New York News

By Allison Dunne

Poughkeepsie, NY – A federal court this week ruled that new power plants must install so-called closed-cycle cooling technology. Environmentalists say the decision will not only minimize fish kills, but set the stage for ordering existing plants to do the same. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne reports.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – SUNY Plattsburgh officially launched its Institute on Quebec Studies this week. Operating within the college's Center for the Study of Canada, it will offer a minor in Quebec studies. It will also provide a number of cultural and business outreach initiatives to enhance the ties between the Canadian province and the northern New York and Vermont region. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Boston, MA – Massachusetts highest court cleared the way yesterday for same sex marriages to take place in May. But the hotly-debated issue is far from resolved. It now moves to lawmakers, who will debate whether to amend the state's constitution in a way that bans gay marriage. The question is whether the court ruling should be allowed to stand or whether Massachusetts voters should have the option to change the state's constitution. More from WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – Governor Dean is now considered a long-shot for the Democratic presidential nomination. Dean is promising to stay in the Democratic race, even without a victory following yesterday's primaries and caucuses. Dean supporters are pleased their candidate plans to continue, but others are questioning his strategy and whether continuing the campaign is a good idea. North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Worcester, MA – New results from the high-stakes Massachusetts MCAS test were released yesterday. It showed improvements in all student categories, but also showed that black and Hispanic students still lag behind white and Asian students when it comes to passing the test. More from WAMC's Kelly Wilkinson.

By Allison Dunne

Germantown, NY – A trio of groups has joined together to sue the Department of Environmental Conservation. They are taking issue with the DEC's approval of a permit for the Glens Falls Lehigh Cement Company to increase activities. More from WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne.

By Allison Dunne

Hyde Park, NY – There is a place in the Hudson Valley where visitors are expressing more interest and asking more questions. Officials at the FDR Presidential Library and National Historical Site in Hyde Park say this election year has brought a resurgence in political awareness of FDR, especially as scholars draw parallels between Roosevelt and today's politicians. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne reports.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – Congressional representatives from dairy-producing states, including New York and Vermont, are pressuring the Bush administration to protect dairy farmers in trade talks with Australia. Dairy farmers are concerned that the market for U-S dairy products could be seriously hurt by increased competition from Australia, where dairy products are much cheaper. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Pat Bradley

Burlington, VT – A bill has been introduced in the Vermont House that would allow gay couples to marry. The bill is intended to counter a proposed Constitutional amendment that has been introduced in the Vermont Senate defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Pittsfield, MA – Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney appointed an interim district attorney in Berkshire County. David Capeless will take over as the county's lead prosecutor, stepping up from his position as second-in-charge. By choosing Capeless, who's a Democrat, the Massachusetts Bar Association and others say Romney is being true to his word of making nonpartisan judicial appointments. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson reports.