(Jun 25, 2026) A man moved to the Champlain Valley, thinking he would be a farmer. But his calling was far from the fields, serving up pizzas from a food truck. Also: After more than a decade of planning, three years of construction, and $800 million in taxpayer investment, the Buffalo Bills have cut the ribbon on their new stadium.
(Jun 24, 2026) Democrat Blake Gendebien and Republican Anthony Constantino will face off in November for the 21st district seat in Congress, but Conservative Party nominee Robert Smullen could complicate the race. Also: Elections are a time we think about the changes we'd like to see. We hear from voters in yesterday's primaries about what motivated them to get to the ballot box.
(Jun 23, 2026) Fifty years ago today, a tanker spilled hundreds of thousands of gallons of crude oil in the Thousand Islands stretch of the St. Lawrence River. A new documentary tells the story of the 'Slick of '76' in the words of those who lived it. Also: It's primary day, with big congressional races in both parties. Polls are open until 9 pm. Find profiles of each candidate at ncpr.org/election
(Jun 22, 2026) State officials say large-scale batteries are key to stabilizing the power grid and transitioning to carbon-free electricity. But when battery storage projects have been proposed in the Adirondacks, local residents have been pushing back. Also: The Republican primary for the North Country's congressional district, which is tomorrow, is turning into a test of President Trump's political clout.
On Juneteenth, this episode delves into the history of the abolitionist movement in St. Lawrence County, highlighting its controversial beginnings and the ordinary people who championed freedom despite ridicule. It also features a unique story about a North Country woman's extensive Schlitz memorabilia collection, as she grapples with the company ceasing production of her favorite beer. The episode examines how public sentiment can shift through the persistence of strong moral convictions.
New York's Independent System Operator warns of declining energy reserves and increasing demand, pushing for new sources like nuclear and renewables, including a recently completed Canadian hydropower line. The Department of Justice is suing New York State over alleged Medicaid home care fraud. Additionally, two Democrats, Alyssa Ellman and Diana Kastenbaum, are vying in the NY-24 primary, both campaigning on affordability and outlining distinct strategies to challenge the incumbent.
(Jun 17, 2026) On today's Story of the Day, we go behind the scenes of a recent drag show held in the Adirondacks during Pride Month. Also: groups around the state are pushing Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign legislation that they say would improve the response to domestic violence calls.
This episode highlights an upcoming community food drive in St. Lawrence County, organized by the United Way of Northern New York, to address rising food insecurity, especially during summer months when school meal programs are unavailable. It delves into the increased need faced by working families and rural communities, also touching upon the Osable Valley school budget re-vote and key discussions from the NY-21 Democratic debate.
(Jun 15, 2026) On today's Story of the Day, the state budget is $9 billion more than previously advertised. We hear from our state reporters about the now $277 billion spending plan. Also, a new state program aims to help combat algae blooms.
(Jun 12, 2026) On today's Story of the Day, we conclude our series on the primary candidates running to replace Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino, a Republican, says his business experience and endorsement from President Donald Trump are why he should go to the general election in November. Also: A new report says the state will spend $277 billion this year. That's $9 billion more than Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last month.
(Jun 11, 2026) On today's Story of the Day, we hear from one of the two Republicans hoping to succeed Elise Stefanik and keep NY-21 red. Current New York Assemblyman and military veteran Robert Smullen says his experiences make him the right guy for the job. Also: North Country at Work heads to Keeseville, where a couple is building community by offering a free weekly meal.
(Jun 10, 2026) On today's Story of the Day, we hear from the second Democrat seeking to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik in Congress. St. Lawrence County farmer Blake Gendebien says his campaign can transcend the political divide in NY-21. Also: Potsdam will be hosting World Cup watch parties, some of them outdoors on Fall Island.
(Jun 9, 2026) All this week, we're airing profiles of the four candidates seeking to replace Elise Stefanik in Congress. First up, Democrat Stuart Amoriell, a restaurant owner in Lake Placid. Also: SUNY’s chancellor says the State University of New York system remains strong despite federal actions targeting higher education.
(Jun 8, 2026) Our Albany reporter Jimmy Vielkind sorts through what did and didn't get done in this year's legislative session, which ended last Thursday. Also: Immigration officials detained more than 20 people during recent raids in Saranac Lake and Lake Placid.
(Jun 5, 2026) Our side jobs can sometimes lead us in directions we never expected. A young woman from Lake Placid got her job in management through her side hustle as a babysitter. Also: We sort through what happened in Albany as the legislative session wraps up today.
