Oct 04, 2012 — Native tribes' claims to ancestral lands in New York haven't fared so well recently. In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court essentially dismissed the Oneida Nation's land claim, saying too much time had passed since the 18th century treaties the claims are based on. Other courts have followed that ruling with other tribes' land claims.

So this week, when a judge recommended throwing out 85% of the Mohawk land claim in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe focused on the 15% that has a chance to survive. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Montpelier, VT, Jan 23, 2012 — Saturday marked the two-year anniversary of the supreme court Citizens United decision. The court voted 5-4, saying that corporations have the same protected speech rights as people, including the right to make unlimited financial contributions to groups who want to influence elections. That's upsetting to a lot of Vermonters. And as Sarah Harris reports, they're working to change it.  Go to full article

Dec 23, 2011 — Paul O'Toole, a Burlington homeless man, died of hypothermia Saturday night. He was found sleeping on a heating grate. The temperature was 17 degrees, with windchill around 6. O'Toole's death has sparked debate about what options the homeless have as the weather gets colder. Some say he could have benefited from a low, barrier, or wet shelter. That means the kind of shelter where you're allowed in even if you're intoxicated. But mostly, people were sad that O'Toole couldn't get the help he needed. Sarah Harris stopped in Georgia Center and Milton, Vermont, to hear what people had to say.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Dec 27, 2010 — Congressman Bill Owens is one of a group of lawmakers working on a law designed to slow drug trafficking from Canada into the U.S.
A bill passed by both houses of Congress calls on the Office of National Drug Control Policy to craft a multi-agency and international strategy to tighten up on drug smugglers without hurting tourism and other commercial traffic across the northern border.
Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Dec 03, 2010 — This morning in Lake Placid, teachers and historians and activists begin a two-day conference to talk about slavery.

New Yorkers played a big role in the slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, financing and profiting from an industry that ruined the lives of more than 12 million Africans.

Slave-owning wasn't banned in this state until 1827. Modern-day activists say human trafficking and exploitation is once again on the rise.

Martha Swan is with a group called John Brown Lives.

She told Brian Mann that this conference, which is open to the public, will explore the history and present-day reality of slavery.  Go to full article

Ilion, NY, Jul 23, 2010 — Author, educator and artist Nell Irvin Painter spoke at the Elizabethtown County Courthouse on Sunday. She read selections from her new book, "The History of White People," and fielded questions from the audience. The talk was part of a series sponsored by modern day anti-slavery organizations John Brown Lives! and John Brown Coming Home. Sarah Harris attended and has our story.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Jan 01, 2010 — A village justice in Saranac Lake has been censured by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct for what it described as "improper activity." The panel stopped short of removing the judge from office. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Aug 03, 2009 — Tonight, the St. Lawrence County legislature takes up a measure to increase the salaries of its public attorneys. The vote comes after more than half of the county's 21 lawyers have resigned in the last year. Many cited low pay and high workload for their departure. St. Lawrence may be an extreme example. But across the North Country, the recession is putting increased stress on lawyers in public defenders and district attorneys' offices. For our series, A Year of Hard Choices, David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

May 30, 2008 — Despite this week's decisions in New York and California, supporters of same-sex marriage still face a lot of opposition. A Gallup poll conducted earlier this month found that 56% of Americans oppose granting marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples. 40% support the idea. Republican leaders in New York haven't said yet whether they'll fight Governor Paterson's decision. But the state's Conservative Party issued a statement describing the move as misguided and undemocratic. Brian Mann spoke with the party's top official, Michael Long. Long says this decision will trigger a statewide battle over the definition of marriage.  Go to full article

Nov 28, 2007 — Roughly 60 people turned out last night in Plattsburgh to talk with Congressman John McHugh about the war in Iraq. McHugh scheduled the session at the urging of the local newspaper, the Plattsburgh Press-Republican. The session was emotional at times and occasionally combative, as locals raised doubts about the war's costs, about civil liberties and about the healthcare and support provided to returning soldiers. Brian Mann reports.  Go to full article