NCPR News Staff: Chris Morris,
Tri-Lakes Correspondent

(03/09/12) Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward's announcement last week that she won't seek another term has potential candidates mulling their options. As of today, at least seven people have expressed moderate to serious interest in running for her seat.

The district includes Essex, Hamilton, Warren and part of Saratoga counties. Redistricting proposals could cut out Hamilton County in favor of Washington County. Chris Morris reports. more

(03/05/12) Gov. Cuomo's Mandate Relief Council continued its statewide tour Friday with a three-hour hearing on at Lake Placid's new conference center.

The council consists of state lawmakers and members of Cuomo's administration. The group listened to concerns about unfunded mandates presented by officials from across the North Country; the system "is broken," they told the council.

Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy moderated Friday's hearing. He said the forums have been educational, and he hopes mandate relief can be accomplished as quickly as possible.

Chris Morris has our story. more

(03/02/12) The race for New York's 114th Assembly District seat, currently held by Republican Janet Duprey, is heating up fast.

This week, Clinton County businessman David Kimmel said he feels compelled to get involved in the political process again. He ran two years ago on the Conservative line but lost to Duprey, who won the race handily.

Kimmel joins a field that already includes conservative Republican Karen Bisso, an educator from Plattsburgh. Meanwhile, Democrat Rudy Johnson of Malone, the other candidate in that 2010 Assembly contest, says he hasn't made a decision whether to run again. Chris Morris reports. more

(02/28/12) Democratic Representative Bill Owens says President Barack Obama is doing a "very reasonable job." Owens, who represents New York's 23rd Congressional District, spoke about Obama's job performance during a legislative luncheon at the Downhill Grill in Saranac Lake on Friday.

The event was hosted by the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and drew a crowd of about 25 local business owners and officials. Chris Morris reports. more

(02/27/12) The Uihlein Sugar Maple Research & Extension Field Station in Lake Placid made its first batch of syrup last Thursday. Director Michael Farrell, who's been with the field station for seven years, says it was the earliest he's made syrup.

Crews started tapping trees at the 200-acre Uihlein Forest on January 31. That took about three weeks. Then, workers had to inspect the 60 miles of tubing that carries the sap from the trees to the sugar house.

Chris Morris joined Farrell for a tour last week. Farrell told him that mild temperatures have given area producers a jump start on the season.

(02/23/12) Petitioners are calling for Lake Placid Central School Superintendent Randy Richards to resign. A petition presented to the Board of Education this week follows an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint filed against Richards by middle-high school Principal Katherine Mulderig. Chris Morris has details. more

(02/21/12) A small crowd joined congressional candidate Matt Doheny in Saranac Lake over the weekend to talk politics and nosh on some donuts.

The Watertown businessman and former Wall Street financier hosted his latest "Donuts with Doheny" on Saturday morning at the Saranac Lake Adult Center.

Doheny hopes to unseat Democratic Representative Bill Owens in this year's 23rd Congressional District election. Chris Morris reports. more

(02/20/12) Brian McCarthy was a football fan first, but he's now on the inside of the game, as VP of communications for the National Football League. Chris Morris has a profile. more

(02/09/12) Kellie Greene has tossed her hat into the mix of candidates seeking to defeat U.S. Rep. Bill Owens in the upcoming congressional election. The Sackets Harbor woman describes herself as a "true" constitutional conservative. She says she's been sitting on the sidelines long enough and is ready to make a go of it.

Greene formally announced her candidacy during an event in Watertown last week. She's challenging businessman Matt Doheny, a former Wall Street financier, for the Republican and Conservative party lines. A primary has been set for June 26. Chris Morris has more on the candidate. more

(02/08/12) A St. Lawrence County man plans to run as a Green Party candidate in the race for New York's 23rd Congressional District seat.

Donald Hassig lives in Colton. Since 2000 has run an advocacy group called Cancer Action NY, dedicated to stopping the spread of chemical carcinogens. He believes he's ready to challenge U.S. Rep. Bill Owens, a Democrat from Plattsburgh.

Hassig kicked off his campaign with a party in Potsdam that was attended by local Green Party members, college professors, students and friends. He said he doesn't expect to win the race but hopes to pull in at least 1,000 votes and spread more information about his fight against carcinogens.

Chris Morris has this profile. more