WAMC Northeast Report

Greg Haymes from Nippertown is back with his September music choices. He speaks with WAMC's Ian Pickus.

After a smooth opening 21 days ago, the first resort casino in Massachusetts has been awarded a permanent operating license from state regulators. 

New York Democratic Senator Kristen Gillibrand was in Plattsburgh this week. The Democrat says lawmakers need to use the Farm Bill to increase jobs by promoting manufacturing in rural areas.

The mayor of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, says today’s visit by a member of Governor Charlie Baker’s cabinet represents the beginning of a new economic opportunity for the city.

There has been a lot of focus on the Democratic primary race for New York state attorney general, which ends when polls close tonight at 9. Four candidates want the chance to run against Republican Keith Wofford and the Green Party’s Michael Sussman in November. Two are from the Hudson Valley. WAMC’s Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne caught up with them earlier today.

Meteorologist Garett Argianas delivers the evening weather forecast for Thursday, September 13, 2018.

Rhiannon Giddens has traveled the world playing American music. Born in North Carolina, she has sung, played violin, and plucked banjo in her band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops. She has also worked as a solo artist, performing traditional folk, country, blues, and bluegrass, including original compositions. Both a Grammy winner and a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship “Genius Grant,” Giddens is performing two sets at this weekend’s Fresh Grass festival at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts. While her Saturday performance will be a more conventional set, Giddens tells WAMC her Friday set that opens the festival will be unique.

The Collaboratory, a new community health resource in Albany’s South End, held its grand opening today.

A Berkshire County group that represents the region’s businesses is celebrating local economic leaders Thursday night.

In late February, an argument outside a downtown bar in Burlington, Vermont led to a shooting that seriously injured a bystander. The Chittenden County State’s Attorney recently opted not to file charges against one of the men, prompting criticism from the city’s police chief and mayor.

Meteorologist Garett Argianas delivers the evening weather forecast for Wednesday, September 12, 2018.

    Officials in Springfield, Massachusetts say they have a three-phase plan to outfit the city’s police officers with body-worn cameras. 

The Democratic primary for lieutenant governor of New York is turning out to be closer — according to the polls, anyway — than the governor’s race.  New York City Councilmember Jumaane Williams is challenging incumbent Kathy Hochul for the post Thursday.

SUNY Plattsburgh held its annual 9-11 commemoration today to remember the students from the campus lost when the Twin Towers collapsed, and the need to support first responders as health repercussions surface years later.

Democratic primary voters on Thursday have a choice of four candidates for New York attorney general, after Eric Schneiderman resigned in May over allegations he physically abused several women he dated.

An update to a story we’ve been following for the past few weeks now: Last Thursday, an Albany police investigation concluded the August 20th police shooting of a 19-year-old city man was “justified.” Tuesday, the Center For Law And Justice called a press conference to criticize that probe.

Meteorologist Garett Argianas delivers the evening weather forecast for Tuesday, September 11, 2018.

   Springfield, Massachusetts joined communities large and small across the country today that held ceremonies to mark the 17th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.  By next year, the city will have a permanent 9-11 monument installed.

Two New York state lawmakers are renewing their call for a mandated study on rail crossings. The Democrats were at a crossing recently in Rockland County, where a pedestrian was struck and killed by a train.

Capital Region leaders held a rally over the weekend outside the governor's mansion in Albany, calling on Andrew Cuomo to act on climate change.  

Meteorologist Garett Argianas delivers the evening weather forecast for Monday, September 10, 2018.

After a delay, the eastbound span of the 3.1-mile Mario Cuomo Bridge is set to open Tuesday night, weather permitting. This comes after a setback Friday, hours after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo held a grand opening ceremony for the span’s public debut. Cuomo’s gubernatorial opponents are calling for outside investigations into the timing of it all.

    A major shakeup in the entertainment and cultural landscape of western Massachusetts was announced today.

UPDATE 9/8/18:  Authorities have delayed the opening of the second span of the Mario Cuomo Bridge, reportedly prompted by fears that the old Tappan Zee Bridge was in danger of collapse. Boat traffic was halted beneath the span.

New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew Driscoll issued a statement Saturday morning:

"In continued disassembly of the old Tappan Zee Bridge last night, a potentially dangerous situation developed where a piece of the old bridge has become destabilized and could fall. Given its proximity to the new completed span, out of an abundance of caution, motorists will remain in the current traffic configuration until a thorough evaluation by Tappan Zee Constructors is complete."

The Essex County, New York Board of Supervisors passed a new local law this week that raises the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.

The Norman Rockwell Museum is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the American painter’s iconic Four Freedoms series on Saturday.