Morning Edition on WAMC

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Government help is available for some Western Massachusetts property owners interested in energy-efficient repairs following tornado damage last summer.

Massachusetts energy officials say Hampden and Worcester county building owners have until Oct. 1 to start applying for grants or no-interest loans through a state program.

The so-called ReBuild Western Massachusetts program provides aid for energy-efficient upgrades including building insulation, solar electric and solar hot water system. It also covers Energy Star windows.

Pot growers often leave an open space to grow marijuana in the middle of a cornfield. But as drought turns corn crops brown, marijuana remains a distinctive green. A trooper tells the News And Tribune the pot is easier to spot from the air.

Republicans, including the powerful chair of the New York state party, are beginning to flock to Tampa for next week’s convention. WAMC’s Ian Pickus has more.

Chairman Ed Cox has run the state party since 2009, and despite a Democratic enrollment advantage, has overseen some key victories: the Republican takeover of the state Senate after two years of troubled Democratic rule, and several Congressional seat pickups during the 2010 midterms.

A State Supreme Court justice in Nassau County ruled on Wednesday that the MTA payroll tax is unconstitutional. The tax has been levied on all employees in Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk counties as well as the five boroughs of New York City.

Businesses and not-for-profits in the entire MTA region have been screaming bloody murder since the state legislature imposed the tax to help bail the New York City transportation system out of its massive financial woes.

As the HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley, parent corporation to The Kingston Hospital and Benedictine hospital, both in Kingston, work up their plans to close Kingston Hospital and consolidate its healthcare services under one roof at Benedictine, a new purpose for Kingston Hospital may be emerging.

Mayor Shayne Gallo told MidHudsonNews.com that he is having discussions with companies about converting Kingston Hospital into a medical college.

The Chicago White Sox have completed their first three-game home sweep of the Yankees in 21 years. Chris Sale struck out 13 and gave up only a run and three hits while pitching into the eighth inning of the White Sox's 2-1 win over the Yankees. The White Sox are enjoying a two-game lead in the AL Central.

The Yankees' now have a three-game edge over Tampa Bay in the American League East, the Bombers' smallest advantage since late June. The Rays overtook Kansas City yesterday 5-3.

WNYT's Paul Caiano delivers his morning forecast. 

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

This summer's drought is not helping the wildfire situation, and the drought is also deeply harming the nation's agricultural economy. Parched lands extend from California to Indiana, and from Texas to South Dakota, impacting everyone from farmers and ranchers to barge operators and commodity traders.

As NPR's David Schaper reports, some farmers are getting close to calling it quits.

DAVID SCHAPER, BYLINE: Looking over his small, 100-acre farm near South Union, Kentucky, Rich Vernon doesn't like what he sees.

A federal judge has tossed out the conviction of a man running a Texas Hold 'Em game in a Staten Island, New York, warehouse. The judge says federal gambling law should not apply to poker because it's more a game of skill.