All Over Albany

Siena leaves its mark on the NCAA tournament, Morris calls for more community policing, stabbing in Ballston Spa, baracking

Siena put up a good fight against #1 seed Louisville in the second round of the NCAA tournament, but ultimately lost 79-72. After trailing at halftime by five, the Saints took the lead a little more than 10 minutes into the second half and held it until about four minute mark. [TU] [ESPN]

The org that runs New York's electricity market says an arrangement in which buyers of electricity pay more than the lowest bid is a feature, not a bug. [TU]

A study sponsored by a free market academic center concludes that New York State has the lowest level of personal and economic freedom in the country. [TU]

A 2005 report about then-state Senate minority leader David Paterson's office describes an operation with problems very similar to those exhibited during Paterson's first year as governor: chaos, indecisiveness and jumbled communication. [NYDN]

Albany Common Council president -- and mayoral candidate -- Shawn Morris says the APD has shifted its focus away from community policing -- and that's contributed to a recent surge in crime. [TU]

Forty percent of children in Albany County live in poverty -- as do 25 percent of people in Schenectady -- according to a report out from an advocacy org. [Daily Gazette]

The manager of the TU Center says he'd like to see mixed martial arts fighting legalized in New York State. He estimates ultimate fighting could sell out the arena and generate $1 million to $2 million in economic activity. [Daily Gazette]

After two of the three finalists for the job of UAlbany president dropped out, a source tells the TU the search will likely be reopened. UAlbany has been looking for a new president for more than two years. [TU]

An expert on public corruption law guesses that Joe Bruno is paying his attorneys about $750 per hour. [TU]

The man who allegedly robbed an East Greenbush bank and stomped on a teller surrendered to police this weekend. Police are still looking for an accomplice. [Troy Record]

Four people in Ballston Spa were charged with "gang assault" after police say they were involved with a stabbing in the village last week. [Saratogian]

Schenectady High School officials say a recent string of after-school fights could be gang-related. [Daily Gazette]

The parent company of CBS6 has announced that non-union employees at the TV station will have to take two weeks off -- unpaid -- by the end of September. The company is also asking the station's union to approve a furlough. [Daily Gazette]

One of the six unions currently without contract with the City of Saratoga Springs has declared it's at an impasse with the city. [Saratogian]

The City of Troy is trying to find a buyer for the 100,000 square foot Marshall Ray Building on River Street (map). [Troy Record]

More than a thousand people turned out for job day at the Great Escape, a volume the park says it's never seen before. [Daily Gazette]

We've only gotten about five inches of snow in February and March -- that's about 18 inches less than in an average year. [TU]

Crossgates Mall is 25-years-old this month. It's the third-biggest mall in New York State. [TU]

The new slang at Albany High: "baracking." [TU]