Before former MSNBC anchor Dylan Ratigan announced his candidacy in the North Country's House race, NCPR spoke with the other Democratic candidates in the field at a forum in Plattsburgh last weekend.

A congresswoman who represents a small chunk of the Adirondack Park is drawing fire today for comments she made about mass shootings in America. Republican Claudia Tenney from the 22nd district told a talk show host yesterday that many of the gunmen who kill people in the U.S. turn out to be Democrats.

The North Country's House race just got a whole lot more interesting. Dylan Ratigan, a former MSNBC television host, jumped into the race yesterday at a freewheeling hour-long event in Saranac Lake. Ratigan joins a packed field of Democrats. Brian Mann was in Saranac Lake for the event yesterday and spoke with news director Martha Foley.

A group of musicians that was featured at last year's Hobo Fest in Saranac Lake has a new album. Sweet Megg and the Wayfarers is based in New York City, but will bring its rowdy, fun-loving sound back to the upstate region this spring.Sweet Megg and the Wayfarers explores the sultry and sometimes crass music of the 1920s and 30s. They offer their take on songs from Edith Piaf, Fats Waller, Billie Holiday and more. Todd Moe spoke with Megg Farrell via Skype about the group's brand of music that incorporates elements of New Orleans Swing, Harlem swing, Parisian cabaret, and blues. Farrell is a big fan of early jazz singers.

Democrats in the New York state Senate say they will push harder for gun control bills in the wake of the Florida shooting that left 17 dead and are even considering proposing the measures as hostile amendments.

The SUNY Plattsburgh student who wrote an offensive social media message is no longer enrolled at the college, according to a campus official who emailed North Country Public Radio late Tuesday. The message was about lynching African Americans. It was originally sent to a private group on Snapchat last month, but one person in the group shared it with friends. The message went viral, sparking protests and debate about how people of color are treated in Plattsburgh.

UPDATE: It's official. Former MSNBC TV host Dylan Ratigan jumped into the NY21 Democratic Primary at a press conference in Saranac Lake today. Ratigan's show aired on MSNBC in various forms from 2009 through 2012. He joins a crowded field of Democrats already running to challenge Republican Elise Stefanik.

A common North Country side-gig during the spring is maple sugaring. But one man in Potsdam is making a lot of maple syrup - by hand and without his own sugar bush.

For severely disabled veterans, getting around at home can be a challenge - especially if they live in traditional single family houses that weren't built with accessibility in mind. But there are options for veterans who want to make their homes work.

Another tough morning today for North Country athletes in Pyeonchang. Tim Burke and Lowell Bailey from Lake Placid finished in 15th place in the mixed relay event, along with Susan Dunklee, a skier from Vermont.