All Over Albany

Capital Region unemployment rate among lowest in NY, more charges for Skelos & son, 1 Monument Square goes back to the drawing board, Schenectady is counting dogs

Capital Region Unemployment
The Capital Region has some of the lowest unemployment rates in New York State. [Business Review]

New charges facing Skelos and son
A new indictment alleges that Adam Skelos, son of former State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, threatened to "smash in" the head of a supervisor at the malpractice insurance company where he allegedly had a no-show job. The new indictment includes two new charges of soliciting bribes.
[WNYT][TU][NYT]

1 Monument Square
Troy's proposed 1 Monument Square project is going back to the drawing board for another redesign. [TU] Earlier: A look at the latest plan for the 1 Monument Square project in Troy

Minimum wage
A state wage board is expected to back plans to raise minimum wage for fast-food workers to $15 an hour. [News 10]

Bike Share
The Capital District Transportation Committee is seeking proposals for a permanent bike share in the region. [TU]

Gators seized
Six alligators and a sick pot bellied pig were seized from the home of a Schagticoke man who is now charged with failing to provide the proper sustenance to the animals. [TU]

$1 Million economic development grant for Newsies
http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Disney-hit-Newsies-gets-1M-grant-6398440.php The Broadway touring show Newsies missed out on a tax credit but got a $1 million state economic development grant after teaching the show at Proctors for a month in Schenectady before heading tot on the road.[TU]

NYSUT and Republican candidates
NYSUT, which spent millions last year in an unsuccessful effort to get the state Senate out of Republican hands, now it appears to be hedging its bets by donating to Republican candidates.[TU]

Saratoga wants more control over racetrack
The Saratoga Springs City Council approved a resolution on Tuesday calling for greater control by the city over the Saratoga Racecourse. [TU]

How a relatively unknown bank could affect jobs in Schenectady
The Export-Import Bank of the United States - and why Schenectady will lose out on hundreds of jobs if Congress fails to reauthorize it. [Gazette]

The only casino on the canal
Former Schenectady mayor and current head of the state Canal Corp says he's excited about opportunities for Mohawk Harbor and the "only casino on the canal."[Gazette]

The Mayor of Saratoga and the $8,000 box
Flap over Saratoga Springs Mayor's decision to use $8,000 from her campaign fund to cover the cost of a box at the track that is no longer provided to the city free of charge. [TWCN]

Unpaved spot raises questions
A single unpaved parking spot Troy's Seventh Avenue and the questions being raised about they city's paving procedures. [Record]

Schenectady dog census
Two Schenectady workers are on a quest to document the city's dogs in light of many dog related incidents in the city.[WNYT]

Goats
The four legged lawn mowers of Schenectady's Vale Cemetery.[News 10]

38 years keeping things running on time
The watch man of Colonie Center. [TU]

Happening today

National Ballet of China
The National Ballet of China is at SPAC, performing The Peony Pavilion, an "internationally-acclaimed adaptation of a classic Chinese romantic tale." 2 pm and 8 pm - $45 and up

Park Playhouse
This is the last week for Park Playhouse's production of Singin' in the Rain

Saratoga County Fair
County fair season starts with the opening of the Saratoga County Fair in Ballston Spa. It runs through Sunday. Tuesday-Sunday 9 am-midnight (amusements open later in the day) - $10 admission / unlimited rides $20

Music
The Rustic Overtones at Rockin' on the River
With: MIRK. 5 pm - free

Jim Kweskin Jug Band Reunion at The Egg
"[T]he original 'Americana' band." 7:30 pm - $34