All Over Albany

Lots to wrap up as legislative session closes, manhunt for Dannemora escapees expands, Shop Rite is feeling the squeeze of competition, dining with dogs legislation passes Assembly

Extension likely for legislative session

The legislative session should be wrapping up today but lawmakers are preparing for an extended stay as they try to wrap up a number of issues like the just expired rent legislation.
Two bills that have made headway are Cuomo's "Enough is Enough" legislation to combat sexual assault on college campuses, and a plan to grant access to medical marijuana to seriously ill patients before the states official plan goes into effect in 2016. [Capital NY][Gazette][WNYT][TU][TWCN]

Dannemora manhunt expands

Eleven days into the manhunt for a pair of escaped prisoners from Dannemora, State Police have announced the search will expand beyond the 16 square miles of woods swamps and fields near the prison. State police are planning to expand the search for two escaped murderers. Police say the recent rain has cause problems with the search has been washing away any scent that dogs might pick up and has been interfering with devices used to detect body heat. [NYT
[WNYT]

Manhunt inspired Assembly legislation

The prison break two weeks ago in Dannemora was part of the impetus behind new legislation in the Assembly to keep serious violent offenders from wearing civilian clothing and to keep them from working with civilian employees without being supervised by a prison guard. [TU]

How the prison break affects other prisoners

Some family of current Dannemora inmates are expressing concern for how their incarcerated loved ones are being treated in light of the escape and investigation. [TWCN]

The Squeeze of grocery store competition

ShopRite says fierce competition and slow sales are the reason job creation at the Colonie store fell short by 132 positions.[Business Review][TU]

$250,000 requested for Schenectady parks upgrade

Schenectady's newly formed Recreation Advisor Commission is looking for $250,000 worth of upgrades and repairs to the city's 24 parks with funding from the city's 2015-2016 budget. [Gazette]

Gun control

A Saratoga County family whose 12-year-old son was shot and killed accidentally is working to help get tighter gun control laws to protect other children.[WNYT]

Trans fats

Albany County was six years ahead of the nationwide trans fat ban. [TU]

Northrup submitted for Presidential Medal of Freedom

A descendant of Solomon Northup is petitioning President Obama to posthumously award Northup the Presidential Medal of Freedom. [TU]

Albany Barn plans expansion

The demand for space at the Albany Barn has prompted plans for expansion, including a commercial kitchen and upgrades to the theater .[Business Review]

Coming to a patio near you: Dogs

The NYS Assembly passed the dining with dogs bill, (it's already passed twice in the senate) which means dog owners should soon be able to bring their canines to dine on patios where restaurants allow it. [TU]

Happening today

Found Footage
The Found Footage Festival tour makes a stop at Proctors. The stage show is "a one-of-a-kind event showcasing videos found at garage sales and thrift stores and in warehouses and dumpsters throughout North America." This year's show is a "Salute to Weirdos." Wednesday 8 pm - $9 / $6 students

Kinky Boots

Today-Sunday: A touring production of the Broadway musical Kinky Boots will be at Proctors for the week. Blurbage:

Winner of six Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL, this inspirational story follows a struggling shoe factory owner who works to turn his business around with help from Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. Together, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible... proving that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world.

The show includes a score by Cyndi Lauper, a book by Harvey Fierstein, and direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell. (And, yep, it was based on the movie of the same name.)

Today-Sunday various times - $20 and up

Tosh

Comedian Daniel Tosh will be at the Palace for two stand-up shows. Tosh is most famous for his Comedy Central show, Tosh.0, which is largely focused on internet videos (and making fun of them). It's been Comedy's Central most-watched show. These shows will probably be full houses -- the Palace added a second show because of strong demand for the first show. Wednesday 7 pm and 9:30 pm - $49.50 and up

Music
Craig Wayne Boyd at the ESP
Country night. With: LANCo, The Chris Dukes Band. 5 pm - free

Who's Bad at Rockin' on the River
Michael Jackson tribute. With: The LateShift. 5 pm - free

Less Than Jake + Reel Big Fish at Upstate Concert Hall
Ska. With: Ballyhoo. 7:30 pm - $20 ahead / $23 day of

Bhi Bhiman outside The Egg
Folk. Made in the Shade show. noon - free