The Eight O'Clock Hour
with Martha Foley and Todd Moe

(03/12/12) Legislative leaders and Governor Cuomo are working on a constitutional amendment to reform redistricting in New York. But critics say in its present form, the proposal won't accomplish its goal. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has this report: more

(03/09/12) About 300 people showed up for Friday's farm bill forum at North Country Community College in Saranac Lake. The US House Agriculture Committee hearing was one of only 4 to be held outside Washington, DC.

The Farm bill is rewritten every four years--the last time the massive set of regulations was authorized was in 2008. The current farm bill expires in September. more

(03/09/12) Julie Grant checks in from the farm bill hearing in Saranac Lake. Sarah Harris reports on Vermont's town meeting day. And a war-of-1812 coat unexpectedly resurfaces at a Potsdam museum:

(03/09/12) Veteran North Country Republican Teresa Sayward, who won't seek another Assembly term, says she's leaning toward voting for President Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential race. Sayward made the surprise statement during an interview on YNN's program "Capital Tonight."

Sayward has been an advocate of gay rights and supported same-sex marriage in New York, describing it as a "civil rights issue." During the interview with YNN, Sayward complained that Republicans on the national stage are pushing a religious agenda that, in her view, meddles too far in people's private lives.

Sayward, a former town supervisor from Willsboro, served 10 years in the Assembly as a Republican. A race is now underway to fill her seat, with at least seven candidates considering a run.

(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

(03/09/12) Vermont's Champlain Islands are smack in the middle of Lake Champlain's northern end. Isle La Motte is the westernmost of those islands. It's isolated and rural. Living there, you might travel to New York State to see a doctor, or go to the grocery store.

But, Isle La Motte joins other towns across Vermont in town meeting day, when citizens come together to have their say on issues big and small. Sarah Harris spent town meeting day on the island and has our story. more

(03/09/12) It's coming down to the wire on redistricting in New York. A federal court has already usurped a gridlocked state legislature and drawn new congressional lines. Now it's on track to redraw state legislative lines, too, if the Assembly and Senate do not agree on a bill by March 15th. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports. more

(03/09/12) The front-running Republican challenging US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand admits he faces an "uphill battle" against the Democratic incumbent.

George Maragos - a former banker and now Nassau County Comptroller -- says he'll spend his own money to try to level the field. Martha Foley has more. more

(03/09/12) Governor Andrew Cuomo is threatening to force pension reform through the state legislature if it doesn't agree to his proposals as part of the state budget. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports. more

(03/09/12) A town supervisor in Saranac Lake is considering resigning amid allegations that he sexually harassed the town's former bookkeeper.

The Harrietstown town board agreed in December to have its insurance company pay Brenda LaPierre $30,000 to settle a sexual harassment complaint she filed last year against Larry Miller. Miller's been the town's supervisor since 2002.

As Chris Knight reports, those involved are saying little about the case because of a confidentiality agreement that's part of the settlement. more