Top Stories from NCPR

Over the past two winters, the Great Lakes have had a below-average ice cover. And that's expected to continue this year.

The governors of New York, California and New Jersey on Monday strongly condemned the GOP tax bill now before Congress, saying it is unfair to their states and will wreak havoc on the U.S. economy.In a conference call, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the federal tax overhaul plan that severely restricts state and local tax deductions is "political retaliation" against 12 states that are run by Democrats.

In Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in northern Wisconsin, it's easy to see what makes the forests of the Upper Midwest so special. They transition between Southern trees like oak and white pine, and the northern trees like fir and spruce.But climate change is bringing more intense storms - as well as warmer winters. And that can hurt forests.

Spend enough time in a museum or historical society in the North Country and you're bound to run across the name Henry M. Beach, often written in white, capital letters across a postcard. Henry was one of the region's earliest photographers. He was untrained, but in many ways he was ahead of his time - most of his shots are outdoors and capture daily life, in stark comparison with posed studio shots. He also had a really good sense of humor, and liked to "doctor" his photos.

Ron Deutsch, with the left-leaning think tank Fiscal Policy Institute says there's nothing positive in the tax overhaul plan for New Yorkers. He says the middle class and the poor in New York will pay more under the Senate's tax overhaul plan.

A leading Senate Democrat said if a planned unification between rival factions in the State Senate occurs, don't expect any immediate action on key items like women's reproductive rights, public financing of campaigns and transgender rights.

A front door or porch decked out for the holidays speaks to the spirit of the season. Amy Ivy, horticulturist with Cornell Cooperative in Clinton and Essex counties, shares some tips for finding and arranging winter greenery, including wreaths, boughs and garlands.

Hiking conditions are icy, or wet and slippery, and there is patchy snow - traction devices are recommended. Expect summit temperatures in the 20s, and wind chills in the teens. Rivers and streams are lower, and ice has formed on smaller waters and backwaters, although no ice should be considered safe.

A hunter in western New York has been indicted after he shot and killed a woman last week while she was walking her dogs. Thomas Jadlowski, age 34, turned himself in yesterday to the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department.

Twenty state and national groups supporting a bill that would strengthen the state's Freedom of Information Law are urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign the measure into law as soon as he receives it from the state legislature.