Pleas entered in "death ray" case, push back on Cuomo budget begins, foreclosure proceedings had begun before Villa Valenti fire
Still cold. [NWS]
The two men allegedly involved in a plan to construct a "death ray" X-ray weapon to be used against Muslims were in court on Wednesday. Eric J. Feight of Columbia County pleaded guilty to domestic terrorism-related charges and faces anywhere from time served to 15 years in prison. His co-defendant, Glendon Scott Crawford of Saratoga County, pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to produce and use a radiological device, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, and distribution of information relating to weapons. [WNYT][TU][Saratogian]
One day after Andrew Cuomo announced that his proposed budget would set aside $608 million for an increase in education aid, the Alliance for Quality Education and a group of Capitol Region state legislators held a press conference asking for $1.9 billion.[TU]
A coalition of progressive groups has announced it will launch a grassroots fight against Cuomo's proposed budget.[WNYT][TU]
Just weeks before the fire that destroyed Villa Valenti Restaurant a Pennsylvania-based mortgage company started foreclosure proceedings against the restaurant over more than $16,000 in back payments. [Record]
The Schenectady school district is looking at a $300 million overhaul of its schools that would be completed in 2026. In phase one, $70 million in state funds would help turn the city's middle schools into small learning communities divided by grade.[TWCN][Gazette]
Details on the accident that injured a State Trooper on the Northway on Tuesday. [News 10]
The Rensselaer police officer (also the son of of the police chief) who was charged with DWI following a car crash last year that killed a friend is no longer on the city's police force. [TU]
A federal appeals court has upheld a decision that would put Rensselaer County on the hook for damages from an allegedly botched 2008 SWAT team raid on a Troy home. [TU]
Troy police say they discovered heroin, cash and ammunition in a Tuesday morning raid at an apartment complex in North Central (map). [TU]
Police believe a medical condition may have been responsible for a fatal crash on Feura Bush Road in Delmar on Wednesday morning. [TU]
A Troy man will spend ten years in federal prison for trying to arrange a sexual encounter with a 12-year-old girl for $500. [TU]
A drug defendant accidentally released on bail from the Albany County Jail is back in custody after Schenectady police picked him up for speeding and driving without a license.[Gazette]
A heated debate in the Schenectady City Council over whether the city can afford raises for supervisors.[Gazette]
Andrew Cuomo has received more than $200,000 in donations from local lawyers.[TU]
A closed-door session between Chuck Shumer and the Montgomery County legislature on Wednesday may have violated the state Open Meetings Law. [Gazette]
Last year 140 Schenectady residents were convicted of having an unlicensed dog -- the year before the number was 12.[Gazette]
The director of a South Carolina engineering firm with roots in the Capital Region will be Albany's next commissioner of the Department of Water and Water Supply.[TU]
The cold weather is being blamed for a water main break that shut down Niskayuna Town Hall on Wednesday.[TWCN]
The first of two forums on a plan to replace the Rexford Bridge will be held tonight in Clifton Park.[TU]
A Troy woman celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday. [TWCN]
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?