Best NCPR North Country Public Radio Podcasts (2025)

1
Drag in the North Country, NYS road salt shortage, St. Lawrence County rock and gem show 29:39

1d ago29:39

29:39

(Aug 18, 2025) In the North Country, a group of local drag performers says every show is a chance to build acceptance for their art form, one local stage at a time; we look back at New York state's road salt shortage last winter, which was connected to the wording of a state law; and we preview this weekend's St. Lawrence County rock and gem show.…

1
8/18/25: The drag queens (and a king) of the North Country 10:03

1d ago10:03

10:03

(Aug 18, 2025) Drag shows have become mainstream in cities across the country, but they're less common in small towns. In the North Country, a group of local drag performers says every show is a chance to build acceptance for their art form, one local stage at a time. Also: The Adirondack Park Agency’s potential move to downtown Saranac Lake is tak…

1
Route 11 caboose, Plattsburgh crisis center, rebate check debate, National Grid hike, ADK conditions 29:32

4d ago29:32

29:32

(Aug 15, 2025) We visit the man who owns a well known caboose on Route 11 between Canton and Potsdam; Plattsburgh is getting a new 24/7 crisis center to close a gap in local behavioral health services; New York lawmakers say the state should cancel plans to send taxpayer rebate checks with the state facing a big budget deficit; National Grid custom…

1
8/15/25: The Canton caboose 9:59

4d ago9:59

9:59

(Aug 15, 2025) If you've ever driven between Canton and Potsdam on Route 11, you may have seen an actual caboose sitting in a backyard. We talk to the train aficionado behind it. Also: Some progressive lawmakers say New York should cancel plans to send taxpayer rebate checks this fall with the state facing a big budget deficit.…

1
ICE agents and masks in NY, North Country at Work, North Creek mosaic exhibit 29:06

5d ago29:06

29:06

(Aug 14, 2025) ICE agents' use of masks when arresting people in New York and across the country has set off a debate in the state about whether to ban them from covering their faces; North Country at Work profiles one of the people behind the magic at the Lake George Dinner Theatre; and a new photo exhibit at the Tannery Pond Community Center cele…

1
8/14/25: Should ICE agents wear masks? 9:29

5d ago9:29

9:29

(Aug 14, 2025) ICE agents often wear masks when arresting people in New York and across the country. It's set off a debate in the state about whether to ban federal agents from covering their faces. Also: The town of Canton is preparing residents for a townwide reassessment.By NCPR News

1
Inlet community garden, Canton revaluation, Adirondack Plein Air Festival 29:35

6d ago29:35

29:35

(Aug 13, 2025) In the small community of Inlet, a passionate volunteer gardener has spearheaded the effort to turn a former elementary school field into a thriving community garden; the town of Canton is preparing residents for a townwide reassessment; and we speak with artist Nancy Brossard ahead of the Adirondack Plein Air Festival, which will ta…

1
A Beach Boys song from the Afterlife 12:04

6d ago12:04

12:04

(Aug 13, 2025) Rhiannon tells her story about how one of the Beach Boys gave her a message from the afterlife.By Ethan Shantie

1
8/13/25: A garden blooms in Inlet 9:39

6d ago9:39

9:39

(Aug 13, 2025) In the small community of Inlet, near Old Forge, a passionate volunteer has spearheaded the effort to turn a former elementary school field into a thriving community garden. Amy Feiereisel has the latest in our series on volunteers in the North Country. Also: A bipartisan group of prosecutors says a law that protects undocumented imm…

1
State comptroller on rural health care, trooper leave, new season of the Howl podcast 30:04

7d ago30:04

30:04

(Aug 12, 2025) A new report from the state's chief fiscal officer highlights a shortage of health care providers in the North Country; the union representing New York State Troopers says they should get time off after shoot-outs and other stressful calls; and NCPR’s Howl Podcast kicks off its newest season on Wednesday.…

1
8/12/25: Rural health care on the ropes 10:02

7d ago10:02

10:02

(Aug 12, 2025) A new report from the state's chief fiscal officer highlights a shortage of health care providers in the North Country. It comes ahead of big federal changes to health care programs like Medicaid. Also: A new poll finds Gov. Hochul leads North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik by 14 points in a potential race for governor next yea…

1
Canton demonstration garden, ADK mountain swim, Baking cookies with Chef Curtiss 29:30

8d ago29:30

29:30

(Aug 11, 2025)By NCPR News

1
08/11/25: A visit to Canton's demonstration garden 9:15

8d ago9:15

9:15

(Aug 11, 2025) Flooding slammed parts of St. Lawrence County last summer. We visit a demonstration garden in Canton where residents are learning how to make their yards more resilient to stormwater. Also: Former NCPR reporter Brian Mann goes searching for the perfect swimming hole in the Adirondacks.…

