WAMC Northeast Report on WAMC

Industrial development agencies across New York granted $1.5 billion in tax breaks to companies that promised to expand, and create new jobs, in 2011. In a new audit, state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says the IDA’s, which operate at the local and country level, have improved their overall performance but some say there are still reasons to be concerned.

It seems clear that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev exploded bombs at the Boston Marathon. Although some wanted him tried as an enemy combatant outside of the requirements of the Constitution, the Obama Administration has brought charges in the federal courts.

As the Farm Bill moves through the Senate Agriculture Committee and eventually on to the full Senate, New York U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand leads one-third of the Senate in calling for the protection of critical food assistance, urging her colleagues not to balance the budget deficit by cutting food stamps. 

The Farm Bill under consideration would slash $4.1 billion in food stamps funding over the next decade. Government statistics show that half of food stamp beneficiaries are children.

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.