(May 5, 2026) As the Adirondacks gear up for peak tourism season, thousands of international college students will come to the region to work through the federal J-1 visa program. Local businesses say that workforce has become crucial to getting through the summer. Also: Lawmakers are discussing the possibility of rebate checks for high electricity bills as they continue working on the state budget, which is more than a month late.

(May 5, 2026) In the coming weeks, thousands of international college students will pour into the Adirondacks to staff local businesses through the federal J-1 visa program; housing advocates want New York to expand its state law that ensures tenant protections to renters; and we’ll go birdwatching in St. Lawrence County ahead of a couple of birding events in the North Country.

(May 4, 2026) Solar panels are crucial to producing carbon-free electricity in New York. But they take up a lot of land. A new study from Cornell University shows that solar development may not be as detrimental to farmland as some people fear. Also: A sign in North Creek saying President Trump needs to be "neutralized" was vandalized. The FBI found it was not hate speech.

(May 4, 2026) Some in rural communities fear solar will overtake farmland. A new study from Cornell University reveals that those concerns might be overstated.

(May 4, 2026) A new study from Cornell University shows that solar development may not be as detrimental to agricultural communities as previously speculated; New York State lawmakers are inching closer to finishing the state budget; and we’ll talk with a Crane School of Music grad who’s blending styles and techniques to make experimental music.

(May 1, 2026) The U.S.-Israel War with Iran has restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz, driving up fuel and fertilizer costs for North Country farmers; New York does its part to help birds migrate north safely by ordering all state buildings and offices to dim or turn off non-essential lights at night; John Warren checks on trail conditions for a cool spring weekend in the Adirondacks; and we preview an event in Clayton this weekend where kids can get their fill of big trucks, cranes and bulldozers.

(May 1, 2026) This is the time of year that birds migrate from their warmer winter homes back north. Lights at night can disorient and injured them. There's a movement encouraging people to turns off lights to protect the birds. Also: A North Country state lawmaker says after months of financial uncertainty, the North Star Health Alliance, which operates the hospitals in Ogdensburg and Carthage, may have some hope for its future.

(May 1, 2026) Temperatures are expected to be cooler than normal through the weekend, with maybe some light rain and a little snow up high, and possibly frost Saturday night.

(May 1, 2026) Mark Fridén has a storied career that has taken him all over the US and abroad. Oh, and he also speaks Swahili.

(May 1, 2026) Assemblyman Scott Gray says he's "cautiously optimistic" about the health of the hospitals.