Reporter Rick Karlin reports that recovery from Hurricane Sandy will likely be the main topic at any special session of the Legislature and will likely dominate next year’s session, as well. 

Writer EJ McMahon, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute’s Empire Center for New York State Policy, writes that New York needs to repeal the Triborough amendment as a first step toward helping local governments. 

Writer Kenneth Aaron writes that the Shingle Shanty Brook paddling case is scheduled to be argued on Nov. 16. 

Letter writer Fred Monroe, supervisor of the Town of Chester, writes that Assembly candidate Dan Stec (Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Warren County) will be an effective advocate in the Assembly for Adirondack counties and towns. 

Reporter Amanda Purcell reports that the Massena Electric Department is seeking users for its low-cost hydroelectric power.

Writer Bruce Dearstyne, an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland and former program director at the New York State Archives, writes that New York has long had difficulty balancing economic development with environmental protection.

Writer John Warren provides links to follow Hurricane Sandy as it comes into and through the Adirondacks.

Reporter Kim Smith Dedam reports that the Adirondack Rail Preservation Society and Iowa Pacific have agreed in principle to begin a “high-end excursion passenger service” using restored Pullman railcars and sleeping cars.

Letter writer Michael Carr, executive director of the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, writes that the state purchase of the Finch Property opens it for public use and unlocks new recreation and tourism opportunities. 

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that the APA has now received the completed application for ARISE to run Big Tupper ski area this year. 

Writer Patrick Mannix of Queensbury writes that the state of New York should be paying to remove the Asian clams from Lake George, not Warren County. 

Reporters Randy Simmons and Ryan Yonk report that environmental advocacy groups many times are the most vociferous opponents to green energy projects.

The Post-Star editorial board writes that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is out of touch if he thinks that local governments can absorb the unfunded mandates and still provide needed services to the state’s citizens.

Reporter Chris Morris reports that Iowa Pacific is developing luxury passenger rail service from New York City to Lake Placid, including restored Pullman rail and sleeping cars.

A staff report notes that the state DEC has completed a trail to the western edge of the Jay Mountain Ridge and it is now open to the public. 

Writer Kim Martineau writes that environmental advocacy groups are concerned that with the lake shores virtually banned from further development, the upland areas are now in danger of being overdeveloped. The regulations on the private land in those areas are a patchwork so local governments get to decide what gets built in the hills. 

Reporter Rick Karlin reports that the state Department of Health has confirmed that a Long Island man hiking in the Adirondacks had died of mouse-borne hantavirus. Of note: The Adirondack Daily Enterprise also had a similar story about the case.

The Associated Press reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo told local government leaders that the state has already given them mandate relief and that local governments have to take care of their own budget issues now.

The Post-Star editorial board writes that Salem, the state DEC and the environmental groups need to work together to move the White Creek project along as best it can while still avoiding disruption of brook trout spawning.

Reporter John Ferro reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has extended the deadline for the state’s Brownfield Cleanup Program — which allows tax credits following the certification of the cleanup by DEC — from March 2015 to December 2015. 

Reporter Dan Heath reports that a fiber-optic telemedicine network connecting eight upstate hospitals and 40 primary care facilities is expected to be up and working by the end of November. 

The Associated Press reports that a planned power transmission line that would send low-cost electricity from Canada to New York City could be expanded to allow upstate New York power generators to share the line and send electricity to New York City.

Writer Ted Galusha writes that the Post-Star editorial was incorrect — there has not been any good faith efforts to improve access to wild forest land — which is supposed to be accessible for state residents to use. The arguments are not over "wilderness" but over how accessible are the wild forest lands where they have gated roads and closed off any access to the disabled.

The Daily Enterprise editorial board writes that there are strong points both for and against tearing out the railroad tracks from Saranac Lake into Lake Placid, and it is time to make a decision on what is going to happen with them. Most important, it’s time to re-open the UMP and have a thorough, public process on the future of the rail lines.

Reporter Stephen Williams reports that state DEC chief Joseph Martens said that the largest environmental challenge in the state is aging and crumbling wastewater collection lines. With the systems needing an estimated $36.8 billion investment in the next 20 years, he said, “We need a solution if we’re going to achieve the ‘drinkable, fishable and swimmable’ goals of the Clean Water Act and simultaneously attract new businesses to New York state.” Martens was speaking at the The Business Council’s annual Industry-Environment Conference at the Gideon Putnam Resort.

Reporter Chris Knight reports on the danger facing Lake George and the rest of the lakes in the Adirondacks from the invasive Asian clams. One step being considered: Requiring boat inspections and decontaminations before using the lake.

