New York NOW

President Trump's tough stance on immigration during the 2016 campaign stoked fear among those in the country illegally. After his victory in November, many have left or are in the process of leaving, fearing deportation. Plattsburgh Cares hopes to bring help to those passing through their North Country community. Also, a review of proposals you'll see on the ballot this Election Day.

You can't help but notice the resume of new SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson.

She is a former co-founder of a clean-energy infrastructure company, an Under Secretary of Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, and provost at Johns Hopkins University.  This unique blend of academic, governmental, and entrepreneurial experience undoubtedly made her a strong candidate to take over for her predecessor Nancy Zimpher.   This week she joins us to detail why her background can help her in the new role, along with the challenges ahead for the 64 campus institution.

Learn more: nynow.org

Though it's the least populated part of the state, there's never a shortage of stories coming out of the North Country.

Two of the three proposals on this year's ballot could have far-reaching effects inside the Adirondack Park. In a rare show of unity environmental groups are in support of Proposal 3, which we highlighted on a recent program and the Constitutional Convention question.  They fear a change to the latter could endanger Article XIV, the "forever wild" clause.

We'll discuss this along with other political and economic issues with longtime Mountain LakePBS Journalist Thom Hallock. 

Learn more: nynow.org

Should New York State hold a Constitutional Convention?

The question has sparked a vigorous debate as voters prepare to tackle the issue this November.  Proposal 1, as it will be seen on the ballot, has united some strange bedfellows.  In an off-election year, it's been the focal point for many organizations from environmental groups to a slew of unions, mostly against the idea.

This week on the program we'll hear from four voices: two for and two against a convention.  Jerry Benjamin of SUNY New Paltz, Bill Samuels of Effective New York, Donna Lieberman of the New York Civil Liberties Union, and former Assemblyman Jerry Kremer recently held a discussion at the Times Union Media Center to debate the topic.

Learn more: nynow.org

Former Hudson Valley Congressman and U.S. Army Colonel Chris Gibson was known for being one of the more moderate Republicans in Washington. After announcing he wouldn't seek reelection in 2016, he explored a run for governor. Now a professor at Williams College, the Kinderhook native has a book out called 'Rally Point: Five Tasks to Unite the Country and Revitalize the American Dream.'

Learn more: nynow.org

Former Hudson Valley Congressman and U.S. Army Colonel Chris Gibson was known for being one of the more moderate Republicans in Washington. After announcing he wouldn't seek reelection in 2016, he explored a run for governor. Now a professor at Williams College, the Kinderhook native has a book out called 'Rally Point: Five Tasks to Unite the Country and Revitalize the American Dream.'

Learn more: nynow.org

There are three proposals on this year's ballot.  This week we focus on the one you've likely heard nothing about.

Proposal 3, officially known as the Forest Preserve Land Bank Amendment, would allow communities in the Adirondacks and Catskills to request state land for qualifying projects in exchange for the state adding 250 acres to the preserve. The measure would also allow for bike paths, sewer, electric, telephone, and broadband lines within the width of the road. It has broad support among conservation groups and county and town organizations.

What worries stakeholders the most is possibly being overshadowed by the Constitutional Convention vote (Proposal 1) and its place on the ballot (last item). This week we'll talk to some of them as they try to get the message out in the last six weeks before Election Day.

Learn more: nynow.org

As the temperatures begin to cool in September (in theory at least), talk has been heating up that outgoing Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner is thinking of putting up a primary challenge to Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2018.

The New York Post reported Tuesday that the mayor and former co-chair of the state's Democratic Party met with members of the New York Progressive Action Network, who supported the presidential candidacy of Senator Bernie Sanders in 2016. Miner had a falling out with Cuomo after criticizing him publicly over his "pension-smoothing" proposal in 2013.

This week Miner will tell us what she's contemplating in 2018, including a possible challenge to Central New York Congressman John Katko, and her recent trip to Israel.

Learn more: http://nynow.wmht.org/blogs/politics/will-miner-challenge-cuomo-in-2018/

This week on New York NOW we'll recap Primary Day results across the state with Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio and Joe Spector of the USA Today Network.

Also, we'll follow the Alliance of Families for Justice as they end a nearly-three week march to the State Capitol to push for reforms to the criminal justice system.

Finally, the longtime Assembly sergeant-at-arms, Wayne Jackson, relives his time as a soldier in Vietnam ahead of this weekend's premiere of the new Ken Burns film on the war there.

This week on New York NOW we'll recap Primary Day results across the state with Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio and Joe Spector of the USA Today Network.

Also, we'll follow the Alliance of Families for Justice as they end a nearly-three week march to the State Capitol to push for reforms to the criminal justice system.

Finally, the longtime Assembly sergeant-at-arms, Wayne Jackson, relives his time as a soldier in Vietnam ahead of this weekend's premiere of the new Ken Burns film on the war there.