The most recent headlines from around the Adirondacks, with a focus on the environment, communities and recreation in the Adirondack region of Northern New York state.
Betsy Folwell, Adirondack essayist and community pillar, dies at 71
Blue Mountain Lake resident and former Adirondack Life editor remembered for her impact on others and love of the Adirondacks
Saranac Lake awarded state funding for hydroelectric repairs to dam, Main Street building
A Saranac Lake building under consideration for the Adirondack Park Agency's headquarters is getting state funding for hydroelectric fixes.
World-class cross-country skiing at Paul Smith’s VIC
Wide enough for skate skiing and snowshoes too
Inside Elizabethtown’s 60-year journey to a public sewer system
Has the time finally come for this small Adirondack community to build wastewater infrastructure?
What NY’s short-term rental law means for Adirondack towns
Questions remain about the lack of statewide regulation standards.
Railtown rivalries and a trail that runs through it
The role of railroads in shaping a historic community rivalry
Redefining tradition: The growing ranks of women who hunt
Meet some of the people changing the face of hunting
Braving snow and cold, student workers help maintain trails
The Student Conservation Association's winter trail work session is underway
Flooding reveals infrastructure risks in warming world
In 2024 the focus of local leaders and Adirondack Park advocates continued to focus on the growing threat of torrential rain and flooding
Adirondack rangers faced overtime, pension and rescue challenges in 2024
Forest rangers had a difficult year with some challenging search and rescues, overtime grievances and more.
Whiskey fungus in Mineville: How community concerns and state actions unfolded in 2024
Exploring the impact of mold-like fungus on buildings near WhistlePig distillery
From bear incidents to butterfly protections: 2024’s wildlife stories
Tragic bear incident sparked community concerns about wildlife interactions
Hochul signs $75B climate superfund bill targeting oil companies
Climate superfund law was a top climate priority this year.
Sheriff looks into death at Black Mountain
Hiker dies on Black Mountain hike near Lake George.
Total solar eclipse drew thousands to the Adirondacks in 2024
The eclipse drew large crowds to the Adirondacks and put on a show
Adirondack history stories catch readers’ interest
Topping list: Report on remains from Lake George Revolutionary times
Adirondack Rail Trail took off in 2024
Tupper Lake hopes Big Tupper gets restored.
Adirondack communities receive funding for dam repairs, water quality improvements
State grants to fund dam repairs, cover salt piles, restore historic Adirondack building and upgrade wastewater plants
Federal grant fuels study to enhance wildlife safety on NY roads
The state Department of Transportation has received a federal grant for a two-part study to look at ways to reduce wildlife-vehicle accidents and improve habitat connectivity.
From mines to solar projects, Adirondack Park Agency had a busy project year
Some reviews to continue into 2025
Expanding accessible recreation: Adirondack Park progress in 2024
New programs and projects work toward increasing access for people with disabilities
The Adirondack region’s transformation in job opportunities
Explorer's 'Jobs 2.0' series dug into past, present and future of employment in the Adirondacks
Adirondack stories that caught readers’ attention in 2024
Hotel glut, Big Tupper, bears, oh my! A look at the top Adirondack headlines from the past year.
Willsboro to gain new park on Lake Champlain
Town will add a park for swimming, hiking and skiing, due to deal facilitated by Adirondack Land Trust
Paul Smith’s Nordic ski team featured in new documentary
The champion ski team of Adirondack Park's only four-year school is featured in a new documentary.
Champlain ferry company looks to update marinas it bought this summer
Public invited to comment on Lake Champlain Transportation Co. plans for $1.4M marina overhaul
A fresh take on Baxter Mountain
Finding the true summit of Baxter takes a bit more work.
New leadership coming to Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation
Founder shifts to science role as organization welcomes new director
State Land Master Plan updates spark push for other ‘wish list’ items
Lake George Battlefield protections, backcountry ski trails rank high in concerns in hundreds of comments to Adirondack Park Agency plan revisions
Paul Smith’s in talks over conservation easement for campus forest land
Conservation deal with Adirondack Land Trust would protect additional college forest land while generating needed funds
FEMA’s role in rebuilding: Compensation after Irene’s havoc in the Adirondacks
Tropical Storm Irene left a lasting impact on Adirondack Park, displacing residents and leading to extensive federal assistance for recovery efforts.
Debate heats up over accessibility in Adirondack Park wilderness areas
Debate around accessibility, wilderness protection plays out in 2,000 pages of comments
New protections could help save declining monarch butterflies
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to list monarch butterflies as threatened.
Work on Champlain power line moves into Capital region
Transmission line that will bring hydro power from Quebec to New York City heads into next half of construction
Cherrypatch Pond: A journey through Lake Placid’s forgotten ski loop
A once-popular ski loop now sits largely forgotten
Lake Placid advances as backup site for 2026 Olympic Winter sliding events
However, Italian efforts to build new facilities seem to be on track
Young volunteer becomes first junior responder in Long Lake Rescue Squad
Amidst a parkwide first responder shortage, meet the Long Lake teen pioneering a new program
Adirondack Park Agency’s proposed amendments strike balance between accessibility, wilderness
Updates to Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan can protect wilderness lands AND allow access to people with disabilities
Olympic authority spending $6.3M to upgrade Lake Placid training center
Another $96 million may be fast-tracked for Mount Van Hoevenberg
Exploring the Hudson: Student expedition trekked 375 miles
Documentary follows high school students from Mount Marcy to New York City while highlighting pollution concerns