All Over Albany

Judge orders state Senate back to work, Paterson warns of another fiscal shortfall, trans-fat ban adjusted, police get DNA evidence from soda bottle

A state Supreme Court judge ordered the state Senate -- both caucuses -- into session today. The judge scolded senators for their behavior and said they risked appearing "rude, inconsiderate and egotistical." Democrats say they'll show up for the session (though they're promising not to take up anything controversial) and the Republicans have already filed an appeal. If the Senate doesn't take action a handful of measures will expire tonight, including sales tax extensions in many counties. [NYT] [Daily Politics] [NYDN] [TU]

If it seems like the Senate mess would put incumbents at risk of being thrown out of office... well, behold the power of pork. [TU]

At the NY Conference of Mayors meeting yesterday in Saratoga, David Paterson said that state tax revenues "may be down 35 percent this year from where they were projected." [Post-Star]

Police say two men were shot on Kent Street in Albany yesterday afternoon (map). Witness says four people jumped out of car, ran up to a porch and started shooting. [TU] [Fox23]

Troy fire officials say one of RPI's chemistry labs caught on fire yesterday evening while a student was conducting an experiment. Fifteen firefighters were taken to the hospital yesterday because of concerns about chemical exposure. (the TU said 15 firefighters, the Record said 12) [Troy Record] [TU]

The Albany Common Council is re-writing the ghost ticket investigation report, somewhat haltingly, by consensus. Among the sticking points: the definition of bureaucracy. [TU]

The search continues today for a man who disappeared while swimming in the Hudson between Hadley and Lake Luzerne. Locals say that section of the Hudson is an especially dangerous spot to swim. [TU] [Daily Gazette]

Albany County's trans-fat ban has been adjusted to allow .5 grams of trans-fat per serving. That seems to have mollified some, but not all, of the concerned bakers. [TU]

NYRA says it expects the amount bet at Saratoga to be down five percent this year. [Saratogian]

Troy police said they were able to get a suspect's DNA evidence from a bottle of soda they gave to him. [Troy Record]

There are beef recalls at both Price Chopper and Hannaford. [TU]

National Grid will be cleaning up a site in Saratoga that was polluted during the late 1800s. [TU]

Skidmore and Union have joined up with four other upstate private colleges in an effort to cut costs and share resources. [TU]

State wildlife pathologist Ward Stone is being honored by the national Sierra Club. [Daily Gazette]

NASA's newest crop of astronauts includes a 1997 RPI grad. [Troy Record]