May 06, 2013 — Kim and Reggie Harris will bring their music and stories of the Underground Railroad and the modern civil rights movement to Saranac Lake tonight and tomorrow. The duo combine a strong folk and gospel legacy along with a solid background in classic, rock and pop music.

They'll perform songs of peace and freedom tonight, 7:30 pm, at Saranac Village at Will Rogers, and use their music to teach students at Saranac Lake Central School more about Harriet Tubman and Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior. Reggis Harris told Todd Moe that their music is meant to entertain and inspire.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Dec 25, 2012 — Governor Cuomo and state lawmakers will face a number of issues in 2013 ranging from raising the state's minimum wage, to campaign finance reform, to gun control.

Some of the topics that are expected to dominate the session are the so -called progressive issues. Governor Cuomo, who has set the agenda for the first two legislative sessions of his term, seems to be planning on doing the same in 2013. And he's already introduced what he calls a "litmus test" of issues in exchange for conditional support of a new Senate governing coalition.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Apr 21, 2011 — Advocates for same sex marriage are launching an all out effort to legalize gay marriage in New York before the legislative session ends. And they're getting a big assist from Governor Andrew Cuomo. Karen Dewitt reports from Albany.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Dec 21, 2010 — In the coming months, rank-and-file service-members will be dealing with big changes in the military culture, now that don't-ask-don't-tell has been repealed.

Two lawmakers who represent the North Country will have direct oversight over that process. Democrat Bill Owens from Plattsburgh and Republican Chris Gibson from Kinderhook both sit on the House Armed Services Committee.

Both men served as officers in the military and as Brian Mann reports, they have very different opinions about gays serving openly.

(NOTE: This story includes a correction from the broadcast version)  Go to full article

Mar 02, 2010 — Protesters will gather in Albany tomorrow to try to save dozens of New York state parks and historic sites. Governor David Paterson wants to close the parks this spring as part of an effort to cut an $8.2-billion budget deficit. At least nine parks in the North Country are targeted. Historians and civil rights activists are especially furious over the plan to shut down John Browns Farm in Lake Placid. As Brian Mann reports, the burial site of the famous Civil War-era abolitionist has been a pilgrimage site and a symbol of freedom for more than 150 years.  Go to full article

Willsboro, NY, Dec 04, 2009 — This week, New York's state Senate rejected a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. The North Country's three Senators, Darrel Aubertine, Betty Little and Joe Griffo all voted against the bill. The vote was a blow to gay rights activists. One of the most unlikely advocates for same-sex marriage is Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward. Sayward is a former dairy farmer who lives in Willsboro. She describes herself as a Roman Catholic and a conservative Republican. But after wrestling with homosexuality in her own family, Sayward has become a national spokeswoman for what she views as marriage equality. She has traveled to Florida and New Jersey to campaign for gay rights. Sayward spoke in depth with Brian Mann about her personal and political journey - and about this week's vote.  Go to full article

Jan 23, 2009 — A group of SUNY Potsdam students performs an excerpt from Amiri Baraka's play Slave Ship live in NCPR's studios. It chronicles African-American history from the 19th century slave trade to the civil rights and black power struggles of the '60s and '70s. "Slave Ship" will be performed at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Canton next month as part of Black History Month.  Go to full article

Jan 16, 2009 — For NCPR Station Manager Ellen Rocco, two stories of slavery add meaning to the Obama inauguration.  Go to full article

Sep 27, 2006 — The Rev. William Sinkford, preseident of the Untarian-Universalist Association, brought a message of pluralism, tolerance and justice to Canton this week. He spoke with Martha Foley.  Go to full article

Jul 01, 2005 — A radical anti-gay group from Kansas plans to picket churches in Plattsburgh this weekend. The Reverend Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church have targeted Plattsburgh because the city's popular Republican Mayor, Dan Stewart, is an openly gay man. Stewart will host the Mayor's Cup celebration this 4th of July weekend. Phelps is an extremely controversial figure. His organization has begun picketing the funerals of soldiers who die in Iraq. A press release issued by his church says, "Thank God for improvised explosive devices killing Americans in strange lands." According to Phelps, the bloodshed in Iraq and Afghanistan are God's retribution for America's tolerance of gays. Brian Mann will be covering the story this weekend. He spoke with Martha Foley.  Go to full article