New York News

By Kelly Wilkinson

Pittsfield, MA – The Pittsfield mayor's race is between incumbent mayor Sara Hathaway and business executive James Ruberto. Hathaway defeated him Ruberto two years ago by about 1,000 votes. Yesterday we heard from Hathaway about her campaign. Today, our Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson has a profile James Ruberto.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY & Burlington, VT – A new program, jointly administered by Plattsburgh State and the University of Vermont, will recruit and train new Canadian studies instructors. This week officials from the two colleges and Canada introduced the CONNECT program: designed to improve Canadian studies throughout the U-S. North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley reports.

By Allison Dunne

Albany, NY – New York Democratic Senator Charles Schumer is one of many in the state fighting a congressional plan that would charge the elderly a fee for home health care. The senator says those in the Hudson Valley would be impacted the most. More from WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Pittsfield, MA – The mayoral race in Pittsfield is reaching fever pitch, as anyone who lives in the city or drives through it can see by the increasing lawn signs. Incumbent mayor Sara Hathaway is facing plastics industry executive James Ruberto. Hathaway beat Ruberto in the previous election by about 1,000 votes. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson will profile both candidates today and tomorrow, starting with Mayor Hathaway.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – The C-V-P-H Medical Center in Plattsburgh has taken another step forward in their effort to create an open-heart surgery and coronary angioplasty center. The northern NY hospital has announced their Director of Cardiac Surgery, who will provide medical oversight, and recruit and train personnel for the program, in conjunction with St. Peter's Hospital in Albany. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Allison Dunne

Poughkeepsie, NY – Dutchess County is one step away from using a pesticide in testing deer station feeders. The research project aims to reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease. On a separate front in the county, the legislature last night voted to approve a one-time, lump sum tobacco payout. More from WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Berkshire County – A small school in the Berkshires had made great strides for a small but growing model of education: colleges for high school age students. Simon's Rock College of Bard has been used as a model for similar schools around the country. Bernard Rodgers has been the college's dean and vice president for half of the institution's lifetime. He announced his retirement this week. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson has more.

By Allison Dunne

New Paltz, NY – This evening, a group that promotes sustainable growth in the Hudson Valley will host its first socially responsible investing forum. The talk is entitled "Investing to Change the World", and an analyst from the Calvert Group will inform audience members about socially screened funds. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne has more.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – The requirement that students in New York State pass five Regents exams to earn a high school diploma has been the focus of debate and controversy. Recently state officials lowered the passing grade on the exams from 65 to 55, but now opponents of the testing requirement charge that the exams are holding back minority students. WAMC's Brian Shields reports.

By Pat Bradley

Montpelier, VT – A joint committee of the Vermont legislature has voted to defer a plan that would require the state's poorest residents to pay a premium on state-sponsored Medicaid programs. The group also delayed implementation of a new billing system that eliminates the current co-payment plan. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.