Top Stories from NCPR News

The Conservative Party's position of staying on the ballot has small-c conservatives worried about a three-way race in the North Country that could help the incumbent Democrat... A North Country farmer gets a visit from Chuck Schumer and grabs the Senator's ear... And a rare conversation with John Sampson. The leader of the Democratic majority in the state Senate says judge him on results, not the messy process.

Conservative Republican Doug Hoffman says he will continue his fight to win the 23rd district House seat, even if he loses the GOP primary later this month.

Hoffman will appear on the Conservative Party ballot line and says he’s promised to continue campaigning against Republican Matt Doheny and Democrat Bill Owens.

As Brian Mann reports, the decision has infuriated many Republican leaders.

And it raises questions about the Republican Party’s ability to take back a seat that had been a GOP stronghold since before the Civil War. More...

After visits to Saratoga Springs and Plattsburgh yesterday, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer rode the back roads of St. Lawrence County to visit a small organic farm in Heuvelton. Schumer has taken on the nickname “the Brooklyn farmer” to tout his interest in New York agriculture. At Bittersweet Farm, he discussed efforts to stop fake organic products from China from entering the U.S. But his hosts wanted to convey a closer-to-home message, more support for local farms. David Sommerstein reports. More...

Senator John Sampson, the leader of the Senate Democrats, admits it's been a rocky first two years in power for his party. But the usually reticent Sampson, in a rare sit down interview with Karen DeWitt, says he hopes voters and the public will judge Senate Democrats on the results of the recently concluded session, not on the sometimes messy process.

The Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh won a three-and-a-half-million-dollar state grant yesterday. Across New York, 17 medical centers were awarded funds as part of a 50-million-dollar push to help the facilities operate more efficiently and lower health care costs. Jonathan Brown reports. More...

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand advocates for congressional transparency. DiNapoli: local governments face huge jump in pension costs. NYS Senate candidate David Mejias has been charged with three counts of stalking. NY praised for energy efficiency progress. Herkimer County hamlets welcome weekend music festival. 9/11 groups split on anniversary NY mosque rallies. More...

Traditional farming will be on display in Madrid this weekend. Draft horses, antique farm implements and an old sawmill are part of the 20th annual Old Fashioned Harvest Days Exhibition at the St. Lawrence Power Museum. Museum president Roger Austin told Todd Moe that this year's show will feature a vintage cobbler's shop and gas station.

Local food advocates in Keene and Keene Valley will celebrate the lowly rutabaga this Sunday. You’re invited to sample the yellow turnip roasted, in soups and even desserts during the third annual Great Adirondack Rutabaga Festival, sponsored by Adirondack Harvest, the Adirondack Farmers Market Cooperative and the town of Keene. The day’s events also include the 5k Rutabaga Run, High Peaks Hula Hoop Championship and Coronation of the Rutabaga King and Queen. Tom Both, lives in Keene and is chair of Adirondack Harvest. He told Todd Moe that the rutabaga deserves a day of praise.

John Warren, of the Adirondack Almanack, joins us Friday mornings with information about local outdoor and backcountry conditions around the Adirondacks.

Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, in Plattsburgh, wins a $3.5 million state grant to improve its emergency department... The gloves came off in last night's debate between the two Republicans hoping to run for a North Country seat in Congress... And greening the afterlife: we meet a family that buried their husband and father at home, naturally.