NCPR News Staff: Jonathan Brown,
Reporter and All Before Five Host

(11/15/10) Anne Harrington is the new Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Non-Proliferation at the National Nuclear Security Administration. She and her staff at the National Nuclear Security Administration keep an eye on materials, outside the U.S., that could be used to make a nuclear weapon.

Harrington is a native of Long Lake. She spoke with Jonathan Brown recently about her work, her background and the path that brought her from one to the other. Here's more of their conversation.

(11/15/10) Long Lake native Anne Harrington was recently named Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Non-Proliferation.

It's a wordy title. It means she and her staff at the National Nuclear Security Administration keep an eye on materials, outside the U.S., that could be used to make a nuclear weapon.

For our occasional series, Moving the World, Harrington spoke with Jonathan Brown about starting out in the Adirondacks and working on global security in Washington D.C.

(11/03/10) Republican Patty Ritchie claimed victory early this morning in her race for state Senate against Democratic incumbent Darrel Aubertine.

It remains a tight race, with fewer than 4,000 votes separating the two candidates in the 48th District, spanning Jefferson, Oswego and western St Lawrence Counties. Ritchie took 52 percent of the vote, making it difficult for Aubertine to eke out a victory.

Jonathan Brown reports that--even as election officials prepare to count absentee ballots--Aubertine is refusing to concede.

(10/29/10) Across the North Country--and throughout much of the U.S.--candidates are calling for more jobs and less taxes.


But in the North Country, many paychecks depend on taxes. This is certainly the case in the 122nd Assembly District, spanning all of Lewis and much of St Lawrence and Jefferson counties.

The candidates in this race are among the few politicians who acknowledge their plans include cutting the positions relied on by many people across the region.

As Jonathan Brown reports, this isn't the only thing making this a key race to watch more

(10/28/10) Across the North Country--and throughout much of the U.S.--candidates in this election season are calling for more jobs and less taxes. While each candidate says he or she is uniquely qualified to stimulate the economy while lowering our tax burden, very few offer specifics on what public sector jobs and services they'd be willing to cut.

It's a sensitive issue in the North Country where so many paychecks--and so much of our economy--depend on taxes. This is certainly the case in the 122nd Assembly District, spanning all of Lewis and much of St Lawrence and Jefferson Counties.

The candidates in this race are among the few politicians who acknowledge their plans include cutting the positions relied on by many people across the region. As Jonathan Brown reports, this isn't the only thing making this a key race to watch. more

(10/26/10) Environmental officials unexpectedly delayed a proposed law limiting the use of wood boilers in northern New York.

The outdoor furnaces have been found to disperse ash and other particulate matter known to cause cancer. And many people have complained about low-lying smoke from the wood boilers.

As Jonathan Brown reports, the DEC wants people to change their boilers--and the way they use them. more

(10/25/10) Environmental officials unexpectedly delayed a proposed law limiting the use of wood boilers in northern New York.

The outdoor furnaces have been found to disperse ash and other particulate matter known to cause cancer. And many people have complained about low-lying smoke from the wood boilers.

As Jonathan Brown reports, the DEC wants people to change their boilers--and the way they use them.

(10/22/10) Teahcers in Clinton County found a notebook titled "hit list" Wednesday with the names of 84 students in Plattsburgh and Peru schools. Police and parents were notified.

Plattsburgh Police Chief Desmond Racico said investigators checked the list for details indicating the authors had the means to carry out real threats. He said there weren't any specific plans. He said the investigation is continuing.
According to Peru Central School superintendent A. Paul Scott, the two ninth grade girls allegedly responsible for the list spoke often of their fascination with the 1999 shooting rampage at Columbine High School, outside Denver, Colorado. Jonathan Brown has more.

(10/22/10) The invasive Emerald Ash Borer is expected to kill off all ash trees across the U.S. That's according to Mark Whitmore. The Cornell University entomologist spoke with Jonathan Brown.

Whitmore's been studying this bug since it was first discovered in the U.S. in 2002. Since then, he says, it's torn through the Midwest and now surrounds the North Country.

(10/21/10) Similarities--not differences--define the state Senate race in the 47th district, spanning Lewis and parts of Oneida and St Lawrence Counties.

Republican incumbent Joe Griffo and Democratic challenger Mike Hennessy both have deep roots in the area. Both have been elected to local government. And they both agree on the top issue:

Griffo says, "It's all economic."

"Jobs, jobs, jobs," says Hennessy.

Both candidates say the financial future of the region is linked to reduced taxes. And as Jonathan Brown reports, both are campaigning under the banner of "change." more