Just had a set of snow tires put on, but when the shop pulled the car out of the garage to park it, the mechanic must have applied the Parking Brake with too much gusto: when I went to release it, the pedal didn't snap back like normal & the brake warning light stayed on :(
I was able to bring the pedal up by hooking it with my foot, and the idiot light went off, but I imagine that something snapped/froze up/rusted out somewhere....
When I drove today, the rear brakes don't seem to be dragging, but I need to fix this to pass inspection by the end of the month...
Any suggestions on what to look for/try first?

Apply the parking brake again to see if it still works. You might have some slack in the cable. If it still works, you will have to readjust the rear brakes manually to take the slack up.

OK: I'll check for slack tonight....what else would be the most probable thing to go wrong/check for?

You should try to adjust it inside the drums, but there is adjustment on the cable, Right under the drivers' door.

That'* where I was going to look [the rear drums, that is], because I wanted to be sure it wasn't causing the rear breaks to drag...
But I guess my question is this: where are our Parking Brakes prone to break [hehe]?

They're not really. It'* an emergency system so it'* pretty stout. The thinnest peaic of metal is in the adjuster under the door, but with the metal aranged radially like that it'* not weak either.

Being in NY I suggest you check the areas snow gets to.

First I have to bring it into the garage & let all the ice/snow melt!

That may fix your problem - could be that the cable is frozen.

I sure wish it were that easy :( ...But Saturday was when it happened & the weather wasn't bad yet: dry and above freezing....I'm thinking something snapped somewhere

Another place that you may want to check the cable is in the back, where they split off for each wheel. That connection can rust away.