Top Stories from NCPR

In many ways, Canada has spent much of its history in the shadow of the United States, with its much larger population and economy. The two nations form the largest trade partnership in the world. But on this 150th anniversary, many Canadians see their country moving in a sharply different direction.

The bills in Congress to change the Affordable Care Act phase out that law's expansion of Medicaid to more low income people. That would have a huge impact on one Finger Lakes couple who - after a lifetime of getting health insurance at the workplace - relies on that expansion to get by now.

Acid rain was a huge issue in this region in the 1960s and '70s. It hit the landscape hard - think low fish populations and "dead" lakes, eerily still bodies of water with no visible signs of life.

ITHACA, N.Y. (AP) Cornell University is looking for a name for its latest variety of grape.

Imagine if your town needed to amend New York's state constitution every time they wanted to straighten a rural road or install a broadband internet line. That's exactly the situation for dozens of towns in the Adirondacks and the Catskills that are surrounded by state forest preserve.

It's the combined Fourth of July and Canada Day weekend, so expect parking areas and popular campsites to fill early - especially in the High Peaks. The shuttle is running between Marcy Field and the Garden Parking Area.

The New York State Legislature finally ended its 2017 session, after the Assembly voted overnight on a privately negotiated omnibus bill, and the Senate finally finished on Thursday afternoon. The messy process drew condemnation from both sides of the aisle.

A North Country man who helped investigators find escaped inmate Richard Matt in 2015 was paid a $25,000 reward from the U.S. Marshals Service, according to the Press Republican newspaper.Paul Marlow was checking on his camp near Malone when he noticed things were out of place. He got in touch with State Police, and he reportedly helped bring the manhunt to an end.

One of the most popular arts and music festivals along the St. Lawrence River celebrates its tenth year on Saturday. Mare's Wares Arts Fest includes more than 80 regional and national artists, food, authors and local farmers. It's held every July 1 in the large field behind Evans House, also known as Mare's Wares, a local landmark along Route 37 between Ogdensburg and Morristown.The event was honored this month with a tourism award from the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. Todd Moe stopped by Mare's Wares earlier this week as the grass was being trimmed and large tents put up. Mary Ann Evans, known as Mare, and her friend Karan Cross have organized the annual festival for the past decade, with the help of a large crew of volunteers. Evans and Cross say it's a lot of work, but Mary Ann says she's living her father's legacy.

A growing number of veterans are acquiring service dogs to help cope with PTSD. But the VA won't pay for them and says their effectiveness hasn't been scientifically proven.