1
World Cup ski jumping canceled, Michigan Fest, Alcoa and NYPA deal, Cashman for Assembly, Wizard of Oz at Depot Theatre, Raquette River Sessions 33:32

11d ago33:32

33:32

(Aug 8, 2025) A major ski jumping event in Lake Placid has been cancelled because of infrastructure issues; thousands turned out for Plattsburgh's first-ever Michigan Fest; Alcoa and NYPA are nearing a deal to keep the aluminum giant in Massena; Plattsburgh's town supervisor will run replace Assemblyman Billy Jones; and, teen theatre in Westport an…

1
8/8/25: Michigan Fest! 9:21

11d ago9:21

9:21

(Aug 8, 2025) Last weekend, more than 4,000 people celebrated Plattsburgh's local specialty, the Michigan. We take a trip to the inaugural Michigan Fest, which honored the iconic hot-dog-and-meat-sauce combo. Also: Gov. Kathy Hochul continues to condemn Republican plans to realign congressional districts ahead of next year's midterm elections.…

1
Elizabethtown migrant rally, Lake Placid mobile home park sale, invasive water chestnut 30:44

12d ago30:44

30:44

(Aug 7, 2025) Activists are traveling across the North Country this week in a "car caravan" to rally support for migrant farmworkers; Residents at a mobile home park in Lake Placid are trying to stop the property from being sold; and A significant cluster of the invasive water chestnut plant has taken root in the St. Lawrence River near Ogdensburg.…

1
The HOWL Season 4 is coming August 13th! 1:38

12d ago1:38

1:38

(Aug 7, 2025) Stories about cooking in prison, drag shows, the Beach Boys, and so much more.By Ethan Shantie

1
8/7/25: A caravan to support undocumented immigrants 9:54

12d ago9:54

9:54

(Aug 7, 2025) Activists are traveling across the North Country this week in a "car caravan." They're rallying support for migrant farmworkers and calling on local communities to stand in solidarity. Also: Alcoa and the New York Power Authority are nearing a deal to keep the aluminum giant in Massena for at least another ten years.…

1
Billy Jones next steps, milfoil harvesting, Miracle on Ice statue; Chef Curtiss 34:03

13d ago34:03

34:03

(Aug 6, 2025) After announcing plans to step down last week, Assemblyman Billy Jones of Chateaugay Lake will head to Clinton Community College to lead workforce development initiatives; we join dive crew for a behind-the-scenes look at how they suction milfoil from Lake George; a five-year plan is underway to create a life-size bronze statue depict…

1
8/6/25: Ripping milfoil out of Lake George by hand 8:58

13d ago8:58

8:58

(Aug 6, 2025) Eurasian water milfoil is crowding out native species and ruining swimming and boating in water all over the North Country. In Lake George, it's now being treated with an herbicide, but dive crews are still pulling it out of the lake by hand. Also: A significant cluster of the invasive water chestnut plant has taken root in the St. La…

1
Watertown universal pre-k, Hochul on partisan redistricting, Historic Saranac Lake 29:46

14d ago29:46

29:46

(Aug 5, 2025) With the school year quickly approaching, many families in Watertown don’t know if their child will be able to attend pre-k after the city school district cut dozens of pre-k slots without explanation; Gov. Hochul says the days of nonpartisan redistricting in New York should be over as Republicans in Texas try to redistrict their stat…

1
8/5/25: Uncertainty for pre-K in Watertown 9:56

14d ago9:56

9:56

(Aug 5, 2025) This summer, the Watertown City School District cut dozens of pre-k slots without explanation, even though community partners were willing to provide them. With the school year quickly approaching, many families don’t know if their child will be able to attend Pre-K or not. Also: All of the North Country is still under an air quality …

1
A Plattsburgh-Cornwall partnership, youth parole, "truth to power" portraits 29:19

15d ago29:19

29:19

(Aug 4, 2025)By NCPR News

1
8/4/25: Two border towns put it on the record: 'we're still friends' 9:57

15d ago9:57

9:57

(Aug 4, 2025) As tensions run high between the U.S. and Canada, people on both sides of the border are coming together to affirm their friendship. Plattsburgh and Cornwall leaders actually put it in writing. Also: A new series of portraits is now on display at John Brown Farm in Lake Placid that puts a spotlight on the faces of activists throughout…

1
Michigan Fest, Tupper Lake River Pigs, Frattolin in court, NYS cannabis stores and schools, ADK trail conditions 33:19

18d ago33:19

33:19

(Aug 1, 2025) A festival honoring Michigans - Plattsburgh's culinary delicacy - will take place this weekend; for the last games of the Tupper Lake River Pigs baseball season this weekend, we meet the team's unofficial mascot...and Santa Claus; the Quebec man accused of killing his 9-year-old daughter and hiding her body in a Ticonderoga pond earli…

