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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.

blond woman, Ashley Walden, the new ORDA CEO in front of Olympic facility building

Walden slides into Olympic authority job

By James Odato

New ORDA CEO talks about the role and her plans for state-owned Olympic facilities

Erik Kulleseid named CEO of the Open Space Institute

State parks commissioner to lead Open Space Institute

By James Odato

Erik Kulleseid credited for finding ways to make parks accessible

Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks to a room of people at Mount Van Hoevenberg

Gov. pledges $13M for Adirondack rail trail

By James Odato

At Mount Van Hoevenberg, Gov. Kathy Hochul reveals that $13.1 million will be used to complete the Adirondack Rail Trail. Photo by Chloe Bennett

solar eclipse

2023 Explored: Looking ahead

By James Odato

12 things we'll be looking at in 2024

Jim McKenna of ROOST.

2023 Explored: Adirondack leaders come and go 

By James Odato

Many leaders of Adirondack groups left their posts in 2023, leading to some new hires.

paul smiths college exterior shot on snowy day

Government releases Paul Smith’s from heightened monitoring

By James Odato

College says it proved its ability to handle financial aid

cross-country bike race

Olympic authority to pay $1.2M to host biking World Cup

By James Odato

The deal will bring about 130 cross-country biking competitors to the region for three days in the fall of 2024, 2025 and 2026

van hoevenberg sports complex

Lake Placid puts in bid to host 2026 Olympic sliding events

By James Odato

Organizers in Italy seek to farm out the competition to cut costs of hosting the Olympics

man standing near sign promoting the April 8th eclipse

The eclipse is coming … are Adirondack communities ready?

By James Odato

Spring break event timing brings unique challenges

paul smith's college sign

Paul Smith’s boosts enrollment operation

By James Odato

Newly hired Kathy Bonavist directed the enrollment office when the school had some of its highest student numbers, reaching 1,050 in 2012.

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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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