All Over Albany

Joe Bruno convicted, state managers upset they're not getting a raise, another bank robbery, cash for clunker appliances, crackdown on deer jacking

A federal jury convicted Joe Bruno on two felony counts of mail fraud. (here's a breakdown of the counts). "It was very hard to convict him when he's done so much for the area," said the juryforewoman to the TU. As he exited the courthouse, Bruno said to reporters: "It's not over till it's over and I think it's far from over." It sounds like Bruno is already planning an appeal. He faces up to 40 years in jail and $500k in fines -- though the judge has broad sentencing discretion. [TU] [Troy Record] [TU] [Troy Record] [Buffalo News] [NYT]

The Albany County legislature has approved a budget that includes a 5.9 percent tax increase* -- and keeps 100 jobs that were slated to be cut. (*The Record says the legislature approved a budget with a 5.4 percent tax increase, as opposed to county exec Mike Breslin's proposed 5.9 percent.) [TU] [CapNews9] [Troy Record]

Schenectady police say a man was shot on Hamburg street early this morning (map). [TU]

State management and confidential employees are upset that they're not getting raises -- even though the unionized people they supervise are. [TU]

The state will be offering a program like "cash for clunkers" for appliances in February. [TU]

Police say a man robbed a First Niagara bank in Wynantskill. They say the suspect got away with $5000 (and a dye pack). [CapNews9] [Troy Record]

State police say DNA analysis confirms that a missing Troy teenager was behind the wheel of the stolen car that caused that fiery crash in Schodack in October. [TU] [WNYT] [CapNews9]

Malta's getting more than $45k from NYSERDA because of the energy efficiency measures built into its new $5.6 million community center. [Saratogian]

A "pillow of mud" apparently softened the impact of the Weezer tour bus crash on the Thruway. [TU]

The DEC says it's cracking down on "deer jacking." [AP/CBS6]