New York News

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – Some New Year's Eve revelers in New York will ring in the new year in smoky bars and restaurants. But the clause in the state smoking ban that will allow establishments to let their patrons light up is causing a lot of confusion. More from North Country Bureau Chief pat Bradley.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Great Barrington, MA – The rippling effects of mad cow disease are well underway. Across the globe, US produced beef sits ready to spoil in ports after more than 2 dozen countries shut their markets to American meat. Closer to home, some advocates of organic beef say they expect an uptick in sales of locally produced meat. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson reports.

By Allison Dunne

Poughkeepsie, NY – The founder of Poughkeepsie's Marist College died over the weekend. He was also the college's first president, and lived on the Dutchess County campus until a few years ago. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne takes a look at the life of the President-Emeritus, and the values he leaves behind.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – Dairy farmers throughout the region are closely watching the reported case of mad-cow disease in Washington state. Here in the Northeast, the primary concern lies in the potential economic fallout, rather than a possible outbreak of the disease in the dairy herd. North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley reports.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Pittsfield, MA – One week from today, a new mayor will be sworn into office in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Outgoing mayor Sara Hathaway lost her bid for re-election. Reflecting on her term, she says Pittsfield is ready for continued progress. More from WAMC's Kelly Wilkinson.

By Allison Dunne

Kingston, NY – The design for the tallest building in the world was unveiled last week. The Freedom Tower will occupy the World Trade Center site, and stand one-thousand, seven-hundred, seventy-six feet tall. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne spoke with a stress and trauma expert about how different segments of the population might be affected by the news, and the building.

By Pat Bradley

Clinton County/Canada – he Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce recently released their biennial report assessing the economic impact of Canada on Clinton County. It indicates over a Billion dollars in direct economic activity between Canada and the New York county. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Allison Dunne

New York, NY – The program that extends unemployment benefits across the nation expired over the weekend. Now, a New York Senator is calling for extending such benefits to be a top priority when the Senate returns next month. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne reports.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Springfield, MA – Buses in Springfield, Massachusetts will soon have microphones installed over drivers seats. It's a move that transportation officials say will improve safety. But bus drivers and the American Civil Liberties Union have objected. More from WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson.

By Pat Bradley

Essex Junction, VT – IBM's Essex Junction, Vermont plant will continue to get a discounted rate from Green Mountain Power under a deal approved by Vermont utility regulators. Critics say the deal is unfair to other electric ratepayers. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.