HIT: To the continuing progress toward getting the Harriet Tubman historical sites in Auburn under the management of the U.S. Park Service.

A draft study endorses the move, which would bring in millions of dollars of federal money and also hopefully increase attendance and tourist dollars.

As the economy continues to worsen, anything that can help the local economy is great news.

From a historical standpoint, Tubman is one of the nation's greatest figures, and the funding that would help bring more attention to her is long overdue.

HIT: To Auburn getting new holiday decorations. The recent snow is a reminder that even though Thanksgiving is next week, Christmas is right around the corner.

The decorations, which cost about $36,000 and were partially paid for by private sources, will help the city look its best for the holidays.

Even better, is the city's Christmas tree didn't cost a cent. A Binghamton-area landscaper graciously donated the 20-foot blue spruce which stands across from city hall.

That news will get anyone into the holiday spirit.

MISS: To a report this week that “routine maintenance” at the governor's mansion in Albany this year included the purchase of a $21,000 rug.

The antique Turkish rug was ordered this summer.

Sure the cost is a drop in the bucket of New York's $120 billion budget, but Gov. David Paterson has been warning anyone who will listen that the state is in dire financial straits, and extravagant purchases like this one certainly fly in the face of fiscal responsibility.

HIT: To a talk on the upcoming switch to digital television, held at Seymour Library. Two WSTM-WSTQ employees came to Auburn to answer questions and hopefully end any confusion over the ending of analog broadcasting next February.

For some people, over-the-air is the only way they can watch television and they need to understand what to do so they can keep viewing. The talk hopefully helped ease this transition.