All Over Albany

Cuomo economic chief says Capital Region economy looks good, governor signs women's equality bills, Troy mayoral candidates debate, NYRA touts record Saratoga season

Region's economy good, chance of economic development prize, maybe not so much
Andrew Cuomo's economic development chief says the Capital Region's economy is already much better off than the rest of upstate NY, which is making some folks wonder about the region's chances in the race for one of three $500 million Upstate Revitalization prizes. [TU]

Women's equality bills
Andrew Cuomo signed eight bills on Tuesday that were part of his 2012 Women's Equality Agenda. Bills address issues like pay equity, employment discrimination based on pregnancy - missing was a provision on reproductive rights which is still being opposed in the state Senate.[TU][WNYT]

Silver/Skelos
Both Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos have had a list of pre trial motions denied in their respective corruption cases. [TU]

Troy mayoral debate
Troy mayoral candidates Patrick Madden, Jim Gordon and Rodney Wiltshirediscussed crime, budget and infrastructure issues in a debate on TWCN on Wednesday night.[Record] [TWCN]

911 audio complicates Troy race
Who leaked audio from a 911 call made by The wife of Troy Mayoral Candidate Jim Gordon, and will it complicate his chances in the race? [TU+]

19th Congressional district donors
A review of the finances of two Republican primary contenders for Chris Gibson's open 19th Congressional District seat shows donors from Wichita, Kansas, Miami Beach,Florida and Beverly Hills.[TU]

Injured Troy officers facing long leave
The Two Troy police officers injured in an August shootout in the city are not expected to be able to return to duty for 12 to 18 months. [TU]

Riot gear for Troy PD
Collar City police will be getting riot gear and special helmets in 2016, in line with what Police Chief John Tedesco says is a national trend.[TU]

Rotterdam armed robbery
Police say two armed men stole money and cigarettes from a Quik Stop Food Mart in Rotterdam Junction on Wednesday evening. [TWCN]

Escape through open window
A shackled burglary suspect was caught by police only minutes after he escaped from them out an open window at the village police station. [Gazette]

Charges in alleged hazing death
Two 20-year-olds have been charged with first-degree hazing in connection with a drinking death in November at an initiation for an unsanctioned fraternity on Hamilton Street in Albany. [NYT]

Alleged NYC shooter had local arrests
The man charged in the shooting death of a New York City cop in East Harlem this week has a lengthly criminal record that includes arrests in Rensselaer County. [WNYT]

Candidates on Albany High expansion project
A look at how current Albany Board of Education candidates plan to vote on a $196 million proposal to reconstruct and expand Albany High. [TU+]

NYRA touts 2015 Saratoga season
NYRA's board says the Saratoga Racecourse had a record handle of $656,121,664, and a13.8 percent increase in revenue from dining, concessions and merchandising. [TU]

Can you hear me now?
Chuck Shumer is calling on the public to help identify cellphone dead zones to help determine whether carrier cell phone coverage maps are bogus. [Gazette]

Renaissance man
88-year-old Bella Napoli bread baker, amateur wine maker, world traveler and Renaissance man Rocco Rosati has died. [TU]

Happening today

Mark Bittman
Food writer Mark Bittman will be at UAlbany as part of the NYS Writers Institute visiting writers series to talk about his new book Bone to Pick: The good and bad news about food, with wisdom and advice on diets, food safety, GMOs, farming, and more. Thursday 7:30 pm, downtown campus, Page Hall - free

Tech and music
Researcher/composer Rob Hamilton will be at EMPAC for talk titled "The Machine is the Message: How Technology Will Fundamentally Change Music." Thursday 7 pm - free

Music

Mat Kearney at Upstate Concert Hall
Singer/songwriter. With: Parachute. 8 pm - $20 ahead / $23 day of

Advance Base at The Low Beat
Owen Ashworth, formerly of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone. With: Amy Bezunartea. 8 pm

Mother Falcon + Ben Sollee at Troy Music Hall
Indie orchestra. 8 pm - $24 and up