Unemployment rate continues to rise, state budget deals, another into the Albany mayoral pool, mom accused of helping daughter fight, excused for Jumpin' Jacks
The Capital Region's unemployment rate hit 7.6 percent in February, according to the state Department of Labor. (The overall state rate was 7.8 percent.) That's up half a point from the month before and 2.1 points compared to the same month last year. A labor department analyst says the rate is probably the highest it's been since the early 80s. The region's job losses appear to be hitting people without college educations and easy access to transportation the hardest. [AP/Saratogian] [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TU]
The state's Three Men in a Room have a reportedly reached an agreement to raise taxes on households with incomes of $300,000 and up. It also appears that wine sales in supermarkets won't be approved. But who knows -- all the negotiations are going on in secret. The Three Men apparently want the budget bills printed this weekend so they can be voted on before the budget deadline Tuesday night. [TU] [NYT] [NYDN]
The former head of a state-funded institute who was convicted of ripping that state off for more $100,000 was sentenced to house arrest and probation. [TU]
Schenectady County leaders balked at Schenectady mayor Brian Stratton's proposal to dissolve the city's troubled police force and form a new countywide department. The chair of the county legislature said the city needs to do a better job disciplining its officers. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Three men -- two of them teenagers -- have been arrested for stealing the cans and bottles from the Mohawk Hudson River Humane Society in January. The situation worked out for the society -- it lost about $600 worth of cans, but ended up with more than $6,000 in donations. [Fox23] [Troy Record]
A Watervliet man is dead after getting into a bar fight with his brother this week. Authorities say chokehold may have caused his weak heart to give out. [TU]
A Schenectady mom has been accused of serving as her 13-year-old daughter's cornerwoman in a street fight yesterday. [TU]
The US Fish and Wildlife Service is asking people to stay out of local caves where the "white nose syndrome" fungus has been found in bat populations. Scientists think humans might be involved in the spread of the fungus. [Daily Gazette]
There was a memorial mass at UAlbany yesterday for Richard Bailey, the student murdered in Pine Hills last October. Yesterday would have been Bailey's 23rd birthday. [Fox23]
Recession? What recession? A developer has purchased a plot in Clifton Park that will include $500,000 homes and a horse pasture. [Biz Review]
The Scotia-Glenville School District says 200 of its high school students brought in notes from their parents yesterday to be excused for lunch. What was special about yesterday? It was the first day of the season for Jumpin' Jacks. [Daily Gazette]
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"And the proposal to allow grocers to sell wine — which Mr. Paterson hoped would raise $100 million in new revenue — has met sharp resistance in the Assembly, where Mr. Silver appears opposed to a compromise that would allow liquor stores, in exchange, to sell items like cheese and crackers."
Wow, talk about not compromising. What exactly would be the problem with letting liquor stores sell cheese and crackers?
This was one of the only GOOD ideas Patterson had!
... said Matt on Mar 27, 2009 at 10:38 AM | link
Was justice served?
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=782509
Felix Strevell is a fine example of why Rensselaer County Republicans live in denile that everything is okay.
... said Jeff Stannard on Mar 27, 2009 at 10:46 AM | link
"The US Fish and Wildlife Service is asking people to stay out of local caves where the 'white nose syndrome' has been found in bat populations"
Time to let bats snort cocaine in peace, thank you.
... said -S on Mar 27, 2009 at 10:55 AM | link
I can't believe we lost the soda tax and the wine in supermarkets.
... said bk on Mar 27, 2009 at 11:04 AM | link
The Scotia-Glenville School District says 200 of its high school students brought in notes from their parents yesterday to be excused for lunch...It was the first day of the season for Jumpin' Jacks.
Hahaha, YAY! I remember this when I was in High School. Oh JJ, how I love thee....
... said Kim D. on Mar 27, 2009 at 11:08 AM | link
I just took a Kathy Jimino robocall for Tedisco.
... said melrose_stamp@yahoo.com on Mar 27, 2009 at 11:20 AM | link
wine in supermarkets is an all around bad idea, first off I dont want my wine recommendations coming from a Price Chopper clerk and secondly, most wine/liquor stores are family own and run, letting grocery stores sell would take money directly out of their pockets and into Corporate pockets....boooo
... said JVG on Mar 27, 2009 at 4:28 PM | link