Officials expect statewide spread of swine flu, Murphy to be sworn in, Vick offer "a big mistake," paid parking proposal for Saratoga, ice cream truck pulls crazy U-ee
State health commissioner Richard Daines says he expects swine flu to eventually spread to every part of the state -- and DoH is already testing suspected cases in a handful of upstate counties. There have been 45 confirmed cases in New York State so far -- all of them in NYC. Said David Paterson yesterday: "This not time for alarm, but it's time to be alert." [WXXI] [TU]
State budget director Laura Anglin says this year's budget is on track to stay even -- if the planned state worker job cuts go through. The next few years aren't looking good, though. [NYS DoB] [TU] [NYT]
About 8,700 state worker job cuts, the Division of the Budget says it's still reviewing plans submitted by various agencies. [TU]
Scott Murphy is scheduled to be sworn in today at the US Capitol. [Daily Gazette]
The Albany Firebirds say the team's contract offer to Michael Vick was a marketing ploy -- and, in the words of the team's owner, "a big mistake."
Your Congresspeople at work: Paul Tonko has introduced a bill that would create safer truck stops; and Kirsten Gillibrand has introduced a bill that calls for studying the chemicals in baby products. [CapNews9] [TU]
State auditors have criticized the City of Rensselaer for not paying enough attention to where it put its money. It's the second such report from the state in the last four years. Rensselaer's treasurer says the city's money was never at risk. [TU] [Troy Record]
The City of Schenectady spent so much money on police overtime last year that it could have hired 30 new officers -- benefits and all -- with the money. [Daily Gazette]
Schenectady has come close to pushing all the "adult" businesses out of the city. [Daily Gazette]
Saratoga Springs' finance commissioner has proposed a plan for paid parking downtown. He also says the city is facing a 20 percent property tax increase next year because of the state's cut to VLT money. [Daily Gazette]
The American Lung Association gave Albany, Saratoga and Rensselaer counties failing grades for air quality 2008. Pollution is actually down from the year before -- but the standards have gotten stricter. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
A couple of fires -- one in Latham and the other Albany -- sent black smoke billowing into the air yesterday. People reported being able to see the smoke from miles away. [TU] [CBS6]
Colonie police say an SUV hit a pedestrian on Central Ave last night -- causing a compound leg fracture -- and then took off. [CBS6]
An ice cream truck driver was ticketed yesterday after she hit a car coming in the opposite direction while trying to make a high-speed U-turn on Everett Road. [Troy Record]
CDTA is getting money from the feds to plan a new park-and-ride/bus garage in Saratoga. [Saratogian]
Minor league hockey is returning to Glens Falls. A team currently based in Philadelphia officially announced yesterday that it's making the move. [Post-Star] [Daily Gazette]
A series of street sculptures has popped up in Troy as part of a recycled art campaign. [Troy Record]
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Comments
Heh, knew the Vick thing would blow up in their faces. I mean sure, I had forgotten we had an arena league team, but signing Michael Vick as a player is a BAD MOVE(TM). For any team.
... said aj on Apr 30, 2009 at 1:16 AM | link