Northern Light

(May 15, 2026) New York State is calling for sweeping reforms at the Salmon River School District after an investigation into how children with disabilities were confined in wooden boxes; Plattsburgh’s community college will hold its first graduation tonight after a relocation that saved it from closure; and John Warren with the New York Almanac brings us the forecast for the trail conditions in the Adirondacks this weekend.

(May 14, 2026) Researchers are using drones and laser-mapping technology to search for traces of a long-lost Black pioneer settlement in the Adirondacks; a New York non-profit is tackling teacher burnout through collective mental health programming; and a new anthology showcases the poems, short stories and memoirs of many of the North Country’s young writers.

(May 13, 2026) A record number of people visited Olympic venues in New York over the last year, as the state is starting to plan for how to take care of the facilities for years to come; we head to Sackets Harbor, where the library serves as a community hub for nearby military families; and we talk with a Glens Falls High School student who won a state culinary competition and is now training for nationals.

(May 12, 2026) We dig into the details of New York State's budget process with one of our New York Public News Network reporters; an educational center in the Champlain Valley wants to expand its campus to meet the rising demand for vocational training; and we have a conversation with a man who’s graduating from college this weekend, 33 years after starting his studies.

(May 11, 2026) We get caught up on the dynamics of the New York 21st Congressional District primary races; Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she’d reached a deal on the state budget last week, but lawmakers said there’s still a lot of details to iron out; and we have a conversation with NPR’s Scott Simon about his new book that traces his life by way of the pets that he and his family have adopted over the years.

(May 8, 2026) The North Star Health Alliance has secured a $60 million loan from the state amid its ongoing financial turmoil; ahead of Mother's Day, we hear about the special bond between drag mothers and daughters; and one of the mainstays in the North Country music scene is out with a new EP today.

(May 7, 2026) We hear from small farmers and advocates about a Farm Bill the U.S. House passed last week; a civil engineer who works on water systems across the North Country is building a network of young professionals in Lewis County; we’ll visit the Fish and Game club in Saranac Lake for an archery lesson with a master archer.

(May 6, 2026) Several North Country counties have run out of their childcare assistance funding, and a possible solution could be in the state budget that’s more than a month late; we take a look at erosion at Chimney Bluffs State Park on Lake Ontario; and Chef Curtiss joins us this morning for a recipe for a comforting sandwich, perfect for this rainy weather.

(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) 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.