Top Stories from NCPR

Officials in the North Country want to know why Franklin and St. Lawrence counties wound up on a list of places that allegedly refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials.The Department of Homeland Security published the list on Monday. It’s part of an effort by the Trump administration to publicly shame so-called sanctuary communities and pressure them to get tougher on immigration. But local officials say they already cooperate. [full story]

Jane Austen fans and scholars from around the world are gathering in Plattsburgh for a conference this week. Austen was a British author during the Georgian era, best known for social commentary and wit in novels including "Sense and Sensiblity," "Pride and Prejudice," and "Emma." This year marks the bicentenary of her death, and conference organizer Dr. Anna Battigelli says the three-day event, which starts on Thursday, is open to everyone. Battigelli, an admitted Austen-phile, teaches 18th century literature at SUNY Plattsburgh. The theme of this conference is “Jane Austen & the Arts." It will include lectures, exhibits, and an English Country dance on Friday night.So, what's an 18th century author like Austen doing at a 21st century college campus? Battigelli says Austen's novels, of love among the landed gentry, are more popular than ever and appeal to both general readers and academics. She says Plattsburgh has a rich history that includes early 19th century homes, and the Battle of Plattsburgh during the War of 1812. [full story]

Joe Pete Wilson is a Lake Placid native, an Olympian, and a lifelong sportsman. As a child Joe Pete worked on his family’s farm in Keene during the summers, and lived in Lake Placid during the rest of the year, where he learned to cross-country ski. That's where it all began. [full story]

The next two weeks at the New York State Capitol are going to be very busy as lawmakers face the deadline for a new budget. Several issues remain unresolved.Religious leaders lobbied for inclusion of the millionaire’s tax in the state budget. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has asked for an extension of a temporary income tax surcharge on New Yorkers making more than $1 million. Republicans, who lead the Senate with the help of some breakaway Democrats, want to end the tax. Democrats, who control the Assembly want to add even more, higher tax brackets for the state’s top income earners. [full story]

Three advocates for undocumented farm workers in Vermont were arrested by federal agents last week. The detentions triggered a large protest in Burlington over the weekend. The group Migrant Justice says it’s being targeted for helping immigrants. [full story]

The Great Lakes shipping season officially kicks off Monday with the opening of the Welland Canal, the shipping channel that connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.This is the earliest the Canal has opened - matching the March 20th opening in 2007. But since the winter has been so mild, shipping locally has continued throughout the region. [full story]

About a thousand law enforcement officers were in Plattsburgh on Monday to remember New York State Trooper Brian Falb. He was an eighteen-year veteran of the State Police who died last week from an illness stemming from his service at the World Trade Center site after 9/11. At the funeral service, Falb was honored as a hero, a loving father, and a model state trooper. [full story]

If someone asked you to name a few famous North Country figures, who would you think of? Maybe artist Frederic Remington, or abolitionist John Brown. Probably not the writer and novelist Marietta Holley, known as the "female Mark Twain" of her time, who was born in Jefferson County and lived in Pierrepont Manor until her death. [full story]

Are you yearning for spring and mild weather? Today's story from Gioia Timpanelli tells a lesson of finding perfect joy despite setbacks. The story is from "The Little Flowers of St. Francis," a collection of stories about Francis and his followers.St. Francis of Assisi (1181 - 1226) was a nature mystic, critic of the human social order, and a seer into ways to work and live in the world. He devoted his life to preaching and working for the poor and the sick. [full story]

A veteran State Trooper who died from medical complications stemming from his service at the World Trade Center site after 9/11 will be laid to rest this morning (Monday) in Plattsburgh.Trooper Brian Falb from Morrisonville worked for eighteen years in the North Country as part of Troop B, assigned to Clinton and Franklin counties. [full story]