Top Stories from NCPR

The new state budget includes over $200 million to help combat the heroin and opioid crisis. The money expands drug prevention, treatment, and recovery programs statewide. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed that part of the budget into law on Wednesday. “We are all dedicated to the same goal, which is saving lives, all too often saving young lives, from a really horrendous disease,” Cuomo said. The North Country’s portion adds up to $7 million. That will help fund 16 residential treatment beds, one community coalition, two family support navigators, an urgent access center, and other services. Local officials are taking a number of approaches. In Clinton County, officials are putting together funds to bring new substance abuse counselors into the jail. [full story]

One of nature's most beautiful singers is the hermit thrush. The opposite of "good children," they are often heard but seldom seen. Martha Foley and Curt Stager talk about this elusive insectivore of northern forests. [full story]

After a week of criticism from the left and the right of the political spectrum, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget director is among those defending the state’s new free public college tuition program for some middle-class students. [full story]

President Donald Trump came into office with no military experience. He promised to build up the armed forces but mostly stay focused on domestic issues - crime, and trade.That’s quickly changed, as the president wades into some of the hottest-burning international conflicts. He’s called out North Korea, ordered missile strikes over Syria.This month, North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik had a front-row seat to a historic bombing in Afghanistan. [full story]

A Canton organization that provides food and clothing to the needy is taking a more visible role on Main Street and building stronger connections locally and nationally. Since the mid-'70s, the Canton Church and Community Program's food pantry and thrift store have served individuals and families from Canton, DeKalb, Russell, Hermon, Rensselaer Falls and Clare. In December, its Giving Tree program provides gifts to children. Connie Jenkins, who grew up in Ogdensburg, took the helm of the social services organization about a year ago. Last month, Jenkins spent time in Washington DC attending workshops and meeting with other anti-hunger advocates at the National Anti-hunger Policy Conference. She also visited with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's staff and North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.During a break from gearing up for a busy summer season of providing food, clothing and other help to those in need, Jenkins told Todd Moe that she's "realistically cautious" after her visit to Washington. She says her message to lawmakers is that safety net programs in place to combat hunger need to remain intact. [full story]

In this tale from East India retold from "Tales of the Dervishes" by Idries Shah, a bird regains his freedom by taking unusual advice from his kin.Story Traveler is unscripted storytelling from everywhere in the world, stories for the heart to hear and the mind to imagine. [full story]

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) President Donald Trump is promising to find a solution to a trade dispute with Canada that has left dairy farmers in Wisconsin and New York without a market for their product.Trump said during a speech in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Tuesday that Canada has been "very unfair" to dairy farmers and "we're going to start working on that." [full story]

Two bald eagles died in the North Country this spring after being poisoned with lead. That’s according to a wildlife rehabilitation group in the Lake George area. This comes at a time when there’s a fierce debate over sportsmen’s use of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle. [full story]

Did passage of the state budget signal the end of Albany’s legislative session for 2017, or will other matters, including ethics reform, get done before the lawmakers adjourn in June?Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the recently enacted state budget included the majority of the priorities that he named in his January State of the State message, including raising the age for adult criminal responsibility from 16 to 18, providing free public college tuition for some middle-class families and allowing ride-hailing services to operate upstate. [full story]

A high-profile investigation into links between Russian hackers and the Trump campaign is getting back on track. According to reports from CNN, the House Intelligence Committee has prepared a new list of witnesses. They’ve also put a new chairman in charge - after ethics complaints surfaced against the old one. [full story]