News

By Carrie Saldo

Great Barrington, MA – An organization working to promote history and tourism of western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut got a boost earlier this week from the federal government. The House has approved a bill that would designate the Upper Housatonic Valley a National Heritage Area. The Senate is scheduled to vote on the House version of the bill in the coming months. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief, Carrie Saldo, has more;

By Dan Bobkoff

Boston, MA – Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Chairman Matt Amorello resigned this morning following withering criticism following the Big Dig debacle in Boston. More now from WAMC's Dan Bobkoff.

(Sound courtesy CBS4 Boston and New England Cable News.)

By Pat Bradley

Newport, VT – Some livestock owners in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom are adamantly against the state Agriculture Agency's plan to require sites with livestock register with the state. Officials heard the defiance during a meeting this week to discuss the premises registration plan. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Pat Bradley

Burlington, VT – How do you place a value on the air, water, and all the natural resources around you? Should you have to? Researchers at the University of Vermont say it's becoming increasingly important to be able to place a value on ecosystem resources. They plan to create a database of ecosystem service values for planners, developers, insurers, or anyone else who could be economically affected by the air, water, and soil. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Dan Bobkoff

Boston, MA – Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Chairman Matthew Amorello resigned this morning following withering criticism following the Big Dig debacle in Boston. An update now from WAMC's Dan Bobkoff.

By Pat Bradley

Albany, NY – The head of the Olympic Regional Development Authority was the sole person to testify Tuesday at a public hearing held by two New York State Assembly committees. The assemblymen are continuing their probe into an annual event that uses the state-funded venues and some state dollars to host federal officials and lobbyists. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

Albany, NY – Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina welcomes back author T.C. Boyle to talk about his new book "Talk Talk," a novel about a deaf woman who goes on a journey to find the man who has stolen her identity. Her search for justice and revenge end up taking on a life of their own in the thrilling new tale.

Albany, NY – Coming up on In Our Backyard: Ward was on an island on Lake Ontario attempting to solve the mystery of why hundreds of birds have died there. Trees in the Adirondack are defoliating-Ward will tell us why. Plus, we'll answer your letters about foxes and an odd horse barking noise heard in Greenfield. Air Date: 7/26.2006

By Pat Bradley

Ticonderoga, NY – At least two hundred people attended a public hearing Tuesday night to voice their concerns over the Adirondack Park Agency's consideration of a variance for a large sign that Lowe's wants to place on a proposed store in Ticonderoga. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Dan Bobkoff

Boston, ma – It looks all but certain that Massachusetts shoppers will get to enjoy a two-day sales tax holiday in August. Details from Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Dan Bobkoff.