Top Stories from NCPR

This North Country at Work story takes us to the southern end of our region, to the towns of Johnstown and Gloversville in Fulton County. Historically and up until the late 20th century, these were tannery towns, dominated by operations treating hides and turning them into leather goods.

The New York State Senate made history on two fronts Monday as it elected Andrea Stewart-Cousins to be the first woman, and the first African-American woman, to head the chamber in January.

Today is Giving Tuesday. Two breweries in the Adirondacks are joining a nationwide effort to raise money for victims of the Camp Fire in northern California.

A grand jury has decided not to indict a 14-year-old for allegedly murdering a man in Clinton County last month.

The InSight probe landed successfully on Mars Yesterday. Its mission is to study the deep interior of the Red Planet. Aileen O'Donoghue wears her rocket science hat briefly before turning to what we can see (or not see) as darkness continues to lengthen as we approach the winter solstice on December 21. If we get a clear night, she tells us where to look for Venus, Mercury and Jupiter.

Read Aileen O'Donoghue's complete night sky notes.

More and more states are governed entirely by a single party. That trend grew in 2018's midterm election.

Carrying snowshoes and ice crampons and traction devices is recommended for this weekend. Be prepared for winter conditions, and the possibility of rain showers or mixed precipitation later Saturday and Sunday and into early next week, as temperatures warm to near 40. Some stream crossings may be difficult, and snow bridges not yet formed. Follow the weather closely before headed out.

Democrats take control of the state Senate January 1 and they'll be led for the first time in New York's history by an African American woman.

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins will lead a dominant 40-seat caucus, with Republicans reduced to just 23 seats after a blow-out mid-term election.

Rage rooms are new businesses where people are invited to break things like bottles and old electronics. The idea is to relieve stress. Work off a little tension. One recently opened in a Rochester suburb, but is breaking things really a good stress reliever?