WAMC Northeast Report on WAMC

Much of the opposition to a proposed utility merger in the Hudson Valley has focused on community concerns, such as jobs, rate hikes, and investing locally. Now, at least one community member has taken his concerns to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Canadian energy company Fortis would acquire Poughkeepsie-based CH Energy Group, parent of Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation, for about $1.5 billion. New Paltz resident Karl Budmen says shareholders will lose.

May is nationally recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, and mental health advocates in the Berkshires are becoming involved to educate the public about the resources available for those living with mental illness.

As part of a way to draw attention to mental illness is his local community, North Adams mayor Richard Alcombright recently called together a discussion with mental health professionals and representatives of area mental health service providers.

Former Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson turned himself in to federal authorities Monday, after being accused in a nine count indictment of embezzling nearly half a million dollars from mortgage foreclosure accounts,  and then trying to cover it up. 

Police departments everywhere are reviewing security measures for large public events in light of the deadly Boston Marathon bombings.  A large outdoor event that typically draws more than 10,000 people is taking place on Saturday in Springfield Massachusetts.

Meteorologist Garett Argianas joins us for the evening weather summary for Monday, May 6, 2013.

Tobacco companies are an extreme example of how greed trumps morality in America’s marketplace.  Every year roughly 500,000 smokers die from tobacco use and the industry knows it must at least replace those lost customers – plus the ones who successfully quit the addiction.

The Vermont Energy Generation Siting Policy Commission issued its final report to the governor and legislature earlier this week. Reaction to the report’s recommendations runs the gamut from enthusiastic to lukewarm.

Back in 1990, a Congressman from South Carolina (Stephen Neal) introduced a bill that would require the Fed (our Central Bank) to make a zero rate of inflation its primary goal.  I was able to publish my response in the economic journal Challenge under the title, “Zero Inflation: prescription for recession.” (Challenge 1990) At the time I noted that Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan had expressed support for that goal.  What I did not know was that later in the decade, Chairman Greenspan would attempt to persuade the entire Federal Reserve Board of his view.  IN 1996, he engaged in a spirited Debate with Economist Janet Yellen, then a member of the Fed Board of Governers.

Meteorologist Garett Argianas give us the weekend weather forecast for Friday,  May 3, 2013.

Vermont’s biggest medical center has received its largest gift in its history.