WAMC Northeast Report on WAMC

It seems wherever Governor Cuomo goes these days, he’s followed by protesters who implore him not to allow hydrofracking in New York.  Hundreds gathered in the ornate Million Dollar staircase in the Capitol, where they listen to celebrities and actors like Mark Ruffalo, aka the Hulk.

“We’ll cream you if you open New York State to hydrofracking,” Ruffalo bellowed, to cheers. 

There is great uncertainty about the impact the federal budget cuts, through the process known as sequestration, will have on the Massachusetts economy.   But regional economists remain cautiously optimistic, according to an analysis released this week.  

Have you ever had a thirteen year old ask you if she was going to die? I have. It’s an experience I hope no one ever has to go through, but one that has taught me faith and strength I never thought I had.

When you find out a family member only has less than a year to live, your whole perspective on life changes. You focus on the day, take nothing for granted and live in that moment. This is something I’ve come to realize and appreciate more each day.

Your afternoon regional weather summary with meteorologist Garett Argianas.

During a conference call Thursday, New York 21st District Democratic Congressman Bill Owens talked about his concerns over the sequestration cuts scheduled to take effect on Friday.

Congressman Owens is disappointed that while the president and Congressional leaders plan to meet, there has been no significant legislation, nor real conversation, to address the situation.

New statistics released this week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that from June 2011 to June 2012 Saratoga County experienced the largest employment growth in New York State at 3.1 percent, with strong job growth in manufacturing and leisure and hospitality.

WAMC’s Patrick Donges spoke with Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Alan Grattidge for his reaction to the positive numbers

A rally against New York’s newly enacted gun control laws drew one of the largest crowds to the State Capitol in recent decades.

Your afternoon regional weather summary with meteorologist Garett Argianas.

As the clock ticks down to yet another financial crisis, experts across the nation are weighing in on the consequences facing a myriad of critical government programs  --  from defense to cancer research to student financial aid to public health to homeland security.  Come tomorrow, March 1st, short a last minute agreement, some $85 billion in across-the-board cuts from sequestration will take effect, albeit, over a number of months and, in some cases, years.  Such cuts represent annual reductions of approximately 5% for non-defense spending and 8% in defense expenditures.

The looming automatic federal budget cuts - or sequestration - will trickle down to all parts of the economy.  During a meeting on business confidence, northern New York officials predicted serious consequences for some economic sectors in the region.  They are also disappointed that Congress can’t, or won’t, work to find the 2-percent cuts in the federal budget.