All Over Albany

State budget maybe close to finished, water main break closes Hoosick Street, support for changing racinos to full casinos, wall lettuce

The state budget is maybe close to being finished. David Paterson is still peeved the legislature hasn't planned on how to deal with a possible $1 billion shortfall in federal Medicaid funding -- and he's threatening to call the legislature back into session during this fall's campaign season. [TU] [NYT]

Schenectady's school board voted to accept the resignation of superintendent Eric Ely. The district's settlement with Ely could pay him more than $200k in cash and benefits depending on what kind of job he gets next and when. News of the settlement prompted shouting from the some of the public at the board meeting. The word going around is that former Shenendehowa Superintendent John Yagielski will be hired as interim superintendent. [TU] [Daily Gazette $] [WNYT] [CBS6]

A water main break has closed Hoosick Street between 15th Street and Burdett Ave in Troy (map). There's also a boil water advisory for people near the break. [Troy Record] [@TroyMayor] [City of Troy Facebook]

Revenue from the Albany landfill will increase more than $800k during the next year after the city renegotiated contracts with trash haulers. [TU]

Albany police say two of the three people arrested for allegedly attacking a man after the Capital Pride festival are also accused of being involved with a recent mugging on Lancaster Street in Center Square. [TU]

The state Senate passed a resolution that calls for the state's racinos -- like the one in Saratoga -- be allowed to operate as full casinos. Roy McDonald, Hugh Farley and Betty Little all supported the resolution. [Daily Gazette $] [Saratogian]

There's a public comment session this evening for the selection of Steve Krokoff for Albany police chief. [TU]

The two men accused of the fatal Aquarius Lounge shooting in Schenectady last year have pleaded guilty. [TU]

Two brothers have been charged with torturing two women in a Central Ave motel, allegedly because of a ""business dispute" (map). [TU]

The head of the Troy police union is suing the City of Troy for millions over his 2007 suspension. [Troy Record]

Charlie Muller says the Albany gun buyback is running out of money. [YNN]

Said a Nebraska woman of her meeting with Matthew J. Ryan, the Troy man accused of running a Ponzi scheme: "... when I shook his hand I thought, 'I don't like him.' He had a real limp handshake." [Troy Record]

There's a $110 million water park/hotel/restaurant development planned for a site south of Albany on 9W near Exit 21 on Thruway.

A new invasive plant in the region: "wall lettuce."