Doors will open at 8 a.m., with the conversation beginning at 9 a.m., and the simulcast starting at 10am. This first-time collaboration between the public radio stations will focus on issues facing the Adirondack Park, from cross-border trade, to the region’s declining population, to tourism and housing issues.

NCPR’s Emily Russell and Cara Chapman alongside WAMC’s Joe Donahue will welcome questions from their live audience as they dig into the demographic and livelihood challenges facing Adirondackers, from an aging population to a workforce struggling to find affordable housing. Russell is NCPR’s assistant news director, while Chapman handles the Champlain Valley Bureau. Donahue is host of “The Roundtable” and “The Book Show” for WAMC.

“North Country Public Radio and WAMC are two of the most respected journalism outlets in the region,” said NCPR Station Manager Mitch Teich. “Together, our reporters have decades of experience, and we reach tens of thousands of people every day. It just makes sense that we would partner to tell such an important story about global issues that are being felt at home in the North Country. It’s an exciting opportunity.”

“In joining our audiences and standing shoulder to shoulder, we do a better job in helping to connect the dots, and surface solutions to the challenges we face together,” added WAMC’s CEO and President Sara Gilbert.

Recently, both stations were impacted by the announcement that the federal government would claw back over a billion dollars in funding from public media. NCPR faces a shortfall of over $670,000.

Those who wish to attend the live discussion can find tickets through NCPR’s website.

Everyone is welcome to listen through one of the station’s 33 transmitters, the station’s live stream, or the NCPR mobile app.