WAMC Northeast Report on WAMC

State Senator David Carlucci, an Independent Democrat, represents the 38th district, which includes a large part of Rockland County, and a small piece of Westchester. Part of his district was hit by Hurricane Sandy, and he says he was all for what the Governor had to say when it comes to improving emergency response and preparedness.

Boosted by higher home sale prices and more transactions spurred by low interest rates the amount of money spent on real estate in Hampden County last year was almost $1 billion, a nine percent increase over 2011, and the most since 2008.  Hampden County Register of Deeds Donald Ashe called it a good year for the housing market in western Massachusetts and he forecast what he called a “ steady healthy market”  for the next six months.

A coalition of Adirondack and regional environmental groups is calling on state officials to help create a new mandatory boat inspection program for Lake George.

The Adirondack Mountain Club, Protect the Adirondacks, the Adirondack Council, Adirondack Wild and the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter have sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo and Environmental Commissioner Joe Martens. The groups say it is past time for a reactive approach to aquatic invasive species and it is vital that the state support mandatory boat inspections and cleaning as proposed by the Lake George Park Commission. Adirondack Mountain Club Executive Director Neil Woodworth says strong state level action is needed.

As the New York State legislature prepares to reconvene for 2013, a coalition of nearly 100 State legislators is calling for prompt passage of a specific, comprehensive State plan to reduce the firepower available to criminals and stop many preventable acts of gun violence. Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.

The call for broad new legislation comes in the wake of the shootings in Newtown, CT and Webster, NY, and ongoing gun violence throughout the nation.

Your afternoon regional weather summary with meteorologist Garett Argianas.

Some media reports Monday mention the possibility of imposing a pedestrian fee on Walkway over the Hudson - the longest, elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. Walkway connects Poughkeepsie, in Dutchess County, with Highland, in Ulster County, and has become a popular place for both locals and tourists. WAMC’s Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne has more on how officials say there will be no such fee.

A series of federal grants aimed at supporting additional learning time have been awarded to schools and other education organizations across Massachusetts. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant program, or CCLC, was created in 2001 through the Federal No Child Left Behind Act. And very recently, winners in Massachusetts were announced to use award money to increase learning time, in an effort to improve student achievement.

Dennis Drue, a 22-year-old Siena College student, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday to a 59-count indictment. Drue was released after posting $50,000 bail.

City Councilor James Ferrera, who assured the council a place at the center of the casino debate last year by creating a casino site committee, was re-elected by his colleagues to a rare second consecutive one year term as council president.  Ferrera predicted the casino issue would top the council’s agenda in 2013.

Your afternoon regional weather summary with meteorologist Garett Argianas.