New York News

By Kelly Wilkinson

Amherst, MA – New England is the recipient of air pollution that blows in from the Midwest. The area also holds its own sizeable share of industrial sites. A group that aims to reduce toxins announced today that they'll be moving into Western Massachusetts. More from our Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Dalton, MA – Tomorrow, the US Government will unveil its new 20-dollar bill. It's redesigned to include more security features that make it harder to counterfeit. The paper that all US currency is printed on is made in Western Massachusetts, as our Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson reports.

By Allison Dunne

Poughkeepsie, NY – The Dutchess County legislature is holding a special meeting tomorrow night to vote on whether to give up its future annual payments from the nation's tobacco settlement, and receive a lump sum instead. The money would then go toward paying off some of the county's debt. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne has a preview of tomorrow night's session.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – New York State has launched a media campaign to warn people about predatory loans. WAMC's Brian Shields has more.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Lenox, MA – Many cities and towns are facing grim upcoming budgets. The town of Lenox, Massachusetts has an additional dark cloud on their horizon because of a miscalculation in room tax. Local politicians are looking to waive most of the penalty...saying the town is being punished for a state mistake. More from Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – An Albany synagogue on Monday, Yom Kippur, honored three people who in different ways worked to fight and expose the horrors of the Nazis. WAMC's Brian Shields reports.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Pittsfield, MA – A federal grant will go towards helping homeless veterans in need of housing and support services in the Western Massachusetts area. The United Veterans of America received the grant. Our Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson talked with their executive director about how the new funding will affect the area's homeless veteran population.

By Allison Dunne

Albany, NY – They are a burden on the shoulders, and the wallet. A report by New York Democratic Senator Charles Schumer says the average college textbook rings up at more than one-hundred dollars. So he is proposing a tax deduction to ease the pain. WAMC's Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne has more.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – Police using dogs that are trained to sniff-out guns, drugs and explosives have searched Schenectady High School several times since the school year began in September. School officials and police say the searches are for the safety of students, faculty and staff in a city with a recent history of violent crime. WAMC's
Brian Shields reports.

By Kelly Wilkinson

Great Barrington, MA – Every public school in Berkshire County will now have endowed education funds, thanks for a public-private partnership. The money will be used for enrichment programs that fall outside the scope of school's operating budges. Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson has more.