Feb 27, 2012 — A new film called "The Amish" premieres tomorrow night on the PBS program American Experience. There's an advance showing tonight at SUNY Potsdam.

For many people watching the program, the Amish will seem very mysterious and far-removed from their everyday lives.

But in big parts of the North Country, the Amish are part of everyday life, we shop alongside them, do business with them, and share the roads with their horse-drawn buggies.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 18, 2012 — Gov. Cuomo now turns his spending plan over to the legislature. Some of Albany's most powerful interests are gearing up for a fight. During the address yesterday, Cuomo again took aim at what he calls the status quo in Albany, demonizing some of its most powerful labor unions.

Cuomo admitted the reforms he envisions will be wrenching, but he said the people will be supportive. He called it "the people's agenda."

North Country representatives were generally supportive yesterday. Martha Foley has reaction to Cuomo's proposals on pension reform, relief for county Medicaid costs, and education.  Go to full article

Jan 10, 2012 — Dede Scozzafava, Deputy Sec. Of State and former North Country Assemblywoman, was in St. Lawrence County yesterday. She's part of the team of top staffers sent out to deliver what the governor's office called "regional State of the State Messages."

Scozzafava spoke at Clarkson University.

She stopped in the North Country Public Radio studios on her way.

She spoke with Martha Foley regional economic development councils, the proposed "energy highway," and relief for local governments struggling to pay for expensive state-mandated services.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Dec 08, 2011 — In a glitzy ceremony today in Albany, the state announced how much funding each of its Regional Economic Development Councils would be getting.

For the North Country, it was very big news: Our region was declared a "Best Plan" winner, and awarded $103.2 million dollars.

The announcement was enthusiastically received...with Governor Andrew Cuomo saying "great job for the north country" as the council members stepped up to have their photo taken.  Go to full article

Sep 15, 2011 — This Saturday you're invited back inside Traditional Arts in Upstate New York's newly renovated space on Main Street in Canton. The work trucks and dumpsters are out of the back parking lot and the brown paper is coming off the front windows by Saturday morning. TAUNY showcases the folk culture and living traditions of the North Country. The first phase of renovations includes an elevator, improved lighting and fresh paint. Todd Moe stopped by TAUNY earlier this week for a sneak preview with Executive Director Jill Breit.  Go to full article

Jul 08, 2011 — Beginning farmers from both sides of Lake Champlain gathered at the Grange Hall in rural crossroads of Whallonsburg in late June for a sort of mixer.

The mixer was organized by the Greenhorns, a nonprofit group that works on behalf of young farmers. The day included area farm tours, workshops, food, a puppet show, and camaraderie. Typical old grange-style stuff. But it wasn't farm business as usual.

Sarah Harris found the young farmers there are on a mission to change agriculture in America.  Go to full article

Apr 07, 2010 — A new analysis from Cornell University's Community and Rural Development Institute puts the North Country (socio-economically speaking) right in the ballpark of the rest non-metropolitan New York State.

The report is based on county level U.S. Census data. With some variations county to county, the region including Lewis, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, Essex and Hamilton counties has comparable employment and poverty rates, household incomes, housing values and so on when compared to the rest of rural New York.

That'll surprise many people who live and work in the region. It surprised the researchers, according to the institute's co-director, Dr. David Brown. He is in Canton today as keynote speaker for the annual North Country Symposium at St. Lawrence University. He talked this morning with Martha Foley.  Go to full article

Vancouver, BC, Feb 26, 2010 — While North Country athletes competing at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver have been grabbing the headlines, and rightfully so, another group of local residents has been making a quieter contribution to the games.

People from the Saranac Lake and Lake Placid area have been working at the Olympics, helping to run bobsled, luge and skeleton races, setting up interviews and photo shoots for athletes, organizing events for sponsors, and playing a host of other behind-the-scenes roles. Chris Knight reports.  Go to full article

Jan 07, 2010 — Most of the reforms and initiatives Gov. David Paterson outlined yesterday require legislative approval. Early reaction to his package of ethics reforms, including campaign finance reform and term limits, has been cool. But there were signs of comity yesterday. Martha Foley has reaction from the region.  Go to full article

Oct 14, 2009 — This time of year, it's more than the color of the trees that is changing. When autumn arrives, many North Country businesses shift gears. For some, it is a slower season. After the tourists and second homeowners have left town, things can feel pretty sleepy. Some shops close down altogether. But for other small businesses, this is a busy time, as final harvests are brought in, shelves are restocked, and new plans are made. Brian Mann has our story.  Go to full article