Jun 02, 2008 — This week, the US Senate will debate a landmark bill that aims to sharply cut the nation's greenhouse gas pollution. The climate change measure is modeled closely after a policy that was first used to curb acid rain in the Adirondacks. The so-called "cap and trade" system would set new limits on carbon pollution. But it would also leave industry to decide how to reach the goals. As Brian Mann reports, the measure puts the Adirondacks back at the center of the national environmental debate.  Go to full article

Jun 22, 2007 — Alarming fish kills in the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario are blamed on a new virus that's spreading quickly. Viral hemorrhagic septicemia has already been found in Lake Erie, the Niagara River and--this week state environmental officials confirmed--the virus killed fish in Conesus and Skaneateles in the Finger Lakes. It's also spread to Canada, Michigan and Wisconsin. As its name suggests, the virus causes uncontrolled internal bleeding. In some species, it's easy to tell if you've caught an infected fish. They start to turn dark, almost black, as they're dying, which is likely due to hemorrhaging beneath the skin that makes their color darker. Steve LaPan is the Lake Ontario Unit Leader with the Department of Environmental Conservation. He says the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes ecosystems are already starting to suffer because of the virus. Jonathan Brown reports.  Go to full article

Jun 14, 2007 — New regulations on bait have some anglers fuming. State officials are trying to stop the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia. The virus is linked to major fish kills in the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Bait can no longer be transported over land. So fishermen have to buy bait where they plan to fish. And the bait has to be certified, which makes it more expensive. The people who sell bait aren't very happy either. Bill Kellogg is co-owner of Bill and Jack's Marina in Fishers Landing. The Thousand Islands town sits on a spit of land jutting into the St. Lawrence River. Kellogg says it costs his supplier $2,000 to test for the fish virus, a cost he has to pass on to customers. But, as he tells Jonathan Brown, that's just the beginning.  Go to full article

May 07, 2007 — New warnings about eating fish: That fresh catch, or even the fillet from the grocery store, could contain high amounts of chemicals that mimic estrogen. And according to researchers, eating contaminated fish could lead to breast cancer and other health problems. A new study finds these chemicals are entering waterways through sewage. Jonathan Brown has more.  Go to full article

May 07, 2007 — Fish advisories are confusing. Their guidelines change depending on your gender and age, and on the type of fish you're eating. Reporter Kyle Norris boils down some of the information in advisories and comes up with a few things to think about when you eat fish.  Go to full article

Mar 08, 2007 — Naturalists have observed telltale bubbles emitted by some fish and have even provided recordings. Others have detected secret alarm sounds in the cries of ground squirrels. Martha Foley and Dr. Curt Stager talk about the hidden sounds of nature.  Go to full article

Feb 08, 2007 — The environmental group Save The River is kicking off a campaign to urge Seaway freighters to clean their ballast water this weekend in Alexandria Bay. At the group's annual "Winter Weekend," the new St. Lawrence Seaway chief is scheduled to make his first public appearance in the North Country. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jan 03, 2007 — A disease is spreading, causing large fish kills in the Great Lakes. Biologists and fishery officials are working to prevent further spread of the disease, but there's a conflict between government agencies. Lester Graham reports there's also a cost to businesses that deal in live fish.  Go to full article

Dec 29, 2006 — New York State is warning anglers that a new strain of fish virus is spreading quickly across the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes. Jonathan Brown reports.  Go to full article

Dec 04, 2006 — An emerging fish disease known as viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS, has prompted a proposed ban on the use of ballast water in the Great Lakes. Chuck Quirmbach reports the proposed ban is leading to predictions of economic disruption.  Go to full article