Plattsburgh, NY, Apr 25, 2011 — Abortion is one of the most common medical procedures performed in America. Women in New York state choose to terminate roughly a third of all pregnancies.

But the debate over abortion has raged ever since the practice was legalized by the Supreme Court in 1973.

Kathie Wunderlich is president of Planned Parenthood of the North Country, which operates eight clinics across the region.

Last week as the Good Friday protests were getting underway, she spoke in-depth with Brian Mann.

We asked Wunderlich to respond to a claim by Republican Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, who said that more than ninety percent of Planned Parenthood's medical services involve abortions.  Go to full article

Jan 14, 2011 — Much of the focus in the first two weeks of Governor Andrew Cuomo's term has been on the state's financial crisis, and the new governor's fiscally conservative prescriptions: a public employee wage freeze, spending cuts, a property tax cap.

Cuomo, a Democrat, is more in step with his party when it comes to social issues. Karen DeWitt explains.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Sep 08, 2010 — In their final debate last night, Republicans Matt Doheny and Doug Hoffman both claimed to be the true conservative running for congress in the 23rd district.

The two men, who hope to unseat Democrat Bill Owens, promised to shrink big government and cut taxes.  Go to full article

Mar 24, 2008 — On Friday, roughly 200 Roman Catholic protestors held a vigil outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in Plattsburgh. They prayed for an end to legal abortion in America. They were met by some 60 pro-choice demonstrators. The supporters of Planned Parenthood called for the protection of full reproductive rights for women. The confrontation was peaceful, even dignified. The Good Friday vigil has been a tradition for 14 years. But abortion represents one of the deepest fault-lines in American society, with the two sides embracing starkly different moral visions. Brian Mann attended Friday's vigil and he sent this reporter's notebook.  Go to full article

Mar 27, 2007 — Governor Spitzer, speaking before a group of family planning advocates, says America stands at the "cusp of losing" the rights upheld in the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade. Spitzer says he's already taking steps to strengthen New York's laws regarding reproductive rights. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jun 05, 2006 — Republicans face a potentially bruising primary in the race to replace Governor George Pataki. Last week, former upstate assemblyman John Faso won the GOP endorsement, with backing from most Republican officials in the North Country. But some party leaders -- including Pataki and state party chair Stephen Minarik -- are still backing Bill Weld. Weld has also drawn support from Plattsburgh assemblyman Chris Ortloff and Sandy Treadwell, the former state party chair from Essex. Some top Republicans worry that Faso's conservative social views could alienate New York voters. Brian Mann spoke with Jim Ellis from Tupper Lake, chair of the Republican committee in Franklin County and a state vice chairman. Ellis says the focus during the primary should be on John Faso's economic policies and not issues like abortion and same-sex marriage.  Go to full article

Apr 11, 2006 — Officials at Canton-Potsdam Hospital have dropped plans to buy property owned by the Catholic Church because the Diocese of Ogdensburg wanted to ban abortions on the site. Hospital officials learned of the deed restriction on Sunday. Todd Moe has details.  Go to full article

Aug 02, 2005 — Governor Pataki announced yesterday that he will veto a bill that would allow pharmacists and nurses to offer the so-called morning-after pill without a prescription.  Go to full article

Aug 02, 2005 — As Karen DeWott reports, pro-choice groups say they'll stick to their plan to run ads in key primary states branding Pataki as a flip-flopper.  Go to full article

Apr 30, 2004 — If last Sunday's March for Women's Lives is any indication, student activism is alive and well. Throngs of college students with backpacks and homemade signs gathered in the National Mall in Washington DC. They came from as far away as Alaska and California to form a collective voice of concern about the future of reproductive rights in America. They also came from Potsdam. About 30 SUNY students left late Saturday night on a bus headed for the Capitol. Jody Tosti was along for the ride and has this story.  Go to full article