The state is one step closer to having ride-hailing services available before the Fourth of July, now that the state Senate has passed a bill to speed up when companies like Uber and Lyft will be allowed to operate outside of New York City.When state lawmakers agreed to allow the companies to operate in upstate New York and on Long Island as part of the budget, they thought that they would pass the legislation by April 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

A nasty bug called the emerald ash borer is spreading. Experts say it’s almost certain to infest and kill our ash trees, which account for about 10% of all the trees in New York state, in some places up to 25%. We’re talking millions of trees. The beetle still hasn't invaded the North Country, yet.

In general, plants make food from sunlight, and animals fuel themselves by "burning" oxygen. But some animals think outside the box.Curt stager and Martha Foley look at a photosynthetic slug that hijacks the genetic machinery of the algae in its diet, and at a jellyfish that needs no oxygen, burning the alternative fuels of hydrogen and sulfur.

The leader of the Senate Independent Democratic Conference for the first time publicly answered questions from the media about news stories that some of his members received stipends for committee chair positions that they do not actually hold.Sen. Jeff Klein defended the practice, while the leader of the Senate Democrats is calling for an investigation.

It's a tumultuous, confusing and often jarring time in American politics. Is it tumultuous enough that Rep. Elise Stefanik might be vulnerable in 2018?

The Crane School of Music's Latin Ensemble has become a musical treasure in the North Country - playing smoking Latin jazz around Potsdam that gets everyone out on the dance floor.It's an ever rotating roster of students. This year's group had the opportunity this spring to travel to the heartland of where the music they play comes from — Cuba.

A professional women’s organization in the North Country wants local women to step up into community leadership roles.

New York Senator Charles Schumer is demanding the White House release transcripts of President Trump's meeting last week with top Russian officials. President Trump has confirmed that he disclosed "facts" to the Russians during their Oval Office visit. Numerous news organizations have reported that the information was highly classified.

The Frederic Remington Art Museum will add a new permanent gallery space dedicated to Ogdensburg’s other famous sculptor, Sally James Farnham. A gift from the McCabe Foundation will fund the new, permanent exhibit on the second floor of the museum. Farnham, who lived from 1869 to 1943, was a contemporary of Frederic Remington. Remington executive director Laura Foster says Farnham was known for her works in bronze, but equally skilled in a variety of mediums. The new space, scheduled to open in the summer of 2018, will include Farnham sculptures and portrait works. The Remington Museum is home to the largest public collection of Farnham’s work, according to Foster. Farnham’s 1906 monument in Ogdensburg’s Library Park titled “The Spirit of Liberty” is a local landmark.

Lake Ontario reached its highest level over the weekend since record keeping began a hundred years ago. The lake was at 248.8 feet, well above flood level of 247 feet. The St. Lawrence River is at 242 feet above the dam in Massena, according to the International Joint Commission.