Top Stories from NCPR

Continuing a commitment to literature outside the classroom, teachers at Indian Lake Central School challenged their students in March to read a thousand pages. There was the incentive of a party with ice cream and prizes at the end of the month, and most of the students succeeded. Todd Moe stopped by the 10th grade English class to talk with teacher Nora Harrington, and find out what teens are reading these days. Murder mysteries, biographies and fantasy novels topped the list.English teacher Nora Harrington started the challenge in 2002, and says she's always impressed that her students take on the extra reading in addition to their regular classes and homework assignments.

A physician from Saratoga County has been forced out of the race for the 21st district congressional seat. David Mastrianni ended his bid after a voter challenged the signatures on his ballot petitions.

Andrew Cuomo has two main challengers in the governor's race: Cynthia Nixon on the left and Marc Molinaro on the right. Surprisingly, the two agree on a number of key items as they make their case against the incumbent governor, including a laser-like focus on Cuomo's perceived weaknesses.

Bill Balling describes himself as a "late back-to-the-lander." In 1979, he and his young family moved from New Jersey up to Northern New York, to the town of Hermon in St. Lawrence County. He's the first to admit he was looking for cheap land, and like so many others (the St. Lawrence Valley was a particularly hot spot for the back-to-the-land movement), he found it in the North Country.

Approximately 1,500 active duty chaplains are in the Army. They serve about half a million troops. They're there to help servicemembers navigate everything from work and relationship issues to big questions about death and war. But there's a shortage of chaplains in the armed forces.

Right now is a perfect time to plant a tree, that is, before the leaves are out. Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy has tips on how to choose a tree for transplanting, whether you're looking in your own woods or at a local nursery. The rules for planting are the pretty much the same. Allow plenty of space for roots to grow out from the tree, not down. So a broad hole, not deep, and back-fill with the soil from the hole. Nothing fancy!

Capitol correspondent Karen DeWitt sat down with NPR and ABC News veteran Cokie Roberts on public television's New York Now last week. They talked about the state of politics in Washington, and considered Governor Andrew Cuomo's chances if he decides to run for President.

The Doolittles cope with Alzheimer's with the uncomplicated love of their pets.

There is still plenty of winter at higher elevations, including a chance for some new snow Saturday night. Thanks to the extended winter weather, Whiteface will reopen again this weekend, though Gore Mountain near North Creek has called it a season. Mt. Van Hoevenberg, the last hold-out of the cross-county facilities, ended a record long season on Sunday.

Blister beetles are common in many parts of the world, including the Northeast. Oily secretions from their joints can raise blisters on skin.The oil has other qualities. It the source of the highly toxic male aphrodisiac, Spanish Fly. Curt Stager and Martha Foley discuss the life cycle and habits of this beetle.