Top Stories from NCPR

The Winter Solstice is Tuesday morning at 5:45 am; the shortest day is sandwiched between the two longest nights of the year, as Aileen O'Donoghue explains.It's also the time when the Earth is closest to the Sun, and is moving fastest in our orbit because of that. Those long nights are perfect for finding Venus and Fomalhaut, a star just to its left over the SW horizon around 5:30 pm. What's special about Fomalhaut? It looks like it has a planet in orbit! [full story]

Sara Clothier thought she’d hit the jackpot when she accepted a job as an assistant prosecutor in St. Lawrence County, back when DA Mary Rain first took office. [full story]

Former President Bill Clinton cast his ballot for his wife, failed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, at Monday’s Electoral College meeting in Albany.He blamed the loss on the Russians and the FBI. [full story]

President-elect Donald Trump's position on climate change remains murky. That worries researchers. [full story]

A controversy over racial slurs and harassment has been unfolding at Potsdam high school. Two students were arrested when police were called in to break up a shouting match after a student used a racial slur. A video of part of the arrest went viral on Facebook, as did another video by a former student who voiced frustration the school wasn’t doing enough to prevent racism. [full story]

We’re experiencing some of the coldest weather so far this season, with high winds and dangerous wind chill temperatures this morning, and deep snow across most of the region. Expect trails to be a combination of ice and deep snow, especially at higher elevations and in the Western Adirondacks. Carry traction devices and snowshoes or skis, follow local weather reports closely, and be prepared for a variety of conditions. There is some mixed precipitation in the forecast for later this weekend. [full story]

The Northern Adirondack Vocal Ensemble will give two performances of a Festival of Lessons and Carols - anthems, carols, hymns, and spoken word - that illuminate the Christmas story this weekend.The performances are Saturday 7:30 pm at St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and Sunday 4:00 pm at St. Agnes Church in Lake Placid.NAVE is directed by Drew Benware. The ensemble is a mixed chamber choir of professional and amateur singers that performs choral music from a variety of periods and styles. Benware says there are two "stand-out" works in this weekend's performances. [full story]

If you had $10 million to spend on your town, what would you do? That’s what Plattsburgh officials are asking residents, with some limitations. The city won a $10 million state grant to revitalize the downtown back in July. Now there’s a lot of brainstorming going on, and people are being asked to choose from a menu of options. [full story]

Discussions over a December special session turned to finger pointing, as Governor Cuomo and Senate Republicans blamed each other over lack of progress. [full story]

Last night, a new progressive group calling itself “Now what?” met in Saranac Lake. The grassroots group began to form the day after the election in a shop downtown here in Saranac Lake run by Barb Curtis. She said customers and friends kept coming through her door in shock. [full story]