Northern Light NCPR

Smells of spring at a St. Lawrence County flower farm; an effort to legalize physician-assisted suicide in New York may be picking up momentum; and Charlie Donevan, a hardware store owner and well-known community member from Gananoque Ontario died last week at the age of 99.

New York announced $3 million for land conservation groups, but environmentalists say the state is falling far short of its conservation goals; meanwhile, the state Legislature voted on climate change and environmental bills this week, but lawmakers couldn't predict if any of them would become law; we meet a Potsdam girl with grit at baseball practice; and explore how the bonds of baseball span generations in a Glens Falls exhibit.

A judge knocked off the November ballot an amendment to the state Constitution that would guarantee the right to an abortion and protections for gender identity. Democrats who support the amendment are confident they will get it reinstated on appeal; the NCPR newsroom is underway with a year-long series on how climate change impacts every part of our lives in the North Country. We want to hear from you! Amy Feiereisel stops by to share what your neighbors have shared so far through the NCPR texting club and climate survey; a conversation with Northern Lights Chorus conductor Helen Demong about their spring concert that includes new music by Adirondack composer Glenn McClure.

A behavioral health organization with locations in Clinton and Warren counties plans to hire 100 new people; a group of advocates recently held a week-long demonstration to raise awareness about homelessness in Watertown; we'll take advantage of this warm time just before the black flies come, and go on a canoe camping trip on Lower Saranac Lake.

The state will host a public comment hearing Tuesday night about a controversial solar development in Canton; environmental advocates are pushing state lawmakers again to cut plastic packaging in half; It’s warming up, and with that... black flies, unfortunately. Listener Phil Fitzpatrick shares advice for repelling them, a poem for the season, and a peak at some of his favorite spots near his camp in Onchiota.

It’s been a week since the Adirondacks lost one of its most revered forest rangers and a leader among the queer community. A look at the legacy of Robbi Mecus; New York is phasing out natural gas use in new buildings, but advocates say there's a wealth disparity between who can do it easily and who can't afford the change; John Warren checks the trail conditions in the Adirondacks this weekend.