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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.

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.

cross-country bike race

World Cup mountain bike races set to debut in Lake Placid

By James Odato

Mount Van Hoevenbeg will be one of 10 worldwide sites of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Mountain Bike World Series.

pile of road salt

State releases long-awaited road salt report

By James Odato

Task force suggests best practices and alternatives to salt on Adirondack roads

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

Olympic authority chooses Ashley Walden as new CEO

By James Odato

Former Olympic luger led the World University Games planning 

Lake Placid emergency room to close Aug. 20

By James Odato

The Lake Placid emergency room's dwindling use and losses associated with running it have forced its closure.

Students at Paul Smith's College stroll from campus building.

State police officials choose Cazenovia over Paul Smith’s College

By James Odato

New York State Police chose a closed central New York college for its auxiliary academy

paul smiths

Paul Smith’s College breaks with Fedcap

By James Odato

Paul Smith's College Interim President Daniel Kelting notified faculty and staff that the school will be unwinding its administrative partnership with Fedcap and the school had terminated its application for approval of the Fedcap acquisition.

Students at Paul Smith's College stroll from campus building.

Paul Smith’s and Fedcap urge state to ensure school’s survival

By James Odato

Partners present acquisition plan as model for other colleges

Students at Paul Smith's College stroll from campus building.

State Police, Paul Smith’s talking about academy on campus

By James Odato

Discussions with state police occur amid ongoing Fedcap acquisition process

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