Reporter Brian Mann reports that hundreds of people packed the Plattsburgh City Hall Auditorium in Northern New York last night, to hear from experts and to voice their own concerns about the growing traffic of oil tanker trains passing through the North Country. 

A staff report notes that the spiny water flea s the first aquatic invasive zooplankton to be confirmed in Lake Champlain, bringing the known number of nonnative and aquatic invasive species in Lake Champlain to 50. 

Reporter David Cederstrom reports that Assemblyman Dan Stec addressed the issue of aquatic invasive species and the measures being taken to stop their spread in Lake George at the 129th annual meeting of the Lake George Association this week. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the state Adirondack Park Agency board has approved a timber company’s plan to log some of its lands in the town of Tupper Lake. 

Reporter Phil Brown reports that while four environmental organizations are sponsoring a forum in Plattsburgh this week on the dangers of transporting Bakken crude oil on trains through the Champlain Valley, the trains may someday be moving another hazardous fuel through the region.

Writer Peter Bauer, Executive Director of Protect the Adirondacks, writes that legislation passed in June banning the transport of aquatic invasive species across New York has not yet been signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.  

Reporter Amanda May Metzger reports that as a committee proceeds with updating the Comprehensive Plan for Lake George, officials have announced a community-wide four-day event in September and a social media component to get as much feedback from the public as possible.
 

Reporter Martha Ellen reports that cleanup of theJones & Laughlin Steel Corp. site has become a community focus with residents wanting the buildings razed and the property, one of a handful zoned industrial in the Adirondack Park, available for reuse.
 

Reporter Matthew Turner reports that the state Department of Conservation is continuing to investigate an oil spill, which occurred on the property of a local fuel supplying company, and resulted in oil leaking into Mill Pond. 

Reporter Conor Skelding reports that Zephyr Teachout has received the endorsement of the New York Chapter of the Sierra Club.

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Reporter Andy Flynn reports that residents bordering Mill Pond are are concerned about an oil spill that has been discovered on the dammed-up portion of the Chubb River.
 

A staff report notes that the Lake George Association’s annual meeting is set for 10 a.m. Friday at the Lake George Club on Bolton Road in Diamond Point.
 

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that Tupper Lake village Mayor Paul Maroun has said that he is still seeking money to build a shared-services building.
 

Writer Peter Bauer writes that the Adirondack Park Agency should go to great lengths to avoid a secretive process around State Land Master Plan reform.

Reporter Karen DeWitt reports that supporters of a November ballot amendment on redistricting say it will help prevent rampant partisan gerrymandering when the next district lines are drawn in the Senate and the Assembly.

Reporter Cristine Meixner reports that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced it will revise the Essex Chain Complex Draft Unit Management Plan to include a snowmobile trail.

The Associated Press reports that a government watchdog group is challenging the wording of a ballot question on redistricting, saying the referendum on this fall’s ballot is deceptive. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the public remained split on a zoning change for the controversial Lake Flower Spa and Resort at the latest informal meeting held to discuss the issue.

A staff report notes that community leaders and members of the public from the Champlain Valley will gather tonight to talk about oil train traffic in the North Country and new concerns about public safety.

Reporter Christina Scanlon reports that more than 30 years of water monitoring results and the last year’s preliminary findings of The Jefferson Project were released Saturday, detailing the good, the bad and a hopeful future for Lake George. 

Reporter Pete Klein reports that the Long Lake Town Board has authorized Supervisor Clark Seaman and Attorney to the Town Carl T. Ferrentino to negotiate with John Adams and his attorney regarding access to property on Mount Sabattis. 

Reporter Cristine Meixner reports that environmental groups Protect the Adirondacks and Sierra Club, as well as a neighboring landowner have asked the Appellate Division of the Third Judicial District of Supreme Court for permission to take their case against the proposed Adirondack Club and Resort to the Court of Appeals, New York state’s highest court. 

Reporter Amanda May Metzger reports that the Jefferson Project, the most advanced digital map of a freshwater lake system ever produced, will headline The Fund for Lake George’s annual meeting Saturday.

