All Over Albany

SUNY board votes to close New Covenant, senators says parks will stay open, Baden reportedly will perform autopsy on Colonie soldier, woman's engagement is a Good Thing

The SUNY Board of Trustees voted yesterday to close the New Covenant charter school in Albany. The vote was 4-1 -- with six abstentions. The school had argued that it had made significant progress in recent years, which the board acknowledged -- but concluded it wasn't enough. New Covenant's principal also argued that a vote to close the school would remove the students from the "stability" of the school and subject them to "the chaos that exists at the Albany district." The Albany school district says it has enough capacity to absorb the New Covenant students. The students will bring more than $3 million in funding to the district. [SUNY] [WNYT] [WTEN] [YNN] [Fox23] [TU]

Steven Raucci trial Day 16 Testimony focused on two bombings from the early 1990s -- incidents that prosecutors argue Raucci was behind, but weren't connected to his job with the school district. The prosecution alleges both incidents were retribution for perceived wrongs against Raucci friends. [Daily Gazette $] [TU] [Fox23]

Both Neil Breslin and Roy McDonald say the state won't be closing any of its parks this year because of budget cuts. [WTEN] [Saratogian]

The NAACP is calling for an investigation of allegations that Troy police used racial slurs and undue physical contact while interacting with some teens. The alleged incident apparently involved a snow ball being thrown through the window of a police car. The city says it's looking into the allegations. [YNN] [WTEN] [WNYT]

The Troygle Google Fiber rally in Monument Square yesterday evening drew about 100 people -- including Harry Tutunjian on a Segway. The group touted Troy as "an ideal partner" for the high-speed internet project. (Lou's take on the pitch) [Troy Record] [LouTube] [TU]

The budget plan being formulated by state Assembly Democrats apparently includes $2 billion in borrowing. The plan also reportedly includes halves proposed cuts to education aid. [TU] [AP/CBS6]

Unions protested the proposed soda tax yesterday at the Capitol. [Troy Record]

The husband of Amy Seyboth Tirador says renowned forensic pathologist Michael Baden has agreed to do a second autopsy. [YNN]

The Saratoga County coroner has concluded that the body found along a bike path in Ballston was a suicide. The coroner says a gun was found near the body. [TU] [Saratogian]

One of the candidates for the Albany police chief jobs was fired as Buffalo police commissioner amid allegations of pension double dipping. [YNN]

Harry Tutunjian says he supports a state bill that would allow municipalities to impose a "service charge" on properties owned by non-profits. The mayor says the state figures that 56 percent of property in Troy is owned by non-profits. [Troy Facebook]

The YMCA officially opened a new branch in downtown Schenectady yesterday. Y officials say the new, smaller, more-energy efficient Schenectady building could be a model for a new building in Albany. * [WNYT] [TU]

The City of Troy has decided to fill in a historic trail tunnel under the Congress-Ferry corridor. [Troy Record]

CDTA is consolidating routes in Schenectady. [Daily Gazette $]

The bowl at the Saratoga Springs skate park has been filled in. [Saratogian]

A woman from Stillwater got engaged on the Martha Stewart Show yesterday. [Saratogian]

* The Capital District YMCA advertised on AOA last month.