Walton, NY, Jun 30, 2011 — It's officially summer for North Country children whose school sessions ended last week. Their parents and teachers are hoping they carry an important lesson with them into summer break - exercise.

Schools are spending more time preaching the importance of exercise to combat childhood obesity. At Edwards-Knox elementary school in St. Lawrence County, students start every day the same way - with a fifteen-minute walk outside.

Steve Knight joined Denise Koser's fourth grade class for their morning walk - as well as a yoga session - and sent this audio postcard.  Go to full article

Feb 07, 2011 — Sun, mild temperatures, and the ubiquitous Beavertail brought out tens of thousands in Canada's capital for the opening weekend of Ottawa's Winterlude.
The Rideau skating canal is a huge crowd pleaser. But so are more than a dozen ice slides carved in Jacques Cartier park across the river in Gatineau. There are kiddy slides and a giant chute that ten people can slide down together.
David Sommerstein and friends brought along a gaggle of kids. He sampled the slides, the sounds, and the crowds.  Go to full article

Burlington, VT, Jan 19, 2011 — A musical event for families comes this weekend to the Higher Ground in Burlington. Grammy award-winning musician Dan Zanes and his band have two shows of music for all ages this Sunday, one at noon, one at 3 pm.

Zanes is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his groundbreaking children's album, "Rocket Ship Beach."

Zanes had a pop music career in the late 1980s as a member of the band the Del Fuegos. Then, in 1994, his daughter was born. He told David Sommerstein he was looking for music to share with her but couldn't find what he was looking for.  Go to full article

Jun 28, 2010 — A house fire in Fort Edward over the weekend left six young children dead from smoke inhalation.

Washington County officials are investigating the Saturday morning blaze but say they don't suspect foul play. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Jun 23, 2010 — Summer is officially here and across the North Country schools are finally letting out. Not so long ago, that would have meant children escaping outdoors.

But researchers - as well as parents - are seeing children spend more and more time in front of computers and television.

As Brian Mann reports, there's growing evidence that a summer spent in the fields and woods isn't just fun. It's also healthy and maybe even necessary.  Go to full article

May 04, 2010 — Getting kids to play outside does more than just letting them burn excess energy. Experts say it also helps a child's psychological and mental well-being. Todd Moe talks with Paul Hai, program coordinator for the Northern Forest Institute and co-founder of Children in Nature New York, about the "Get Out and Play" conference in Newcomb on May 15th.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Apr 14, 2010 — The Crane School of Music's Opera Ensemble presents Maurice Ravel's classic fantasy opera, L'Enfant et les Sortileges, or The Child and the Enchanted Ones this weekend. The opera opens tomorrow morning with a special education outreach performance for children and families, and continues Friday and Saturday night. The fantasy opera includes fairy tale characters, furniture and little animals which come to life to chastise a child who has been tormenting them. Todd Moe spoke with some of the cast and Crane Opera Ensemble director Carleen Graham who says Ravel's opera is the fable of a rude child who finds that the objects and animals of his childhood have their own lessons to teach.  Go to full article

Concord, NH, Apr 13, 2010 — New regulations designed to eliminate childhood lead poisoning go into effect on April 22. The change brings strict new requirements for building contractors, property owners, renovators and a host of others who work with lead paint. While health advocates call the regulations long overdue, some contractors say the cost to comply is way too high. As part of a collaboration with Northeast stations, New Hampshire Public Radio's Amy Quinton reports.  Go to full article

Apr 05, 2010 — The Vermont Senate is expected to take a final vote this week on a bill that would phase out the chemical bisphenol-A in some types of packaging. The bill would ban use of the chemical in reusable food and beverage containers, as well as infant formula and baby food containers. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England says BPA has been linked to a high number of health problems, including infertility, miscarriage, and breast and prostate cancer. The American Chemistry Council, an industry group, maintains that it is safe and helps keep food safe by keeping it fresh.

There's been a rise in reports of behavioral disorders in kids over the past decade or so. Some researchers say genetics, lack of sleep, and chaotic households all contribute to things like ADHD. Now researchers say another cause could be personal care products. Julie Grant reports.  Go to full article

Ogdensburg, NY, Sep 30, 2009 — Todd Moe talks with Ogdensburg author Cris Rishe about her book, There's a Moose on the Loose. It's the story of Horace T. Moose, an overly curious and friendly animal. She'll give a reading and sign copies of the book this Sunday afternoon (1-3 pm) at the Brewer Bookstore in Canton.  Go to full article