All Over Albany

Alleged local gang network busted, Lazio not saying what he's going to do, the ladies love Brett Michaels

The state attorney general's office announced that 41 alleged members of the Bloods who were operating in the Capital Region and beyond have been indicted -- and 32 are in custody. The AG's office alleges that gang was involved in "a massive and violent drug operation." Officials say the alleged local leader of the network was shot four times this past July in West Hill because members thought he was an informant (they say he wasn't). [NYS AG] [AP/Troy Record] [TU]

David Paterson said again Thursday morning that state employee layoffs would start before the end of the year -- but it doesn't sound like much is actually being done toward that end. [State of Politics] [TU]

Carl Paladino said the Q Poll reporting him to be just six points behind Andrew Cuomo shows that Cuomo can be beaten. Cuomo said he takes the poll results "with a grain of salt." The poll reportedly has some Democrats calling for Cuomo to, as one person put it, "Stand up and fight the guy -- do something!" [Buffalo News] [Daily Politics] [NYT]

One important factor in the race for governor: Rick Lazio, and whether he'll continue his run on the Conservative Party line. He wouldn't say yesterday what his plans are -- though he did say he has "every intention of being a strong voice for the next six weeks." [State of Politics] [TU]

Rudy Giuliani was in Schodack yesterday to campaign for Chris Gibson. Giuliani framed the race between Gibson and Scott Murphy as "a vote against Chris is a vote for Nancy Pelosi." [Saratogian] [TU]

The race between Hugh Farley and Susan Savage for the 44th state Senate district has turned negative. [State of Politics]

Schenectady now has the Capital Region's largest school district, thanks to ongoing influx of young children. [TU]

Troy fire officials say yesterday's duplex fire in North Central appears suspicious. [Troy Record]

What would prompt two Albany sisters to smash up a guy's car with bricks and hit him with a tire iron? [Fox23] [TU]

Eight property owners are protesting the high voltage power line planned to run from Moreau to Rotterdam. [Post-Star]

Members of the Honest Weight Food Co-op have approved the revised (and less expensive) design for the planned new store -- and the org is trying to line up the financing. [TU]

Two members of the sophomore class at Russell Sage are from Afghanistan. [YNN]

The Saratoga racino now has electronic roulette machines. [Saratogian]

An injured eagle from Afghanistan, rescued by Navy SEALs, is headed for a new home at the Berkshire Bird Paradise. [Troy Record] [TU] (Earlier on AOA: Sights and sounds at the Berkshire Bird Paradise)

Said a Northern Lights employee of last night's Brett Michaels show: "99.9 percent of the crowd is female." [Daily Gazette]