Top Stories from NCPR

In light of the recent massive data breach at the credit reporting company Equifax, Governor Cuomo's administration is taking steps to make sure that in the future, the credit agencies have better cybersecurity in place.

For two weeks, PBS stations will relive one of the most devisive eras in American history."The Vietnam War" documentary - produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick - is being billed as a rare cultural milestone. The filmmakers have been planning the series since 2006, meaning their production process was about as long as America's involvement in the war.

Not all pirates are bad guys. Some might even invite your over for lunch. Last week, Todd Moe got a call from Captain Honk, who lives on Pillar Point, north of Watertown on the eastern edge of Lake Ontario. He wanted to remind NCPR that today is "Talk Like a Pirate Day."

Some potted flowers and herbs are a naturals to bring indoors for the winter.Last week, Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy detailed her favorites: cuttings from her bright red geraniums.What about a hanging basket? Or a pot of parsley? Try it with care, she says, but watch out not to bring outdoor bugs, like aphids, in with them.

Updated Monday, 5:30 pm: Alex Stevens, age 28, was found dead at approximately noon today on Wallface Mountain in the Adirondack High Peaks. There are no details yet on the cause of the fatality. State police and NYS forest rangers say an investigation is continuing. The missing man vanished early in September. Brian Mann will have details tomorrow morning during Morning Edition and on The Eight O'Clock Hour.Stevens' disappearance triggered a massive search in what is arguably the most remote and difficult terrain in New York state.

Thirty historic sites in 21 counties in New York received $239,634 in preservation grant money, and they say it makes a difference in a region where the economy is struggling.The grants were distributed by the Preservation League of New York State, along with help from the New York State Council on the Arts and the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation. They were awarded to groups ranging from an antique boat museum to a dance center to help with preserving cultural heritage across New York.

Ben Stiller's "Escape at Dannemora" is done filming right outside Clinton Correctional Facility in the village. This week the crew is expected to be in the City of Plattsburgh. The eight-part TV series is about the real-life prison break in 2015. Our Plattsburgh reporter Zach Hirsch was hired as an extra. He was originally cast as a reporter, but he ended up playing a State Forest Ranger. He was filmed last Monday outside the prison wall, along with about 150 other background actors. He spoke with Martha Foley this morning about the experience, which was his first time acting.

The State Police turned 100 this year. They've been celebrating their Centennial through galas, ceremonies, and open houses throughout the whole state. Here in the North Country we're served by Troop D (in the counties of Jefferson, Lewis, and Herkimer), Troop G (in Hamilton and Warren), and Troop B (in St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Hamilton, and Essex counties). Troop B serves the largest chunk of our area, and Troop B's Commander, Major John Tibbitts, stopped by the station to talk about the history of the State Police and the changes he's experienced during his career.

The trees are beginning to change color, and the fall foliage season has begun, especially in the High Peaks and cooler mountain valleys. Boat launches, trailhead parking lots, and backcountry camping spots will fill early this weekend and on any good weather weekend during the fall foliage season. Some of the best places to see the foliage are outside of the busy High Peaks.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said New Yorkers who use the state Thruway will have a bit of a wait before more cashless tolling is installed on the nearly 500-mile tolled portion of the road.The Cuomo administration's Thruway Authority has adopted cashless tolls at the new Tappan Zee Bridge and will take down the toll booths on the Grand Island Bridge in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area early next year.