Jun 23, 2006 — State lawmakers are getting mixed reviews on their reform efforts as the legislative session concludes in Albany. The legislature failed to wrap up end-of-session issues last night, and will continue to seek agreement with Governor Pataki today. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jun 22, 2006 — State lawmakers have reached a number of new agreements, as the legislative session winds down. They reached deals on issues ranging from criminal justice to credit card penalities. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jun 01, 2006 — New York Republicans today designated former Assembly Minority Leader John Faso as their candidate for governor. However, the race that has split the party leaders will
go to a primary as former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld landed enough support to earn a spot on the ballot. Karen Dewitt was at the convention in Long Island. She called Gregory Warner on her way back.  Go to full article

May 16, 2006 — Governor Pataki and leaders of the legislature are moving toward expanding the state's DNA crime database to include all crimes, even misdemeanors. But a Democratic Senator says there are too many unanswered questions about people's privacy and their innocence. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

May 16, 2006 — Voters in New York have the opportunity to vote on their local school budgets today. Schools say extra aid from the Governor and legislature this year have helped keep costs down to property taxpayers. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

May 03, 2006 — As gas prices remain above 3 dollars a gallon across most of the North Country, lawmakers in Albany want to give drivers some relief. They've targeted the 4% state tax on gasoline. But politics as usual is getting in the way. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Apr 12, 2006 — A bill now being considered in Albany would ban the highest-risk sex offenders - level 3 - from living within a quarter mile of schools and day care centers. The bill has passed the Senate, but is still stuck in committee in the Assembly. One councilman in Ogdensburg says it's too important to wait. He's proposed a city-wide law, even stricter than the state version. It would bar all sex offenders from living within 2000 feet of schools, day care centers, and also parks and playgrounds--essentially restricting them to the very fringes of the city. It's not the first such law. Similar legislation has been passed in Buffalo, and Amherst New York, and around the country. But as Gregory Warner reports, the laws can have unintended consequences.

A warning to listeners: This story includes a brief description of violence against children.  Go to full article

Apr 05, 2006 — Over 40 'sexually violent predators' are currenly being civilly confined in New York - held by the state after their criminal sentences are completed.
Governor Pataki cleared two major hurdles in his effort to build a permanent civil confinement facility at the St Lawrence PSychiatric Center in Ogdensburg, as well as other sites around the state.
Lawmakers approved the measure in the budget. And last week an appellate court ruled that the legislation, similar to that in over a dozen other states, is legal.
The union that represents workers at St Lawrence Psychiatric Center has endorsed the project, as have corrections officer's unions. Even residents opposed to the plan agree the issue is settled.

Still, about 50 people came to a special town hall meeting in Ogdensburg last night to get their questions heard.  Go to full article

Mar 29, 2006 — Sex offenders may be effectively barred from living in Ogdensburg. A proposed law would prohibit all sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school, park, playground, or licensed day care center. Such "pedophile-free zones" are becoming more popular around the country, and similar laws have been passed in Buffalo, Amherst and Cheektowaga, New York. Now State lawmakes are considering a bill in Albany. Gregory Warner reports.  Go to full article

Mar 17, 2006 — Congressman Sherwood Boehlert announced today that he will not run for re-election. The Republican from Oneida County served in Washington for more than 24 years. Sherwood Boehlert was a moderate Republican who frequently clashed with the Bush administration. Brian Mann joined Gregory Warner live on All Before Five to talk about what this might mean for the region and both parties.  Go to full article