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 March 11, 2010 | NPR· Kansas City, Mo., has just approved one of the largest school closures in the nation's history. All over the U.S., the number of districts shutting schools is growing rapidly in the face of declines in both revenue and enrollment. March 11, 2010 | NPR· A budget crisis could lead New York to close the farm where John Brown is buried. Closing the burial site would save taxpayers about $40,000 a year, a tiny chunk of the state's $8 billion deficit. Historians say that's not enough to warrant the loss. March 11, 2010 | NPR· NATO commanders in southern Afghanistan are sharing credit for the success of last month's offensive in Marjah with their Afghan counterparts. But there are still concerns about the Afghans' tactics and ability to coordinate with foreign troops on the battlefield. March 11, 2010 | NPR· Across the country, cash-strapped cities are coming up with novel ideas for raising money — imposing new charges on everything from sodas and plastic bags to library late fees and emergency-response services. With at least two more years of bad budgets ahead, look for cities to turn to niche taxes.  Canada Top Stories
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THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2010
On Tuesday, Lake Placid accountant Doug Hoffman officially announced that he’s running against Representative Bill Owens for the 23rd Congressional District seat. Martha Foley has more.
Port Henry village seen from Lake Champlain. Source: port-henry.ny.us
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Next Tuesday, when most voters in the North Country are choosing new local government leaders, the residents of Port Henry will decided whether their village should exist at all. Other villages, from Lake George to Potsdam to Saranac Lake are considering similar measures. It is part of a statewide push to cut costs and reduce bureaucracy. But as Brian Mann reports, the decision also brings a sense of loss and even grief.
Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch
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Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch has proposed a five-year plan for getting New York State's notorious overspending under control.
First — it calls for borrowing. But Ravitch says his plan would do much more than authorize more state borrowing. It’ll require balancing budgets through the fiscal year. And it includes an independent financial review board, and a law that would give a governor power to make cuts to balance budgets — without the legislature's approval. Karen DeWitt has more of the details, and reaction. More...
What would you do if your local grocery store disappeared for two months? How far would you have to go just to get food? Would you have to pay more? These are some of the questions people are wrestling with in five North Country towns.
The former P&C supermarkets in Canton, Potsdam, Massena, Gouverneur and West Carthage were bought by Price Chopper. The company is closing them for two months for renovations. Jonathan Brown has more.
The New York Power Authority has targeted zones in lakes Ontario and Erie as potential sites for off-shore wind farms. The zones are all more than two miles from shore, and in 150 feet of water or less.
The power authority hopes for up to 500 megawatts of power, and will accept proposals from private developers until June 1. One of the zones lies between Galloo and Grenadier islands. Another stretches south from Galloo along the eastern end of Lake Ontario. NYPA CEO Richard Kessel came to Watertown this week to ask for the county legislature's support. As Martha Foley reports, he didn't get it. More...
An astonishing variety of warblers return with the northern spring from tropical climes. Some cross the Gulf of Mexico without a rest stop. Martha Foley asks Dr. Curt Stager, why? What do we have here that can't be found in Mexico or Martinique?
Bald eagle (Photo: Lou Buscher)
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Environmental officials say New York's bald eagle population may be at its highest level since restoration work began more than 30 years ago. The DEC has conducted annual eagle surveys since 1979. Blanche Town, a DEC biologist based in Potsdam, is part of a team that conducts an aerial survey of the St. Lawrence River. She told Todd Moe that 101 bald eagles were counted on the river this year.
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