Northern Light

The House of Representatives has passed a scaled down version of a massive Farm Bill putting off a fight over food stamps spending. Assemblywoman Addie Russell talks to Martha Foley about the state Office of mental health's decision to close down adult and child in-patient services at the St. Lawrence psychiatric center in Ogdensburg. Julie Grant sets out to find out why milk containers are sending out mixed messages and what that means for North Country dairy farms that use growth hormones in their cows. The Syracuse region now has the best consumer confidence for metropolitan regions in upstate New York. The Potsdam ensemble Caramelo Trio joined Todd Moe live in the studio this morning to share some Latin contemporary music.

Furloughs for civilian workers begin this week at Fort Drum, as part of the congressional budget cuts known as sequestration. A plan to move Saranac Lake's swimming beach back to a longtime location near the center of the village got a boost this week. Gov. Andrew Cuomo appointed what's known as a Moreland Commission to "root out" the wrongdoing in the legislature. An out of state company wants to expand storage natural gas storage Near Watkins Glen in the Finger Lakes. The weather patterns this summer are putting a strain on farmers and impacting farmers markets. Todd Moe sits down with Susan Neal and Bob Pettee to talk about their favorite memories at Pendragon and their plans for the future.

Governor Andrew Cuomo says he will call state lawmakers back to address the recent flooding if the federal government doesn't issue a disaster declaration for the state. Furloughs start this week for civilian workers at Fort Drum, part of the federal budget cuts known as sequestration. The council voted three to two in support of basing the F-35 fighter jet at the Burlington airport. Animal welfare demonstrators displayed a giant pig balloon in a metal crate and held up a sign reading "Walmart tortures pigs" in front of Watertown's Walmart. Brian Mann visited a bee-keeper in Morrisonville who is struggling to understand and cope with devastating losses in his bee-hives. Gasland 2, the sequal to the first of the anti-hydrofracking films have helped frame the debate. Martha Gallagher plays some tunes and talks with Todd Moe about her new "Orphan Harp."

Flood warnings and flash flood watches are in effect today from the St. Lawrence Valley through the Adirondacks to the Champlain Valley and Vermont. Brian Mann talks with Congressman Bill Owens about the farm bill and immigration reform. Plant manager Matt Davis takes Julie Grant on a full tour of the North Country Dairy facility where they make and package Greek yogurt. Supporters of urban farming are asking Binghamton to change its zoning so more farms can move in. Martha Foley talks with Amy Ivey about the continuing rain and how it's affecting the garden.

A Long Lake birding expert is doing her part to keep track of the Bicknell's Thrush. Brian Mann, takes a dive in an Bone Pond, keeping one of many Adirondack traditions alive. Should Saranac Lake bring back their traditional swimming beach? You can't have the 4th of July without an outhouse race. On this week's Heard Up North, hear about murder, mayhem, and clawhammer banjo and catch what's going on this week in the Adirondacks with John Warren.

What does the record say about the New York State legislature's spring? New York Senator Chuck Schumer says the water quality along the Great Lakes continues to worsen. On this week's Heard Up North, Todd Moe catches up with Kristina Diseth of Norway, to talk about a love of theater and leaving one mountainous region to visit another. Find out why sodium chloride (salt) is necessary for our bodies to function on this weeks Natural Selections and Todd Moe speaks with symphony conductor Charles Peltz, about a night of patriotic music and fireworks in the summer night sky.

Flash flood concerns ease, but high water remains a danger. Syracuse lawmakers have begun weighing the pros and cons of being a part of the domestic drone industry. Governor Cuomo has joined forces with the State's Attorney General to create a corruption commission.Controversy about the Obama Administration's use of drones raise local questions. A new area code is on the way for 315 region and Todd Moe talks with the latest inductee into the North American Fiddler's Hall of Fame, Gretchen Koehler.

A Flash Flood watch is in effect in the Eastern Adirondacks and Champlain Valley. Alcoa Aluminum broke ground Monday on a $600 million expansion and modernization project. This year marks the 40th anniversary of New York's controversial Rockefeller drug laws.New York toughens up on texting behind the wheel. Paddlers mark the 400th anniversary of an agreement between the Iroquois and Dutch settlers in upstate New York. Andy Flynn visits the Painted Pony Rodeo in Lake Luzerne for a look at the history of dude ranches in the southern Adirondacks. Todd Moe caught up with Kristina Diseth, of Norway, to talk about a love of theater and leaving one mountainous region to visit another.

The brand new $2.8 million Keene fire hall was crowded with neighbors and dignitaries over the weekend. Sail through history in Vermont, New York, and Canada.Governor Andrew Cuomo didn't get everything he wanted, so what's left on his agenda? On this week's Gardening Conversation, horticulturist Amy Ivy sorts through the pros and cons of this rainy weather.

Dairy farmers and Hispanic workers are in legal limbo. Can the North Country economy survive Fort Drum cuts? A nationwide project based in New York is using crowd sourcing to gather up-to-date information on water levels. A non-profit group in the Adirondacks fights to protect Monarch butterflies from road mowing. Some of Ursula Trudeau's favorite hats are on display at the historic Saranac Laboratory in Saranac Lake and catch what's going on this weekend in the Adirondack's with John Warren.