St Paul, MN, Jun 08, 2012 — 39 million Americans, a fifth of the population, never completed high school, one of the factors used to measure literacy rates. Of those, only about 1% earn a GED certificate or the equivalent of a high school diploma each year. The test, which has been around since 1942, is poised to undergo major changes to prepare its recipients for a competitive workplace.

For Front and Center, Laurie Stern has this story from Minnesota.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, May 18, 2012 — Pet lovers will tell you that having a dog can provide a number of stress-busting benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and providing social support. A new study finds that allowing employees to bring their dogs to work appears to reduce stress and boost job satisfaction levels.

Virginia Commonwealth University researchers compared stress levels and job satisfaction among employees at a retail business in North Carolina who brought their dogs to work, those who didn't bring their dogs to work, and employees without pets. The study, in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, found that dogs in the workplace seemed to help reduce job-related stress for their owners and even other employees.

Todd Moe stopped by the St. Lawrence County Health Initiative, an organization in Potsdam that promotes healthy living and nutrition, where most work days are dog days and it's making a positive difference in the workplace.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, May 09, 2012 — President Obama was in Albany yesterday and gave a speech taking aim at Congress. But as the Innovation Trail's Marie Cusick reports, the President also touted the region's growth in high-tech manufacturing.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, May 04, 2012 — Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed his second blue ribbon panel of the week- this time to oversee infrastructure and capital projects including road and bridge repairs for the state. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Schenectady, NY, Apr 06, 2012 — This week, the Cuomo administration kicked off a series of workshops to help New Yorkers start and grow their own small businesses. The Innovation Trail's Marie Cusick reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Mar 01, 2012 — Some of the $103 million in grants the North Country Regional Economic Development Council won, will come out of the state's Environmental Protection fund. And the spokesman for the conservation group the Adirondack council says that makes sense.  Go to full article

Ticonderoga, NY, Feb 16, 2012 — North Country Public Radio has been checking in with schools around our region that are struggling with major budget shortfalls. Many districts have seen sharp declines in state aid over the last two years.

They also face rising costs for pensions and healthcare. And now they're also trying to live within the new two percent cap on property tax increases.

Around 200 people from various St. Lawrence County school districts gathered in Canton Central's high school auditorium last night to talk about how to bring about change in the way New York distributes state aid. The Watertown Daily Times reports some suggested filing a class-action lawsuit against the current formula.

Two busloads of students and adults are planning a bus trip to Albany to lobby lawmakers later this month.

Brian Mann was in Ticonderoga for a public meeting last night, where locals rolled up their sleeves and tried to sketch out a future for their public schools.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Feb 09, 2012 — Artists and arts supporters from around the region will be in Albany next Tuesday to visit with lawmakers and speak up for the arts. Todd Moe talks with St. Lawrence County Arts Council director Hilary Oak about "Arts Advocacy Day", and why the arts are an essential part of the economy.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Jan 25, 2012 — Did you make a New Year's resolution to lose weight or get more exercise? Some local small businesses are doing their part to help their employees stay healthy at the workplace. Wellness programs are not new. They've been staples at large companies for years, but are less likely to be used at small businesses. That's changing.

Amid soaring health spending, there is growing interest in workplace disease prevention and wellness programs to improve health and lower costs. Eager to control rising health care costs, small firms in St. Lawrence County are turning to a health experts for help. Todd Moe has more.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Jan 06, 2012 — Bombardier transportation has temporarily laid off about 100 workers from its assembly plant in Plattsburgh.

The company let go about 60 production workers and 40 temporary workers on Tuesday. About 210 people are still working at the plant.  Go to full article