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Through its news reporting and analysis, the nonprofit Adirondack Explorer furthers the wise stewardship, public enjoyment for all, community vitality, and lasting protection of the Adirondack park.

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James Odato

In a career rooted in watchdog reporting, former Explorer editor James M. Odato has been cited as one of New York’s top journalists covering state government, gambling, and abuse and waste of public money. He has written thousands of articles, his byline has appeared in numerous national publications and his investigative stories have spurred reforms. As a staff reporter for five daily newspapers, including the Albany Times Union and Buffalo News, Odato has received more than 30 awards from the Associated Press, New York Publishers Association, the New York Legislative Correspondents Association and other media organizations. In 2007, Investigative Reporters and Editors recognized his reporting with the Freedom of Information Award Medal. In October 2021, the University of Massachusetts Press released his book, This Brain Had a Mouth, Lucy Gwin and the Voice of Disability Nation.

All Stories by James Odato

In a career rooted in watchdog reporting, Explorer editor James M. Odato has been cited as one of New York’s top journalists covering state government, gambling, and abuse and waste of public money. He has written thousands of articles, his byline has appeared in numerous national publications and his investigative stories have spurred reforms. As a staff reporter for five daily newspapers, including the Albany Times Union and Buffalo News, Odato has received more than 30 awards from the Associated Press, New York Publishers Association, the New York Legislative Correspondents Association and other media organizations. In 2007, Investigative Reporters and Editors recognized his reporting with the Freedom of Information Award Medal. In October 2021, the University of Massachusetts Press released his book, This Brain Had a Mouth, Lucy Gwin and the Voice of Disability Nation.

Barton Mines

In North River, a dust-up arises amid mining company’s life extension pitch

By James Odato

Barton Mines seeks permit through 2096 to operate aside wilderness 

sewer project

Ticonderoga works to change its mix of water, sewage

By James Odato

Upgrades are stemming overflows into the LaChute River 

john brown farm black caucus visit

Black & Hispanic caucus gathers in Adirondacks

By James Odato

Influential group draws top elected leaders to Lake Placid for first meeting outside of Albany

ORDA building

ORDA hit with lawsuit over office building project

By James Odato

Firm contests ORDA's bidding process, seeks to stop construction of a new Lake Placid headquarters for the Olympic Regional Development Authority.

colvin portrait

Mountainous obsessions: Verplanck Colvin and his amateur biographer

By James Odato

One man was a self-taught Adirondack surveyor who would have a mountain named after him. The other was his nearly unknown biographer.

Word of Life in Schroon Lake.

Lodge at Word of Life in Schroon Lake set to be sold

By James Odato

The shuttered lodge owned by Word of Life in Schroon Lake is under contract to be purchased by a private company next month.

Dominic Jacangelo

Trail promise melts

By James Odato

Blocked snowmobile connectors leave locals feeling swindled

From eyesore to crown jewel? Tupper Lake bets big on former factory

By James Odato

The hulking factory in the middle of the village has stymied revitalization efforts since it closed years ago. Tupper Lakers hope that's about to change.

Tupper moving forward on goal to become recreation hub

By James Odato

Community group has set sights on town acquiring Big Tupper ski area.

In a flash

By James Odato

An accident in 2004 on ORDA's Olympic training course derailed skeleton racer Courtney Yamada's career and forever changed her life.

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Through its news reporting and analysis, the nonprofit Adirondack Explorer furthers the wise stewardship, public enjoyment for all, community vitality, and lasting protection of the Adirondack Park.

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