A staff report notes that beginning Friday, the main entrance and lobby at the sate Department of Environmental Conservation’s Region 5 headquarters is reopened for public use.
 

The Associated Press reports that the panel that will choose operators and locations for new casinos in New York is beginning its work.
 

Reporter Keith Lobdell reports that Elise Stefanik continues to make the rounds of the 21st Congressional District, with a recent stop at Bessboro Builders in Westport. 

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise editorial board writes that buying more state land is gratuitous and that the $5.7 million being spent to purchase 14 more tracts of former Finch timberland would do more good to the environment if spend on DEC staff and water-quality measures.

Reporter David Sommerstein reports that the endorsed Democratic candidate for Bill Owens’ seat in Congress finally broke his media silence Wednesday, speaking with several North Country media outlets.  

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that a partnership between Franklin County and the village of Saranac Lake must be formed before the aging communication tower on Mount Pisgah can be replaced.