WAMC Northeast Report on WAMC

Tobacco kills more than 400,000 Americans every year and costs the country about $100 billion in health care bills.  Despite successes in curbing tobacco use over the past four decades, it still is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States.  

A recently released report shows that due to an aging infrastructure in Massachusetts, tens of millions of dollars worth of natural gas escapes into the atmosphere before consumers can use it to heat their homes. More from WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard…

Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray made three stops in Pittsfield today, including one at a Veterans home where he heard suggestions and concerns from vets. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

After making stops at Pittsfield High School and General Dynamics, a defense manufacturer, Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray toured facilities at Solider On – a non-profit organization that provides housing and services for homeless veterans.

Troubles with an outdated sewage treatment plant have officials in Orange County looking for options and alternatives... Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

Last year, waters from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee overwhelmed the 40-year old Harriman treatment facility beyond anything seen previously, compromising its processing ability to the point where the plant was discharging more wastewater than allowable into the Ramapo River. Activists insist water quality vigilance must continue.

The Patrick Administration’s top budget official warns failure to avert the “fiscal cliff” in Washington will seriously harm the Massachusetts state budget.  WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports

If the country goes over the so-called “ fiscal cliff” Massachusetts could lose $300 million in tax revenue this fiscal year and $1 billion dollars next year. It would also cost the state $200 million in federal funding that helps pay for a variety of programs according to the Massachusetts Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez.

A group of Massachusetts based foundations and corporations have announced millions in donations to help low income people survive the winter.   WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.

   The statewide funding collaborative, MassNeeds, on Tuesday announced that $8.4 million has been raised  to help poor people with the basic needs of food, heat and shelter this winter. The money comes from 41 corporate, private and public foundations and will be shared by 150  charities .

It's crunch time in Washington - lawmakers trying to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff" are brainstorming to pull the country out of recession - Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
 

With another legislative session about to get underway in New York, lawmakers may have to take another look at the tax cap: new data shows about 25 percent of local governments have indicated that they may override the property-tax cap in 2013 — up from 19 percent at the same time last year. Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.