All Over Albany

Tens of thousands still without power, Paterson to propose "obesity tax," friend says Bruno indictment likely, SPAC renovation on ice

As of this morning, 75,000 homes in the Capital Region were still without power. National Grid says homes are being returned to the grid "every minute of every day." The utility company says it could be Wednesday before all the repairs are made -- and now there's concern that high winds today will set things back. [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record] [TU]

A married couple in Glenville died this weekend from carbon monoxide fumes produced by their generator. At least 15 other people around the region were taken to hospitals for carbon monoxide poisoning caused by using grills inside. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

With no power at home, people flocked to stores and restaurants this weekend. An Italian restaurant in Schenectady was so busy it ran out of spaghetti. [TU] [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]

Many of the Amtrak trains running between Rensselaer and NYC are still canceled. [CapNews9]

The Daily Gazette's website was down Friday because its building lost power. [TU]

David Paterson will release his proposed 2009 budget tomorrow, but details are already leaking out. Among the proposals: an "obesity tax" on non-diet soda that would generate $404 million per year (other new fees and taxes would combine for about $4 billion in new revenue.) The plan also calls for big cuts to school and health funding -- and the elimination of the Empire Zone program. [NYDN] [TU] [NYT]

The state turned up more than half a billion dollars in Medicaid fraud this year. That's more than all 50 states found last year. [TU]

A friend of Joe Bruno estimates there's an 80 percent chance the former state Senator will be indicted by the feds. [NYDN]

The SPAC renovation, which included a redesign of the facility's facade, has come to a halt because the state money funding it has been frozen. The freeze is part of the state's effort to save money on non-essential services. One bit of good news for SPAC: it managed to break even this year. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

A combined 100 years of institutional knowledge and experience is about to leave Schenectady's emergency sewer crew. [Daily Gazette]

The renewal of Albany's Park South neighborhood appears to be coming along. [TU]