News

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – A bill that would guarantee life in prison without parole for people who molest and murder children recently passed the New York State Legislature. Parents who know first hand the pain of having a child murdered worked to get the bill to the Governor's desk. WAMC's Senior Correspondent Brian Shields reports.

By Allison Dunne

Kingston, NY – Last year's flu season hit hard and early. A flu-vaccine shortage coupled with a number of flu-related deaths among children had county and state health officials scrambling to quell public concern and help those at risk. New York was no exception. New York State health officials say this year's flu season could get an even earlier start, and they say they are prepared. More from WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Boston, MA – The speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives resigned today. Over the weekend, when the resignation was increasingly apparent, a successor emerged. He's likely to be voted into the powerful position on Wednesday and rule the House with a very different style. More from WAMC's Kelly Wilkinson.

Albany, NY – In the 2nd part of my interview with Lord, I asked her if she wanted to dispel any myths the public has about female prisoners. She said one myth she runs up against a lot is that these women are on the lowest run of society.

If you are interested in hearing Elaine Lord speak she will be the featured guest at the Legal Project's Pro Bono Reception at the New York State Museum on Thursday October 7th. For more information on tickets for the event please call (518) 435-1770.

Albany, NY – I had the opportunity to speak Lord about her career recently. I began by asking her how she got into this racket...

If you are interested in hearing Elaine Lord speak, you're in luck. She will be the featured guest at the Legal Project's Pro Bono Reception at the New York State Museum on Thursday October 7th. For more information on tickets for the event please call (518) 435-1770.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Lee, MA – As water infrastructure ages around the country, more cities and towns are exploring whether to privatize their water systems. It's a polarizing issue, as one town in Berkshire County has experienced. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson reports that the debate has been escalating for months.

By Allison Dunne

Hudson, NY – The medical staff of Columbia Memorial Hospital has passed a resolution regarding St. Lawrence Cement's proposed Greenport plant. The physicians are urging New York's environmental regulator to fully assess the air and health impacts of the proposed plant, given the cement company's recently announced plans to lower the plant's stack height. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne reports.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Amherst, MA – A grant from the federal government will go toward combating the shortage of nurses - particularly minority nurses - in Western Massachusetts and beyond. More from WAMC's Kelly Wilkinson.

By Allison Dunne

Patterson, NY – A law signed by New York Governor George Pataki translates into nearly two-million dollars in annual tax revenue for the Hudson Valley's Putnam County. In addition, two land acquisitions in the county will protect more than 550 acres combined. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne has this report.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – As plans move forward for the dredging of PCB's from the upper Hudson River, two communities have had very different eactions to the possibility of being the location of a de-watering facility. The site would be where the PCB-laden sediment taken from the river would be processed before it is shipped out to landfills. WAMC'S Brian Shields reports.