Top Stories from NCPR

Here's a tale found all around the world that shows simply and clearly the old wisdom that everyone and everything is connected. It takes a lot of deals - and one act of compassion - before the fox can recover his lost tail.This story comes from "Armenian Folk Tales," Russian version by I. Khatchatrianz, translated by N. W. Orloff, published by Colonial House, Philadelphia, Pa., 1946.Story Traveler is unscripted storytelling from everywhere in the world, stories for the heart to hear and the mind to imagine.

The Congressional Budget Office report released Sunday finds that the Senate tax overhaul bill harms the poorest Americans even more than originally thought.The CBO finds that Americans making $30,000 or less would be worse off under the Senate tax plan by 2019. Those earning $40,000 or less would be net losers under the plan by 2021. And by 2027, U.S. residents who make $75,000 or lower would be worse off under the plan.

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolled through the North Country on Sunday and Monday.It's been a tradition for almost 20 years: a long freight train, covered in bright Christmas lights, travels all over Canada and the U.S. There's live music and thousands of spectators and the rail company donates to food pantries along the way.

Many Mohawks have been mourning the loss of a high profile, and often times controversial, leader. Kakwirakeron, also known by his English name, Arthur Montour, Sr., died on October 31. He was 75 years-old. He left behind 59 grandchildren.

It's been a year of natural disasters in the U.S., with wildfires on the west coast, hurricanes in the south - and even flooding along Lake Ontario. Are hospitals prepared to deal with extreme weather and other impacts of climate change? Regional organizations are paying attention.

Half a dozen towns in the Adirondacks have passed resolutions urging the Cuomo administration to hire more forest rangers. It's part of a new lobbying effort by the union that represents the rangers. Union leaders say rangers need more boots on the ground to help respond to emergency calls in the Park's back country.

A new report finds schools are educating a larger share of students who come from poor households. And that has a disproportionate effect on schools that have the fewest resources.

The USA Luge team is busy preparing for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, which are less than three months away. Before the Olympics, athletes and coaches will endure a grueling schedule of nine World Cup races. That includes a World Cup on their home track in Lake Placid in mid-December, when the Olympic team will be announced. People may think luging is easy. Hop on a sled and slide down a mountain on an ice track. But it's more complicated than that. It takes a lot of tools, machines, and precision to beat their competitors by milliseconds.

Expect icy outdoor conditions, and up to several inches of snow on trails in some areas - especially in the Central and Northern Adirondacks - along with mud at lower elevations, and around the periphery of the Adirondack Park. Traction devices are recommended, especially for summits and higher terrain.

Wintry weather can be a pain. For people who like getting outdoors it can also be intimidating. All that ice and cold, the early darkness. But winter can also be beautiful and wild. Even familiar places can seem exotic.