Jan 01, 2013 — Updated 3:25pm: The Senate passed a limited nine-month extension of the 2008-2012 farm bill. It avoids the "dairy cliff" (see below) and preserves the older MILC dairy price support program. But it cuts many popular programs, including disaster insurance, conservation, and organic certification support.

Read this blog post at our new farm and food blog, The Dirt, for the latest:

http://blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org/thedirt/2013/01/01/farm-bill-update-many-disappointed-farmers/

The US Congress failed to pass a new Farm Bill by the end of the year. But that doesn't mean milk prices are going to double immediately, as some had feared.

The House and Senate Agriculture Committees had a deal in place Monday to extend the 2008 farm bill for another nine months. But the agreement never came to the House floor for a vote. House leaders balked at a new safety net for dairy farmers that would restrict the milk supply if prices fell below a certain level.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Jun 08, 2012 — High school seniors are getting ready to graduate. For students in the A-P Government class at Canton Central, it's been a year of learning firsthand how government works. They got riled up when they learned that their school might need to eliminate things like sports and theatre, as well as jobs because of decisions in the state budget. So, they took action.

Along with a few hundred parents and school officials, they took a bus trip to Albany in February to lobby lawmakers. In the end, the state restored some money to Canton Central and other rural schools. However, the district still plans to cut programs, and more than 24 jobs.

Now that it's graduation time, the seniors have had a few months to reflect on their lobbying effort. We spoke with Susannah Sudborough and Pat McGaw who were both touched by the experience but came away with opposite conclusions about what it will mean for their own futures.

Our story was produced by Julie Grant and Natasha Haverty.  Go to full article

Montpelier, VT, Apr 23, 2012 — Last week the Vermont legislature passed a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment overturning the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United ruling.

That's the decision holding that under the First Amendment, the government can't limit the amount corporations and unions spend on political campaigns.

It's fueled the formation of "Super PACS" and their heavy spending in the GOP primary.

Sarah Harris has more.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Mar 13, 2012 — Government reform groups are badly fractured over a proposed constitutional amendment poised for passage in the legislature to change the state's redistricting process. Some say it's the best deal that can be obtained and will represent some reform. Others say it's an unacceptable step backwards. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Isle La Motte, VT, Mar 09, 2012 — Vermont's Champlain Islands are smack in the middle of Lake Champlain's northern end. Isle La Motte is the westernmost of those islands. It's isolated and rural. Living there, you might travel to New York State to see a doctor, or go to the grocery store.

But, Isle La Motte joins other towns across Vermont in town meeting day, when citizens come together to have their say on issues big and small. Sarah Harris spent town meeting day on the island and has our story.  Go to full article

Burlington, VT, Mar 06, 2012 — Town meeting day in Vermont is one of the few examples of direct democracy in our country. It's a state holiday, and townspeople turn out to elect municipal leaders and approve local budgets.

This year local issues at town meeting reflect national debates. In Franklin, Vermont, voters will determine whether prayer should be allowed at town meeting. And 52 towns will vote on whether to pass a constitutional amendment overturning the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United.

In Burlington, the state's largest city, Vermonters are headed to the polls to elect a new mayor. Sarah Harris has more.  Go to full article

Swanton, VT, Feb 22, 2012 — The federal low income heating assistance program, commonly known as LIHEAP, has had a lot of ups and downs this year. Funding levels are lower than they've been in awhile. And there's more demand for services.

In New York state, this winter's average benefits for families are $500-700 lower than they were last year.

Sarah Harris reports from Vermont, where the state's Congressional delegation secured an additional $5 million to bolster the program. But even with that help, many Vermonters are still struggling to keep their heat on this winter.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 02, 2011 — The State Superintendent of Insurance is warning that insurance companies are telling some flood victims that damage from Hurricane Irene is not covered. As Karen DeWitt reports, he says that's just not correct.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, May 27, 2011 — Watertown's baseball team nearly left town recently after revelations it owed the city more than $40,000. The Watertown Wizards play in the summer collegiate league, and has produced some professional players. The team hadn't paid for use of city-owned fields for several seasons.

It turns out that was because the city's Parks and Recreation department wasn't collecting its bills. The results of an audit released this week slams the department. Watertown correspondent Joanna Richards has more.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, May 04, 2011 — The flooding crisis across northern New York and Vermont began more than a week ago and as we've been hearing there's still no end in sight.

State and local officials say their crews are weary and stretched thin as they continue to deal with evacuations, closed roads, and swamped sewer and water systems.

But they also say that this disaster has brought unprecedented levels of cooperation and coordination, with personnel shuttling between the hardest hit areas.

Brian Mann has that story this morning.  Go to full article