Oct 05, 2004 — Since March, Army chaplain Eric Olsen has been sending audio diaries from Iraq. A Major with New York's National Guard, Olsen was was home in Saranac Lake recently for two weeks of R&R. He sat down with Brian Mann to talk about life on the front lines inside the Sunni Triangle. Also, about the experience of visiting his wife Susan and his sons, Garth and Evan.  Go to full article

Oct 05, 2004 — A National Guard soldier serving alongside reservists from northern New York was killed Friday in Samarra, north of Bagdad. Sgt. Michael A. Uvanni, from Rome, was shot by a sniper. As Brian Mann reports, a half-dozen north country soldiers have been killed or wounded in that area since April.  Go to full article

Oct 04, 2004 — As the fighting in Iraq continues, National Guard soldiers from New York have been returning home for two weeks of much-needed R&R. In his audio diary this week, chaplain Eric Olsen travels back to Saranac Lake. He describes wonderful autumn days, spent with his wife Susan and his sons Garth and Evan. But Major Olsen says every joy and experience has been burdened with the knowledge that he'll soon be shipping out again.  Go to full article

Sep 29, 2004 — Two New York congressmen will meet with Border Patrol officials today in Washington. Republicans John McHugh and John Sweeney will question the Border Patrol about safety measures at a controversial immigration checkpoint on I-87. As Brian Mann reports, both lawmakers have called for changes.  Go to full article

Sep 13, 2004 — Hundreds of National Guard soldiers from New York and Vermont are serving on the front lines in Iraq. When they return home this winter, the Bush administration hopes to replace many of them with soldiers from the Iraqi National Guard. A recruitment campaign is underway in Iraq. But so far, the ING hasn't performed well against Iraqi insurgents. New recruits have been also been targeted by terrorist bombings and assassinations. New York reservists have been working hard to train new Iraqi soldiers, helping them prepare for what could be a long and bloody fight. In his latest audio diary, Major Eric Olsen attends an ING graduation ceremony in central Iraq.  Go to full article

May 31, 2004 — Next month, the Bush administration says it will establish a sovereign government in Iraq. Despite the transition, U.S. troops are likely to remain in the country for along time. National Guard troops from northern New York are hunkered down near a vast Army base in the Sunni Triangle. In his latest audio diary, Major Eric Olsen, a chaplain from Saranac Lake, describes the effort to settle in and establish a daily routine, while also dealing with the tension of daily attacks. This installment was recorded two weeks ago and none of the casualities mention in Major Olsen's diary occurred recently.  Go to full article

May 31, 2004 — For commentator Paul Willcott, this Memorial Day is sadder and more painful than most, as we think of those who have given their all in Iraq.  Go to full article

May 26, 2004 — Federal officials began taking information off government websites after the September 11th attacks. They feared terrorists would use the information to plan future attacks. Now, a new study says much of that information wouldn't be useful to terrorists. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Mark Brush explains.  Go to full article

May 24, 2004 — Since 9/11, emergency responders have been practicing for new kinds of emergencies. In addition to fires and hazardous materials spills, emergency personnel have been training to deal with terrorist attacks. Recently, the Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham was allowed behind the scenes in a terrorism attack training exercise.  Go to full article

Apr 28, 2004 — Assembly Democrats charged Governor Pataki and Republicans in Washington with inadequately funding the state's police, fire and emergency medical units, who are the first to respond to a terrorist attack or natural disaster. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article