Northern Light

Election results are in! This morning we meet Canton's new mayor, Mary Ann Ashley, who ran on a democratic ticket and beat incumbent mayor David Curry in yesterday's election. Governor Cuomo scored two big wins with the passage of proposition one, an amendment to expand casino gambling, and the failure of another amendment to allow judges to serve until they are 80. Results from the St. Lawrence County DA race point towards a victory for challenger Mary Rain, but incumbent Nicole Duv

Karen Dewitt has a rundown of the six amendments on the statewide ballot today. The president of Paul Smiths College says he'll retire this summer, after more than a decade in office. David Chinatry tells us how casino gambling found its way across the country from Las Vegas. Chris Knight has an update on a high-rise apartment fire, which killed an elderly woman in Saranac Lake last month. A Vermont farmer talks about his sailing voyage to New York City. Astronomer Aileen O'Donoghue tells us about the kinds of things to be seen in the night sky as winter approaches. And Brockville storyteller Deborah Dunleavy tells us about creating and performing her one-woman show, "At the Canoe Club Dance."

In advance of tomorrow's election, we have coverage of several races and ballot items: David Sommerstein sums up the district attorney race, which has dominated the election season in St. Lawrence County. Watertown's City Council hopefuls made their case at a meet-the-candidates event last week. Brian Mann talks with news director Martha Foley about two land swaps that are on the ballot for New Yorkers. Brian also has a report on Plattsburgh's mayoral race. Sarah Harris covers an unusual election for St. Lawrence County legislator in District 9. In today's conversation with horticulturist Amy Ivy: the birds we see this time of year. And SLU's Asia Club is hosting a Diwali celebration on Saturday, November 9. Todd Moe spoke with two of the student organizers.

A proposal on Tuesday's ballot would raise the retirement age for some New York judges from 70 to age 80. The mayoral race in Canton is heating up with two republican candidates in the running. Local elementary school students at Branford Elementary School in Canton have a long tradition of dressing up for a Halloween parade. Thousands have rallied against the proposed consolidation of mental health facilities in New York, including a psychiatric center in Ogdensburg. Now, the fight may go directly to Governor Cuomo's office. A new hotel in Clayton is part of efforts to makeover the town and bring tourism. In the second half hour, David Sommerstein shares a story on Alan Lomax, who spent 60 years recording everyday people's music.

On Tuesday, two of three candidates for St. Lawrence County coroner will be elected. Why are coroners elected officials? Sarah Harris has that story. Also on the November 5 ballot will be the casino expansion amendment - which opponents say is being misleadingly promoted. In the meantime, Senate Republicans are fighting Governor Cuomo's anti-corruption Moreland Commission subpoenas... Plus: the country's best known whitewater kayaking champion spoke with community members about a plan to design whitewater courses in Canton and Potsdam... Todd Moe has a preview of the upcoming "Department Store" event at the Indian River Middle School... And today in Natural Selections: the hermit thrush is often heard but seldom seen.

Today federal lawmakers convene to begin seeking compromise for a new five year Farm Bill. Local dairy farmers say the new plan does little to keep small farms from going out of business. Brian Mann reports with an update on the progress and plans for the Adirondack Scenic Railroad.Commissioners on Governor Cuomo's anti-corruption commission criticized State Board of Elections officials during a hearing over their failure to pursue complaints about campaign violations over the past several years. In a haunted forest feature Zach Hirsch provides a glimpse into one local scare trail in northern Lewis County. In the second half hour, host Todd Moe discusses the wonders of migratory birding in the Adirondacks with Lake Placid birder Larry Masters.

A reform group raises questions about the pharmaceutical industry's spending millions of dollars on campaign donations to New York State politicians. Brian Mann speaks with Justin Olsen, an Army soldier and gold medal bobsled racer who spends much of each year in Lake Placid. The local food trend in the north country is starting to fill a new niche: alcoholic beverages. The chestnut was wiped out by blight in the early 20th century, but now scientists in Syracuse think they're close to bringing it back. And a profile of Israeli pop star Idan Raichel, who has been touring the United States with his band for three weeks.

The regular whitetail deer hunting season is underway across the North Country. In 2002, Brian Mann profiled hunters John and Brendan Quinn. At a visit to a North Country soybean farm, Congressman Bill Owens said there may be progress towards a new Farm Bill. Fire officials say a woman died after a fire yesterday in a 10-story assisted-living apartment building for seniors in Saranac Lake. A proposal on the November ballot to allow some judges to serve until they are 80 years old is not drawing a lot of support. And a theater review from Connie Meng of Tartuffe.

Our Fall Fundraiser comes to an end tomorrow night. We still need a big push to meet our goal of $310,000, so that we can continue serving you for another year. You can always support us by clicking on the big orange box at our homepage, NCPR.org, or by calling 1-800-677-3606. The phones will remain open , even after the pledge drive ends. Thank you. The Food Sense program offers discounted packages of healthy food to anybody - no questions asked. The first advertisement promoting the ballot amendment to build new casinos in New York is out. The ad focuses on the benefits the casinos might bring, and not on actual gambling activity, raising concerns that the ad campaign is disingenuous. According to Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, more than a quarter of property in New York state is tax exempt. DiNapoli says this puts a burden on local finances. And a St. Lawrence County program that helps developmentally disabled young people is serving an increasing number of clients, despite a decline in state funding.

Dan Wasneechak, the head of the North Country Children's Clinic in Watertown, says he'll resign after Friday. He has only been on the job since mid-August. He gave no reason for the decision. Governor Cuomo says he thinks the state can afford a tax cut next year, despite a projected $1 billion budget gap. Cuomo also stands behind education officials, who are getting blow back for the new common core principles in schools. Athletes from the North Country gear up for the Winter Olympics in Russia. Watertown residents weigh in on a study of the New York Air Brake plant, saying pollution from the plant has made people sick. The St. Lawrence Seaway tries to dig itself out of a recession slump. And today in Natural Selections: the Northern Flicker does not browse wood for its food, unlike other woodpeckers.