The state Senate has given about 50 members of its staff raises, in some cases more than $10,000 a year.

Here's a sampling of your emails:

They should be ashamed of themselves.
 
Cindy Martin
 
 
What about the state employee plowing our highways that is barely able to make ends meet? What did he get to help feed his family?
 
Fred Henderson

Legendary north country radio personality George Neher died last week at the age of 65.

Most of your messages are about him:

He was often a lifeline to the outside world during many a storm.
 
Karen Spooner
 
 
If there ever was a term called 'radio comfort food' it, would refer to George Neher.  He just put you at ease and made you think that the world wasn't so bad after all.
 
Joe Alteri
 
 
I...had the privilege of working side by side with a legend in radio. I learned a great deal from George and I was proud to consider him a friend.
 
Harry Yerdon
 
 
There are few around today who can boast of having the kind of community connection, cognizance, and continuity of career that George did.
 
J.  Sullivan
 
 
My most fond memory of him was the Ice Storm! He kept everyone calm, took phone calls and kept everyone informed of where there was gas, stores that were open, etc.
 
Fred McGraw
 
 
He had a true talent for putting the local news of the day in its proper perspective while truly entertaining his audience.
 
John Shatraw

It's not a popular idea, but it's one that might have to be considered - raising the sales tax rate in Jefferson County to fill the budget gap.

This is what a couple of you had to say:

It's silly to even suggest any sort of a hike in taxes anywhere in this state.
 
Shawn Cummings
 
 
Raising the sales tax is more equitable for everyone instead of raising property taxes for homeowners...for covering budget gaps.
 
Name Withheld