State accuses Spectrum of inflating list of required rural broadband connections
By James Odato
“Our analysis bears out that Charter and Spectrum have been exaggerating the number of new passings."
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
Missed connections
By James Odato
As rural internet grows in importance, local officials seek to ensure the Adirondacks get their share of links
The long game
By James Odato
Lake Placid is preparing for 2,500 top athletes from around the globe to compete at some of the state’s most prestigious sports venues in January 2023.
Reinforcing Ticonderoga
By James Odato
Ticonderoga has toughed out a series of blows since the French, Native Americans and British fought along the water that leads to Canada.
Creditors foreclose on stalled Tupper Lake resort development
By James Odato
A group called Crossroads ADK LLC on Thursday sued Preserve Associates so that 5,800 acres at the edge of Tupper Lake can be sold at public auction, presumably to a group related to Crossroads ADK.
Neighbors’ complaints halt weapons training at Olympic site
By James Odato
“Our whole market here is about peace and tranquility,” said Wayne Failing, who rents cabins a half-mile away from the training site.
Neighbors alarmed by weapons training at Mount Van Hoevenberg
By James Odato
State police officers began a three-month weapons training course at Mount Van Hoevenberg this week, startling neighbors with sustained bursts of assault rifles and shotguns and possibly violating terms of authorized activities in the state forest preserve.
Groups want constitutional amendment for Mount Van Ho tree cutting
By James Odato
The toppling of more than three acres of trees from the Adirondack forest preserve by state Olympic authority workers may spark something environmental groups have long called for – a constitutional amendment for any upgrades to the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex. Or it may trigger a lawsuit.
Ironman Lake Placid athlete goes to extremes in fighting disease
By James Odato
As he trains for his second Ironman Lake Placid this summer, Eric Kreckel knows he is not a typical triathlete.
Conservation groups reject proposed APA board slate
By James Odato
Cuomo’s picks for the agency, while fine as individuals, did not make up a team with the credentials to forge strong stewardship of the Adirondacks, environmental groups said.