NCPR's Story of the Day

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Get your daily dose of what's happening in New York's North Country, the Adirondacks, Vermont, Canada, and beyond. Host David Sommerstein presents the best stories from North Country Public Radio's award-winning newsroom. You'll hear the most interesting voices on the most important issues in the re…

NCPR - North Country Public Radio


    • Oct 15, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
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    Latest episodes from NCPR's Story of the Day

    10/15/25: A trip to the Woodwind Summit at the Crane School of Music

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 9:37


    (Oct 15, 2025) On today's Story of the Day, we stop by the Woodwind Summit at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music. Also: we have details on leaked texts between Young Republican activitists in New York that had racist, antisemitic and homophobic language.

    10/14/25: A short and sweet hike to Blue Ridge Falls

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2025 9:06


    (Oct 14, 2025) On today's Story of the Day, we go on a short and sweet adventure to Blue Ridge Falls just outside North Hudson in the southeastern Adirondacks. Also: Gov. Kathy Hochul has broken out her veto pen, and is preparing for a tough budget year ahead of her reelection campaign.

    10/13/25: The indictment of NY Attorney General Letitia James

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 9:36


    (Oct 13, 2025) On today's Story of the Day, we break down the federal case against New York Attorney General Letitia James and what it means. Also: a graphite mine in St. Lawrence County is seeking state funding to expand operations.

    10/10/25: Remembering a beloved family barbershop in Chateaugay

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 9:21


    (Oct 10, 2025) On today's Story of the Day, North Country at Work profiles a family barbershop in Franklin County that was a cornerstone of the Chateaugay social scene. Also: President Donald Trump's Justice Department has indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James for mortgage fraud.

    10/09/25: A "tree rodeo" for utility arborists outside Watertown

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 8:55


    (Oct 9, 2025) On today's Story of the Day, we visit a "tree rodeo" outside Watertown for a rare look at the important work of the utility arborists who keep trees and brush off power lines. Also: New Yorkers on unemployment are about to see a bump in their checks.

    10/8/25: The APA move

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 9:42


    (Oct 8, 2025) After decades in Ray Brook, the Adirondack Park Agency is planning to move its headquarters to downtown Saranac Lake. But some critics are asking the APA board to question the reasons behind the move. Also: Hunters can now use electronic hunting licenses and tags as the new season ramps up.

    10/7/25: A COVID vaccine FAQ

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 9:16


    (Oct 7, 2025) Yesterday, the CDC made a softer endorsement of COVID vaccines for all but the youngest babies. You'll now have to talk with a pharmacist or doctor to get the shot. Amidst months of confusion over federal and state vaccine mandates, Catherine Wheeler clears up what's happening now. Also: Construction of the Adirondack Rail Trail from Lake Placid to Tupper Lake is officially complete.

    10/6/25: The Northern Forest Canoe Trail at 25

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 9:18


    (Oct 6, 2025) This year marks 25 years since the creation of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, a 740-mile canoe route from the Adirondacks to northern Maine that unites people who love to paddle. We hear about its history. Also: Gov. Hochul has named Mark Hall from southern St. Lawrence County as the new board chair of the Adirondack Park Agency.

    10/3/25: Upward Bound cuts

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 8:32


    (Oct 3, 2025) Two colleges in the region have lost federal funding for Upward Bound, a popular college prep program. It helps first-generation and low-income college students get a leg up. Also: With continued dry conditions, Gov. Hochul has implemented a statewide burn ban for two weeks.

    10/2/25: An Olympics for electric line workers

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 9:24


    (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.

    10/1/25: The data behind a dry summer

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 9:54


    (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.

    9/30/25: Vermont and Quebec try to mend fences

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 9:57


    (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.

    9/29/25: The standoff over Medicaid health care subsidies

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 8:57


    (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.

    9/26/25: A murder suspect is found in Paul Smiths

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 10:01


    (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.

    9/25/25: An art center thrives in a Malone basement

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 9:55


    (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.

    9/24/25: The state prison system is still a mess

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 9:40


    (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.

    9/23/25: Does native salmon stocking on Lake Champlain work?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 10:04


    (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.

    9/22/25: The impacts of Trump's trade war on North Country businesses

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 9:54


    (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.

    9/19/25: A cross-country star in the High Peaks

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2025 9:45


    (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.

    9/18/25: Catching mosquitos

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 9:04


    (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.

    9/17/25: Declining school enrollment in the Adirondacks

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 9:17


    (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.

    9/16/25: Police trainings in the Adirondacks

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2025 9:56


    (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.

    9/15/25: A rare graphite mine, in St. Lawrence County

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2025 9:48


    (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.

    9/12/25: Massena, fish capital

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2025 9:42


    (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.

    9/11/25: Assemblyman Billy Jones exits the political stage

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 9:45


    (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.

    9/10/25: Hochul in Plattsburgh

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 8:51


    (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.

    9/9/25: Four decades of fighting fires in Malone

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 9:32


    (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.

    9/8/25: St. Regis Falls' school, a year later

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 9:07


    (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.

    09/05/2025: A profile on the Seagle Festival's company manager

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2025 9:51


    (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.

    9/4/25: A live Adirondack roundtable in Lake Placid

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2025 8:50


    (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.

    9/3/25: The logistical feat of the 90-Miler

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2025 10:01


    (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.

    9/2/25: Saranac Lake schools stay the course with DEI

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2025 8:49


    (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.

    8/29/25: A voice for children who have been neglected

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2025 9:58


    (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.

    8/28/25: CCC's first day on its new Plattsburgh campus

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 9:28


    (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.

    8/27/25: Bands getting professional photo shoots on the cheap

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 9:59


    (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.

    8/26/25: Wheelchair access to the Adirondack wilderness

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025 10:00


    (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.

    8/25/25: Reinforcing the shoreline from climate change

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 9:59


    (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.

    08/22/25: An adventure on Canada's Camelot Island

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025 9:33


    (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.

    08/21/25: Memories and magic at the Lake Paradox Club

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025 8:41


    (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.

    08/20/25: Honoring the legacy of Alice Paden Green

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025 9:12


    (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.

    8/19/25: Stefanik v. Clinton County Republicans

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025 9:31


    (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.

    8/18/25: The drag queens (and a king) of the North Country

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2025 10:03


    (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.

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