New York News

By Pat Bradley

Montpelier, VT – The top Democrat in the Vermont Senate is critical of Governor Douglas' views of the Vermont Supreme Court. Peter Welch is concerned about the governor's comments that the court has not shown judicial restraint in recent decisions. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Arlen Cellana

Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Legislature has restored over $ 40 Million of the $201 Million vetoed from the fiscal year 2004 budget by Governor Mitt Romney. Saying local communities have been hit hard enough, House and Senate lawmakers have restored $23 Million to the account for state aid to cities and towns. Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana reports.

By Allison Dunne

Sullivan County, New York – Lawyers for Governor Pataki filed papers with the New York State Court of Appeals last week. They asked the state's highest court to stay its decision that the governor entered into a casino deal illegally, while the governor seeks to appeal to the Supreme Court on the matter. The outcome could affect casino developments in the Catskills. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne reports.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – Frequent travelers to Canada from Vermont and northern NY can now apply for the NEXUS program, which will allow drivers to avoid long lines at the Highgate Springs VT and Champlain NY border crossings. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – The NYS Board of Elections today began a series of public hearings on a draft plan to implement the federal Help America Vote Act in New York. The law provides states money to modernize voting machines and update election procedures. WAMC's Brian Shields has more.

By Arlen Cellana

Boston, MA – The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's $13.6 million donation is one of the largest gifts ever received by the Boston public school system. The money, to be paid out over four years, will help 7,500 students at 19 Boston high schools, and will include five new small schools the money will help create. Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana spoke with Boston Public Schools Communication Director Jonathan Palumbo about what the grant means for the cash strapped school system.

By Allison Dunne

Kingston, NY – The most recent figures show a decline in the Empire State's housing market, including the Hudson Valley. However, realtors and builders agree that sales of single-family homes along with housing starts remain strong and promising for many of the Valley's counties. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne reports.

By Arlen Cellana

Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Legislature is poised to take up debate today on a majority of the 370 vetoes issued by Governor Mitt Romney last week. Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana filed this report.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – The American Red Cross is now testing donated blood for the West Nile Virus. WAMC's Brian Shields has more.

By Allison Dunne

Poughkeepsie, NY – A key figure in the founding of the modern environmental movement has died. But the precedents she set still contribute to the preservation of the Hudson Valley today. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne reports.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – At least one of the nine Democratic Presidential hopefuls is reassessing the importance of an aggressive Internet campaign presence. Senator Bob Graham says rival Howard Dean's Internet success is beginning to change the other candidates' on-line presence. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Arlen Cellana

Boston, MA – One of the least noticed vetoes to come from Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is a $2.9 Million hit to the $3.5 Million line item for recycling programs in the state. If the veto is not overriden, funding for recycling items from aluminum cans to hazardous waste will stand at $600,000 for fiscal year 2004. Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana files this report.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – Safety officials are gearing up for the 4th of July Weekend. Traffic is expected to be heavier than in past years. And, New York State has just implemented new, stricter driving while intoxicated laws. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Allison Dunne

Cuddebackville Dam, New York – The federal government is hooking up with a national non-profit organization to remove an Orange County dam. They are doing it with the hope of helping fish numbers spike in the Neversink River, a river known for trout and fly fishing. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne reports.

By Allyson Dunne

Poughkeepsie, NY – Summer is in full swing, but New York's Summer Youth Jobs Program is not. Though the Governor has announced that funds would be made available for this summer, some of those at the helm of the jobs programs are worried about the cash flow. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne reports.

By Pat Bradley

Burlington, VT – Increasing numbers of rank-and-file Democrats say they're giving former Vermont Governor Howard Dean's presidential candidacy serious consideration. Vermont's former Governor also says the money he's raised so far shows he can win the Democratic nomination for President. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – Nine-thousand teachers and education officials have gathered in New Orleans for the National Education Association's annual meeting. WAMC's Senior Correspondent, Brian Shields spoke to the president of the New York chapter of the N.E.A. about the meeting, and what lies ahead for education.

By Arlen Cellana

North Adams, MA – A state education oversight committee recommends North Adams Public Schools be placed on a list of underperforming districts after the panel found the administrative staff to be inadequate to the point it hinders the district's ability to implement new curriculum and make gains on MCAS scores. Local leaders call the move politically motivated. Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana filed this report.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – The new month brings with it a new DWI law in NYS. As WAMC's Brian Shields reports, a lower blood alcohol level will bring a charge of driving while intoxicated.

By Arlen Cellana

Boston, MA – Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has signed a $22.1 Billion budget for fiscal year 2004. The Governor also issued $201 Million worth of vetoes including a further reduction in state aid to cities and towns. Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana files this report.

By Pat Bradley

Burlington, VT – Nurses at Vermont's largest hospital are voting today and tomorrow on their first union contract. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Arlen Cellana

Pittsfield, MA – A planned event at Pittsfield's Onota Park is in doubt following the city's decision to require organizers to provide for Police patrols and garbage pick-up. Rinaldo Del Gallo, a local lawyer and the event's coordinator, has sued several city officials, including Mayor Sara Hathaway and all the Parks Commissioners (among others), claiming their decision violates his group's First Amendment right to free speech. Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana reports.

By Pat Bradley

Albany, NY – At their meeting this morning, the SUNY Board of Trustees raised tuition for undergraduate students. The tuition hike will be the first increase in 8 years. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – Senator Hillary Clinton's book, "Living History", has reached the top of the New York Times Best-Seller List for Non-Fiction. The book has received a lot of media attention, and it has sold well, but has it changed any minds about the author? The Siena Research Institute at Siena College recently asked New Yorkers what they think of the book, and its author. WAMC's Brian Shields spoke to doctor Douglas Lonnstrom, the director of the research institute about the poll results.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – The high heat and humidity of late has led to ozone advisories in New York State. The American Lung Association says earlier this week, several upstate monitoring stations recorded violations of the health standard for ambient ozone concentrations, especially in western NY. Health and environmental advocates say the state and federal government must take action to reduce ozone causing pollution. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Arlen Cellana

Boston, MA – The nearly $23 Billion dollar budget proposal offered by the House of Representatives is out of balance by about $200 Million dollars according to the Administration of Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and, he says, will require liberal use of his veto powers. Local Democratic representatives say, however, their budget is balanced and in the end will be upheld. Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana reports.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – The mayors of Plattsburgh and Burlington and the Member of Parliament from southern Quebec's St. Jean-sur-Richelieu met Wednesday afternoon to unveil their "Triangle of Excellence" website, an effort to promote and enhance economic opportunities within the geographic triangle. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – A new book may help some people start a new life. The book, being distributed for free in Albany, provides information to help men and women just released from state prisons or local jails. WAMC's Brian Shields reports.

By Arlen Cellana

Montague, MA – A loosely formed grass-roots advocacy group will hold a mock funeral procession tomorrow evening in front of the Massachusetts Statehouse to emphasize what they're calling the death of public education. Contingents from across the Commonwealth will travel to Boston in the hope of restoring funding to the state's local school districts. Berkshire Bureau Chief Arlen Cellana reports.

By Joe Donahue

Albany, NY – Audio Book history was made this week with the release of Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix. The audio version of the new J.K. Rowling bestseller - featuring Broadway actor Jim Dale - marks the largest initial release (575,000 copies) of an audiobook in the history of the industry. WAMC's Joe Donahue spoke with Jim Dale about the project.