1
8/1/25: The first Michigan Fest in Plattsburgh 9:22

18d ago9:22

9:22

(Aug 1, 2025) A festival honoring Plattsburgh's culinary delicacy is taking place tomorrow. Michigan Fest celebrates the hot dog and meat sauce favorite. Officials say it's about bringing locals and non-locals together. Also: Public transit and highway advocates are getting ready to do battle over New York's new transportation master plan.…

1
Canadian pride amid trade war, NYS all-electric requirements, Haudenosaunee lacrosse 33:40

19d ago33:40

33:40

(Jul 31, 2025) Canadians have changed the way they shop and travel amid President Trump's trade war on Canada; starting next year, New York state is requiring most new, small-scale buildings to be fully electric; and as lacrosse readies for its first Olympic appearance in more than a century, we talk with sports journalist S.L. Price about the role…

1
7/31/25: Canadians sound off on the U.S. trade war 9:57

19d ago9:57

9:57

(Jul 31, 2025) Canadian officials are in Washington today trying to hammer out a trade deal before higher tariffs take effect tomorrow. Reporter Emily Russell spoke with Canadians in Brockville and Gananoque about how they see their neighbor to the south right now. Also: New York's legal marijuana industry is reeling after more than 100 dispensarie…

1
Jones stepping down, NYS early intervention issues, Betsy Kepes book review 30:50

20d ago30:50

30:50

(Jul 30, 2025) Democratic Assemblyman Billy Jones of Chateaugay Lake plans to step down from his position next month to take a job that will allow him to spend more time with his family; New York’s early intervention program is ranked last in the nation for the timely delivery of services, which has far-reaching consequences for children and the en…

1
7/30/25: A failure in early intervention for kids 10:00

20d ago10:00

10:00

(Jul 30, 2025) New York ranks last in the nation for getting therapy for very young children who are showing developmental delays. That's having far-reaching consequences for the children, their families, and the entire state education system. Amy Feiereisel has a special report. Also: One of New York's top lawmakers says raising taxes won't be abl…

1
State energy plan, Lewis County rabies bait drop, sailing on Cranberry Lake 30:24

21d ago30:24

30:24

(Jul 29, 2025) New York's 2025 Draft State Energy Plan outlines the state's efforts to combat climate change and decarbonize the grid over the next 15 years; fixed-wing airplanes will be flying over Lewis County starting Friday to drop bait that will vaccinate wild animals against rabies; and we go sailing on Cranberry Lake.…

1
7/29/25: The life of a funeral director in Boonville 9:50

21d ago9:50

9:50

(Jul 29, 2025) Being a funeral director is kind of like being a social worker � for both the dead and the living. We hear about life as a funeral director in Boonville, part of our North Country at Work series. Also: The North Country's only Democratic lawmaker in Albany announced he's resigning at the end of August.…

1
ADK Hotel on Long Lake, Emergency FEMA funds, Funeral Director, Breaking Trail book 30:57

22d ago30:57

30:57

(Jul 28, 2025)By NCPR News

1
7/28/25: Inside Long Lake's Adirondack Hotel 9:55

22d ago9:55

9:55

(Jul 28, 2025) The Adirondack Hotel, and its commanding view up Long Lake, is one of the Adirondacks' iconic landmarks. The business is changing hands but is staying in the family. We take a tour with longtime owner Carol Young. Also: Business leaders in Northern New York say recent data confirms a summer tourism downturn due to fewer Canadian tour…

1
Rescission impact on North Country PBS stations, Sawmill Bay water quality, US-Canada border crossings still down, Jefferson County seeds, Joseph Warren remembered 29:29

25d ago29:29

29:29

(Jul 25, 2025) We hear from the North Country's public television stations about how they're responding to more than a billion dollars in federal funding cuts for public media; a spot on the St. Lawrence River near Cape Vincent has failed water quality tests twice this summer; 376,000 fewer vehicles crossed into the U.S. from the New York-Canadian …

1
7/25/25: The North Country's PBS stations on navigating big cuts 9:54

25d ago9:54

9:54

(Jul 25, 2025) Congress and President Donald Trump have clawed back more than a billion dollars in federal funding for public media. We hear from the North Country's public television stations about how they're responding to the cuts. Also: New federal data shows 376,000 fewer vehicles crossed into New York from Canada this year.…

1
Assistant Forest Ranger death, Lawler out of governor's race, Kitty O'Neil 31:07

26d ago31:07

31:07

(Jul 24, 2025) The death of an assistant forest ranger in the Adirondacks has sparked calls for reforms at the DEC; Hudson Valley Republican Mike Lawler says he will not run for governor next year, effectively clearing the field for North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to enter the race; and Kitty O'Neil from the Cornell Cooperative Extension…

