Emily Russell

1 month ago | ctpublic.org | Emily Russell

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

1 month ago | boisestatepublicradio.org | Emily Russell

The U.S. went through a prison-building boom decades ago. But today, many prisons are closing down, and that's hit some economies in rural America especially hard.

2 months ago | northcountrypublicradio.org | Emily Russell

Prison staff who work overtime will keep earning two and a half times their pay rate for another month. New York State’s Department of Corrections announced the overtime rate extension on Monday. The statement cited the ongoing challenges and significant work that prison staff have taken on amid a major staffing shortage following the 3-week wildcat strike. Two thousand corrections officers were fired for not returning to work after the illegal strike ended.

2 months ago | northcountrypublicradio.org | Emily Russell

A land trust in the eastern Adirondacks has protected 65 acres surrounding a hiking trail in the Essex County town of Moriah. The land was acquired by Champlain Area Trails, known as CATS, and partly funded by a grant from New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund. CATS also secured a permanent trail easement for the Coot Hill - Big Hollow Trail. "By conserving this land, we ensure public access for future generations," said Arin Burdo, Executive Director of CATS.

2 months ago | northcountrypublicradio.org | Emily Russell

Emily RussellDEC raises flag for trans visibility and to honor Forest Ranger Robbi Mecus Wednesday was a cold and windy day in the Adirondacks. Still, nearly 100 people bundled up and gathered outside the DEC headquarters in Ray Brook to recognize Trans Day of Visibility and to honor Forest Ranger Robbi Mecus, a trans woman who died in a climbing accident in Alaska last spring at the age of 52. The crowd went quiet as a group of Forest Rangers from the Honor Guard marched towards the flagpole.