All Over Albany

Local State of the State reaction, Soares grand jury will examine police shooting, woman says barking dog alerted neighbors to home invasion

State of the State reaction from local reps -- Jack McEneny: "There's an awful lot people can agree with. But the State of the State is always a very positive time, and then the devil in the detail comes during the budget." Jim Tedisco on Andrew Cuomo's "compelling argument" for casino gambling: "At present, people are getting on planes, trains and automobiles and going to casinos outside New York. We're losing that revenue." Rensselaer county exec Kathy Jimino on Cuomo's call for a commission to look at mandate reform: "If we're going to live within the tax cap, which is something that we want to do, and also continue to provide local services, then we need relief from the growing costs of the state mandates." [TU] [Saratogian] [Troy Record]

Albany County DA David Soares says a county grand jury will examine the police shooting of Nah-Cream Moore and there will be a "resolution in the not-too-distant future." Soares responded to calls for the an independent investigator for the case: "They've got an independent investigator here in Albany County and that's my office." The DA also said people spreading "misinformation" about the situation "will be caught and be put under oath and asked to discuss what they've observed." [Troy Record] [TU] [YNN] [Fox23] [Daily Gazette]

An explosion leveled a house in Schenectady's Northside neighborhood yesterday, and damaged adjacent homes (map). The Schenectady Fire Department says it appears to have been a gas explosion -- a contractor reportedly had ruptured a gas line while trying to make an electrical repair. Said a neighbor: "It was like a bomb." [Daily Gazette] [YNN] [TU] [Fox23]

Troy police say an officer was stabbed in the leg while pursuing two suspects last night in North Central (map). The TPD says the officer fired several shots in self defense, but didn't hit the suspects. State Police helicopters were called in to assist in the search for the suspects, which is still ongoing. The TPD says the injury to the officer was not life-threatening. [Fox23] [WTEN] [Troy Record] [@TroyNYPolice]

The Cohoes woman who survived an invasion of a senior apartment complex that left another resident dead, said neighbors were alerted to the intruder in her apartment by the barking of her dog. The man accused of being the intruder was indicted yesterday on murder and multiple other charges. [WNYT] [YNN]

Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy says the Stillwater 14-year-old accused of rape may have had six other victims. Murphy says the boy will likely be charged as an adult. [Saratogian] [YNN]

East Greenbush police say they found 42 pounds of pot in a man's home, along with $167k in cash and guns. [YNN] [Fox23]

An East Greenbush auto mechanic has been arrested for the third time in recent months for allegedly charging customers for work he didn't do. [Troy Record]

Saratoga Springs' new public safety commissioner has again brought up the idea of rolling back the closing time for bars in order to curb violence downtown. [WNYT]

The Shen school district has stopped bringing in reps from Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson as guest lecturers in sex ed classes after complaints from a group of parents. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

After the Watervliet Senior Citizen Center closed just before new city financial disclosure rules took effect -- and records and computers were removed -- mayor Michael Manning says the city is concerned about what had been going on there financially. [TU]

Some Schodack residents are concerned about the large Dollar Tree distribution center that's planned for land near the I-90 exit for routes 9 and 20. [TU]

Because apparently it's never too early to speculate on the presidential race in 2016: Cuomo's major actions are being examined for presidential aspirations and implications. After joking about heading to Iowa to "become a farmer," Cuomo said of the presidential talk: "I'm focused on being the governor of the State of New York ... I have been doing things and pursuing things that I would not if I were thinking about running for president." [AP/Post-Star] [NYT]

Carl Kruger -- the now former state senator who pleaded guilty to taking bribes -- has filed for his $75k/year state pension. [TU]

Former Troy mayor Harry Tutunjian has been selected to fill the Rensselaer County legislature seat left empty by new Troy mayor Lou Rosamilia. [Troy Record]

The modern global economy: a company in Johnstown, made up of people who lost their jobs after their former company left for Mexico, is close to winning a contract to build high-end ice cream serving cabinets that would be shipped to China. [Daily Gazette]