Dave Lucas

The U.S. Justice Department says it will monitor primary elections in Orange County and Queens to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  WAMC's Dave Lucas reports...

Federal observers will be at polling places Tuesday in Orange County in the Hudson Valley based on a federal court order over concerns about the voting rights of Puerto Rican voters with limited English. Under the consent decree, bilingual ballots will be used countywide and the county will provide poll workers who speak both English and Spanish.

19th District Congressional Candidate Joel Tyner's former treasurer has responded to accusations of possible embezzlement and sexual advances... WAMC's Dave Lucas reports.

As the New York State Thruway presses on with plans to replace the Tappan Zee bridge, environmentalists are asking the state continue to seek out alternatives. Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

Under current plans, a new 8-lane bridge would replace the current Tappan Zee at a cost of 5-point-4 billion dollars. The environmental group Riverkeeper wants the state to consider whether or not a tunnel might be a better alternative.

The New York Farm Bureau is criticizing the Thruway Authority’s plan to raise tolls for larger commercial trucks.  The bureau argues that farmers are struggling in the weak economy, and shouldn't be shouldered with another financial burden... Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

New York's Legislature has voted to ban selling electronic cigarettes to minors. WAMC's Dave Lucas reports.

If Governor Andrew Cuomo signs the bill into law, New York will join Alaska, Idaho, Kansas and Maryland in restricting so-called e-cigarettes that can carry nicotine. The devices are sold without regulation in malls and other places where cigarettes are sold.

The American Cancer Society had called for the measure for two years.

The online edition of The Atlantic is running an article entitled "Can Google Predict the Impact of Racism on a Presidential Election?" It focuses on a study that tries to make a case for linking Google searches for racially-sensitive terms with election results to "reveal what Americans truly think." Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas spoke with two community leaders to find out "what THEY truly think" about racism.

Saratoga Springs Mayor Scott Johnson Wednesday proclaimed June is “Jazz Month” in Saratoga Springs --- WAMC's Dave Lucas was on hand when the Mayor issued the proclamation, and files this report.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center President Marcia White greeted the crowd gathered in Wednesday afternoon's scorching heat on the lawn of the Saratoga Springs Visitors Center...

Mayor Scott Johnson proclaimed June “Jazz Month” in recognition of the 35th anniversary of the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival.

Joel Tyner’s campaign treasurer has resigned and has made serious accusations against the 19th district congressional candidate ... Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

Misha Fredericks says she couldn't continue as Joel Tyner's campaign treasurer, with Tyner's cash-on-hand claim off by thousands of dollars. Sensing trouble and fearing being investigated for embezzlemant, Fredericks filed a letter with the Federal Election Commission Tuesday.

A new study shows that opponents of President Barack Obama's health care plan clearly beat supporters in getting their message across through the media. More from WAMC’s Dave Lucas…

The study released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism found that opponents won because their positions were sharper and easier to understand. The critics also more frequently drove coverage, particularly when Tea Party demonstrations came to the fore.

Pew director Tom Rosenstiel said the competition wasn't even close.

New York State is expected to "press on" with efforts to increase and improve health care coverage, should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn all or part of the landmark 2010 Affordable Care Act. Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

Regardless of the court decision, it is expected New York will move forward to expand health coverage to the 2-point-8 million state residents who are without it. The Supreme Court is expected to release a decision any day now, and groups like Citizen Action are very concerned, ready to launch reactionary "speak-outs".