Tomorrow morning

Busy day here today, and some of what we’ve been paying attention to is on the agenda for The 8 O’clock Hour tomorrow:

North Country schools are fighting a double bind: enrollments are shrinking and state aid is drying up.  In St. Lawrence County’s, education leaders are  trying hard to stretch their dollars, and preserve their programs. They’re looking at  sharing services, creating regional schools. Even the true  “third-rail” issue– school mergers– is on the table. David Sommerstein has that story.

Gov. George Pataki and Rep. John McHugh, both Republicans, were early proponents of using  cap and trade approach to reduce air pollution that produces greenhouse gases and acid rain. But their legacy is losing its shine in this election cycle. Brian Mann reports on a big shift in the way Republicans view climate change and  cap-and-trade.

A Potsdam paper mill is laying out nearly a quarter million dollars to reconnect to the nationwide rail system. Jonathan Brown reports that the company already has one buyer in Washington State…and is close to inking a second deal in the northwest.

The group 350.org (of the Adirondack-Vermont North Country’s own Bill McKibben) is spearheading a world-wide  community workday Sunday. It’s called 10.10.10. Todd Moe found some SUNY Potsdam kids who got ahead of the game last weekend by helping with fall chores at a community garden.

And since it’s Friday, The Adirondack Almanack’s John Warren has our weekly report on what’s up in the Park.