NCPR's Story of the Day

(Sep 11, 2025) Democratic Assemblyman Billy Jones stepped down last week to take a job at a local community college. Reflecting on his nine years in office, he says he was most proud of his team's work helping constituents. Also: North Country lawmakers condemned the killing of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.

(Sep 10, 2025) Governor Kathy Hochul was in Plattsburgh yesterday. She attended the grand opening of a bus manufacturer that helped save hundreds of local jobs. Also: Federal agents arrested dozens of people at a food processing plant in Central New York last week.

(Sep 9, 2025) Volunteer numbers have been steadily declining across the U.S for decades now. That's made it hard for local fire departments to replenish their ranks. We talk with a 40-year veteran of firefighting in Malone. Also: New Yorkers can now get a COVID vaccine directly from a pharmacy, a departure from the Trump Administration's new rules.

(Sep 8, 2025) Last summer, over half the teachers in the St. Regis Falls central school district quit and took jobs in other school districts. One year later, with a leadership change, the small school is looking to rebuild and focus on quality education. Also: Gov. Hochul is declaring a health emergency to help New Yorkers get COVID vaccines.

(Sep 5, 2025) On today's Story of the Day, North Country at Work brings us a story about how a career in the performing arts led a Midwesterner to the Adirondacks. Also: NCPR News Director David Sommerstein reports from the starting line of the Adirondack Canoe Classic, known as the 90-miler.

(Sep 4, 2025) Every public radio station in the country is usually doing its own thing, running its programs, gathering its local news. On Monday, NCPR and WAMC based in Albany are collaborating for a live in-person talk show in lake Placid about Adirondack issues. We'll hear what it's all about. Also: A second Democrat has entered the race for the North Country's seat in Congress next year.

(Sep 3, 2025) The Adirondack '90-Miler' Canoe Classic is a massive logistical undertaking to keep everyone safe and everything running smoothly. From safety boats to pit crew volunteers, we check in with the logistics coordinator behind the Adirondacks' biggest paddling race, which is this weekend. Also: The massive butter sculpture at the New York State Fair isn't going into the garbage; it's being turned into electricity.

(Sep 2, 2025) The Trump administration has asked the nation's schools to end their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. In Saranac Lake, they've been building out their DEI program for years, and they have no plans of stopping. Also: New York officials are considering new rules about how juvenile offenders get parole.

(Aug 29, 2025) Court-appointed special advocates have one job: to represent the wishes of a child who's been a victim of neglect or abuse. It's a volunteer position. We talk with one about why it's so important. Also: We travel overseas for a trail running audio postcard from the craggy cliffs of Corsica.

(Aug 28, 2025) Clinton Community College started classes at its new campus this week, now sharing space with SUNY Plattsburgh. Students and employees say the move is bittersweet. Also: The Army is doing an about-face and keeping open the R-O-T-C program based at Clarkson University in Potsdam.

(Aug 27, 2025) Marketing and promotion can be one of the hardest things for any upcoming musician or band to handle. An arts organization in Watertown is hosting an event for local music acts to take professional-quality photos and videos. Also: A retired veterinarian and former bobsled athlete drowned in Lower Saranac Lake last week. John Cogar was 76.

(Aug 26, 2025) The DEC is in its second year of an experimental motorized wheelchair program at one of the Adirondacks' most historic sites. We follow one of the first users as he tests the device along the trail into Great Camp Santanoni. Also: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was in Saranac Lake yesterday to push for scientific research funding for the Trudeau Institute.

(Aug 25, 2025) Climate change is driving more erosion along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Experts want property owners and communities to adapt by reinforcing the shoreline before it's too late. Also: Ogdensburg's hospital is getting an infusion of almost $20 million to expand mental health services and update cancer-fighting technology.

(Aug 22, 2025) We explore Camelot Island in Canada's Thousand islands National Park through the eyes of a curious kid. Also: A coalition of North Country doctors and medical leaders is trying to figure out how to minimize steep cuts to Medicaid.

(Aug 21, 2025) We hear from the fourth-generation owner of a family-owned and operated cottage rental on Paradox Lake in the eastern Adirondacks. Also: Forest rangers had another busy week helping hikers and responding to multiple brush fires.

(Aug 20, 2025) A gathering in the Champlain Valley honors the life and legacy of prominent Adirondacker and civil rights activist Alice Paden Green. Also: the Clinton County GOP chair is backing State Police Troop B Commander Brent Davison to run in an upcoming special election for Assembly.

(Aug 19, 2025) Congresswoman Elise Stefanik attended a dedication ceremony in Plattsburgh yesterday. Her appearance followed a rare public feud with local Republicans over selecting a candidate for an upcoming special election. Also: Part of the reason for a road salt shortage last winter was because of a requirement to buy from an American company.

(Aug 18, 2025) Drag shows have become mainstream in cities across the country, but they're less common in small towns. In the North Country, a group of local drag performers says every show is a chance to build acceptance for their art form, one local stage at a time. Also: The Adirondack Park Agency's potential move to downtown Saranac Lake is taking another small step forward.

(Aug 15, 2025) If you've ever driven between Canton and Potsdam on Route 11, you may have seen an actual caboose sitting in a backyard. We talk to the train aficionado behind it. Also: Some progressive lawmakers say New York should cancel plans to send taxpayer rebate checks this fall with the state facing a big budget deficit.

(Aug 14, 2025) ICE agents often wear masks when arresting people in New York and across the country. It's set off a debate in the state about whether to ban federal agents from covering their faces. Also: The town of Canton is preparing residents for a townwide reassessment.

(Aug 13, 2025) In the small community of Inlet, near Old Forge, a passionate volunteer has spearheaded the effort to turn a former elementary school field into a thriving community garden. Amy Feiereisel has the latest in our series on volunteers in the North Country. Also: A bipartisan group of prosecutors says a law that protects undocumented immigrants from being arrested at courthouses is essential to investigate criminal cases.

(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.