Potsdam, NY, Sep 09, 2009 — State Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli was at Clarkson University in Potsdam yesterday. It was the last of what he called his "roadshow" stops to promote New York's in-state private equity investment program. The program channels state retirement money to businesses in the state, or those who will come to New York. As Martha Foley report, Dinapoli said New York has done a good job at developing intellectual capital but the money isn't always there.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Mar 23, 2009 — Our series starts with a conversation about the state of the region--economically speaking. Greg Gardner has been a student of the North Country economy since coming to the region 15 years ago. He teaches management and business strategy at SUNY Potsdam. He and his wife live outside Watertown. Gardner says the NC economy is fairly simple--service-oriented and shaped by a relatively small population, spread over a large area. It's highly seasonal--tourism, farming. Typically, employment and spending go down in the winter, up in the summer. Lots of stable civic jobs, from education to prisons, buffer the region somewhat from highs and lows elsewhere.

Like the rest of the nation, the North Country just had about 10 years of steady economic growth. But that's quickly eroded over the last six months. Manufacturing and farming, economic engines that ship exports out and bring fresh cash in, have been hit hard. Demand for their products has dropped, and financing for their operations has dried up.

Meanwhile, state spending tapered off dramatically in some areas. Using employment as a gauge, Gardner said the NC economy right now looks about the way it did in the early '90s, with unemployment ranging from 9 to 11%, expecting that to moderate in the summer. Now, Gardner says, the downturn is touching more and more people.  Go to full article

Jan 15, 2009 — Yesterday, we reported on the dozens of North Country families that are traveling to Washington DC for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. But there's a debate underway over what Obama's victory means. Are we a post-racial society now that we have our first black president? What does it mean that blacks and whites still lead very different lives in this country? On Tuesday, that conversation spilled over into a surprising venue: a Rotary club luncheon in Plattsburgh. As Brian Mann reports, two prominent civic leaders wrestled for an hour with some of the thorniest and most controversial issues in our society.  Go to full article

Jul 04, 2007 — The last couple of weeks, state biologists in New York have been rounding up Canada geese. Hundreds of birds were banded in Massena. In Saranac Lake, dozens were corralled and checked before being released back into the wild. As Brian Mann reports, the project is giving scientists a better understanding of changes in Canada goose behavior. It's also giving locals an up-close look at how wildlife researchers do their jobs.  Go to full article

May 09, 2006 — This is high school prom season in the North Country. "Prom" is an important ritual for many girls and their moms - an opportunity to indulge in fashion and glamour. Despite counter-trends toward grunge, Goth or gowns made of duct tape -- the night demands a lovely dress, fresh flowers, and great hair. Prom hair can be a sort of folk art when practiced by the best and most experienced stylists. Brian Mann went behind the chair at a Saranac Lake salon for our story.  Go to full article

Dec 31, 2004 — This weekend more than six hundred New York National Guard soldiers serving with the 2nd of the 108th infantry battalion will return home from Iraq. A ceremony will be held Sunday afternoon at MaGrath Gymnasium at Fort Drum. Brian Mann reports.  Go to full article

Aug 28, 2003 — As a member of the Assembly's Energy Committee, Darrel Aubertine represented the North Country during yesterday's hearings. The first-term Assemblyman says the hearings will allow committee members to refine their focus.  Go to full article

Jan 03, 2003 — Martha Foley, Brian Mann and David Sommerstein look back at the top stories and issues of 2002. It's a year-end wrap-up of the news of the region.  Go to full article

Dec 06, 2002 — Cornell Cooperative Extension is using the North Country's cheap, abundant land and rich soils in an effort to lure farmers to the area. As Jody Tosti reports, information on the benefits of farming in northern New York is making its way all across the world.  Go to full article

Oct 31, 2002 — For years tourism has been seen as an important part of the North Country's future. While mining, timber, and farming lost jobs, the government spent tens of millions of dollars to jump-start the region's visitor industry. In part two of a series on the region's tourism industry, Brian Mann looks at the quality of tourism work - an industry plagued by low pay and low benefits.  Go to full article