Patrick Donges

It’s been three weeks since Sandy caused damage up and down the Eastern Seaboard, including extensive damage in New York City and areas just north of the city in Westchester County.

Local governments and homeowners in Westchester County are still recovering from the storm as they work to dispose of pounds upon pounds of debris. WAMC’s Patrick Donges spoke with Robert Marchant, staff reporter at The Journal News, from their Mount Kisco office.

Following the reelection of President Barack Obama last week, the residents of 32 states, at last count, have filed petitions online asking that they be allowed to secede from the United States and form their own sovereign governments.

Statements filed for Texas and Louisiana have the most virtual signatures in support of their petitions, enough so that, according to the “We the People” web page, White House staff will review them and forward them to the proper policy experts.

The University At Albany is again facing questions about the extracurricular activities of some it its students after several were arrested last week in an alleged hazing incident resembling the torture technique known as 'waterboarding'.

For more on the incident, WAMC's Patrick Donges spoke with Albany Times Union education reporter Scott Waldman, who has been following the story.

Last week, the states of Colorado and Washington became the first two states to legalize the possession and use of marijuana for recreational use.

In our region, Massachusetts voters widely supported a referendum legalizing the prescription of marijuana for medicinal use.

For more on what these developments mean for the future of marijuana policy in New York State and across the country, WAMC’s Patrick Donges spoke with Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies at the Marijuana Policy Project.

The future of the New York State Senate is in flux after last week’s elections. Between the yet to be decided race in the 46th State Senate District and the importance of the chamber’s so-called Independent Democratic Conference, the question of which party will control the Senate will could remain unanswered as the calendar turns to 2013.

For more on how the New York State Senate could shake-out WAMC's Bob Barrett spoke with Gannett state government reporter Jon Campbell.

Republican Saratoga County Clerk Kathy Marchione was successful in her bid to represent the New York State Senate’s new 43rd District.

Marchione was flanked by supporters as she took to the podium at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs at around 11 p.m. Tuesday night to accept her election to the New York State Senate.  

Unofficial results show her winning with 47 percent of the vote over the 35 percent won by Democratic Claverack Town Supervisor Robin Andrews.

Marchione told those assembled the story of what she described as an unlikely path to victory…

On this edition of Vox Pop, how is your Election Day going? WAMC's Alan Chartock hosts with WAMC's Ray Graf.

On this edition of Medical Monday on Vox Pop - podiatry and podiatric surgery with Dr. Douglas Tumen. WAMC's Alan Chartock hosts.

A poll released Friday by the Siena Research Institute showed some surprising numbers in one capital region New York State Senate race.

Incumbent 43rd District Senator Roy McDonald – who suspended his campaign after losing a close Republican primary to Saratoga County Clerk Kathy Marchione – received support from 29 percent of poll respondents. McDonald will appear on Tuesday’s ballot on the Independence Party line.

For analysis of the race WAMC’s Patrick Donges spoke with reporter David Lombardo who covers local politics for the Schenectady Daily Gazette.

On this edition of Vox Pop: pets & vets with veterinarian Dr. Ron Scharf. WAMC's Ray Graf hosts.