Writer Pete Nelson writes that a vibrant Adirondack economy is achievable through wilderness protection – of the strict kind. 

Reporter Brian Nearing reports that a large number of groups that don’t often see eye-to-eye on environmental protection have asked Gov. Andrew Cuomo for money to help fight the invasion of Asian clams in Lake George.

The Associated Press reports that the Marcellus Shale natural gas field reserves are much larger than recent estimates.

Reporter Jon Alexander reports that because of DEC concerns, work has stopped on a project to install water-slowing berms and abutments in White Creek before winter, infuriating Salem officials. 

Reporter Denise Raymo reports that Adirondack residents at a Franklin County budget hearing are calling on their state legislators to sue the state to end unfunded mandates.

Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that the International Paper mill has signed an agreement with Vermont Gas to extend a natural-gas pipeline under Lake Champlain to the mill. It’s expected to save the company about half the cost of using fuel oil. 

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that ARISE’s Jim LaValley has sent in the paperwork to renew Big Tupper’s permit — though he is not committing to opening the ski mountain that has been run by volunteers while waiting for the Adirondack Club and Resort to be approved.

Reporter Brian Nearing reports that the state DEC is expanding hunting and trapping of bobcats and opening new areas for hunting next fall. 

Writer Peter Bauer, executive director of Protect the Adirondacks, writes that supporters of the Adirondack Club and Resort who blame a lawsuit challenging the APA’s approval of the process for closing Big Tupper Ski Area this winter are assigning blame in the wrong place.

Writer Dave Gibson, of the environmental advocacy group Adirondack Wild, writes that the whole world will be looking at New York state regarding the Article 14 restrictrictions.

 A staff report notes that the New York State Museum will celebrate the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain on Saturday, November 3 with “Adirondack Day,” an inaugural daylong event that will complement the Museum’s exhibition on iconic Adirondack photographer Seneca Ray Stoddard.

A staff report notes that the Adirondack Council has released its annual "State of the Park" report reviewing actions that it says have helped or harmed the Adirondack Park over the past year. 

Reporter Paul Post reports that the Adirondack Council has released its "State of the Park 2012" report that points out some progress but still raises alarms about development, legislation that threatens to weaken wilderness areas and a lack of money and personnel needed to carry out various protection programs. Of note: The state’s acquisition of the former Finch lands was praised as one of the most positive advances — and seeking protective classifications for the lands is a top Council Priority.

Reporter Danny Hakim reports that even as the national unemployment rate has fallen in the last year, New York’s is up almost a full percent, presenting a challenge for Gov. Andrew Cuomo as he tries to build an image as a fiscal centrist who can transform the state’s business climate.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the APA has approved the continued presence of a monitoring mast to collect weather data at a proposed wind farm in the Adirondacks. Project developers say they are unsure if the project will ever get off the ground, citing the regulatory and political climate and the uncertainty in the business.

Reporter Kim Smith Dedam reports that APA commissioners approved the reconstruction and expansion of a building on Main Street in Lake Placid.

Reporter Michael Anich reports that the Fulton County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution last week opposing the $50 million state acquisition of the former Finch Pruyn forestlands in the Adirondack State Park, including acreage in Mayfield and Edinburg.

Reporter Brian Mann reports that the Adirondack Club and Resort, which has been touted as an economic engine for the Tupper Lake region, has become a political issue in the North Country, with bipartisan political support. While most environmental advocacy groups are quiet on the project, Protect the Adirondacks and the Sierra Club are taking heat for their lawsuit that is stopping progress on the project.

Letter writer Bob Spring of Crown Point writes that the lawsuit against the Adirondack Club and Resort succeeds in extending a seven-year debacle into an eight-year debacle.

The Post-Star editorial board writes that disabled advocate Ted Galusha is being petty and petulant when the state is making good-faith efforts to improve access.

Letter writer Thomas Sciacca writes that the Adirondack Club and Resort developers are prohibited from spending money to operate the resort until they have permits, and the lawsuit by Protect the Adirondacks and the Sierra Club are holding up the permits. So in fact, the lawsuit has forced Big Tupper Ski Area to stay closed this winter.

Reporter Joe LoTemplio reports that the large payments to the state pension fund will be large for another year, but should improve after that, according to state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that the Tupper Lake Town Board has asked the state to review the Adirondack Scenic Railroad corridor unit management plan.

Reporter Bob Gardinier reports that a supporter paid the fine imposed on Warrensburg resident Ted Galusha, a disabled activist for handicapped access to state parks, so he wouldn’t have to go to jail. He was found guilty of ignoring DEC rules banning motor vehicles from the Hudson River Special Use Area on Buttermilk Road near Buttermilk Falls. 

