News

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – A scientist who worked on the Soviet Union's biological weapons program for almost 20 years says he has no doubts that Saddam Hussein's Iraq had biological and chemical weapons. Doctor Matthew Alibek, who spoke to students and faculty at the Albany Medical College, says finding the weapons is not the most important concern now.

By Lisa Phillips

Boiceville,NY – A Rochester-area school board has decided not to ask voters to decide on a district budget until New York state approves its own. The move has sparked a debate in the Hudson Valley about whether districts there should take the same stand. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Lisa Phillips has more.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – A leading atmospheric research institute has released a new report on nitrogen pollution in the Northeast. Scientists say nitrogen deposition is a key environmental, human health and waterways problem, but this is the first in-depth study to assess causes, effects, and evaluate possible solutions. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Arlen Cellana

Westfield, MA – For the first time in Massachusetts history a woman has been appointed as deputy chief of a professional fire department. Mary Regan has risen through the ranks since joining the department in 1987 and has recently been promoted to her new position in Westfield. Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana files this report.

By Pat Bradley

Burlington, VT – Three public high schools in Chittenden County, Vermont have agreed to try a school choice program. Students who live in communities served by the Burlington, South Burlington or Champlain Valley Union High Schools can apply to attend any of the three. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Arlen Cellana

Boston, MA – The Massachusetts House of Representatives will debate two bills aimed at expanding legalized gambling. Speaker Thomas Finneran wants to settle this question tomorrow, before the House begins debate on the full 2004 budget later this month. Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana files this report.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – The debate is underway into what role the U.S. should take in post-war Iraq. The war has left changes in the role of the U.N. and in the balance of power in the Middle East. WAMC's Brian Shields takes a closer look.

By Lisa Phillips

Poughkeepsie, NY – The Poughkeepsie-based Skipper Initiative is asking the New York State Legislature to declare next week "Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness week." Though that's likely to happen, another initiative to prevent SBS may take a while to win approval. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Lisa Phillips has more.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – Some environmental groups in the region are upset over proposed rules changes to the federal Clean Water Act. They are urging people to take action before the public comment period ends next Wednesday. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Lisa Phillips

Rosendale, NY – Tomorrow, activists from around the country will head to Washington for another demonstration against the war on Iraq. In the Hudson Valley, peace groups are trying some new ways to call attention to their cause. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Lisa Phillips reports.

By Lisa Phillips

Buchanan, NY – New York state has been ordered to crack down on the Indian Point nuclear power plant's use of Hudson River water. Environmentalists are hoping the move will help restore the river's dwindling shad and sturgeon populations. WAMC's Lisa Phillips has more.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – The Adirondack Council testified this week before the US Senate Environment and Public Works committee about the president's Clear Skies Initiative. While the Adirondack Council says the Initiative would stop acid rain by the end of the decade, other environmental groups say the cuts aren't enough to reduce harmful emissions. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Arlen Cellana

Boston, MA – Lawyers for the Boston Globe and Associated Press are in court today seeking to gain access to documents allegedly detailing over a billion dollars of cost overruns on Boston's Big Dig project. Rafael Lewis is a reporter for the Globe was in court this morning and took time to speak with Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana to tell him how the case came about and where he thought it might be headed.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – The often emotional and sometimes bitter debate over abortion took on an even more controversial tone this week on a college campus in Albany. Abortion opponents used graphic images to try to link abortion in America with the genocides of Nazi Germany and the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. WAMC's Brian Shields reports.

Albany, NY – Republican Nancy Johnson returns to the Congressional Corner today to give us an idea of what it's like to be a Representative that doesn't always vote with her party. Alan opens by asking Nancy how it feels to be a Moderate Republican in the House these days?

Albany, NY – Nancy Johnson, representing Connecticut's 5th district , joins Alan in the Congressional Corner to take a look at the details of what lead up to this war. Alan asks Nancy for her thoughts on the war in Iraq and what she hears from her constituents.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – Nancy Kress has written 21 books which include science fiction, young adult novels and thrillers. She's won a Hugo and 3 Nebula awards for her science fiction writing. She has also written two books on writing and is a monthly fiction columnist for Writer's Digest Magazine. Nancy Kress is an alumna of SUNY Plattsburgh and will be on campus Thursday for the college's President Speakers' Series. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

Albany, NY – Last year Richard Neal of Massachusetts won an award for his work in Congress to bring peace to Northern Ireland. He joins Alan in the Congressional Corner today to discuss Bush's recent trip to Belfast. Alan asks Richard what his thoughts are about Bush's involment in the peace process in Ireland and makes some comparisons to the peace process in Isreal.

Albany, NY – Republican John Sweeney has been named Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counter-terrorism. This is a Homeland Security subcommittee and John and Alan discuss heading up such a committee at a time like this.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – With U.S. Troops in Baghdad, and the whereabouts of Saddam Hussein still unknown, a new poll shows a majority of New Yorkers approve of the way President Bush is handling the war in Iraq. But the poll also shows that New Yorkers are concerned about security at home. WAMC's Brian Shields reports.

By Lisa Phillips

Greenport, NY – The Business Council of New York State has endorsed the controversial St. Lawrence Cement plant in Greenport. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Lisa Phillips has more.

Albany, NY – At midweek we have Democrat Richard Neal joining Alan Chartock in the Conressional Corner to discuss the Democratic Party's roll during and after this war. But first Alan poses a question or two about his and Richard's home turf of Massachusettes.

Albany, NY – Today we have Connecticut Representative Nancy Johnson joining Alan in the Congressional Corner to talk about the concerns she has about American industry maintaining a competitive edge and how some of the proposed tax cuts might help. Alan asks Nancy about the recent proposal to cut in half the origianal proposed tax break.

Albany, NY – Representative John Sweeney of New York's 20th district is in the Congressional Corner to discuss some impressions that have been left after some recent remarks have been made about Iraq and Israel. Alan Chartock asked John about comments he made recently, about anti-war protests and anti-Semitism at Albany's Temple Beth Emeth

Albany, NY – Continuing their conversation today in the Congressional Corner is Dr. Alan Chartock and Independent Bernie Sanders. Alan picks up the conversation where it left off yesterday with corporate ownership of the media and it's influence during wartime.

Albany, NY – Returning to the Congressional Corner is Bernie Sanders of Vermont to talk about the state of the economy in America today. Alan asks Bernie if now is a time when someone like Democrat Howard Dean can reach out to to people with the next presidential race approaching.

By Lisa Phillips

Newburgh, NY – A Hudson Valley lawmaker wants to put daily crime alerts on lottery tickets purchased in New York state. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Lisa Phillips reports.

Albany, NY – Republican John Sweeney is back in the Congressional Corner to talk about some past and recent history in the Middle East and the state of mind of the American people. Alan opens by asking John about the behavior of The Turkish government and forces since the war has begun.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – Plans have been announced for a new center in Albany that will work to solve a problem facing hospitals and health care facilities across the country. The shortage of nurses. WAMC's Brian Shields reports.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – The Clinton County Health Department backed off on a demand that the local Salvation Army apply for special permits to house transient refugees. The permit debate is occurring at a time when the Salvation Army is anticipating a large influx of people waiting to immigrate to Canada. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.