WAMC Northeast Report

The head of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection has turned down a request from the Westchester County executive to move toward opening a road that was closed after the 9/11 attacks.

On Monday, Berkshire Medical Center announced that it has made more COVID-19 diagnoses at its Pittsfield campus. The county’s first patient with the disease was recognized on March 7th. WAMC spoke with Berkshire Health Systems Director of Media Relations Michael Leary about the expanding outbreak.

Meteorologist Garett Argianas delivers the evening weather forecast for Monday, March 9, 2020.

Regulations have been drafted in the largest city in western Massachusetts to govern short-term housing rentals like those offered through online booking agents.

The head of New York state’s Port Authority has tested positive for coronavirus, and Governor Andrew Cuomo’s health officials are releasing a plan for possible school closures if a child is found to have the illness. Meanwhile, the state is manufacturing its own hand sanitizer, to deal with the shortage of the disinfectant product.

The largest business association in western Massachusetts held its largest annual event Friday. The Springfield Regional Chamber’s Outlook 2020 luncheon was attended by about 500 business and community leaders and elected officials. 

The outgoing president of the College of St. Rose is leaving behind a mixed legacy.

Meteorologist Garett Argianas delivers the evening weather forecast for Friday, March 6, 2020.

Northern New York and Vermont officials provided updates Thursday on coronavirus response preparedness.

Defense contractor General Dynamics held a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday morning for its expansion into a new building in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Once considered for demolition, the 150-year-old church on Washington Street in downtown Saratoga Springs has been fully reimagined and reopened as a 700-seat theatre and arts space. After years of preparation and fundraising, Universal Preservation Hall opened to the public last weekend under the umbrella of Proctors following an extensive renovation. WAMC's Southern Adirondack Bureau Chief Lucas Willard got a tour of the space from UPH Director Teddy Foster.

Hoping to thwart an expected undercount of the city, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan kicked off a campaign Thursday to highlight the importance of the upcoming 2020 census.

Meteorologist Garett Argianas delivers the evening weather forecast for Thursday, March 5, 2020. 

Tuesday was Town Meeting Day and Vermont voters had a number of local ballot items to decide.  In the state’s largest city, there will be changes on the Burlington City Council after two incumbents lost their reelection bids.

Albany County officials have outlined their strategy for protecting public health as coronavirus cases mount in New York.

Meteorologist Garett Argianas delivers the evening weather forecast for Wednesday, March 4, 2020.

The North Country Chamber recently held its annual Legislative Breakfast, bringing in the region’s New York state representatives in Albany to report on actions taken over the past year and forecasts for the region as this session continues.  WAMC North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley was there.

Guilderland Town Supervisor Peter Barber was “cautiously optimistic” as he delivered his State of the Town address this morning. 

   A 9-11 monument built with private funds and put in a public park has been turned over to the city of Springfield, Massachusetts.

Meteorologist Garett Argianas delivers the evening weather forecast for Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

After a second New York state resident tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Temple Young Israel of New Rochelle has been ordered to halt all services immediately. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says a 50-year-old man in Westchester County has COVID-19. The County Health Commissioner directed the temple to stop services for the foreseeable future, and says people who attended services there February 22 and a funeral and bar mitzvah there one day later must self-quarantine until at least March 8.

Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito was in Pittsfield on Friday, announcing over $900,000 in grant allocations for youth programming aimed at building healthy relationships.

Meteorologist Garett Argianas delivers the evening weather forecast for Monday, March 2, 2020.

     The MGM Springfield casino did not have a major impact on overall crime during its first full year in operation, according to research reported to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.