1
7/24/25: Asst. forest ranger's death prompts calls for reform 9:59

26d ago9:59

9:59

(Jul 24, 2025) Last month, an Adirondack assistant forest ranger died while out on an extended work trip in the backcountry. But his death went unnoticed for days. The incident is prompting calls for better state support and monitoring of rangers while working in the park. Also: The military has paused a plan to cut the North Country's only ROTC pr…

1
Northville kayak launch, NYS unclaimed funds, Ken Tingley play 33:44

27d ago33:44

33:44

(Jul 23, 2025) We visit a new public dock in the southern Adirondacks that's helping paddlers of all ages and abilities get on the water; New Yorkers may be getting unexpected checks in the mail as the state comptroller’s office implements a pilot program to proactively distribute unclaimed funds of $250 dollars or less; and a conversation with for…

1
7/23/25: A boat launch that helps anybody get on the water 9:27

27d ago9:27

9:27

(Jul 23, 2025) Kayaking and canoeing is a great way for people to get exercise and enjoy the North Country outdoors. But older people can have problems getting in and out of the boat. We visit a new public dock in the southern Adirondacks that's helping paddlers of all ages and abilities get on the water. Also: Congressman Mike Lawler announced tod…

1
Essex County murder, AOC in Plattsburgh, Lincoln Highway book 29:40

28d ago29:40

29:40

(Jul 22, 2025) Police say a Canadian man murdered his nine-year-old daughter while vacationing in the U.S.; during a town hall in Plattsburgh over the weekend, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spoke out against President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill and Republicans like North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik who supported it; a…

1
7/22/25: AOC in the North Country 9:49

28d ago9:49

9:49

(Jul 22, 2025) Big Democratic Party star power came to Plattsburgh over the weekend. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez came to Republican Elise Stefanik's district to speak out against President Donald Trump's massive policy bill as a time when Stefanik is considering a run for Governor. Also: Three Democrats are lining up to challenge Republi…

1
Planned Parenthood on cuts, Nina Schoch on ADK loons, Plattsburgh Wedding exhibit 34:10

29d ago34:10

34:10

(Jul 21, 2025)By NCPR News

1
7/21/25: The Adirondack loon lady 9:39

29d ago9:39

9:39

(Jul 21, 2025) Nina Schoch has banded hundreds of loons in the Adirondacks to track their health as their population has rebounded. We talk with the founder of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation about the state of loons as she steps away from the organization. Also: School districts across New York have less than two weeks to figure out ho…

1
ADK brook trout, ICE in Saratoga Springs, Clarkson ROTC ending, NY cuts, CPB cuts reaction 29:55

1M ago29:55

29:55

(Jul 18, 2025) A Croghan man caught a record-breaking brook trout in the Adirondacks earlier this month; Saratoga Springs residents are pushing for more resistance against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement action following recent detainments in the city; Clarkson University's ROTC program will soon shut down, leaving institutions without a w…

1
07/18/25: Lewis County angler catches state record-breaking brook trout 9:38

1M ago9:38

9:38

(Jul 18, 2025) NOTE: This is Friday's episode, which didn't feed due to a technical error. We apologize for the delay! A conversation with the Lewis County angler who caught a record-breaking brook trout in the Adirondacks earlier this month. Also: the U.S. Army plans to shut down the ROTC unit at Clarkson University, ending a decades-old program t…

1
North Country education funding, CPB rescission impact, Keene art exhibit 42:10

1M ago42:10

42:10

(Jul 17, 2025) Less than two months ahead of the upcoming school year, schools across the nation and here in the North Country find themselves in a tough spot as the Trump administration withholds nearly $7 billion in already appropriated federal education funding; NCPR Station Manager Mitch Teich discusses the possible impacts of the rescission of…

1
07/17/25: Here's what withheld federal education funding looks like in the North Country 9:37

1M ago9:37

9:37

(Jul 17, 2025) Less than two months before the upcoming school year, schools across the nation—and here in the North Country—find themselves in a tough spot as the Trump administration withholds billions in federal education funding. Also: Earlier this week, a panel of judges declined to make President Donald Trump's pick for U.S. attorney for the …

1
Lake Placid teen volunteer, smallmouth bass in the ADKs, Warrensburg blueberry festival 29:40

1M ago29:40

29:40

(Jul 16, 2025)By NCPR News

1
7/16/25: A teenage volunteer extraordinaire in Lake Placid 9:57

1M ago9:57

9:57

(Jul 16, 2025) Volunteerism is down across American society. But there are still exceptional individuals who make big differences in their communities. For our series on volunteerism in the North Country, we profile a 17 year-old who seems to be involved in everything in Lake Placid. Also: The top Democrat in the New York State Senate joined other …

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