(Jun 4, 2026) Black Birders Week is a time for people of color to stake their claim to the outdoors. We join a bird walk at John Brown Farm in Lake Placid for the Adirondacks' second annual recognition of the event. Also: New Yorkers can expect to see more speed cameras in work zones thanks to legislation included in the state budget.
(Jun 3, 2026) High school students in Saranac Lake launched a weather balloon into the atmosphere earlier this spring. We talk with their teacher about the excellent data they got and what happened after it was found in a driveway in Vermont. Also: State legislators are poised to pass a one-year moratorium on new data center projects in New York before they leave Albany this week.
(Jun 2, 2026) Republicans are largely shut out of state budget talks in Albany. State Senator Dan Stec has a lot of criticisms of the new $268 billion package, but he praises a delay for schools to transition to all-electric buses. Also: Tens of thousands of motorcyclists gathered in the Adirondacks this weekend for Americade. We get a slice of the rumble of motors at a motorcycle stunt show.
(Jun 1, 2026) The two Republicans hoping to represent most of the North Country in Congress faced off in a debate last week. While they agreed on multiple issues, they verbally sparred throughout the live forum. Also: Tupper Lake was awarded more than $12 million in this year’s state budget to help fix its water system.
(May 29, 2026) Two seasoned Adirondack canoeists are thru-paddling the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail. We catch up with them on their way to Maine. Also: New York’s new state budget is already an issue in the gubernatorial election.
(May 28, 2026) The spike in energy prices caused by the war with Iran is hitting farmers especially hard. We talk with an agricultural specialist about how farmers are managing soaring diesel and fertilizer prices. Also: The two Republicans running to replace Elise Stefanik in Congress will debate after all, tonight starting at 5:30pm on CBS6 in Albany and streaming on YouTube.
(May 27, 2026) New York State is moving forward with a plan to build a new nuclear power plant somewhere Upstate, possibly in Massena. But right next door, Akwesasne Mohawks are skeptical because they have a long and troubled history with industry polluting their environment. Also: Details on deals in the state budget, including pushing back a climate change goal and boosts to public pensions.
This episode covers the ongoing contract negotiations for nurses in Plattsburgh, focusing on demands for safer staffing ratios and limits on AI use in healthcare. It also explores the economic impact of declining Canadian travel to the U.S. due to trade tensions, affecting tourism and the alcohol industry. Additionally, it provides an update on voting deadlines for upcoming June primaries in the North Country.
(May 22, 2026) After 250 years, 44 Continental Army soldiers were buried with honors in Lake George, after their remains were found at a construction site. Also: State lawmakers are finally passing budget bills in Albany, but they're not finished.
(May 21, 2026) A police training program in the Adirondacks is trying to build trust between officers and the communities they serve. It combines training in de-escalation and bias awareness with conversations about the emotional toll of police work. Also: Every year, restaurants and other businesses from New York City pack up their products and head to the state Capitol in Albany.
This episode features John J. Lennon, a nationally recognized journalist incarcerated at Sing Sing for 25 years, as he powerfully makes the case for clemency and prison reform in New York. He details the challenges within the prison system, the impact of policies like the Halt Law, and the political hurdles to granting second chances. Additionally, the episode covers recent New York state news, including school funding updates, a delay in electric bus mandates, and Governor Hochul's new immigration protection laws.
(May 19, 2026) New safety protocols are in place this year for assistant forest rangers. The changes came after the DEC lost track of an assistant ranger who was later found dead in the wilderness. Also: Democrats say they’re bullish on flipping a North Country congressional seat because Republicans are in the middle of a bitter primary.
(May 18, 2026) We hear from parents and community members around the Salmon River school, as they try to make sense of why educators confined children in wooden boxes as punishment. Also: With the state budget still unfinished, our Albany reporters take stock of what leaders still have to do.
(May 15, 2026) The state education department found the Salmon River school district confined at least five children with disabilities in wooden boxes last year. But the state and the school board still haven't released the investigation's findings to the public. Also: Lawmakers had to pass another budget extender as state budget talks will stretch into next week.
(May 14, 2026) The 19th-century settlement of Black pioneers near Lake Placid called Timbuctoo is now largely lost under dense Adirondack forest. A team of researchers is using drones and laser-mapping technology to search for archeological remnants to recover its history. Also: A new bill in Albany would give school districts in the North Country and across the state more time to transition to electric buses.
