All Over Albany

Paterson goes looking for help in DC, Gillibrand on list to replace Clinton, Albany gets an upgrade, infamous B&B gets new purpose

David Paterson and other top state officials were in DC yesterday lobbying for federal aid -- with little progress. Chuck Schumer said help -- if there is any -- would not arrive before there's a new Congress in January. [TU] [NYDN]

In what was perhaps not the best PR move during a budget crunch, the state's Office of General Services bought a $21,000 custom rug for the Governor's Mansion. Upside: Turkish rugs are apparently very much in style now. [TU]

Kirsten Gillibrand is reportedly on the list of people David Paterson is considering to replace Hillary Clinton -- if Clinton takes the Secretary of State job in the Obama Administration. Paterson apparently would like to appoint someone who's a woman or Latino or from upstate. [NYT]

Jerry Jennings said yesterday that he wants to "create a new template for urban education" in Albany. He didn't elaborate, though. [TU]

Despite having a budget with a number of potential holes in it, the City of Albany's credit rating has been upgraded to AA- status -- the best of any city in the state. The improved rating could save the city money on interest if it issues bonds. [TU] [Biz Review]

Police say a pickup truck may have been trying to make an illegal u-turn on the Thruway near Exit 24 last night when it was hit by a tractor trailer. The driver of the pickup died. The wreck was so fiery, a tanker truck from ALB had be to called in to help put out the flames. [CBS6] [Daily Gazette]

Local colleges say their endowments have taken a considerable hit in the stock market tumble. [Daily Gazette]

Troy's planning aboard approved the plans for a new facility to house homeless people on Fourth Street. Many residents of the Little Italy neighborhood had opposed the project. [Troy Record]

Despite concerns from neighborhood residents about patients "foaming at the mouth," Schenectady's planning commission approved the conversion of the swinger's B&B on Union Street into offices for a psychology practice. [Daily Gazette]

Should the City of Rensselaer buy an Extendahoe or not buy an Extendahoe -- that is the question. [WNYT]

Vandals covered the van for the Senior Citizens Center of Saratoga Springs in bright yellow paint -- even the windows were painted over. [Saratogian]

The Meals on Wheels volunteer who was run over by her own car has died. [TU]

A pocket park featuring life-sized horse sculptures has been proposed for the old gas station site at the intersection of Broadway and Rt 50 in Saratoga. [Saratogian]

The website Juicy Campus, described as a "digital slander-fest," is stirring things up on the UAlbany campus. [TU]