Northern Light

A new poll released Thursday morning from Siena Research Institute shows a massive shift of support away from Democrat Bill Owens to Matt Doheny, the Republican challenger from Watertown. Governor Cuomo took a helicopter tour of areas devastated by Hurricane Sandy. St. Lawrence county enters fragmented political reality. A female swing voter gives her thoughts on the election.The New York Air Brake industrial site in Watertown has been the subject of resurgent concerns among residents of the city's north side neighborhood. On Natural Selections: regarding evolution, why are whales in water?And leaders from environmental and conservation groups will gather at the Paul Smiths College VIC on Saturday to talk about improving communication, collaborations and the next generation of stewardship of the Adirondacks.

Governor Cuomo, who says he spent a "frightening" night monitoring the storm devastation in lower Manhattan, held a briefing Tuesday addressing short term repair efforts and long term weather concerns. On Lake George, there was a storm, but it was not a 'superstorm.'Hurricane Sandy came ashore along the U.S. coast as a dangerous storm, but later today, when it is expected to cross into Canada, Sandy might only bring a few days of rain. Martha Foley talked with climate scientist Dr. Curt Stager of Paul Smith's College about what this gigantic, complicated storm, just over a year since Tropical Storm Irene, says about regional weather patterns, and global climate. HMS Bounty captain Robin Walbridge is believed lost at sea. E.J. Noble Hospital in Gouverneur re-opened many of its services this week. Musician Christopher Battles is hoping to make his mark as an acoustic singer/songwriter in New York City.And fighting for the abolition of modern day slavery is the subject of Filmmaker Kat Rohrer's new documentary, "Fatal Promises," which will be shown at SUNY-Potsdam Thursday afternoon.

For the North Country, storm preparation is a well-practiced routine. Brian Mann spoke with Martha Foley from the road Tuesday morning as he scanned for storm damage. As the wind began picking up Monday afternoon in Jefferson County, residents and officials were preparing for the high winds and water along shorelines. Low water levels come in handy for Hurricane Sandy. School food gets political.And renowned Canadian actor Carolyn Hetherington will bring the story of the two women who dramatically influenced her life to the stage in her show, "Women who Shout at the Stars," playing at the Thousand Islands Playhouse Firehall Theatre in Gananoque, Ontario.

Local governments and state officials scrambled through the weekend to prepare for the potentially devastating impacts of Hurricane Sandy. New electoral districts are making strangers out of their candidates. A new poll finds Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is poised for a record breaking win on Election Day, with a more than 40 point lead over Republican challenger Wendy Long.And Martha Foley talks with horticulturist Amy Ivy about what you might do in the garden once Hurricane Sandy clears.

State officials are asking hunters to be on the look out for any sign of Colin Gillis, the 18 year old man from Tupper Lake who vanished in early March while walking on state route 3. A company that operates railroads across the US says it wants to begin offering overnight excursions to Lake Placid on "Pullman" sleeper cars. A Toronto-based mining executive says he's close to finalizing a deal to buy the zinc mines near Gouverneur. Governor Cuomo has pledged to invest more money into promoting the state's growing wine, beer, and spirits industries. Like Governor Cuomo at his beer, wine, and liquor summit Wednesday in Albany, a pair of Canton entrepreneurs is hoping craft beer sales will provide an economic lift. Heard Up North: Emily Holt has spent 60 years illuminating church altars and vestments with her ecclesiastical embroidery. On Natural Selections: what is a plant? And Canadian actor Greg Kramer has been getting rave reviews for his performance in the one-man show, "The Player's Advice to Shakespeare."

Dozens of kids from Alexandria Central School in Jefferson County study water levels' impact on St. Lawrence wetlands. Leaders in the New York manufacturing sector say their businesses struggle in Washington against too much regulation and not enough bi-partisan support. Lake George is a battleground once again as the fight against invasive Asian clams broadens. A new survey indicates that young people may be using web searches on Google for political decision making.A local square dancing tradition in Schroon Lake continues to draw hundreds of participants. And after more than ten years as the executive director of the St. Lawrence County Arts Council, Hilary Oak says she's stepping down.

Eight hospitals in the Adirondack and Champlain regions will begin using a $9 million telemedicine network. The energy company BP will meet with Cape Vincent and Lyme about a new wind project. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has tough talk for local government officials about money. A former editor of "High Times" magazine, who once did time in federal prison, wants to run for governor in 2014.TAUNY celebrated the Watertown Red & Black football team Sunday with the North Country Heritage Award because the Red & Black are the oldest semi-pro team in the nation. And the Orchestra of Northern New York begins its 25th season this weekend in Potsdam and Watertown.

North Country Green Party candidate Donald Hassig's farmworker statement from the Wanakena forum ignited a fight within the New York Green Party.The State's Health Commissioner, Dr. Nirav Shah, will conduct a review of health impact data compiled by the Department of Environmental Conservation regarding hydraulic fracturing. Struggling North Country hospitals look for collaborations. Martha Foley talks with horticulturist Amy Ivy about what to do with bugs that come inside on warm days. And Connie Meng reviews the production of "The Glace Bay Miners' Museum," that play that opened the English Theatre season at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and runs through November 3.

The candidates vying for the North Country's House seat traded views in the tiny St. Lawrence County village of Wanakena last night. At that forum, Green Party candidate Donald Hassig called for foreign farm workers to be deported. The rural North Country qualifies as a "food desert" on the USDA's food desert map. GOP senate candidates use Governor Andrew Cuomo's image to bolster campaigns. And weekend conditions in the Adirondacks.

The first Native American saint will be canonized by the Catholic church this Sunday at the Vatican. Bear hunting season is underway in New York. To limit the spread of chronic wasting disease, state officials in New York have issued a new rule banning the importation of deer and elk parts from Pennsylvania. New York state officials say they've adopted a new five-year plan for managing the state's population of bobcats. Heard Up North: Puzzling at McBrier Park Manor in Hermon. And on Natural Selections, why not all evolutionary changes are good.