Aug 06, 2004 — Two men remain in custody today after police raided a mosque and two homes in Albany yesterday in connection with an alleged terrorist plot to obtain a weapon. Federal officials believe the two men arrested Thursday may be linked to al-Qaida and a militant group blamed to attacks in Iraq. Brian Shields of WAMC in Albany reports.  Go to full article

Aug 06, 2004 — Three North Country soldiers will receive the Purple Heart award today at a ceremony in Albany. The National Guardsmen will be honored as part of a ceremony dedicating a new monument that celebrates New York's Purple Heart recipeints. Brian Mann reports.  Go to full article

Jun 28, 2004 — One of the few things that state lawmakers accomplished in a legislative session that ended without a state budget was to agree on a plan to reform the broken budget process. But doubts have been raised that Governor Pataki will go along with the legislature's plan in its current form.  Go to full article

Jun 25, 2004 — While some bills, including the one ratifying the Akwesasne Mohawk casino compact, passed at the last minute, the list of things that didn't get done this session in Albany is long: education and Medicaid funding overhauls, reform of the Rockefeller drug laws and of the state's voting system. And on top of all that, the state budget is late for the 20th straight year. David Sommerstein talked with NCPR's Albany correspondent Karen DeWitt yesterday about what many observers are calling the worst year in Albany ever.  Go to full article

Jun 24, 2004 — The state legislature yesterday ended its 2004 regular session. Governor George Pataki and the legislature have come to agreement on a few minor bills. But as Karen DeWitt reports, the major issues remain undone.  Go to full article

Jun 22, 2004 — The impasse in Albany has made an already tough budgeting year even tougher for local school districts. School boards had to estimate the amount of state aid they expect to receive next year. Still, budgets passed in most districts. But a handful failed. Those districts will have to make contingency budgets, and that means cutting thousands of dollars in programs, services, and in some cases, people. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jun 18, 2004 — New York's legislature is log-jammed over a court-ruling that is expected to reshape school funding in the state. Here in the north country, school districts and local governments are funded largely by property taxes. Brian Mann spoke with state Senator Betty Little, who says property taxes have risen to crisis levels. She passed two bills this session aimed at shifting some of the burden to sales taxes.

UPDATE: On Thursday, Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver announced that he'll block the casino compact this session, as part of an effort to push Native casinos in the Catskills. Speaking with the Plattsburgh Press-Republican, Senator Little says the Akwesasne casino's future is "precarious".  Go to full article

Apr 19, 2004 — Reforming the Rockefeller Drug Laws is an issue that has stagnated at the New York State Capitol, despite expressions of support from all of the major political players. Now, advocates are getting some help from the Argentinean Mothers of the Disappeared, who came to Albany to express solidarity with families who say they've lost a loved one to a long prison term. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Mar 29, 2004 — A Unitarian Universalist minister in Albany performed two same-sex marriages Saturday. The Reverend Sam Trumbore says today he'll take the paperwork he's drawn up to City Hall to request civil marriage licenses. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Mar 19, 2004 — Proponents of easing the state's strict anti-smoking laws say allowing air filtration machines in bars and restaurants could create a compromise between smokers and non-smokers who worry about health dangers. Anti-smoking groups say the devices don't work and create a false sense of safety. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.  Go to full article