Saturday, March 21, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Alan Chartock

Alan Chartock is the president and chief executive officer of WAMC/Northeast Public Radio, a National Public Radio affiliate, a position he has held since 1981. He was professor of political science at SUNY New Paltz and was a professor emeritus of communications at the State University of New York; and executive publisher and project director for the Legislative Gazette, a weekly newspaper staffed by college intern reporters covering New York state government.

written articles

I Publius: When you do something very stupid, all anyone can say is, “It happens”

In this week's column, Alan makes a visit to the Fairview Emergency Room and learns first-hand about the perils of walking in the pitch dark of night.

I PUBLIUS: Aging sucks, but it beats the alternative

"As our lives progress along not always predictable paths, what can we really expect? We certainly know about the inevitability of death, but we don’t know when it’s going to happen and what form it’s going to take and that makes life’s guessing games, well, interesting."

I Publius: Anne Hutchinson and the People’s Pantry prove that there’s no place like Great Barrington

The volunteers who work at the People's Pantry and the people who contribute money and food do so without needing accolades—they just want to help support those who are food insecure.

ALAN CHARTOCK: New York is lucky to have Tom DiNapoli as its state comptroller

DiNapoli is demanding that more be done to provide mental health training for school staff. We know how critical this campaign is. That’s why we need and, I believe, have an excellent state comptroller with a sharp pencil.

I Publius: Hay fever season

My neighborhood in the middle of Great Barrington, Massachusetts has become a home for all kinds of animals including bears and foxes.

ALAN CHARTOCK: An American tragedy

There have been 198 mass shootings already in 2022. How much longer will we allow this carnage?

I PUBLIUS: Stand up to the ‘malicious minority’

"We have a democratic republic controlled by a willful, disrespectful minority that continues to make a mockery of democracy," says Alan. What are we going to do about it?

I PUBLIUS: Our friend Don McGrory

You may have been led to believe Don would be with us forever, because he was a miracle in so many ways.

I PUBLIUS: The Southern Berkshires’ two-school problem

The question is whether it is ridiculous to have these two systems sitting side by side without enough students to justify their existence.

I PUBLIUS: The Lone Ranger

Who's that out walking with a headlamp, in the dark, at 4 a.m.? It's Alan Chartock.

I PUBLIUS: A look at educational politics in the Berkshires

Then comes the question of whether or not to combine the two school districts. Theoretically, it makes sense to combine them. We are now coming down to the wire on the question of whether and how.

ALAN CHARTOCK: The New York State capital, then and now

It has really been something to live long enough to witness the Albany scene change so dramatically.

I PUBLIUS: It’s just tooo cold

When you start seeing single digits and below-zero signs on your thermometer, you know you will be feeling pain.

I PUBLIUS: Freezing cold thoughts

It has been so cold lately that I am thinking of retiring and moving south.

ALAN CHARTOCK: When will Cuomo get back in the game?

Put yourself in Andrew’s place. Would you re-enter the political sphere now as opposed to waiting a few years to do it?

I PUBLIUS: It’s nice to be nice

We don’t spend nearly enough time thanking the people who are kind to us.
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