Dave Lucas

Members of the public in Essex and Ulster counties have 15 days to sound off on a federal proposal to buy several flood-prone homes, many of which suffered massive damage in 2011 from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

The first section of the spire that will crown One World Trade Center has been hoisted atop the building. It was lifted onto the 104-story building on Wednesday. More from WAMC’s Dave Lucas

Nine of 18 giant steel pieces of the spire arrived at the site in New York City Tuesday via barge from Port Newark, N.J.

The arrival marked the end of a 1,500-nautical-mile journey that started in Canada on Nov. 16.

A plant outside Montreal produced the 18 pieces. The spire will make the tower the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

A lineup of music royalty, including many artists with direct ties to the New York metropolitan area hit by Superstorm Sandy, is descending on Manhattan for a benefit concert to help storm victims. WAMC’s Dave Lucas has more

Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi are native sons of New Jersey, whose shoreline was devastated by the Oct. 29 storm. Long Islander Billy Joel and New Yorker Alicia Keys  have signature songs about the city. Even Liverpool's Paul McCartney has a New York home.

A federal judge has refused to dismiss two fraud charges filed against former New York Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno after his original convictions were overturned. WAMC’s Dave Lucas reports

The 83-year-old was convicted in 2009 of two charges of honest services fraud and acquitted of five others. Prosecutors said he used his influence as a legislator to make money through undisclosed consulting on the side.

Long Island's two county executives testified before a state commission investigating utility companies in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. WAMC's Dave Lucas has more...

The Moreland Commission on Utility Storm Preparation and Response held a public hearing Tuesday night at SUNY College of Old Westbury.  and  Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano were called to testify . The hearing targeted utilities' preparedness and response as well as making recommendations for restructuring utilities.

A school district in Orange County is one of 16 districts in the nation to receive a federal "Race To The Top" grant, as we hear in this report from Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas.

Congresswoman Nan Hayworth may be approaching the end of her term, but that hasn't changed her daily routine or her concern for her constituents. Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

Opponents and supporters of gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing are stuck in limbo, both sides believing a "final decision" is long overdue, Some local governments have taken matters into their own hands, not waiting for the state to take action.  Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports on some of the most recent developments.

A federal program that's supposed to provide guardians to safely handle the finances mentally incompetent veterans is under fire after a critical audit. WAMC’s Dave Lucas reports

The federal Inspector General of the Veterans Affairs found last year that the program had "significant weaknesses" and needs to be changed. The program assigns relatives, friends and associates of veterans to oversee their finances when they no longer can.

Now Sen. Charles Schumer of New York is accusing the VA of "needless foot-dragging" to enact reforms.

Many schools in New York's poor districts lack basic resources six years after a landmark court ruling required the state to increase spending on public education.  That's according to a study released Monday by Teachers College at Columbia University.  WAMC’s Dave Lucas has more…