All Over Albany

Bruno trial focuses on disclosure forms, progress -- or not -- on state budget gap, contractor dies on dredging project, the crow wars continue

Joe Bruno Trial: Much of the testimony yesterday focused on how Bruno's financial disclosure forms had been compiled. Ken Riddett, the former counsel to the Senate majority, testified that state senators were instructed to hand deliver their financial disclosure forms because of "concerns with federal mail fraud statutes." Also: Bruno's former executive assistant continued her testimony yesterday. She recounted the time Bruno sent her to the bank to get a $1000 bill for his wife -- and she says Bruno got "very angry" with her when she returned with ten $100 bills instead. [NYT] [TU] [Troy Record]

What's the state of discussions on how to close the state's budget gap? It depends on whom you ask -- though count David Paterson as one who's not optimistic, calling the situation a "prelude to what will be continued unhappiness." The governor also said he wouldn't rule out state worker furloughs if a deficit deal doesn't come about. [Daily Politics] [TU] [NYO] [NYDN]

Amy Seyboth Tirador, the Colonie soldier who recently died in Iraq, was buried in Saratoga National Cemetery yesterday. About 300 people attended her funeral in Colonie. Military officials in Iraq told the TU via email yesterday that "we do not know if her death was accidental, a suicide or a homicide." Seyboth Tirador's family has said the soldier was shot in the back of the head. During the funeral yesterday her grandfather said, "Whoever did this crime, I hope they rot in hell." [WTEN] [Troy Record] [TU] [WNYT]

The SUNY Board of Trustees is calling for a two percent increase in tuition next year (the increase has to be approved by the legislature). The board also approved a deal to acquire a piece of the Harriman State Office Campus in order to build a new dorm for UAlbany. [CBS6] [TU]

State police say a contractor working on the Hudson River dredging project died yesterday after the boat he was in lost power and went over a dam (map). Another man in the boat in survived. A GE spokesman says the two men were part of a crew that was looking for historical artifacts. [Fox23] [TU] [CapNews9] [Post-Star]

Bob Mirch has retired from his seat in the Rensselaer County legislature -- and his job as the public works commissioner in Troy. [Troy Record]

There's still no date for Troy city hall to make the move to the former Verizon building on Sixth Ave. [Troy Record]

Attention potheads: your mobile home are a neighbor's couch are not enough to stop a bullet. [TU]

The owner of Oscar's Smokehouse, which burned down a few months back, says the business' new building will have a "green" roof and a geothermal heating system. [Post-Star]

Troy is again going to use fireworks and lasers in attempt to disperse roosting crows in the city. [Troy Record]