dollar cut to funding for public radio and TV stations across the country, including NCPR.

(Jul 8, 2025) After a 20-year hiatus, a special day of wooden boat races returned to Blue Mountain Lake this summer. We paddle along for the No Octane Regatta, now hosted at the new home of the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts. Also: A new bill could finally turn EMS into an essential service in New York.

(Jul 7, 2025) While civic groups and adult sports leagues have been disappearing from North Country society, pickleball leagues have exploded in popularity. We go courtside to a pickleball tournament in Potsdam which raises money for local charities. Also: The historic ferry business from Cape Vincent to Wolfe Island is now for sale.

(Jul 3, 2025) NOTE: This is yesterday's show. Our website and podcast system was down yesterday. Sorry for the inconvenience. — David With so much water, the North Country is a prime place to fish. In Chazy in Clinton County, the rod and gun club brings local middle schoolers to train the next generation of anglers. Also: Hospital groups around the state say the tax and spending bill passed by the Senate will hurt New York's health care system.

(Jul 3, 2025) It's prime canoe and kayaking season, when there are races most weekends somewhere in the North Country. We join the Willard Hanmer paddling race, which is set to return to Saranac Lake this Sunday. Also: Health care professionals protested in Plattsburgh yesterday, saying Republicans' tax and spending bill will devastate the North Country's health system.

(Jul 1, 2025) The Adirondack Park Agency headquarters' potential move to Saranac Lake has created a lot of controversy and accusations against the APA's director, Barbara Rice. A new report by NY's Inspector General cleared Rice of any wrongdoing. Also: Two new lawsuits filed against the city of Plattsburgh challenge the police department and its newly appointed chief.

(Jun 30, 2025) As immigration enforcement ramps up in the North Country, a group of organizers in Lake Placid is turning a local church into a sanctuary space for people who are undocumented. They're also educating neighbors about their rights if they encounter ICE. Also: Gov. Hochul visited Saranac Lake Friday to warn of threats to health care, hospitals, and food assistance if Republicans pass their megabill through Congress.

(Jun 27, 2025) The Dannemora prison break exposed a culture of complacency among corrections officers and leadership in the state prison system. We look at what's changed in the decade since and whether it's enough to prevent security lapses in the future.

(Jun 26, 2025) One of New York's top Democrats was in Plattsburgh yesterday to deliver funding for a big project in the city. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie brought an additional $1.5 million dollars for the construction of the Plattsburgh YMCA's new home. Also: With summer finally kicking in, we got for a swim in Tirrell Pond near Blue Mountain Lake.

(Jun 25, 2025) A decade ago, law enforcement shot and killed one of the dangerous convicts who escaped from Dannemora's prison, but the second was still on the loose. In a rare interview, we talk with the police officer who found him, ending the three-week manhunt that captivated the North Country. Also: A challenger defeated Glens Falls' mayor, and other results from primary day around the region.

(Jun 24, 2025) When things break, it's always better to fix them than throw them away, but often harder to do. A new event in Canton showed people how to fix everyday stuff... and have a fun social time as well. Also: It's primary day in New York, with races for mayor in Glens Falls and city council in Watertown in play.

(Jun 23, 2025) Building a farm into a viable business is a huge challenge. Figuring out how to pass it on is another. A farm in the Champlain Valley wants to become a cooperative and help people access farmland and housing. Also: State lawmakers approved a new paid leave option for state troopers who experienced a traumatic incident while on the job.

(Jun 20, 2025) Officials in Plattsburgh are again calling on the federal government to take action on failing infrastructure at the former Air Force Base there. They say the costs and stakes are rising. Also: The race for mayor of Glens Falls will be settled in a Democratic primary on Tuesday. We have a profile of the candidates.

(Jun 19, 2025) New York state primaries are coming next Tuesday. In Watertown, eight candidates are vying for two spots on the city council. Many of them say they're running because they're tired of infighting within local government there. Also: A state bill that would require some social media platforms to carry warning labels about their health risks passed with bipartisan support.

(Jun 18, 2025) Well before June 19, 1865, when the last slaves were notified they were free, the North Country was a crucial step for slaves seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad. With the federal celebration of Juneteenth tomorrow, we look at our region's role in the quest for liberty for all. Also: The state has found a developer for a new solar project at the Benson Mines site near Star Lake.

(Jun 17, 2025) Ten years ago, two dangerous convicts made a daring escape from the state prison in Dannemora. What the three-week manhunt that followed was like for everyday North Country residents. Also: Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited Saranac Lake's hospital to push back against cuts to Medicaid in Republicans' budget bill.

(Jun 16, 2025) Thousands of people across the North Country took to the streets to protest President Donald Trump's administration Saturday. We hear from the "No Kings" rally in Canton. Also: Trump's budget and policy bill that's making its way through Congress could impact those who depend on Planned Parenthood for health care.

(Jun 13, 2025) Fewer people are following their local governments than ever before, even though those boards have a direct influence on people's lives. We report from a St. Lawrence County government open house, where local officials were showing what they do but few members of the public were there to listen. Also: Governor Kathy Hochul and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik sparred in a congressional hearing yesterday in a possible governor's race preview.