Criminal activity not ruled out in Jay Street fire, Armory liquor license suspended, locking down legislator's tablets, remembering longtime owner of Famous Lunch
Schenectady officials say they have not ruled out criminal activity related to the Jay Street fire, and mayor Gary McCarthy says the Schenectady County DA's office has subpoenaed code inspection reports for the buildings. (The city has denied media org's FOIL requests for the docs citing "ongoing criminal investigation.") Schenectady police say demolition of the buildings will start Wednesday. The city has declared a state of emergency in the area near the buildings until noon Saturday. [Daily Gazette] [News10] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [TWCN]
The State Liquor Authority has suspended the liquor license for the Washington Avenue Armory, citing the situation there this past weekend and previous incidents. SLA chair Dennis Rosen told TWCN the video from the fight Saturday night was "absolutely shocking." From an Armory statement about the suspension: "Through cooperation with state and city authorities, the Armory has been working to resolve management and security concerns to ensure patrons' safety is held at the utmost importance." A few of the music events scheduled for the venue have been working to get rescheduled at other venues in the city. [NY SLA] [TWCN] [Armory press release] [TU]
A bill inspired by the Kenneth White case passed in the state legislature Monday -- it would allow Child Protective Services to expedite the release records to law enforcement agencies during the investigation in a missing child case. The Cuomo admin says it's reviewing the bill. [TWCN] [WNYT] [TU]
State attorney general Eric Schneiderman has proposed a set of ethics reforms for the state legislature, including a ban on outside jobs for legislators (with an accompanying pay increase) and ending the per diem system. (Is it a sign that Schneiderman is more willing to stand up to Andrew Cuomo?) [NYT] [Capital]
In a change of course since Sheldon Silver's exit from the speakership, the state Assembly is taking up individual provisions of the Women's Equality Agenda. On Monday it passed an anti-human trafficking bill, which Andrew Cuomo said he'll sign quickly. [State of Politics] [TU] [State of Politics]
A look at the paid family leave legislation in circulation at the state capitol. [Capital]
A "veteran Assembly Democrat familiar with the rollout" of the tablets legislators will get for viewing bills in the state legislature, on the limited functions of the devices to NYSNYS: "They won't be able to stream video, which is probably a good thing considering some of the guys in there." [NYSNYS/Troy Record]
Corrected The Board of Trustees state Board of Regents has given the Brighter Choice elementary schools in Albany a three-year extension. [TU]
Chuck Schumer was in Albany Monday to push for legislation that would require the forgiveness of private student loans in the event the student dies. [TU]
US Attorney Richard Hartunian was in Troy Monday to announce a joint anti-violence program with the Troy school district. [Troy Record]
The Schenectady County DA's office is expanding use of the new "TrueAllele" DNA analysis method that's been the subject of a court fight during a current murder trial. [Daily Gazette]
A section of Delaware Ave in Albany was closed Tuesday morning because of a house fire that
Albany's building inspector says the collapse of the occupied building on Sheridan Friday was the result of a combination of frost heaving, the age of the foundation, and nearby construction. [TU]
Saratoga National Golf Club is proposing an expansion it says would help it become a destination resort. The project would involve development in the city's greenbelt. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]
Jeffrey Lawrence, a well-known executive and business mentor with the Center for Economic Growth, died over the weekend at age 58. [Biz Review]
Steve Vasil, longtime owner of Famous Lunch, died last week at age 88. [TU]
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?