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NCPR News Staff: David Sommerstein

Reporter/ Producer
David Sommerstein, NCPR's roving St. Lawrence Valley/Fort Drum/Tug Hill reporter, began his career in radio, strangely enough, as a high school Spanish teacher in Buffalo. While drilling verb conjugations and teaching a love for Latino culture during the day, he sat in as a late night jazz and Latin DJ at Buffalo's NPR affiliate, WBFO. The radio bug bit, and David found his way to southern Colorado/northern New Mexico (the Taos/Santa Fe area) where he was Program Director, Music Director, Volunteer Coordinator, and "Just About Anything Else You Can Think Of" Director at NPR affiliate KRZA.

Since joining NCPR's news department, David has reported from the chilly deck of a St. Lawrence icebreaker, the power-chord filled stage of the High School Rock Band Festival, and the tense Albanian street market of post-war Kosovo with soldiers from Fort Drum. David also gets to fulfill his passion for music of all kinds when he spins world dance and groove music on editions of The Beat Authority. E-mail

Stories filed by David Sommerstein

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North Country Transportation Study Released

by David Sommerstein
May 30, 2001 — Inexplicable traffic jams on Main Street, driving hours to catch a plane, those are some of the problems North Country leaders have blamed for a sluggish economy and a high unemployment rate. For the past forty years, a range of transportation scenarios have been touted as the magic bullet to bring industry and tourism up North. But each was too expensive, experts said, and nothing was done. A comprehensive study of transportation in the five northern counties of New York--Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Franklin, and Clinton--seeks to solve the transportation puzzle once and for all. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

High Court Rules Against Tax-free Imports by Mohawks

by David Sommerstein
May 29, 2001 — Canada's highest court ruled last week Akwesasne Mohawks on the border with New York do not have an aboriginal right to bring goods into Canada without paying taxes. Critics see the ruling as a setback for native rights in Canada. David Sommerstein reports the Mohawks aren't finished fighting for duty-free trade.  Go to full article

Energy Auditers Hone Skills on Canton Rectories

by David Sommerstein
May 28, 2001 — A record number of holiday travelers are expected on the road this Memorial Day weekend despite rising gasoline prices. Soaring oil and gas prices have sparked a renewed energy debate. A group of churches in Canton have settled on the side of conservation. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Pataki Announces Power Authority Lands Return at Louisville

by David Sommerstein
May 24, 2001 — Governor Pataki was in Louisville, in St. Lawrence County yesterday to announce that the New York Power Authority will transfer 800 acres of land is owns back to local governments. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

How Climate Change Could Affect North Country Weather

by David Sommerstein
May 23, 2001 — A conversation about how global climate change could affect weather in the North Country. David Sommerstein talks with the director of the Great Lakes Regional Assessment study.  Go to full article

Remington Collection Book Wins Award

by David Sommerstein
May 22, 2001 — The Frederick Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg has won an award for the production of an art book about its collection. David Sommerstein talks with Remington Curator Laura Foster about the book, the award and the man.  Go to full article

North Country Schools Compete for Scarce Teachers

by David Sommerstein
May 18, 2001 — Across New York school districts are confronting an acute shortage of qualified teachers. Earlier this week, both New York Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton called the shortage a crisis that must be averted. School districts in New York City are having the toughest time attracting good teachers. Close behind are districts in rural areas like the North Country. David Sommerstein reports on the teacher shortage and how North Country schools are faring in the fiercely competitive field of teacher recruitment.  Go to full article

Zinc Corp. of America Lays off 141 in St. Lawrence County

by David Sommerstein
May 17, 2001 — The Zinc Corporation of America in St. Lawrence County laid off 141 workers Monday, citing high costs and low prices for zinc. David Sommerstein reports employees and area residents alike hope the two month work stoppage is only temporary.  Go to full article

Cuomo Debuts at North Country Democratic Fundraiser

by David Sommerstein
May 14, 2001 — North Country Democrats this weekend got their first look at one of their choices for the 2002 race for governor. Former Housing and Urban Development secretary Andrew Cuomo charged up Democrats in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties with promises of an economic rebound, traditional liberal values, and renewed attention for an area often lost in downstate issues. David Sommerstein attended a fundraiser Friday night in Pierrepont Manor.  Go to full article

School Budget Votes Coming Tuesday

by David Sommerstein
May 11, 2001 — North Country homeowners head to the polls Tuesday to approve or deny their school district's spending plan. Most school budgets have increased this year. Some districts are raising property taxes to pay the difference. But taxes are only part of the equation. David Sommerstein reports hold-ups in Albany are making school budgeting somewhat of a guessing game.  Go to full article

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