King leaving State Ed. for Obama administration, toddler dies after drinking liquid nicotine, snow forces cancelations and messy commutes, reasons not to mess with Nipper
It snowed, and that made for some long and messy commutes on Wednesday night. The snow knocked out power to thousands of people in the Capital Region and has caused another day of closings and delays for area schools. [TU][WNYT]
State Education Commissioner John King is stepping down to become a senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education. King will be succeeded by Elizabeth Berlin, the executive deputy commissioner of State Ed.[TU][TWCN][WNYT]
A 1-year-old died in Fort Plain on Tuesday after swallowing liquid nicotine.The incident occurs as state lawmakers are making a push to tighten safety regulations on liquid nicotine products, including child protective packaging.[TWCN][TU][News 10]
A report by Tom DiNapoli's office suggests there is a budget crises at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation that may threaten the department's ability to carry out its functions due to decreased staffing and increased responsibility.[TU]
Schenectady's police have arrested a suspect in a Bridge Street homicide last month.[WNYT]
A driver with the Saratoga Bridges program has been arrested for allegedly forcibly touching a 54-year-old female client. [News 10]
The State Liquor Authority has canceled the liquor license of Buddha Tea House on Pearl Street and imposed a $10,000 fine on the club.[TU]
The Navy's Kesselring nuclear training facility in West Milton and Knolls Atomic Power Lab in Niskayuna will operate at full strength through 2015 with the help of $24 million in stopgap funding from the Navy and Department of Energy. [Saratogian][Gazette]
North Dakota has new safety regulations for Bakken crude that will be shipped by train and travel through the Capital Region, but Capital Region oil opponents are criticizing the regulations for not being strong enough. [TU]
Toll hikes may be coming to the NYS Thruway.[TWCN]
Andrew Cuomo met with Jay Z and Russel Simmons on Wednesday to discuss the handling of alleged police brutality cases. [NYT]
Andrew Cuomo is warning insurance companies that they will no longer be allowed to deny gender reassignment surgery, hormone therapy and other treatments to change a person's gender.[NYT]
Congresswoman-elect Elise Stefanik, has been appointed to the House Armed Services Committee and the Education and the Workforce Committee.[Gazette]
United University Professors has released a proposal to help refinance student loans for SUNY grads with associates and bachelors degrees and increase aid to the SUNY system.[TU]
Chris Churchill says Don't mess with Nipper.[TU]
The ASO's principal trumpet player, Eric Berlin, has earned a Grammy nomination.[TU]
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?