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that the Piercefield town board voted 3-2 in favor of taking out the railroad tracks and turning the corridor into a recreational trail.

Reporter Dan Heath reports that the state is getting returns on its investment in the North Country Regional Economic Development Council projects.

Reporter Lisa Foderaro reports that a large infusion of money from grants, the state and the federal government — a total investment of $143 million — is being used for capital improvements and to address a backlog of deferred maintenance and infrastructure projects across New York’s state parks.

Reporter Joe LoTemplio reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the North Country provides the perfect example of how the Regional Economic Development Council program should work.

Reporter Sarah Harris reports that Governor  Andrew  Cuomo was in Plattsburgh yesterday, where he toured the Strand Theater and the Bombardier plant. It was the third installment in a series of tours he’s made to check on the progress of projects awarded grants through the Regional Economic Development Councils last year.

Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that Crown Point Town Supervisor Charles Harrington suggests that the public should pay for use of public hiking trails.

Letter writer Paul Chechak writes that the APA, Protect the Adirondacks, Sierra Club and Nature Conservancy are shutting out campers from the Mason Lake area. 

Reporter Bryan Fitzgerald reports that a federal report reviewing the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene concludes that the National Weather Service needs more accurate and timely methods to determine the risks of inland flooding. 

Reporter David Sommerstein reports that New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen Acquario says counties are caught between a rock (services mandated by the state) and a hard place (the property tax cap) and are essentially "governing by triage."

Reporter Thom Randall reports that Ted Galusha of Warrensburg, who fought the state for decades for disabled access to recreational forest areas, is pledging to go to jail if the state doesn’t live up to that court decision.

A staff report notes that improvement projects at three North Country airports are officially moving forward thanks to grants of state money through the North Country Regional Economic Development Council.

A staff report notes that the state Association of Counties has released a report suggesting ways that Gov. Andrew Coumo and the Legislature can enact mandate relief for local governments.

Reporter Joanna Richards reports that broadband access is a priority for the North Country Regional Economic Development Council to bring young professionals to the Adirondacks to live and work.

Letter writer Robert Whitehouse of New York City writes that balance between citizens needs and rampant environmentalism is getting further from possible in the Adirondacks. The arguments of the Sierra Club and Protect "might seem logical if only wild creatures lived in Tupper Lake. But in reality, human beings – people with families to feed and bills to pay – also live in Tupper. They have as much a right to survive as the wild animals in the woods."

A staff report notes that groups in the Saranac Lake region are using their notorious cold weather as a marketing tool — "Destination: Adirondack Winter – The Adirondacks’ coolest place!"

Writer Peter Bauer, executive director of Protect the Adirondacks, says the recent guest commentary seemed to mark a tactical transition by ACR boosters from a campaign of fact-free mockery to one of intimidation. Protect believes it is time to cool the rhetoric and consider the facts.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that a Craigslist ad offering the Hotel Saranac for sale has been taken down.

The Denton Publications editorial board writes that the state needs to listen to local residents as it begins its massive land purchase and begins classifying the new parcels for use. "The fact is, not everyone can hike 7 miles into a pond. For those that can’t, alternatives should be allowed."

Reporter Joseph Spector reports that state budget director Robert Megna defended the Cuomo administration’s efforts to limit unfunded mandates on local governments.

Reporter Brian Mann reports that in an interview with Tony Collins, co-chair of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, Collins says the council has become an influential group that shapes economic activity.

Reporter Casey Seiler reports that the delay in the hydrofracking rule-making process isn’t an attempt to kill potential approval, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

A press release notes that the SUNY Potsdam Institute for Applied Research performed a study that found that snowmobiling in New York delivers an economic impact of $868 million annually. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the Hotel Saranac is being advertised for sale on Craigslist. No purchase price is listed.

A staff report notes that the  Business Development Corporation for a Greater Massena will receive $123,500 to construct a rail spur on the existing CSX St. Lawrence Subdivision.

The Times Union editorial board writes that we cannot affort NOT to protect Lake George from invasive species, because the longer we wait, the worse the menace and the higher the cost.

Writer Mark Moeller, spokesman for Tupper Lake Business Community Inc. and CEO of CBNA Insurance Agency, writes that it is time to get angry over the extreme environmental groups who enjoy a protected status while stifling economic development in the Adirondack Park. 

Reporter Omar Aquije reports that Minerva is the latest Adirondack school district to welcome international students, raising enrollment and tuition.