All Over Albany

Much criticism of Common Core at Albany forum, state food lab looking to problems with dog treats, Bow Tie Cinemas apparently interested in local expansion

Hundreds of people turned out for a forum in Albany about the new Common Core standards with state education commissioner John King. More than 60 people spoke, many of them parents and teachers expressing frustration with the program and standardized testing -- though there were also supporters of the program. King the state is willing to make adjustments, but it will continue to move forward with the program. [YNN] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [WNYT] [News10]

State Police say the driver of a tractor trailer is dead after the trailer jack-knifed on I-87 near Exit 23 in Bethlehem early Friday morning. The Thruway was closed from Exit 22 to Exit 24 before being reopened at 8 am. State Police say an initial investigation indicates the driver had pulled over to the side and the truck started to move while he was outside it. [News10] [NYSP] [TU] [YNN]

Saratoga Springs police say a man was arrested after he allegedly fired a rifle at another man early Thursday morning on Phila Street (map). No one was injured. Police arrested the man after surrounding his residence. [Saratogian] [News10] [TU]

Question: Did lieutenant governor Bob Duffy violate any ethics rules by interviewing for a job heading the Rochester Business Alliance, an economic development org? [TU]

The woman accused of intentionally backing an SUV into a crowd of six women, injuring them three of them, on Elk Street in Albany (map) this past August has pleaded guilty to assault. She faces 15-18 years. [TU 2013 August] [TU] [News10]

Colonie police say a pedestrian was struck by a car while trying to cross Central Ave Thursday evening (map). Police say the person was not crossing at a crosswalk. (This satellite view gives some sense of where the closest crosswalk is located.) [TU] [News10] [Google Maps]

Police say a 34-year-old woman was arrested on the allegation that she broke into at least nine residences in Glenville. Police say the woman lives in the neighborhood where the break-ins occurred. [TU] [WNYT]

An apparent recent hot spot for illegal drug activity: Coeymans. There's a task force focused on the problem. [TU] [YNN]

The NY State AG and Markets Food Safety Lab has been investigating the suspected link between dog treats from China and illnesses in dogs. (The lab is in that new building along Washington Ave -- and it was a key part of cracking a similar case in 2007.) [News10] [AOA 2011] [AP/Washington Post 2007]

A state procurement contract with Staples includes some items for just a penny -- and also long waits. [TU]

Among the points of contention at a candidates forum for Saratoga Springs mayor: Whether campaign contributions to each candidate would create conflicts of interest if that person is elected. [Daily Gazette] [YNN]

Incumbent Colonie supervisor Paula Mahan continues to have a big fundraising advantage over challenger Todd Drake. [TU]

The Saratoga County Sewer District commission chairman, explaining a sewer rate increase: "We just have so much infrastructure, tons of problems ... Things are just caving in. It's mostly age." [Daily Gazette]

A state appellate court has upheld a decision to allow the demolition of the 142-year-old Winans-Crippen house in Saratoga Springs. [TU]

Said the COO of Bow Tie Cinemas, which just opened movie theaters in Saratoga Springs and Wilton: "We have a significant interest in expanding our footprint in the Capital District market." [TU]

The city of Albany is adding the name of Air Force 4-star general John W. Pauly to the corner of Central and Quail (map) near Pauly's Hotel (earlier generations of his family started the establishment). Pauly passed away at age 90 in August. [News10] [Washington Post]