News

By Hank Gross

Valhalla, NY – Staff from 28 hospitals in the seven county Hudson Valley region yesterday tested their readiness abilities with an anthrax drill. The scenario involved a fictional extremist group's intentional release of anthrax spores within the New York City regional mass transit system and commuters unknowingly carrying the illness to their hometowns. WAMC's Hank Gross reports.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – New York's budget includes a treat for New York maple syrup producers. For the first time, maple producers will receive 100-thousand dollars from the state to promote their product. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley reports...

By John Krol

Albany, NY – The recent supreme court decision, reinforcing the federal policy banning the use of marijuana for medicinal use is showing a ripple effect especially in states that are considering legalizing medical marijuana.

By Pat Bradley

Montpelier, VT – The Vermont Legislature adjourned Saturday evening after passing the state's budget, but will reconvene within weeks. That's because Governor James Douglas has promised to veto the entire state budget based on a single provision. And the Governor says because it was clear he would veto the budget if they passed the provision in question, he will ask them to return without compensation.
WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Allison Dunne

Newburgh, NY – Crime in New York State continued its decline last year, a drop that the New York governor's office points to as one for the eleventh consecutive year. And, statistics are in for two Hudson Valley cities that are part of a program to reduce violent crime in targeted jurisdictions. More from WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne.

By John Krol

Pittsfield, MA – Officials in Pittsfield are celebrating the first anniversary of the city's much bally-hooed Sheeptacular event, which drew national attention to the city -- as it hopes cultural tourism and the arts will lead to economic revitalization.

By Pat Bradley

Burlington, VT – The ten-day Burlington Discover Jazz Festival begins this weekend. Thirty thousand people are expected to attend this largest annual event in Vermont to experience a range of student, regional and national musicians playing a varirty of jazz genres.
WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Allison Dunne

Poughkeepsie, NY – The Hudson Valley Philharmonic recently drew the curtain on its 46th season, and with it, a record number of subscribers. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne spoke with the executive director of the opera house that manages the orchestra, about what has led to the Philharmonic's success since the orchestra faced financial trouble in the late 1990s.

By Pat Bradley

Burlington, VT – Heating oil costs are expected to rise more than thirty percent this year. That's based on the lock-in price, the amount customers who pay for their fuel ahead of time are being charged.
WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Alan Chartock

Albany, NY – TODAY IN THE COMMUNITY CORNER MICHAEL LENZ IS BACK TO TALK ABOUT THE EX-DEPUTY PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER, AND WHAT SURROUNDED HER GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION. BUT FIRST HE TELLS US ABOUT THE SARATOGA'S RELATIONSHIP WITH SKIDMORE COLLEGE.