All Over Albany

Program and faculty cuts at Saint Rose, Christmas cards pour in for Sa'fyre, plans detailed for Hedley District, back to the sea

Saint Rose cuts
On Friday the College of Saint Rose announced it's cutting multiple academic programs and 23 faculty positions as part of its effort to put the college on firmer financial footing. The college says the eliminated programs have "low or no enrollment" and the cuts will affect about 4 percent of students. The Faculty Association of Saint Rose criticized the cuts, as well as the process leading up to them, and is talking about unionizing. [Saint Rose] [TU]

Hoosick Falls water
The story behind the discovery of the contaminant PFOA in the wells that serve Hoosick Falls -- the fight over the village's response to the situation. [TU+]

Bharara on Silver and Skelos guilty verdicts
US Attorney Preet Bharara after the guilty verdict in the Dean Skelos trial Friday: "The corruption in the State Legislature in Albany has not been episodic ... It's been systemic, and if nothing else, the trials revealed that there's a deep culture problem, and a matter-of-factness about how at least these two defendants, who've now been found guilty, went about their daily corrupt business with barely a thought about it." [NYT x2]

Christmas cards for Sa'fyre
Tens of thousands of Christmas cards have been sent to Sa'Fyre Terry following the call for cards for survivor of the Hulett Street fire. Also: A look at the network of friends, families -- and bikers -- that's grown to help support Terry and her family. [Daily Gazette x2]

Being Muslim in America right now
At a gathering at the Islamic Center of the Capital District over the weekend, local Muslims and leaders talked about how to respond to recent backlash from Donald Trump and others. Said one speaker: "Right now, we Muslims are having a tough time, because people aren't giving Muslims a chance to define who they are... Be patient and be calm... their hatred is the result of not having good information about you." [TWCN] [Daily Gazette]

Empire State Pride Agenda
The Empire State Pride Agenda, a prominent proponent of rights for LGBT people in the state, announced it will cease operations in 2016, citing the achievement of many of its goals -- most recently the Cuomo admin's extention of anti-discrimination protections to transgender people. [ESPA] [NYT]

Signatures and vetoes
A review of a bunch of bills either signed or vetoed by Andrew Cuomo at the deadline, including the bill that sprang from Empire Wine's ongoing dispute with the State Liquor Authority over out-of-state shipments. [TU]

Hedley District
A look at the plans for the $60 million proposed Hedley District development on River Street in Troy. The plan includes office and retail space, a hotel, apartments, and a parking garage. [Biz Review] [Troy Record]

Arbor Hill building rehab
The Albany County Land Bank and Habitat for Humanity Capital District are partnering to rehab five vacant buildings in Arbor Hill. [TU]

Loughlin Street
The place of Loughlin Street in Albany's history of real estate and segregation. [TU+]

Albany skate park
The $100,000 state grant lined up for the proposed Albany skate park is still on hold. [TU]

Bark, bark, bark
Neighbors of long-established veterinary hospital in Niskayuna -- that now offers dog daycare services -- say barking noises from the property are disrupting the neighborhood. [Daily Gazette]

Back to the sea
The seal recently rescued from a lock in Waterford has been returned to sea. [TU]

Albany Cup
The Siena men's basketball team beat UAlbany in the Albany Cup game. And on the women's side of the rivalry, UAlbany beat Siena for the sixth straight year. [News10 x2]

Stuff going on today

A Christmas Story
The Palace movie series is screening A Christmas Story. Monday 7 pm - $5 / $3 kids

The Martian
Proctors is showing The Martian on in the GE Theater. It's a fun movie, and it should look great on the really big screen in that theater. (It also screen on Friday at 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm.) Monday 1 pm / 4 pm / 7 pm - $5

Music: A Wilhelm Scream at The Low Beat
Melodic hardcore. With: Pears, Nine Votes Short. 7:30 pm