All Over Albany

Flooding on the Hudson, longtime Albany city official retiring, punches thrown during road rage blowup, the fountain will be turned on

Rain and snow melt have caused flooding in Warren County and along the upper Hudson. Flood water has covered many roads and fields from Schuylerville to Stillwater. Residents say the water hasn't been this high for at least a decade. The river is expected to keep rising through tonight. So far, the Mohawk is still below flood stage. [Post-Star] [Saratogian] [Fox23] [WNYT] [Daily Gazette]

The head of Saratoga Springs' water plant says the system handled the extraordinarily high turbidity caused by the collapse of a nearby pond into the city's drinking water supply "like a champ." [Saratogian]

A group of prominent business leaders in the state is releasing a letter urging the legislature to support same-sex marriage -- because it will help companies attract and retain talent. Meanwhile, the state public policy arm of the Catholic church is raising doubt that the votes to pass same-sex marriage still exist in the Assembly. [NYT] [TU]

The nation's 15 highest taxed counties are in New York State, according to an analysis by a tax policy org. [TU]

The Federal Trade Commission has approved the merger of St. Peter's, Northeast Health and Seton Health. [TU]

Andrew Cuomo called NYRA's decision to use an Oregon-based call center for its tele-betting operation "extremely troubling given the extraordinary investment New York State has made to maintain NYRA's viability over the years." He said in the statement he'd like to see the call center in New York. [Cuomo admin]

"Two attorneys familiar with the matter" say the FBI's interest in the Troy voter-fraud case stems from allegations by one of the defendant's attorneys that the special prosecutor has been influenced by political considerations. [TU]

Albany city clerk John Marsolais is retiring this summer -- he's worked for the city for more than 34 years, under three different mayors. [TU]

HVCC has been ranked among the top 10 percent of community colleges in the nation. [Troy Record]

SCCC announced that will be constructing a new $3.9 million music building. [SCCC]

Colonie police say they've arrested two men for allegedly stealing copper pipe from rooftop heating and cooling systems at buildings just off Wolf Road (map). Police say the copper is only worth a few hundred dollars -- but the thefts caused $50k in damages. They say they're investigating similar crimes at three other businesses in the area -- including the Target at Northway Mall. [YNN] [TU] [Troy Record]

Colonie police say they arrested a 14-year-old for allegedly selling pot to a 13-year-old at a South Colonie school for troubled students. [Fox23] [TU]

State Police say a truck driver and a school bus driver exchange punches during an alleged road rage incident on I-787 yesterday. The truck driver said the bus driver cut him off -- they both stopped and it was on. There were no students on the bus. [TU] [YNN] [Fox23]

Troy pastor Willie Bacote says a swarm of about 100 young people swept through North Central Tuesday night causing fights. [WNYT]

The Albany Police Department showed off its new "simunition" yesterday to reporters. The less-powerful ammo allows to police to actually fire at each other during training. Says an APD detective of the training: "We induce greater stress and that makes more competent and safer officers who are better decision makers on the street." (The APD allowed TV reporters to fire the weapons -- alas, there wasn't an inter-station shootout for sweeps bragging rights.) [YNN] [WNYT] [Fox23]

UAlbany will turn the fountain on this year. At some point. [Daily Gazette]