Reporter Phil Brown reports that arguments in State Supreme Court over NYCO Minerals’ plan to drill for wollastonite on Lot 8 in the Jay Mountain Wilderness have been postponed until October 24. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the village of Saranac Lake has said it will let the state Adirondack Park Agency do the heavy lifting when it comes to the environmental review of the proposed Lake Flower Spa and Resort. 

Reporter Alan Rizzo reports that Matt Funiciello, the Green Party candidate for the states 21st Congressional District, visited St. Lawrence County on Wednesday. 

 A staff report notes that the state DEC says is will make "substantial revisions" to its draft managment plan for the Essex Chain Lakes in the Central Adirondacks.

 Reporter Brian MAnn reports that state officials are going back to the drawing board to develop a plan for public use of the Essex Chain Lakes near Newcomb. It is noted that the DEC ran into a major complication over a proposal for using snowmobiles in the area.

Reporter Ryan Delaney reports that the Federal Aviation Administration has approved the first private drone flights over upstate New York as part of a national testing program.
 

The Associated Press reports that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has announced that the Obama administration is bringing its "Made in Rural America" export forum to upstate New York. 

Writer Peter Bauer, Executive Director of Protect the Adirondacks, writes that the balance achieved in the original NYCO Oakhill permit has been expertly whittled away over the past 15 years.

Reporter Thom Randall reports that Thurman Supervisor Evelyn Wood has publicly chastised the Thurman town board for not following through with an agreement with the state for environmental remediation.

Reporter Claire Woodcock reports that a series of maps released Wednesday by environmental and health groups show that many North Country schools lie within a mile of rail lines utilized by tanker trains carrying crude oil.

Writer Christopher Amato questions whether the courts have fallen out of love with the Adirondack Park as their recent approval of the proposed Adirondack Club and Resort project in Tupper Lake omitted any discussion of the uniqueness of the Adirondack Park, the history or purpose of the APA Act, or the special place the Park occupies in the hearts and minds of the people of New York.  

Reporter Kim Smith Dedam reports that environmentalists have filed a motion asking Appellate Division justices to revisit their decision on resort development here.
 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that Saranac Lake planning board members said Tuesday that they are satisfied with some of the changes made to the design of the proposed Lake Flower Spa and Resort.

Reporter Kim Smith Dedam reports that Essex County supervisors have voted to give to give Essex County Manager Daniel Palmer authorization to negotiate with Wells Communications of Plattsburgh for a price to remove radios as the new emergency radio-system is installed. 

Reporter Ted Booker reports that New York Air Brake intends to capitalize on tougher safety rules for railroad carriers due to the increase in crude oil shipping by launching new locomotive brake products.

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that two environmental groups and one Tupper Lake land owner are seeking to appeal the Adirondack Park Agency’s approval of the Adirondack Club and Resort. 

Reporter Joe LoTemplio reports that an effort to form a city-sponsored task force on trains carrying oil through Plattsburgh has been withdrawn to focus on a more regional effort.
 

Reporter Karen DeWitt reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has confirmed that the U.S. Attorney has sent a warning letter regarding possible interference by Governor Cuomo’s aides in an ethics probe. 

Reporter Denise Raymo reports that Franklin County tourism advocates voted to hire a consultant to create a marketing strategy, after one member threatened to quit over the group’s inaction. 

Writer Dave Gibson writes that the Zip-flyer, a thrill ride recently approved by the Town of Queensbury for French Mountain, will adversely impact scenic values and hiking opportunities on the summit. 

A staff report notes that the Adirondack Mountain Club will be hosting a citizen science monitoring training at its Lake George Office on the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive forest pest, that is causing widespread mortality of hemlock trees in NY and the eastern U.S.

Reporter Adam St. Pierre reports that the animosity between Tri-Town Packing of Winthrop, one of very few slaughterhouses and meat packing plants in the North Country, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service continues to cause concern for local meat farmers, restaurants and consumers.