News

By Deborah Runcie

Kingston, NY – The disastrous impact of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi is spurring counties in the Hudson Valley to fast-track a new emergency communications system. At least 169 active 2-1-1 phone links already are operating in 32 states. WAMC'S Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Deborah Runcie reports.

By Carrie Saldo

Pittsfield, Massachusetts – A community college in western Massachusetts is working on what could turn into a statewide model for improving employee skills at area businesses.

By Hank Gross

Newburgh, NY – A C5-A cargo aircraft and crew departed from the New York Air National Guard Base at Stewart Airport in Newburgh last night to begin relief missions for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast. WAMC's Hank Gross reports.

By Carrie Saldo

North Adams, MA – With Northern Berkshire Healthcare expected to post its fifth consecutive year in the red, healthcare administrators have sought outside assistance for ideas on how to strengthen its financial picture.

By Arielle Trimm

Albany, NY – Over the past few months, crackdowns by local government on sex offenders have become widespread in the Northeast region from expanding the sex offender registry, to requring offenders to wear GPS anklets, to Civil Confinement legilsation. Our Capital District Bureau Chief Arielle Trimm talked with a leading psychologist to get his take on how to make society safe.

By Deborah Runcie

Kingston, NY – New York is among northeast region states requiring children to have certain immunization shots. So with the reopening of many schools just a week away, some practitioners of alternative medicine are questioning the necessity and safety of vaccinations. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Deborah Runcie reports.

By Carrie Saldo

Great Barrington, MA – A preliminary report by a panel of officials from from throughout Massachusetts suggests several ways to generate more money for local coffers. One proposal recommends an increase in automobile excise tax rates.

By Pat Bradley

Tupper Lake, NY – The Residents' Committee to Protect the Adirondacks is renewing its call for creation of a new wilderness area in the Adirondacks. The 20-thousand acre tract that the group wants preserved is adjacent to a major development project in Tupper Lake.
WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Carrie Saldo

Great Barrington – Legal changes to the bankruptcy code, set to go into effect in October will make it harder to dissolve debt in the future. The result has been a spike in bankruptcy filings in Massachusetts.

By Hank Gross

Newburgh, NY – One of the primary missions of the New York Air National Base at Stewart Airport at Newburgh is humanitarian relief missions. Its members have flown many hurricane related missions both domestic and overseas and have offered to help out in the latest crisis. WAMC's Hank Gross reports.