New York News

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – The Adirondack Council is hopeful that a spike in the price of pollution trading allowances will lead to Midwest power plants installing scrubbers, which are emissions reduction equipment. The Council says the price of pollution credits vs installing scrubbers has gotten to a point where it's more expedient to invest in the equipment. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Pittsfield, MA – Yesterday, Pittsfield Massachusetts claimed a major state in baseball's early history. A document found in the city's library is now the earliest known written reference to baseball in the country. It beats out other references to Cooperstown and Hoboken, which has Pittsfield relishing in the baseball spotlight. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson has the story.

By Pat Bradley

Burlington, VT – Environmental groups are ecstatic over a judge's ruling Monday evening that halts construction of the Chittenden County Circumferential Highway. While state officials say the project remains a high priority, the environmental groups that brought the suit hope the ruling stops the project and leads to alternative transportation options. North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Allison Dunne

Kingston, NY – This time last year, more than double the number of blood drives had already been scheduled for the summer in the New York area. New York Blood Center officials say the Hudson Valley is especially lacking in drives. And, they say, there could be critical shortages of all blood types. More from WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Amherst, MA – The Massachusetts Democratic Party held their annual convention in Amherst this past weekend. During the convention, party leaders pledged to raise an unprecedented amount of money for local and state races. That comes as the Republica Party is mounting the biggest legislative challenge in years. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson filed this report.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – New York State has been selling surplus equipment on the on-line auction site eBay. WAMC's Brian Shields reports the state has brought in more than half a million dollars so far.

By Allison Dunne

Kingston, NY – One of New York's Senators had the opportunity to question Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld during Friday's Senate Armed Services Committee hearings. Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton says she is not satisfied with the answers, but is not yet ready to call for his resignation. More from WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne.

By Pat Bradley

Albany, NY – Dioxins are pollutants found in the air, soil and water, which can be released when waste is burned. The dioxins build up in the fatty tissues of animals. Humans are exposed when they eat animal fats, including the fat in dairy products. An anti-cancer group is now calling on New York's legislators to mandate dioxin warnings on all foods containing animal fat. North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

By Allison Dunne

Salisbury, CT – Connecticut's Attorney General is assembling a multi-state coalition to oppose the proposed St. Lawrence Cement Greenport plant. The move comes as the attorney general will participate tomorrow on a panel about how the proposed plant would affect the health of those beyond the Columbia County border. More from WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Pittsfield, MA – Massachusetts has the highest rates of teenage drug abuse in the country. Some experts say the state also has the worst access to recovery programs. A forum last night in Pittsfield brought together politicians, law enforcement representatives and substance abuse professionals to talk about the problem. In addition, more than a hundred people attended the session, some of whom told their own stories of drug and alcohol addiction. WAMC's Kelly Wilkinson was there and has this report.