NCPR's Story of the Day

(Oct 2, 2025) Electricity line workers keep the North Country powered through the worst of storms. A ‘tree rodeo' is being held in Jefferson County this weekend, a competition for the region's best line workers to show off their skills. Also: The Statue of Liberty remained open during previous government shutdowns thanks to state funding, but Gov. Hochul says she won't foot the bill this time.

(Oct 1, 2025) A drought is playing out across the North Country, affecting riverbeds, farm fields, and people's yards. This past June, July, and August were Canton's driest summer on record. A geologist puts the data in perspective. Also: State lawmakers are considering legalizing psychedelic mushrooms.

(Sep 30, 2025) Canadians remain highly suspicious of the U.S. in the wake of President Trump's trade war and tariffs. Vermont and Quebec leaders went on a cruise ship recently to work to smooth relations. Also: Albany murder suspect Anthony Bechand pleaded not guilty to all charges of killing his girlfriend, days after he was found in the Adirondacks following a two-week manhunt.

(Sep 29, 2025) In just a few months, many lower and middle-income families could start paying a lot more for insurance. That's because federal health care subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year, and the Republican-led Congress doesn't plan to renew them. Also: If you file taxes in New York, there's a good chance a check will soon be hitting your mailbox.

(Sep 26, 2025) A two-week-long manhunt for a suspected murderer from the Albany area ended in Paul Smiths today. Police took Anthony Bechand into custody for allegedly killing his girlfriend. We talk with the man who spotted him. Also: The ongoing drought has caused below-average water levels on Lake Champlain. It's led one ferry operator in southern Essex County to cease operations for the season.

(Sep 25, 2025) Making a living from art is hard in the North Country. In the village of Malone, the Downtown Artist Cellar provides a creative space for the local artist community. Also: GOP officials rallied around their candidate for an upcoming special election. Republican Brent Davison says he wants to push back on Democrats' one-party rule in Albany.

(Sep 24, 2025) Conditions inside prisons haven't improved much for inmates or corrections officers since a three-week wildcat strike earlier this year. The force is down by 2,500, officers are exhausted, and inmates are isolated and sometimes locked out of educational programs. Also: The New York Power Authority is finalizing a low-cost power deal to keep Alcoa in Massena for at least another decade.

(Sep 23, 2025) State and federal agencies have spent decades trying to restore Lake Champlain's native salmon population. Officials say a new tool on the Boquet River will help them figure out which stocking strategies are working. Also: The Adirondack Experience museum in Blue Mountain Lake is facing criticism for selling more than a dozen historic boats from its collection.

(Sep 22, 2025) Businesses across Northern New York are starting to see the impacts of decreased Canadian traffic and President Donald Trump's tariffs. Our community engagement reporter Amy Feiereisel runs down what North Country businesses told us about their experiences. Also: Two corrections officers were sentenced to decades behind bars for their role in the beating death of prisoner Robert Brooks at a state prison near Utica.

(Sep 19, 2025) With the Winter Olympics just months away in Italy, top athletes are getting their training in at Lake Placid's Olympic venues. Top cross-country skier Jessie Diggins also got in some cross-training with a big hike in the High Peaks. Also: State politicians are getting involved in the New York City mayoral race, and a new poll has some good news for Democrats. We have a wrap-up of the week in Albany.

(Sep 18, 2025) Scientists expect mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile and Triple E to increase in the North Country as the climate warms. St. Lawrence County is trapping and testing mosquitos to establish a baseline of which diseases are out there. Also: Republicans have officially nominated former state police commander Brent Davison as their candidate for the special election to replace Billy Jones in the state Assembly.

(Sep 17, 2025) Public school enrollment in the Adirondacks is down more than 40% in the last 45 years. We speak with a reporter at the Adirondack Explorer about enrollment trends. Also: Gov. Hochul got her COVID shot yesterday and she says you should too. An executive order makes the vaccine available in New York to anyone 3 years or older.

(Sep 16, 2025) It's been over five years since a state mandate called on police departments to address racial bias in their work. We hear from a local nonprofit that's been leading an effort to train officers across the Adirondacks. Also: Canton businessman, community booster, and St. Lawrence County legislator Daniel Fay died Saturday at 81 years old.

(Sep 15, 2025) Mining used to be a pillar of the North Country economy, but, except for specific cases, it's mostly disappeared today. An old zinc mine in St. Lawrence County is getting a new life as one of the country's only sources of graphite. Also: The APA approved a new solar farm in Clinton County last week, sparking a debate over land use in the Adirondacks.

(Sep 12, 2025) 2025 was a big summer for fishing tournaments in Massena. It's becoming more nationally recognized as a major fishing destination. Also: The Adirondack Rail Trail is seeing steady traffic and boosting business in the Tri-Lakes area.

(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.