Apr 04, 2006 — Some 1,700 clay bowls that were made over the last few months at schools in Jefferson County will raise thousands of dollars for hunger relief. The schools are participating in the "Empty Bowls" program, which began sixteen years ago in Michigan and has grown nationwide in scope. Benefit dinners will be held Wednesday and Thursday and again on May 24th. All the money raised by the local schools will benefit food shelves and homeless shelters. As Todd Moe reports, the "Empty Bowls" program allows students, teachers and parents to tap into creativity and engage in community service.  Go to full article

Jan 30, 2006 — On Sunday, Governor Pataki approved a $100 million boost to state funding for home heating assistance. The money will go to help low-income families offset high fuel oil prices. Brian Mann reports.  Go to full article

Nov 29, 2005 — Senator Chuck Schumer wants North Country leaders to get together to deal with the housing crunch around Fort Drum. On Monday, the Democrat called for a Fort Drum Housing Summit to address the issue. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Nov 22, 2005 — John Deans chairs the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, a not-for-profit that works to bridge the military and civilian worlds in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. He was president of Jefferson Community College in Watertown for 11 years. He told David Sommerstein the expansion is "the greatest single opportunity and challenge of a generation".  Go to full article

Nov 22, 2005 — The state's food pantries and soup kitchens want Governor Pataki and the legislature to commit more money to help poor New Yorkers pay their heating bills. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Sep 21, 2005 — State Senator Betty Little, from Queensbury, says the big concern for families in the North Country is pay for heating fuel. She says the higher energy costs could have a trickle-down effect on the region's broader economy. Senator Little spoke from the Senate floor yesterday with Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Aug 19, 2005 — Governor Pataki was in Watertown yesterday to deliver aid for the region's housing shortage. He announced $7 million in state grants to renovate old housing and build new units in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. As David Sommerstein reports, a 55% increase in the number of soldiers at Fort Drum is causing the squeeze.  Go to full article

Jun 06, 2005 — We begin a new project for North Country Public Radio. It's called Raise Your Voice: Stories from North Country Teens. We gave three young women recorders and asked them to document their daily lives. The resulting stories will air Monday mornings in June on The 8 O'Clock Hour. The project is a collaboration with North Country Adolescent Outreach, a peer education program based at SUNY Potsdam. Today we hear from Brittany Chase. Brittany is 16 years old. She lives in a foster home in Potsdam. Strife in her biological family landed her in the foster care system. Brittany says it saved her life.  Go to full article

Apr 14, 2005 — For more than 30 years, Bread for the World has been a non-partisan voice for ending hunger. Bread for the World will lead a series of workshops on advocacy issues dealing with hunger locally, nationally and world wide today in Canton. Jim Stipe is Northeast Regional Organizer for the anti-hunger group. He spoke with Todd Moe.  Go to full article

Apr 07, 2005 — Gas prices continue to rise around the U.S., hitting an average of two dollars and twenty-two cents a gallon. That's a new record. Here in the north country, prices are even higher -- close to two dollars and forty cents a gallon. As Brian Mann reports, low-income workers are taking a hit from pump prices, especially those who face a long commute.  Go to full article