Lake Placid, NY, Mar 02, 2010 — Protesters will gather in Albany tomorrow to try to save dozens of New York state parks and historic sites. Governor David Paterson wants to close the parks this spring as part of an effort to cut an $8.2-billion budget deficit. At least nine parks in the North Country are targeted. Historians and civil rights activists are especially furious over the plan to shut down John Browns Farm in Lake Placid. As Brian Mann reports, the burial site of the famous Civil War-era abolitionist has been a pilgrimage site and a symbol of freedom for more than 150 years.  Go to full article

May 08, 2009 — This year, communities across the U.S. will commemorate abolitionist John Brown. Brown was hanged 150 years ago, after his famous raid on Harpers Ferry in Virginia. The remembrances begin tomorrow in Lake Placid with events at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site. Later in the year, organizers hope to re-enact the funeral procession that carried Brown's body across Lake Champlain from Vermont and then through Elizabethtown to Lake Placid. Brian Mann first reported on Brown's legacy in 2002.  Go to full article

Nov 21, 2008 — President-elect Barack Obama says he'll close Guantanamo Bay, ban torture, and begin a withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Iraq. Peace and social justice activist Martha Swan, from Westport, says she welcomes those moves. But as part of our series, "A Fresh Start," Swan told Brian Mann that Obama should think much bigger about changing America's role in the world and our relationship with other countries.  Go to full article

Mar 20, 2006 — Over the last six years, President George Bush has drawn his most loyal support from voters and activists in rural America. A poll taken earlier this month by Ithaca-based Zogby International found that Bush's popularity in small towns has declined, thanks to the war in Iraq, the Dubai ports deal, and Hurricane Katrina.
But half of rural Americans still say Bush is going a good job. That's about a third higher than the rest of the country. On Saturday, a group of 50 activists met at the old courthouse in Elizabethtown. They hope to build a grassroots campaign aimed at changing Bush's image here in the North Country. As Brian Mann reports, they see the local effort as part of a national movement to impeach the President.  Go to full article

Jan 07, 2003 — The U.S. Military continues to prepare for war in Iraq, sending thousands of troops to bases in the Persian Gulf. The Bush Administration says war isn't certain, but many observers say the fighting could begin as early as next month.
Peace activists in the north country say they, too, are getting ready. A growing number of groups across the region have staged protests and vigils, hoping to win more support. As Brian Mann reports, peace activists in this rural area face harsh weather, isolation--and some questions that don't have easy answers.  Go to full article

Aug 05, 2002 — Efforts to reintroduce the trumpeter swan in the Great Lakes region are exceeding expectations. In fact, officials in one state are trying to find out if the swan population can now grow on its own. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium?s Mike Simonson reports.  Go to full article