All Over Albany

Reid resigns as Rensselaer County chairman, 27 percent opt out of state tests in Capital Region, Travers expected to sell out

Reid resigns as Rensselaer County Legislature Chairman
Martin Reid stepped down on Wednesday as Chairman of the Rensselaer County Legislature after he was arraigned on more than 41 counts for allegedly stealing more than $15,000 by filing for unemployment while earning $30,000 as legislature chairman between February and November of 2013. [WNYT][TWCN]

Common Core scores
About 20 percent of New York State students opted out of common core testing last term . That number is up 15% over last year and in the Capital Region the number was just under 27.5 percent. [NYT][TU]

Elementary math scores were up in the Capital Region. [Business Review]

Dannemora abuse allegations
New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association -- the State corrections officers union-- claims news reports that Dannemora inmates were abused following the escape of Richard Matt and David Sweat were one sided.[TU]

Travers expected to sell out
Betting is up nearly 20 percent at Saratoga Racecourse this season. The Travers stakes - capped for the first time ever this year - is expected to sell out it's 50,000 admissions this week, with or without a visit from American Pharaoh. [Gazette][Saratogian][TU]

Dunkin Donuts robbery
Albany police are investigating a Wednesday afternoon robbery at the North Pearl Street Duncan Donuts.[WNYT]

Saratoga to settle with middle finger motorist
The city of Saratoga Springs has reached a settlement with the blogger who was pepper sprayed by an officer after giving the officer the middle finger. Details of the settlement are being withheld until later today. [TU]

Pistol permits in Saratoga County
Saratoga County is making it easier for current gun owners to obtain pistol permits. [WNYT]

Deer hunting in Delmar
You can already hunt deer within 150 feet of an occupied structure in Delmar -- now a new, quietly launched program allows homeowners with deer issues to be matched with bow hunters. [TU+]

No smoking
Chris Churchill weighs the pros and cons of the recently announced Albany Housing Authority decision to ban smoking at all of its properties.
[TU+]

Ping pong tables and tanning booths
University Suites, the planned student apartments across the street from UAlbany, will officially break ground today. The new student apartment complexes will have tanning booths, barbecue grills, gaming areas and a concierge desk. [TU][Business Review]

Happy in the Senate for now
Kirsten Gillibrand told NY1 this week that she has no plans to run for president or Governor.[TWCN]

Mall gets aquarium permit
The new owners of Rotterdam Square Mall have obtained a permit for the proposed 25,000 square foot aquarium and 30,000 square foot family entertainment zone. [TU]

A dollar and a dream
A pair of Capital Region residents will collect $1 million and $5 million dollars respectively - won recently from scratch-off lottery tickets. [News 10]

Happening today

Outdoor film festival
The Dan DiNicola Memorial Film Festival continues tonight in Schenectady with an outdoor screening of the 1989 Academy Award winning film The Bicycle Thief. Films are shown in the parking lot behind Perecca's. Bring your own lawn chair. Free.

Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra continues its annual residency at SPAC. Tonight's program features Broadway star Megan Hilty. (The orchestra will be at SPAC through August 22.)

Laney Jones and the Spirits
Progressive bluegrass. With: Milton. 8 pm - $12 ahead / $15 day of

Primate Fiasco at Putnam Den
Opposable thumbs out of control. 9:30 pm - pay what you will