NCPR's Story of the Day

(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.

(Jun 12, 2025) Federal immigration raids across the North Country and the nation are fueling the debate over whether local police should cooperate. The possible deportation of two people accused of stealing groceries in an upstate New York suburb is the latest example that's led to bills from both sides in Albany. Also: A bill that would wean New York off fossil fuels is getting rebranded to help get it passed.

(Jun 11, 2025) After the Dannemora prison escape, the state's inspector general investigated the incident and published a report on what went wrong and how the prison system needed to change. We talk with today's inspector general ten years after the manhunt that captivated the North Country. Also: Democrats in Albany are backing ten bills that would increase oversight in New York's prisons following two beating deaths at the hands of corrections officers.

(Jun 10, 2025) The tiny town of Long Lake is getting a big gift, the proceeds from the sale of the $125 million Whitney estate. Locals and town leaders weigh in on how they plan to manage the huge windfall. Also: ICE agents were active at multiple sites in St. Lawrence County today in what the sheriff's office called a "victim-centered investigation."

(Jun 9, 2025) The end of May was Black Birders Week, an annual national celebration that's working to make birdwatching more accessible and welcoming for people of color. We pick up the binoculars and hit the trail with a group of beginning birders in Lake Placid. Also: Members of a powerful state legislative caucus are calling on lawmakers to pass a slate of prison reform bills before the end of the legislative session.

(Jun 6, 2025) Ten years ago today, the North Country woke up to the news that two dangerous criminals had escaped from the maximum security prison in Dannemora. NPR's Brian Mann talks about what it was like to cover the Dannemora manhunt when he worked for NCPR.

(Jun 5, 2025) In New York, the number of families using childcare assistance has nearly tripled in just three years. But the subsidy that's helped thousands of people is running out, and families are starting to lose the childcare they've come to rely on. Also: Some Democratic lawmakers in Albany want to restructure a state program that provides home care to people on Medicaid.

(Jun 4, 2025) A new report find winters on the Tug Hill Plateau are getting warmer and snowfall is getting more unpredictable. Also: North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is edging closer to a run for governor of New York next year.

(Jun 3, 2025) The Whitney estate, north of Long Lake, has long been considered one of the most prized tracts of wilderness in the Adirondacks. It's been for sale, and now a developer from Texas is set to purchase the 36,000-acre property to build a new luxury resort. Also: Gov. Hochul's lieutenant governor, Antonio Delgado, announced he plans to challenge her for the state's top job.

(Jun 2, 2025) If you have a physical disability or use a wheelchair, you know how difficult traversing public places in the North Country can be. Saranac Lake has commissioned a study that's looking at ways to make the village's municipal parks more accessible. Also: New York is cracking down on the 'buy now, pay later' industry with new rules to protect consumers.

(May 30, 2025) We're kicking off our series about volunteerism in the North Country with a story about how volunteers in Schroon Lake power one essential community institution - their local library. Also: Democrats in New York continue to criticize the House-passed bill that slashes funding for social services. They say tens of thousands of people in the state could lose their health care.