Northern Light

Senator Schumer calls on the Environmental Protection Agency to finalize Grasse River cleanup costs for Alcoa. A new SUNY-Fort Drum program trains those on the "front lines" with returning soldiers. Saranac Lake's new school super says the problem is money. In Watertown, the North Country Arts Council brings out kids' creativity. And on Adirondack Attic: an heirloom from baseball's early days.

Alcoa commits to 900 jobs in Massena, but the Grasse River cleanup is still in flux. New York state will audit the Olympic Regional Development Authority. The EPA fines Adirondack Energy $46,000 for violations. New York's budget is finished, but the disagreements continue. It's April Stools Day (really)! And on our weekly gardening conversation, how to help your garden feed itself.

NYS Senate passes a late-night budget. We continue our Prison Time series on alternatives to incarceration as Jeff Daring enters Moriah Shock camp. Alcoa and Reynolds Metals will pay will pay almost $20 million to clean up the St. Lawrence River. And on Natural Selections: Exploding flowers!

The New York state budget is on track for an on-time finish, but it's not quite clear whether there's a tax increase or a "net" decrease. In our Prison Time Media Project, one man's experiences with alternatives to incarceration. Vermont and New York weigh in on proposed natural gas pipeline. A Jefferson County School District could cut 23 jobs. and reviewer Betsy Kepes looks at a new young adult book set in Vermont; Safekeeping explores a world gone wrong.

New York State lawmakers are on track to finish the budget this week. Highway, farm funds coming from the New York State budget. Counties are considering regional controls on water-borne invasives. Police chiefs defend the year-old illegal gun tip line. Decisions coming on use of Finch Pruyn Adirondack tracts.

Police and emergency personal train for shooting incidents in Lake Placid. Congressman Bill Owens gets ahead of the Farm Bill curve with three new bills.Adirondack Health cuts more jobs, considers cutting ER hours. Some New York state budget bills are done, others will have to wait. Would a Quebec-NYC power line benefit the North Country? And another antidote for cabin fever.

North Country lawmakers assess the state budget. State lawmakers working out the budget details. Thoughts on the Iraq War, then and now. One anti-Iraq War protester says she didn't do enough. Illegal gun tip line draws fire from legal legislatures. This Weekend in the Adirondacks and a preview of the play "Rumors" in North Creek.

The state Legislature crawls towards the budget finish line. A minimum wage hike could pinch social service budgets, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand thinks it should be higher. Can green tech be competitive with a state "green bank"? Essex county pushes for a repeal of the NY SAFE gun control law, and the NYS legislature considers modifying the law.Interim presidents are appointed at SUNY Potsdam and Canton. Why NYS Republicans disapprove of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. And it's storytelling day! Starting the new season with a story.

Would the new New York state budget target North Country prisons, and how will rural schools fare under the deal? Will Gov. Cuomo's "blueprint" solve New York's energy puzzle? Lewis county residents are (surprisingly?) bullish on the economy. Why don't all the Lake Champlain Bridge Light's work? And old photos inspire new Adirondack Art.

The APA approves use of a new chemical herbicide to kill invasive milfoil in Loon Lake. Hispanic state lawmakers push for NY state version of the DREAM act. The Saratoga County village of Victory votes this week on disoolution. What's so great about roller derby? In our gardening conversation, why cleaner is better for starting seeds. And Long Lake explores its French Canadian roots.