Morning Edition on WAMC

A hearing by Senate Democrats explored the influence of the controversial lobby group known as ALEC in New York State. Those who testified say more light needs to shine on the secretive group and even urged the state ethics commission to start an investigation.  Capitol Correspondent Karen DeWitt reports…

New York lawmakers have passed legislation that would require minors to get parental consent for body piercings other than their ears.  WAMC’s Tristan O’Neill reports…

Sponsors say that about a third of people with piercings get them before they turn 18, and complications like allergic reactions, skin infections, scars and discomfort are common.

Some piercing studios currently require written consent for minors. The law would require owners or operators to get a signed parental consent and keep that on file for a year.

Religious leaders rallied at the State Capitol to push for an increase in the state’s minimum wage. They urged Governor Cuomo to get off the fence and advocate for passage in the legislature.  Capitol Correspondent Karen DeWitt reports…

Singing “We Shall Not Be moved”, clergy from a variety of religious faiths gathered at the Capitol’s million dollar staircase to urge Governor Cuomo to use his influence to convince the Senate to approve an increase in the state’s minimum wage before the session ends next week.

U.S. Senator Scott Brown is urging JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon to take back bonuses and incentive pay from those involved in risky trading that led to a $2 billion loss. WAMC’s Lucas Willard reports…

Brown said Wednesday that taking back the bonuses, including any money Dimon might have received, would demonstrate the bank is serious about fixing the mistakes that led up to the loss.

Brown's comments came as Dimon told Congress that senior bank executives responsible for a $2 billion trading loss will probably have some of their pay taken back by the company.

New York Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos says he expects a deal to be announced soon to maintain a price break for beer, which has helped New York's craft brewers grow. WAMC’s Dave Lucas reports…

A Belchertown, Massachusetts brewer had successfully sued to eliminate the price break for its New York competitors.

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Renee Montagne. They say to understand a man, walk a mile in his shoes. Research from the University of Kansas suggests you don't even need to do that. The new study found judgments based on simply looking at someone's shoes, were right 90 percent of the time.

Shoes can reveal age, income, emotional state and political preference. Liberals really do wear shabby shoes and extroverts, flashy ones. Oddly, those in uncomfortable shoes tended to be calm.

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Listen to Paul Caiano's WAMC Regional forecast.  Paul Caianois a meteorologist at WNYT Newschannel 13. He graduated from SUNY Albany in May of 1993 with a B.S. in the field of Atmospheric Science/Meteorology.

Unionized nurses at Vermont's largest hospital say they don't like Fletcher Allen Health Care's latest contract offer.  WAMC’s Tristan O’Neill reports…

The main dispute between the nurses at the Burlington hospital and the administration is over staffing levels and shift schedules.

The hospital wants to save money by having nurses work flexible schedules, but the nurses say the hospital's proposals will lead to inadequate staffing and unsafe conditions for patients.

Matt Cain has thrown the first perfect game in Giants history, striking out 14 in a 10-nothing rout of the Astros.  Cain’s gem follows Phil Humber’s perfect Game for the White Sox on April 21st – marking just the 2nd time in history there have been two perfect games in the same season.