Top Stories from NCPR

In a spirited floor fight in the state Senate, Democrats tried once again but failed to get a vote on an amendment on women's reproductive health care.

Come rain, wind, sun or snow, NBC5 Chief Meteorologist Tom Messner will tell you the weather forecast - with a smile. Always with a smile."Well, a lot of people say they have a name for me, and then I get nervous," he said. "Usually it comes out like this: 'Well, we call you Smiley.' And I'll be, 'OK. I'm good. I've been called worse than that.'"

In the Adirondack Park, road salt is emerging as one of the biggest environmental threats, affecting lakes and rivers, but also contaminating drinking wells. State highway crews use salt to keep roads open and safe in winter, but two new studies have raised troubling questions about that practice. State officials say they are going to experiment with some possible alternatives.

The Northern Adirondack Vocal Ensemble, NAVE, presents music of two British composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams and John Rutter at 7:30 tonight at Saranac Lake United Methodist Church.Tonight's concert will feature two extended works: "Five Mystical Songs" by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and John Rutter's "Magnificat." Featured soloists will be soprano Elena Galvin and baritone Brad Hougham, with pianist Jennifer Moore. NAVE artistic director Drew Benware says Rutter and Vaughn Williams are British choral legends.

He wants big infrastructure projects. And says Democrats shouldn't "shame" non-voters.

Democratic candidate for governor and actor Cynthia Nixon came to the Capitol to talk about the need for more education aid and what she says are Gov. Andrew Cuomo's failings in that policy area. Meanwhile, Cuomo's campaign said it's Nixon who is being inconsistent.

Three tug boats and a rise in water levels did the trick in finally wiggling free the Chem Norma tanker from the bottom of the St. Lawrence River Sunday afternoon. Several hundred people flocked to the shoreline in Morrisburg, Ontario to watch the effort.

U.S. and Canada have been intertwined for the better part of a century with business and workers moving back and forth across the border. Last week, the Trump administration imposed stiff tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel. Canada has responded to U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum and maple syrup with $16.6 billion worth of tariffs on U.S. products including beer, toilet paper and whiskey.

Just when we thought the cool air had left the garden, the forecast this week is predicting overnight temps in the 40's. Horticulturist Amy Ivy says some veggies, like lettuce and spinach, thrive in the cooler weather. But it could mean a set back for young tomato plants and basil seedlings. Amy's advice - "Hang in there."

Summer is winding up, and trailhead parking lots and interior campsites in popular areas fill early now - be sure to include alternatives in your back-country plans.