All Over Albany

Regional Economic Development Council announcement today, Skelos trial goes to jury, NYRA expects $4 million profit

Regional Economic Development awards
The winners of the Regional Economic Development Competition will be announced this morning. Winners will divide $1.5 billion in economic aid. What should you expect? Here's a look.[Gazette] [TU][Business Review]

Skelos
Jury deliberations begin today in he corruption trial of Dean Skelos. In Closing arguments on Wednesday the defense claimed the prosecutions case was full of holes and based on mischaracteriztions snippets of conversations. In their rebuttal, prosecutors invoked Shel Silverstein.[Gazette][NYT][Capital New York]

$15 fast food wage upheld
A NYS Industrial Board of Appeals has upheld the coming $15 an hour minimum wage for fast food workers. The Restaurant associate, which appealed the wage hike to the board, issued a statement saying it is "extremely disappointed" in the ruling. [TU][WNYT]

$7 million Schenectady investment
An unnamed company is considering moving into Schenectady's 1 Liberty Square bringing with it a $7million investment and 350 new jobs.[TU]

Anti-fracking rally
Hundreds of fracking opponents protested at the Capitol on Wednesday, and political leaders -- among them Albany County Executive Dan McCoy and Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino asked the governor to have the Health Department look into exact risks are associated with or result from pipeline projects. [Gazette][TWCN]

Pedestrian dies in Menands accident
An 81-year-old woman has died after being hit by a car while crossing Van Rensselaer Boulevard in Menands early Wednesday morning.
[TWCN]

Saratoga County budget
Saratoga County supervisors approved a $297.1 million budget on Wednesday that will cut the average tax rate by two cents per $1000 assed value. [Gazette]

$4 million profit for NYRA
NYRA is expecting to finished 2015 with a $4 million profit - up from $1.7 million in 2015. [Gazette]

Schumer pushes for gun control
Chuck Shumer was part of a team of Democrats pushing a gun control proposal this week that would bar people on the U.S. Terrorist watch list from buying guns. [TU]

Bootlegger's license
The NYS Liquor Authority has suspended the liquor license for Bootleggers in Troy after 175 underaged patrons - the youngest of whom was 17-- were discovered during a raid there last week.[TU]

JetBlue
JetBlue service starts today at Albany international. [TWCN]

Uber meeting
Uber is holding a meeting tonight for potential drivers at the Olde English Pub. [TU]

Saratoga website
Saratoga Springs has a new website. The project was funded through the city's 2014 excess fund balance. [TU][Saratogian]

Thunder mascot
The 17-year-old mascot for the Adirondack Thunder shares thoughts about his autism. [WNYT]

Happening today

Matilda
Thursday-Sunday: A touring production of the Broadway show Matilda The Musical will be at Proctors this week. It's based on the Roald Dahl story of the same name. Tuesday-Sunday various times - $20 and up

A Christmas Story
Thursday-Sunday: Capital Rep continues its production of A Christmas Story, The Musical, an adaptation of the classic film. Tuesday-Sunday various times - $20 and up

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker at The Palace
" All ages feel the spirit of the season at Great Russian Nutcracker performances through the beauty of romantic hand-sewn costumes, 9 shimmering backdrops with authentic splashes of Russian history and fanciful effects such as; life-sized Matrushka (Nesting) Dolls; a 3-headed Rat King and a Troika Sleigh ride through the magical Snow Forest (with falling snow) escorted by Father Christmas and Snow Maiden." 7 pm - $31 and up

Baking with local grains
Amy Halloran will be at Honest Weight for a class about holiday baking with local flours. (And we hear the class will be making pancake mix, too.) Tuesday 6 pm - free (registration required)

The Punch Brothers at Troy Music Hall
Progressive bluegrass stars. With: Gabriel Kahane. 8 pm - $39 and up

Thursday: Arkells at Upstate Concert Hall
Alt rock. With: Hard Soul, Of the Atlas. 8 pm - free EQX show

Thursday: Elvis Perkins at Helsinki Hudson
Singer/songwriter. With: Kinsey. 8 pm - $15 ahead / $18 day of