Number of homeless children almost doubles, legislature passes Albany parking permit and red light camera bills, if a plane crashes in the forest and no one hears it...
The number of school age children classified as homeless has almost doubled in New York State over the last five years, a trend that has played out in Capital Region as well. [TU]
The state Senate passed bills for an extension of the Albany residential parking permit system and red light camera authorization in the final hours of its session. (The bills had already passed in the Assembly.) [TU]
Casino news:
The state Gaming Commission has turned down the request from backers of the Montgomery County proposal to have the $50 million license fee cut in half in return for higher slot machine revenue tax rates. Backers say the proposal isn't dead, yet. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The Howe Caverns casino proposal is reportedly "moving full steam ahead," though details won't be shared until after the application is submitted. [Daily Gazette]
The groups competing to land the Capital Region casino license are already in talks with a labor union that could represent their employees, a requirement of the application of the process. [TU]
The group behind the East Greenbush casino proposal has reached an agreement with the TU Center and Palace Theatre that would limit an entertainment venue at the casino to 1,000 seats or fewer. [Daily Gazette] Earlier: A look at the size of Capital Region concert venues
Chris Churchill: If East Greenbush town officials think supporting the casino proposal there will lead to their ouster -- why are they supporting it? [TU]
Rob Astorino campaigned in Saratoga and Warren Counties Saturday, and said in reference to the state's taxes and laws such as the SAFE Act: "People count down the days until they can move away." [TU]
The federal Environmental Protection Agency hasn't ruled whether New York can use a $511 million loan from a fund for clean water projects for the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement -- but the state public benefit corporation that oversees the fund is going to vote on the loan this week. [TU]
A press conference with Saratoga Springs officials about the Darryl Mount case included a heated exchange between Mount's sister and officials. The city released documents and video related to the case. [Saratogian] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Albany police say two men were found shot Friday night in West Hill (map). APD says the men had non-life threatening injuries and it's investigating. [News10]
Police say a Troy man rammed the back of Green Island police cruiser and then allegedly attacked the officer inside and tried to take his weapon. [Troy Record] [TU]
Albany police say a man was arrested after a chase through the city Friday night, with his infant child in the car. APD says it was told by the child's mother that the man had a gun and the man had "made several comments that created concern for the well-being of both he and the child." [News10] [APD press release]
Guilderland police say a man was arrested twice for alleged DWI over the weekend -- within five hours. [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say a man was arrested for allegedly taking photos of, and touching, an unconscious woman before calling for medical assistance. [TU]
State Police say passing drivers are being credited with
A Clifton Park four-year-old is being credited with alerting people to an apartment fire. [TU]
The city of Troy has selected a Toronto-based consultancy to develop the city's first comprehensive plan in more than half a century. [TU]
The Guilderland school district is looking at range of options to deal with declining enrollment, including closing a school. [TU]
Pay-and-display parking meters in Albany have apparently prompted a decrease in the the number of tickets for parking meter violations. [TU]
If an airplane crashes in the forest and no one's there to see it, has it really crashed? [Daily Gazette] [TU]
The railroad company CSX opposes some of the proposed options for expanding higher-speed rail in New York State because it says the expansion would cause congestion on the tracks between Schenectady and Buffalo. [TU] Earlier: Thinking about high-speed rail in New York
There are still no tech companies at the Vista Tech Park in Slingerlands (though there is a ShopRite, and a bank, and a restaurant...) [TU]
Green Island's Heatly School has the smallest graduation class in the state this year -- five students. [Troy Record]
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?