WAMC Northeast Report on WAMC

In recognition of African American History Month, students at one high school in the Berkshires participated in a day of presentations from local African American role models, who shared their own stories with students and reflected on their heritage.

Multicultural BRIDGE – a non-profit organization with a mission to promote diversity understanding and acceptance in area communities, held their first Living African-American History Month Project, through a partnership with Pittsfield High School.

Gun owners were shocked when a Westchester County-based newspaper uploaded an interactive map that displayed the names and home addresses of pistol owners in Westchester and Rockland counties. Beginning today, New Yorkers can "opt out" of the public record and not have to worry about their private information being shared.

The New York State Public Service Commission has approved the construction of a large power plant in Dutchess County.  It was the last of the major approvals needed, though there are still some issues on the local level to work out before the shovels can hit the ground.

School districts across New York are pulling out all the stops as they struggle to delay anticipated fiscal insolvencies. Embattled districts are considering mergers in order to continue to provide quality education.

Voters in Central New York have approved combining the neighboring Ilion and Mohawk districts. Ilion superintendent Cosimo Tangorra points out that his district had been disenfranchised by the state aid formula for a number of years.

Your afternoon regional weather summary with meteorologist Garett Argianas.

In President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday, he talked a bit about the budget, and the need to reduce the deficit. He referenced a series of federal budget cuts set to go into effect in a few weeks.

Farmers and agricultural advocates are rallying behind a piece of legislation that promises to expand the potential for local meat and poultry processing in Massachusetts.

Last week a sports writer visited campus to talk with students. Before the big presentation, a student asked him what he thought about Orlando Cruz, a professional boxer who recently announced he is gay, the first and only professional boxer to do so. And the writer simply said this issue is going to be the Jackie Robinson of this generation. The handful of 20 year olds sitting around the table got what he meant, maybe even more than 70 year olds that lived through baseball’s integration.

Your afternoon regional weather summary with meteorologist Garett Argianas.