Top Stories from NCPR

Concern continues to rise across the North Country about a growing heroin and opiate epidemic. Last week, nearly 1,000 people showed up for a film and panel discussion on the subject in Plattsburgh. Small communities across the region aren't immune from the epidemic, either. In Saranac Lake, local emergency medical and law enforcement personnel say they’ve seen an alarming spike in drug overdoses recently, including a fatal overdose last week. [full story]

There's so much to do when winter finally does go away, and the breezes warm up. Between the yard and garden(s), you could go crazy. But no need. Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy starts slow-ish, loosening up the winter accumulations of leaves and debris from the perennials and giving what's up some light and air. Clearing out the dead stalks and remains of last year. Giving the yard a light raking. And doing some thinking! [full story]

As part of that budget deal, the state has agreed to pick up some of the cost to improve legal services for the poor. Over the next six years, counties will get extra money to hire lawyers [and staff] for indigent defense. [full story]

New York state has a new budget of roughly $153 billion. It includes a sizable boost in spending for schools, shifts most teenagers out of adult prisons, and expands ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft into upstate New York. The state Senate passed its version of the spending plan Sunday night at around 10:30 pm. Brian Mann joined Martha Foley to talk about the numbers and what they say. [full story]

Since the November 2016 election, a lot of Americans have been excited and hopeful about the presidency of Donald trump. But there are also many who are afraid. In the LGBTQ community, a lot of people believe that the new administration and the Republican congress could enact laws that curb their freedom.Over the weekend, about 100 people gathered in Plattsburgh to rally against what organizers called a startling wave of hate and racism in the last several months. [full story]

Carolyn “Corky” Marlowe knows hard work. Straight out of high school she went to nursing school at House of the Good Samaritan in Watertown. She graduated in 1966 and worked in the operating room of two hospitals for forty five years. [full story]

Some of Gouverneur High School's best public speakers are busy memorizing and rehearsing monologues this week. And maybe dealing with a case of "butterflies" in the stomach. The students are prepping for the annual Dean Oratoricals next Wednesday night in the high school auditorium. This is the 114th annual competition and one of the oldest public school speaking contests in the country.Every spring semester, since 1903, students have selected, memorized, and performed published monologues for an audience and a panel of judges. The contest was originally endowed by Cora and Jennie Dean, philanthropists who donated money to education, health services, churches, and the arts in Gouverneur. Today, the Gouverneur Rotary Club awards money prizes for first, second, and third place. Todd Moe caught up with teacher and coach Carol Amberg and some of the students as they prepped for the contest. Amberg has taught English and Theater Arts at the school for 32 years and was a competitor in the Dean Oratoricals back in the early 70's. She says the contest draws about ten students each year who take it very seriously. [full story]

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has made good on his campaign promise to crack down on the country’s 11 million undocumented immigrants. [full story]

Be prepared for a variety of weather if you are headed to summits and expect to encounter high waters especially in the Raquette, Ausable, Schroon, and Hudson River watersheds - although the possibility exists everywhere for high waters. Low water crossings may be difficult, if not impassible, especially Friday afternoon and Saturday. Avoid snow bridges and all ice on lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. [full story]

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie says there's a possible compromise to resolve the ongoing state budget stalemate - but the leader of the Senate says there's no final agreement.The Bronx Democrat said Thursday that the Assembly will back a deal on charter school funding, one of the last sticking points in the way of a budget, which was due April 1. [full story]