WAMC Northeast Report on WAMC

A Hudson Valley assemblyman has penned a letter to the New York State attorney general with concerns over a proposed merger involving a local utility company. A spokesman for the utility company insists the merger is in the public interest.

The Schenectady County League of Women Voters is holding a series of forums looking at the importance of agriculture and the future of the family farm.

Advocacy groups on opposite sides of the abortion  issue have endorsed candidates in the special election for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts.  Candidates  who favor limiting abortion rights have historically not done well in Massachusetts.

       Three of the candidates running for the Senate in Massachusetts have stated unequivocal positions on the issue of abortion rights.  Two other candidates have staked out greyer areas. The differences don’t divide along party lines.

Lawmakers originally planned to be passing bills by now, ready to wrap up the state budget and leave on a three week break beginning on Thursday.
 
But, instead of an agreement early in the week, each day lawmakers have found themselves discussing new issues , some of them totally unrelated to the spending plan. Most recently, talks have turned to whether to decriminalize public possession of marijuana in New York City, and walking back a provision of the recently enacted gun control laws.

Your afternoon regional weather summary with meteorologist Garett Argianas.

Yesterday was a two hour delay in our school district. That’s mainly because we’ve already used up all our snow days, so cancelling the whole day would have cut into spring break, and no one wants that. So in our two hours of free time, my five year old son and I did what most families did, I’m sure. We filled out NCAA tournament brackets. I did mine, and Sloan did his. If Sloan wins, he doesn’t have to put his clothes away for a week. If I win, well, there’s nothing on the table, but I’ll probably feel less guilty when I eat half his Halloween candy next year.

When soldiers return from overseas tours to places like Afghanistan and Iraq, many must deal with medical or psychological issues.  Ten years after the beginning of the war in Iraq, veterans are facing increasing challenges at home.  Two veterans’ medical centers are serving upstate New York and Vermont with a variety of services.

The New York State budget is crawling to a conclusion, as legislative leaders and Governor Cuomo continue closed door meetings to try to strike a final deal.

New York National Guard Sargeant Chris Paiser was deployed to Iraq about three months after the capture of Saddam Hussein.  On June 16th,  2004,  Paiser was at his base’s PX in Balad when a rocket attack caused shrapnel to impact just below his right temple, permanently blinding him. 

Special masses were said in Catholic churches in the region today to mark the installation of  Pope Francis.  

   About 200 people braved a snowstorm to attend a noon mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield, where Bishop Timothy McDonnell declared it a day to rejoice.

   The mass in Springfield took place several hours after the installation mass  for the new pope was held under bright blue skies in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican . The crowd there was estimated at between 150,000- 200,000 people.