Jim Levulis

The Retail Council of New York State has a new president and CEO as the industry navigates government restrictions and health concerns amid a global pandemic. All this comes during what is typically the busiest shopping period of the year.

Today is the annual Great American Smokeout, a day public health officials say smokers can set aside to quit. WAMC's Jim Levulis spoke with Erin Sinisgalli, the director of community health programs at St. Peter’s Health Partners, about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted smokers.

With New York state facing a roughly $15 billion budget deficit and the outlook for federal relief unclear, a number of sectors that rely on state money are bracing for funding cuts. Among those concerned is the disability services provider Wildwood Programs, based in Latham. 

Many Veterans Day parades – like in Albany and Pittsfield – have been cancelled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Still, those cities and other communities are holding outdoor ceremonies to honor the nation’s military veterans. For some of New York’s roughly 800 American Legion posts, Wednesday’s holiday will also look different. 

David Gessner is the author of the New York Times bestselling book All The Wild That Remains. His latest work, Leave It As It Is: A Journey Through Theodore Roosevelt’s American Wilderness, considers the environmental work of America’s 26th president. 

In early September, U.S. Attorney General William Barr designated Antoinette Bacon as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York. The 45-year-old who goes by Toni replaced Grant Jaquith, who resigned after three years to become a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 

For most of those who stick with it for the average six months, fall typically marks the end of an Appalachian Trail thru-hike atop Mount Katahdin in Maine. The roughly 2,200-mile trail runs across 14 states through the woods, over mountains and even on sidewalks. The organization charged with protecting and maintaining the route is the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. 

A new survey of New York public school officials details the fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting cuts to aid on the state’s education system. 

Artifacts recovered from two Native American towns in Central New York are being showcased in a digitized collection via Cornell University. 

The U.S. Forest Service is beginning construction of a new headquarters in Mendon, Vermont. In addition to serving as a visitor center, the $6 million, 11,550-square-foot building will house the people responsible for overseeing the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont and the Finger Lakes National Forest in New York. 

The Wildwood Programs, which offers a number of services for people living with developmental disabilities in New York’s Capital Region, has named a new CEO. Lou Deepe, the organization’s chief operational officer, will take over for the retiring Mary Ann Allen at the start of 2021.