Midday Magazine on WAMC

Governor Andrew Cuomo expects environmental groups to favor the recommended option for building a new Tappan Zee bridge, one that calls for less dredging than planners originally believed would be needed. Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

The initiative to restore or replace the 56-year old bridge spanning the Hudson between Tarrytown and Nyack has languished for more than a decade: Governor Cuomo has placed the Tappan Zee on his administration's front burner.

Musician Natalie Merchant, director Jon Bowermaster, and WAMC’s Alan Chartock will host a screening of the concert documentary Dear Governor Cuomo, about a key anti-fracking concert and rally held this past spring in Albany, tonight at 7:30 at The Linda. Chartock spoke with Bowermaster about the film and its impact.

We roll back highlights from this week's WAMC Listener Comment Line. 

Two high powered casino operators affirmed their commitments this week to pursue projects in Springfield Massachusetts.  Officials in Holyoke, a late entry to the western Massachusetts casino competition, are moving to form committees to review proposals from developers.  WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief  Paul Tuthill has an update on the fast moving casino story.

Officials in Massachusetts have presented forest management plans for six new designated areas in the Commonwealth, and representatives from the wood products industry are pleased with the results. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

Last night the Department of Conservation and Recreation completed a tour of public meetings where forest management projects for new designated woodlands were introduced and presented for feedback.

Amid the uncertainty of the fiscal cliff and declining state revenues, this week Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick proposed a series of mid-year budget cuts to close a half-billion dollar gap in state funding. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard spoke to some that are concerned about the cuts.

Governor Patrick used his authority to propose emergency cuts in the state’s budget to close a $540 million gap in funding. And many are hoping that some of the governor’s planned cuts can be avoided.

Williamstown, Massachusetts-based journalist and author Alex Kershaw will mark the anniversary of Pearl Harbor with a talk at Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont Friday evening at 7. Kershaw will discuss his new book The Liberator, about one soldier’s 500-day march from Sicily to Dachau. Alex Kershaw spoke with WAMC’s Alan Chartock.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced a long-term lease agreement between CSX and Amtrak, enabling Amtrak to take full control of the Hudson Line between Schenectady and Poughkeepsie. Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

The New York State Department of Transportation led the efforts to transform the 94-mile Hudson Line from Schenectady to Poughkeepsie from a CSX freight-controlled line to an Amtrak-controlled line.

Amtrak spokesman Cliff Cole notes the "transfer of power" paves the way for several significant rail improvement projects totaling $181 million...

Earlier this week, officials in five states announced they would be participating in a pilot program that would add hundreds of hours in classroom time to the school year. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard has more…

It's that time of year: across New York, county legislative bodies continue to review and change proposed budgets. Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas takes a look at the process and progress in this "sour" economy...