Apr 08, 2011 — The North Country State Senators are suing to block a new law for redistricting this year. It would count prison inmates in the districts where their home residence is, not in the North Country town where they're held. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Mar 22, 2011 — A joint budget conference committee has restored money for the Tug Hill Commission in the state budget. According to State Senator Patty Ritchie's office, the Assembly agreed to the Senate's funding level of $1.1 million. That's a 10 percent cut from last year, on par with other state agencies. Todd Moe has more.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Feb 02, 2011 — Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered the painful news he has been promising yesterday. He released an austere state budget that leaves no aspect of state government untouched. There are deep cuts to schools, health care, the prison and university systems, and the potential for almost 10,000 state worker layoffs. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany and David Sommerstein has reaction from North Country lawmakers.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Jan 06, 2011 — Cuomo's speech drew praise from North Country Republicans. Freshman Republican Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush of Jefferson County said Cuomo's tax cutting message was "on point."

New State Senator Patty Ritchie, also a Republican, gave the speech high marks.  Go to full article

Nov 01, 2010 — The 48th Senate district race between incumbent Democrat Darrel Aubertine and Republican Patty Ritchie is one of a handful in New York that will determine who controls the State Senate. A new poll shows the race remains locked in a near dead-heat. Ritchie goes into the final day of campaigning riding the momentum of two key endorsements. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Fulton, NY, Oct 28, 2010 — The 48th State Senate district is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched races in New York State on Election Day. Republican Patty Ritchie's effort to unseat Democratic Senator Darrel Aubertine could tip the balance of power in the Senate back to the GOP.

State campaign committees of both parties have spent more than a million dollars in the 48th just since October 1st. Most of that money went to TV ads.
Darrel Aubertine is seeking his second full term in the Senate after several years in the Assembly. He's the legislature's only farmer. And he's running as a bipartisan lawmaker who lives rural issues and knows how to get things done. David Sommerstein has this profile.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Mar 31, 2010 — Patty Ritchie says she's running to unseat Darrel Aubertine. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Nov 17, 2009 — A protest led by a North Country official turned into a celebration yesterday in Albany. Martha Foley reports.  Go to full article

Nov 06, 2002 — The Democratic controlled Assembly in Albany created two new districts this year in the western part of the North Country, the 118th and 122nd Assembly districts. They stitched Democratic pockets in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties into one of the districts, hoping to send a North Country Democrat to Albany for the first time in almost 30 years. David Sommerstein reports it appears they were successful.  Go to full article

Oct 17, 2002 — With under three weeks to Election Day, the 118th Assembly, or "river," district race looks to be among the closest in the North Country. Democrat Darryl Aubertine, a dairy farmer and former Jefferson County legislator, faces Republican St. Lawrence County Clerk Patricia Ritchie. If he wins, Aubertine will be the first North Country Democrat in Albany in almost 30 years. Meanwhile, a third candidate is trying to widen the debate beyond the two major parties. David Sommerstein reports on Tuesday night's candidate forum in Watertown.  Go to full article