All Over Albany

Continued protests over Brown/Garner deaths, Cuomo calls for review of justice system, state appellate court rules chimp doesn't have rights of a person

There were more local protests in response to the grand jury decisions in the Michael Brown and Eric Garner deaths -- rallies temporarily shut down Henry Johnson Blvd and Madison Ave in Albany. Said Albany Common Councilman Ron Bailey, to TWCN: "The justice system is failing us. It's supposed to be justice for all, not justice for some." Said protestor Amani Oluglbala, to News10: "It's getting to a point where people are finger pointing at individuals and not really realizing that it's a systematic problem, that takes us all to dismantle." Albany police deputy chief Brendan Cox, to WNYT: "We are part of the community here so it's important for us to work together and again, let's sit down, let's talk about the issues and build those bridges." [TU] [News10] [TWCN] [News10] [WNYT]

Andrew Cuomo said Thursday the state needs a "comprehensive review" of its criminal justice system, including possible reforms to the grand jury process. Said Cuomo: "When you have a situation where a significant portion of the population that feels the justice system is not working you have a problem. And we have a problem and let's acknowledge it." [TU] [TWCN]

Troy city budget saga: The City Council passed the tax levy for next year (not doing so would have left a 30 percent hole in revenue). And mayor Lou Rosamilia is talking about making $1 million in cuts next year. [Troy Record] [TU]

Days of Our Albany County Legislature: Amid the ongoing drama of the fight over creating a fifth majority-minority district, the Democratic majority leadership has announced it now wants push ahead with a plan to downsize the legislature -- next year. [TU]

Chris Churchill on the casino siting, and the recent announcement of incentives for Albany from the proposed Rensselaer project: "the belief that Schenectady will conquer its competitors in East Greenbush, Howes Cave and Rensselaer is widespread among insiders." [TU]

The Schenectady school district is working through the process of reshaping the attendance zones for its elementary and middle schools, the first such redistricting in more than two decades. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

The I-890 Exit 4 interchange in Schenectady is set to be reconfigured. [Daily Gazette]

An Albany man has filed a lawsuit against the city of Troy and the Troy Police Department alleging that a TPD dog let off leash during a search last December bit him in the knee. [Troy Record]

A Malta woman has been charged with felony assault for allegedly biting her 6-year-old child's ear. [Saratogian]

Authorities in Schenectady County say they've confirmed that a man being held on charges related to allegedly using someone else's identity is not the person he said he was -- they're not sure exactly who he is. [Daily Gazette]

Work has started on the apartment conversion at the Kelly Clothes building on River Street in Troy (map). [TU]

A state appellate court affirmed a lower court ruling that Tommy, a chimp living in Gloverville, is not eligible for a writ of habeas corpus and does not have the rights of a person. [TU]

The Niskayuna toymaker. [Daily Gazette]