News

Albany, NY – New York's Maurice Hinchey joins Alan Chartock in the Congressional Corner to discuss the Intelligence Overhaul Bill, the Omnibus Bill, and the proposed casinos in Sullivan and Ulster Counties.

Albany, NY – MA's Richard Neal joins Alan Chartock in the Congressional Corner to discuss the DNC, Northern Ireland, and Bush's cabinet nominees.

By Allison Dunne

Kingston, NY – Bell-ringers aren't manning the red Salvation Army kettles outside certain major retailers this holiday season. This marks the first year Salvation Army kettles will be banned outside nationwide retail chain, Target, and Salvation Army officials say the store's ban will cut down on donations. The ban is not only impacting donations nationwide, but in the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas as well. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne reports.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – Final plans were presented this morning for the re-designed "Port of Excellence" project at the Champlain border crossing in northern New York. The effort to build a 100-million dollar state-of-the-art border crossing should see its groundbreaking this spring. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Eesha Williams

Springfield, MA – Massachusetts is below the national average for percentage of commuters who carpool. A new state agency is trying to change that. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Eesha Williams has this report.

By Allison Dunne

New Paltz, NY – The Social Security Administration is refusing to recognize marriage documents issued from New Paltz, New York. A New Paltz newlywed found this out when she tried to change her name to reflect that of her husband's. Now other heterosexual couples recently married in New Paltz are concerned and outraged. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne has more.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – Now that the Environmental Protection Agency has selected two sites for P.C.B. dewatering, the massive cleanup of the
Hudson River is one step closer. WAMC's Senior Correspondent Brian Shields spoke with NYS Wildlife Pathologist Ward Stone
about P.C.B.'s and the Hudson River.

By Eesha Williams

Springfield, MA – Danaher Tool Corporation announced last week it plans to close its factory in Springfield, Massachusetts. More than 300 workers will lose their jobs. Now the workers are looking at their options. WAMC's Eesha Williams has this report.

By Pat Bradley

Montpelier, VT – An activist group hopes to get a resolution on Vermont's Town Meeting Day Ballot calling on the state to recall Vermont National Guard troops from Iraq.
The Vermont Network on Iraq War Resolutions is beginning to circulate petitions in an effort to get enough signatures to put the resolution on Town Meeting Day agendas. WAMC's North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Allison Dunne

Kingston, NY – New York's Court of Appeals has ruled that the state legislature cannot amend the language of the governor's budget proposals. In the Hudson Valley, area lawmakers say the decision translates into gridlock in Albany. Democratic Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, who has been calling for constitutional reform, says Thursday's decision is a "prescription for chaos." WAMC's Hudson Valley Chief Allison Dunne has more.