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After decades of increasing inmate populations in the U.S., researchers are seeing a slow but steady decline in the number of men and women behind bars. Big states like California, New York and Texas are leading the way in developing alternatives to incarceration — in an effort to trim prison budgets.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to decide soon whether to allow natural gas companies to use the controversial drilling technique known as hydro-fracking. New Yorkers are sharply divided on the issue. Industry groups and activists are campaigning hard to shape how the decision will be received.

The lack of snow in most of the northeast has extended the hiking season for those willing to brave the cold. Brian Mann takes a winter hike into Roaring Brook Falls in New York's Adirondack Mountains.

In the wake of the massive spill in the Gulf and the death of 11 workers, the federal government has taken a lot of heat for not keeping a close-enough eye on the offshore oil industry. But where were the other watchdog groups -- environmentalists, labor groups, journalists and academics -- that often monitor U.S. industries? Some activists say they should have done more to scrutinize and blow the whistle on BP's practices.

Energy developers have struggled to connect new sources of renewable electricity with big cities, without building ugly and expensive transmission corridors. A Canadian company has unveiled a nearly $4 billion plan to bury underwater cables in Lake Champlain, the Hudson River and Long Island Sound. The project would feed power to New York City and Connecticut.

The candidates in a New York congressional election say they know the race isn't over. With all precincts in the 20th Congressional District reporting, Democrat Scott Murphy leads Republican Jim Tedisco by just 65 votes out of more than 154,000 cast. The two are vying to replace Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who was appointed to the U.S. Senate to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Montana-based Big Sky Airlines' decision to shut down highlights a debate over federal subsidies for carriers serving smaller communities. Big Sky's demise was forced by high fuel costs and a lack of regular passengers.

A major winter storm cancels flights and strands motorists across parts of the Midwest and Northeast. More than a dozen deaths are blamed on the storm.

Across the country, prom season is a chance for girls -- and their moms -- to indulge in a little fashion and glamour. For students at Saranac Lake High School, the right look often starts at Suzi D's Salon in Saranac Lake, N.Y. North Country Public Radio's Brian Mann reports.

On Monday, Peru's Congress cleared the way for an elder statesman and consensus candidate to become the country's third president in a week.