Feb 28, 2008 — The Plattsburgh Press-Republican is reporting that a highly infectious virus has killed three residents at the Horace Nye nursing home in Elizabethtown over the last week. According to a report first published late yesterday on the newspaper's website, the ailment has led to a quarantine at the county-operated facility. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Apr 28, 2005 — The President of the State Association of Counties has announced his resignation, after he disagreed with some members of his organization and sided with a union-led health care coalition during the recent fight over the state Medicaid budget. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Apr 18, 2005 — This year's budget battle resulted in the first on-time spending plan in 20 years. It also produced modest Medicaid reform, including a cap on the rate of cost increases and a new preferred prescription drug list. But the fight over Medicaid exposed a deep rift within the New York State Association of Counties.
NYSAC suspended its president, Clifford Donaldson, for siding publicly with the unions and with the hospital association.
The organization's board wanted deeper Medicaid cuts than the unions were willing to accept. Donaldson is manager for Essex County and lives in Saranac Lake. He plans to meet with the NYSAC board's fifteen members about the dispute tomorrow. His regular term as president of the organization expires in September. He spoke with Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Feb 01, 2005 — The Governor has proposed cuts designed to slow the growth of Medicaid. His budget also includes new taxes on hospitals and nursing homes. Healthcare experts in the North Country say the double squeeze could force some facilities to cut services or to close their doors. Brian Mann visited Mercy Healthcare Center in Tupper Lake. More than sixty elderly patients could face eviction if the nursing home is forced to shut down.  Go to full article

Sep 02, 2002 — Assembly candidate Andy Abdallah says he won't run on the Democratic line this winter, even if he's defeated in next week's Republican primary. Democrats in the 114th district offered Abdallah their slot on the ballot, after their candidate bowed out of the race. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Aug 26, 2002 — A top North Country Democrat says he's dropping out of the race for the 114th Assembly District. Cliff Donaldson--currently the Essex County Manager--says he was forced by Federal law to end his bid. As Brian Mann reports, Democrats' hopes for this election season have fizzled.  Go to full article