All Over Albany

Woman found dead near State Museum, club owner alleges police conducted improper search without a warrant, problem with foam cup ban, punk rock library director

State Police say a 23-year-old woman was found dead near the State Museum early Sunday morning. NYSP say the woman was known to be homeless and her death has been attributed to a chronic liver disease -- no foul play is suspected. Said Liz Hitt, from the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society, to WNYT of the situation: "Absolutely tragic ... I'm stunned. This was a young woman, 23 years-old, struggling with alcoholism." The woman is the second homeless person found dead in that area in the last three months. [NYSP] [WNYT] [TU]

The owner of the Buddha Tea House night club in downtown Albany alleges that Albany police searched the club without a warrant and provided the State Liquor Authority with an incident report that doesn't match what actually happened the night of two stabbings in the area of the club. [TU]

The daughter of Daniel Satre, the Ballston Spa man who died after being hit by a police Taser four times in September, says she'd like to know why it took a group of six officers to subdue her father and whether their actions contributed to his death. [Daily Gazette]

The Albany city budget -- the subject of much drama this year -- is headed for a vote by the Common Council Monday night. [TU]

There appears to be a settlement on the table -- details not public -- for the legal fight over Albany County redistricting and the number of majority minority districts. [TU]

A state appellate court ruled that the firing of former Saratoga Springs accounts clerk Mary Zlotnick didn't follow the proper process and put the situation back in the city's hands to try again. [TU]

The proposed design of the controversial Saratoga City Center parking garage has gotten some small adjustments. [Daily Gazette]

A case involving the alleged improper access of medical records for a 13 year old at the Rensselaer County Jail has been settled for $25k. [Troy Record]

Chris Churchill on problems with Albany County's new foam cup ban. [TU]

Fred LeBrun on the Cuomo's admin's now-turned-back attempt to sack the executive director of the Lake George Park Commission. [TU]

Ellis Medicine is consolidating its emergency departments in Schenectady, closing the emergency department at the former St. Clare's Hospital. [Daily Gazette]

The Cuomo admin says its proposed weather monitoring system for the state will "absolutely provide for a far more advanced forecasting system" -- but meteorologists say that's not true. [AP/Saratogian]

A pay raise for the state legislature would probably push New York to become the state with the highest-paid legislators. [TU]

The state is beginning a three-year effort to study moose in the Adirondacks. [AP/TU]

The day after Thanksgiving is a big day for gun sales, both nationally and in the Capital Region. [Daily Gazette]

A little bit about some of the unknowns regarding the safety of nanoparticles. [TU]

The Ronald McDonald House in Albany is accepting bitcoin donations. [WNYT]

A profile of the Albany Public Library's new director, who's been part of a touring hardcore punk band and once worked as a concert bouncer. [TU]