News

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.

Albany, NY – The Independent from Vermont, Bernie Sanders joins our own Alan Chartock in the Congressional Corner today to discuss the war in Iraq and it's impact on international relations. Alan opens by asking if his reservations going into the war have been proven to be correct

By Lisa Phillips

Monticello, NY – The number of anti-Semitic incidents in New York state last year fell by about 25 percent from 2001. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Lisa Phillips reports.

By Pat Bradley

Burlington, VT – The 3rd annual Governor's Summit on the Employment of People with Disabilities is being held in Burlington today. North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley was there to hear the keynote speaker - 60 Minutes' Mike Wallace - talk about his experience with clinical depression.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – The New York State Lottery has announced record sales in the past fiscal year. Advocates for problem gamblers say the record lottery sales reflect a growing problem for compulsive players. North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley spoke to a problem gambling counselor.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week in a case that could determine the fate of affirmative action programs at colleges and universities across the country. The case is a challenge to the University of Michigan's policy of using race as a factor in admissions. A new poll suggests New Yorkers support affirmative action compared to thr rest of the nation. WAMC's Brian Shields reports

By Lisa Phillips

Millbrook, NY – The war on Iraq is causing jitters in many sectors of the national economy, including tourism, a big source of revenue for the Hudson Valley. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Lisa Phillips takes a look at whether the region's travel and resort businesses are feeling the pinch.

By Arlen Cellana

Sharon, CT – Tri-Arts at the Sharon Playhouse will hold its annual gala benefit this Saturday night at the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut. The evening's performance "Comedy Tonight" will benefit the non-profit's summer youth program and features local talent and well-known television and film stars. Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana provides this preview.

By Lisa Phillips

Kingston, NY – Two Mid-Hudson Valley residents may have Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. It's the first sign of the disease in the region. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Lisa Phillips reports.

By Pat Bradley

Burlington, VT – Presidential candidate and former VT Governor Howard Dean has exceeded his 1st quarter fund-raising goal by a million dollars. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Arlen Cellana

North Adams, MA – Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrom has killed nearly 80 people 46 in China and infected more than 2,300 worldwide and has been making news around the country, including two possible cases in Rensselaer County, New York. On Saturday, a group of students from the Mass. College of Liberal Arts in North Adams returned from a two week trip to China. Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana wondered what precautions the school and local health officials are taking to monitor the health of the returnees.

By Lisa Phillips

Poughkeepsie, NY – A federal judge has dismissed a challenge to the constitutionality of the Superfund law. The decision comes as a relief to supporters of the Hudson River clean up. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Lisa Phillips reports. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Lisa Phillips reports.

By Pat Bradley

Albany, NY – A NY state senator is introducing legislation to protect school boards from the negative impact of late state budgets. Educators say the proposal will help, but won't solve schools' financial plight from late state budgets. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.