WAMC Northeast Report on WAMC

Governor Cuomo took a helicopter tour of areas  devastated from Hurricane Sandy, along with New York’s
Senators Schumer and Gillibrand.  He says the state faces “significant” challenges to rebuild, and will have to “fundamentally” rethink   New York City’s infrastructure  going forward.

Have you ever heard of Leon Cooperman?  He is a billionaire whose 1500 word letter of complaint to President Obama has made him the darling of the top one tenth of one percent.  In the NEW YORKER’s October 8 issue he is profiled in a fascinating article that quotes from his letter.

I am reprinting the entire letter with my comments interspersed:

Cooperman:

As much as medical care, public policy decisions have a tremendous impact on Americans’ health care.  And there is no decision more important than next week’s Presidential choice. 

Americans who watched the 2000 Presidential election – including Al Gore – know that it’s not the nation’s total popular vote that chooses the President.  In fact, there have been a total of three Presidents elected while losing the national popular vote.

Storm relief supplies are being shipped from a staging area in western Massachusetts to areas of New England that sustained heavy damage from Hurricane Sandy.   WAMC”s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports

As I record this commentary, there is a powerful storm approaching the East coast. The last hurricane to hit this area affected a number of people in my office. One of the women who had worked for me lived in Schoharie. Her home and family were OK but she was devastated by what happened to her town. This time, my thoughts are in Brooklyn where my son and his family live – near the water but in the area that serves as a port so we hope more protected.

I’m no meteorologist. So how do you talk about a storm?

Here's the latest forecast with News Channel 13 Meteorologist Paul Caiano.

The  Pioneer  Valley of western Massachusetts is being buffeted by powerful winds from Hurricane Sandy.  WAMC”s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill has the latest on the storm’s impact.

Weather forecasts say this area can expect sustained winds of 30 to 40 miles per  hour, with gusts to 60 miles per hour. The winds began to intensify in Springfield shortly after noon.  Bob Hassett, the Director of Emergency Preparedness for the city of Springfield warned this would not be a quick moving storm.

A high profile campaign is underway in Springfield Massachusetts to inspire more of the city’s public school students to attend college.  The initiative started with a pep rally on the steps of city hall and will continue this weekend with several events.  WAMC”s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.