News

The fight against COVID-19 is going on today in clinics and hospitals and testing sites. But that fight began in a clinical lab.

Next time on The Best of Our Knowledge, we’ll talk with a microbiologist from the Mayo Clinic about how the coronavirus was identified and how tests are being developed.

Find Dr. Pritt's blog called Creepy Dreadful Wonderful Parasites here.

     The mayor of the largest city in western Massachusetts is demanding more protective face masks for public safety personnel.   WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

With tonight’s celebration of the first night of Passover, Jews around the world are experiencing a unique version of the ancient tradition: the Skype Seder. WAMC spoke with rabbis from across Berkshire County to hear how they’re approaching this pandemic Passover.

Union workers in Schenectady rallied outside of General Electric today, asking the company to ramp up production of ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Governor Andrew Cuomo says it was another day of mixed news about the coronavirus. A new daily high for deaths was reached, while the overall rate of new infections and hospitalizations is flattening.

The coronavirus pandemic will have many faithful in the Capital Region worshipping from home this month. Adhering to social distancing guidelines limiting gatherings of more than 10 people, many churches, synagogues, and mosques have shuttered their doors ahead of their biggest religious holidays.

As of Wednesday, Albany County has 330 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 441 people under mandatory quarantine and 37 hospitalized.

For the first time since 1890, the Boston Pops are canceling their spring season. 

Meteorologist Garett Argianas delivers the eveing weather forecast for Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

Vermont U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders suspended his second bid for the White House this morning. The presidential candidates have been forced to campaign online in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but that is not the reason Sanders gave for giving up his run for the Democratic nomination.

New York Public Interest Research Group Executice Director Blair Horner knew New York state Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, who died Wednesday at age 73 of COVID-19, since the 1980s. Often, their priorities overlapped. Horner spoke with WAMC News Wednesday about Brodsky's legacy, mail-in voting for June 23's primary, and the rest of the 2020 legislative session.

Joining us today to answer your automotive questions is Gordon Fricke – owner and operator of Barber and Fricke Automotive Inc. – an independent repair, auto body, towing and used car facility in Hoosick Falls, New York. WAMC's Ray Graf hosts.

      A fund set up just a few weeks ago to help nonprofits in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties in western Massachusetts has grown to $3 million.

The City of Saratoga Springs has advanced a long-awaited project to locate a fire/EMS facility on the city’s east side. 

Broadway will be dark until at least June 7th, and the COVID-19 outbreak is leading to a spate of cancellations among Berkshire County’s cultural institutions, too. Jacob’s Pillow called off its summer season for the first time in its 88-year history, the Chester Theatre Company cancelled three of its four scheduled shows, and Barrington Stage Company is moving to a “wait and see” model. Whatever happens, the county’s tourist-based economy is in for yet another shock.

On Tuesday, the Williamstown Theatre Festival joined that list with an announcement that it won’t put on its summer season – at least, not on stage. WAMC spoke with the festival’s artistic director, Mandy Greenfield, to find out what happens next.

Newschannel 13 meteorologist Paul Caiano delivers the Midday Weather Summary for Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

Monday evening was the first meeting of the new city council elected by Burlington, Vermont residents on Town Meeting Day in March.  The new council met electronically to elect a new council president, conduct COVID-19 related business and hear Mayor Miro Weinberger’s annual State of the City address.

On this week’s 51%, a nurse shares her view from the front lines; hear from a resiliency expert about coping with the COVID-19 and what is happening in the face of social distancing; and meet an intuitive songwriter.

A new survey shows the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt consumer confidence across New York state a severe blow.

With non-essential businesses shut down through the end of the month at least, the Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany is using the time to renovate.

The deadly invasion of Charlottesville, Virginia, by white nationalist militias in August 2017 is a microcosm of the challenges facing American democracy today. In "Cry Havoc," his first-person account of one of recent American history's most polarizing events, Michael Signer, then Charlottesville's mayor, both tells the story of what really happened and draws out its larger significance.

Jonathan Karl is ABC News' chief Washington correspondent and chief White House correspondent.

In "Front Row at the Trump Show," Karl brings us into the White House in a powerful book unlike any other on the Trump administration. He’s known and covered Donald Trump longer than any other White House reporter. With extraordinary access to Trump during the campaign and at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Karl delivers essential new reporting and surprising insights.

What does the Nutmeg State need to fight COVID-19?

In today’s Congressional Corner, WAMC’s Alan Chartock continues speaking with Connecticut Representative Joe Courtney.

This conversation was recorded March 30.

     The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond.

Today's panelists are WAMC's Alan Chartock, investigative journalist and UAlbany adjunct professor Rosemary Armao, Times Union Columnist Chris Churchill, SUNY New Paltz Communications Professor and former NYS Senator Terry Gipson.

WAMC's Dr. Alan Chartock discusses reports that President Trump threatened to cut funding to the World Health Organization and fired the head of the panel tasked with watching how his administration spends its $2 trillion in coronavirus relief Tuesday. 

WAMC's David Guistina speaks with Jeff Wilkin of The Daily Gazette about New York's highest single-day death toll yet from the coronavirus on Tuesday. They also discuss reports that the state Board of Regents has canceled this year's Regents exams for high schoolers.