Midday Magazine on WAMC

For a time it appeared Republicans would struggle to field a candidate for the special election for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts.  But when the deadline passed earlier this week for candidates to submit 10,000 signatures it turned out that three people will compete for the party’s nomination.

"Food Hardship" is a growing problem in America.  New data from FRAC - the Food Research and Action Center - shows 1 in 6 of us can't afford to buy enough food for ourselves or our families. Those studying FRAC's report blame the economy and say government isn't doing enough to fill a growing need.

Newschannel 13's Meteorologist Paul Caiano gives the WAMC Midday Magazine forecast.

A new report by Massachusetts think-tank MassINC shows a significant economic impact from the lack of adequate public transportation available in Gateway Cities.

The report released this week titled “Reinventing Transit: Investing in Public Transportation for Strong Gateway Cities Economies” reveals that the inadequate public transportation systems in place in mid-size, post-industrial cities in the commonwealth not only hinder workers, but also contribute to below-average labor force participation.

The Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce released the results of its annual Business Confidence Survey this morning.  While the region’s businesses maintained a high confidence level, the index has dropped a point over last year.

Officials in Springfield Massachusetts are hoping to wrap up negotiations with would-be casino developers in time for a voter  referendum to coincide with the June 25 special election for US Senate. City officials are also considering how to spend the financial windfall they hope a casino brings.

In the 1970s, early video games had arrived. And although primitive by today's standards, they gradually grew in complexity and scope - both in terms of gameplay and sound and music. Dr. Neil Lerner, a musicologist at Davidson College in North Carolina, recently spoke with WAMC's  Lucas Willard about the influences on the sound of early video games.

Featured sound comes from:

Pong (1972) published by Atari Inc.

Circus (1977) by Exidy

Kangaroo (1982) by Sun Electronics

Space Invaders (1978) by Taito Corporation

A hearing began earlier today in New York City to examine how insurance claims were settled during Superstorm Sandy, and how they should be handled during future disasters.

Democratic Assemblymember Kevin Cahill, of Kingston, chairs the Assembly’s Insurance Committee.

Ellen Melchionni is the president of the New York Insurance Association, and is testifying at the hearing. She says her association has drawn up a disaster preparedness agenda, a list of suggestions for policymakers to improve the insurance-claims process. Here is one of the items.

With the aggressive and all-encompassing advent of computer-driven technology, to the seeming Nth degree, in American socio-economic activity, one wonders if reliable public enlightenment is still possible, via the welter of virtual warfare, between what was once the professional informational media establishment and the so-called ‘Social Media’ horde that now threatens to obliterate it?