Apr 11, 2013 — Government reform groups say they are pleased that Governor Cuomo has now proposed step one in his plan to clean up corruption in state government, after the high-profile arrests of two state lawmakers.  Go to full article

Syracuse, NY, Jan 22, 2013 — There's been a lot of news lately about the Obama Administration's use of drones, or unmanned military aircraft, to kill alleged terrorists. Critics have said the attacks violate international law and have also killed many civilians. Drones will likely be a major topic in confirmation hearings for John Brennan to be the next head of the CIA.

The drones that fly over Afghanistan are often piloted by people sitting in suburban Syracuse, NY. Those pilots train by flying high over the North Country and the Adirondacks.

They may watch bridges or buildings, even follow cars, without anyone knowing they're being watched. And for some, there's a very fuzzy line between military preparation and a creepy eye in the sky.  Go to full article

Jan 22, 2013 — Drones are smaller, cheaper, and easier to use than ever, and their cameras are more powerful than ever.

In the near future, drones may be used to find criminals, track wildlife, or find a lost hiker in a remote canyon. They could also be used to look in places where we're not used to prying eyes.

Law professor Gregory McNeal studies the legalities of drone use at Pepperdine University in California. McNeal believes local government, not the courts, should lead the way in writing the rules in the drone era.

He says our notions of privacy may differ from what the law says. McNeal told David Sommerstein the Supreme Court has upheld the right of law enforcement to look for wrongdoing from a helicopter or plane.  Go to full article

Hogansburg, NY, Nov 27, 2012 — The U.S. Attorney General's office is defending the St. Regis Mohawks' land claim in its entirety. That's after a judge recommended throwing out most of it last fall.

In a brief filed earlier in November, Assistant Attorney General Ignacia Moreno made two important points about the decades old Mohawk claim to 12,000 acres in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties.  Go to full article

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

Albany, NY, Aug 03, 2012 — Aides to Governor Cuomo announced new crackdowns on sex offenders Thursday that will require some convicts on parole to renew their photos every 90 days if their appearance has changed.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Jul 02, 2012 — A state appeals panel ruled last week that the town of North Elba does have jurisdiction over boathouses on Lake Placid. The decision could set precedent for municipalities across the North Country. The appeals court also made the surprise ruling that it had decided two past cases incorrectly. That changes the legal framework for cases like this one in the future. Chris Morris has details  Go to full article

Malone, NY, Jun 25, 2012 — There are continuing complications after a high profile rape case in Franklin County. An Essex County and acting state Supreme Court judge may have violated New York's judicial conduct laws by providing legal advice to the defense in the Michael Scaringe case. Scaringe was convicted last week of raping a 13-year-old when he was director of the youth center in Saranac lake.

The Franklin County District Attorney's Office has been reviewing the testimony provided in Scaringe's trial last week by Judge Richard Meyer. Meyer, who lives in Saranac Lake, admitted sending a fax to Scaringe's former attorney that the prosecution said contained a defense strategy. Chris Knight reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 05, 2012 — Governor Cuomo is proposing the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana found during police searches. He says the change, which will apply throughout the state, will fix what he says is a "blatant inconsistency" in New York City's controversial stop and frisk policy. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has the details.  Go to full article

Lyons Falls, NY, Mar 01, 2012 — The Lewis County village of Lyons Falls has voted to enact a new curfew. It prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from being in streets, parks or other public places without an adult, between 10:30pm and 6am.

There will be exemptions for young people going to and from work or a public event--but they'll only be allowed a half hour to get where they need to go. And a youth, parent or guardian found in violation of the curfew could face a fine of up to $250 and up to 15 days in jail.  Go to full article