All Over Albany

Joe Bruno retrial now with jury, Albany officials push for red light cameras, review of Saratoga racino expansion, seeking the supermarket good samaritan

Joe Bruno retrial: The case is now with the jury. Said federal prosecutor Elizabeth Coombe during closing arguments: ""You've heard the story of a very powerful man and how he exploited his office for personal gain." Bruno attorney E. Stewart Jones: "They want Senator Bruno's scalp ... That's all they care about, truth be damned." [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Troy Record]

The state Republican Party has nominated Rob Astorino as its candidate for governor. Among the many issues Astorino mentioned in his speech after accepting the nomination: term limits for state elected officials. [TU] [State of Politics]

Speaking at UAlbany Thursday, a climate scientist who was part of the recently released National Climate Assessment said the Northeast appears to be facing the prospect of more storms like Sandy, Irene, and Lee. [TU]

Albany officials stressed that safety -- not revenue -- is the motivating force behind the push to get the legislature to approve the option of using red light cameras in the city. Kathy Sheehan: "Implementing red light cameras as a way of generating revenue is a mistake." [TU] [WNYT]

A review process has started for the proposed expansion of the Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The city of Saratoga Springs is listed only as an "interested party" on the project, limiting the weight of its input. [TU] [Daily Gazette]

The backers of the proposed East Greenbush casino are scheduled to make a public presentation about the plan Monday night. [TU]

A group of consumer orgs are pushing for the state to do a better job of tracking doctors who have had disciplinary actions taken against them. [TU]

Police say it appears the man whose body was found in the Mohawk River near a dam at Waterford and Cohoes died accidentally. [TU]

State Police say they arrested a Schuylerville man for allegedly throwing a crowbar through the window of an ambulance. State Police say troopers determined the man "was upset because he felt the ambulance driver had intentionally driven over his organic garden, was polluting his organic property with diesel fumes, and were not taking his matter seriously." [NYSP]

The city of Cohoes has shut down the Cohoes Music Hall over concerns about electrical wiring. [TU]

The Lake George boat inspection and cleaning program has started -- it's aimed at reducing the (further) spread of invasive species. [TU]

A chemical spill prompted the evacuation of a lab building at RPI Thursday. [Troy Record]

GE retirees picketed outside the company's gates in Schenectady Thursday calling for pension increases. [Daily Gazette]

The long-running push for Henry Johnson to receive the Medal of Honor moved a step a closer. [TU] [Chuck Schumer office]

The town of Rensselaerville is trying to get its former supervisor to change the name of a newsletter she publishes because, it argues, people might be confused about whether it's an official town newsletter. [TU]

A woman who gashed her leg in the Price Chopper on Madison Ave in Albany, resulting in "pools of blood," is trying to find the man who stopped to her help her. [TU]

The man who portrayed the Albany Devils mascot has died, prompting memories of his enthusiastic personality. [TU]