Top Stories from NCPR

The life and career of America's best-known sex therapist takes center stage at the Recovery Lounge in Upper Jay starting tonight. Anne O'Sullivan will portray Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the famous sex therapist and author, at the Upper Jay Art Center."Becoming Dr. Ruth" is a solo show that's sprinkled with impish humor and stories from a tragic childhood. Westheimer fled Nazi Germany as a child, served as a scout and sniper in Jerusalem, and came to America as a single mother. Anne O'Sullivan has portrayed Dr. Ruth Westheimer - who is still going strong at 89 - at three other venues, and says she learns something new about Westheimer's extraordinary life at every performance.

The Dannemora prison break happened two summers ago. The escape of Richard Matt and David Sweat from Clinton Correctional Facility and the manhunt that followed continues to echo in popular culture.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced a series of what he calls "aggressive actions" to expand voter registration, saying he wants to "help combat low voter participation" amid "troubling" attempts by the federal government that might restrict voter access. But a nearly century-old voting rights organization said the governor did not go far enough.

Watertown sports fans are mourning the death of a popular player for the city's hockey team. 25 year-old Shane Halaas played his first professional season with the Watertown Wolves last winter. He died last Thursday. The cause is still unknown.

Midway through the summer season, there may be some space opening up in the vegetable garden. Maybe there's a row or two where the peas once were, or a patch left empty when the garlic was pulled. Or maybe a a spot just reclaimed from some gone-too-far weeds.Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy says this is good space and this is the right time to plant something for fall; leafy greens would be a good choice. Think lettuce, kale, arugula, maybe even spinach.

The future of the Affordable Care Act is uncertain in Washington, and there are several scenarios under consideration. The latest possible changes could affect New York's relatively healthy health care system.The good news is that the Affordable Care Act in New York is doing quite well, according to state officials. The health insurance exchanges are functioning, with 17 carriers offering plans in 2017. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, at a recent rally to preserve the ACA, said New York has built "one of the best health care exchanges in the country."

Federal immigration police say they have arrested hundreds of undocumented people this year in Upstate New York, including the North Country. It's part of President Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration. Trump granted broad authority to arrest and deport anyone who's in the U.S. illegally, not just those who have committed a crime. The administration says it's about making the country safer and enforcing the law. But for many undocumented immigrants, it's seen as a terrifying roundup that's tearing their families apart.

Colton began as a logging community when the forests of Northern New York held the promise of money. Its logging heyday was at the end of the 19th century. By the time Higley Dam was built in 1913, logging was losing steam, largely because there were fewer and fewer trees to cut. The dam brought electric power to Colton and created Higley Flow.

Through the rest of the summer it will be a very busy time in the Adirondacks. Parking areas and popular campsites will fill early, especially in the High Peaks. The shuttle is running between Marcy Field and the Garden Parking Area, but through Labor Day weekend, consider visiting less popular areas of the Adirondack Park.

The Indian Lake Theater has seen a lot of changes in its 80-year history in the Adirondacks. A local community effort revived the shuttered building in 2008.A Blue Jean BBQ is in Byron Park on Sunday from 3 pm to 6 pm will celebrate summer and the theater's birthday.Executive director Sue Montgomery Corey spoke with Todd Moe about the importance of saving their local landmark, and how a three-month, round-the-clock effort saw nearly 500 people raise $160,000. The effort succeeded in taking the building from a summer movie house to a year-round community screen and stage.