All Over Albany

Testimony begins in Milligan murder case, SCCC president pleads guilty to DWAI, Silver gets two month reprieve, Sunday morning mimosas?

Milligan trial
Opening arguments and the first day of testimony were heard on Wednesday in the trial of Gabriel Vega, who is charged with the murder of Vanessa Milligan. Vegas' lawyers claim he was the victim of a vicious rumor mill. A key witness in the trial testified that she nearly ran Vega down with her car near the site of Milligan's murder shortly after the time it would have occurred, but admitted that she had been an acquaintance of Milligan's father for several years prior to that night. [WNYT][TU][Record]

Victims charged in Schenectady shooting
Four people are facing charges in connection with a Schenectady shooting on Monday -- including all three of the victims in the case. [Gazette][TU]

SCCC president pleads guilty to DWAI
SCCC's new president, Steady Moono, pleaded guilty to DWAI on Wednesday. The charge was reduced from DWI and stems from an incident in early May when Moono, and an aide, who was driving behind him, were both stopped on the way home from a fundraiser. [Gazette][TU]

Silver
A judge has ordered that Sheldon Silver will remain free until August 31 -- two months later than the original date -- to allow time to consider a pending Supreme Court ruling on another case that could affect his circumstances. [TWCN][TU]

Teacher shortage
SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher and State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia have launched a campaign to recruit new teachers in New York. [TU]

Murder Charge
A 23-year-old Schenectady man is facing murder charges in connection with the death of a Brooklyn man earlier this month. [Gazette]

Drug bust
Troy police and U.S Marshals arrested a Troy man and seized 60 bags of heroin, crack, marijuana and $1,000 in cash in a drug raid on Tuesday.[TWCN]

Troy finances
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden will hold a public forum next week on the city's precarious financial situation. [Record]

Delegates
New York delegates to the GOP convention include Senate and Assembly Republican leaders John Flanagan and Brian Kolb and Schumer challenger Wendy Long -- but will not include George Pataki, who says he won't endorse Donald Trump until he reverses his position on deporting undocumented immigrants. [TU]

Child Victims Act
Chris Churchill on the need to pass the Child Victims Act and lift the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse. [TU+]

Hep C settlement
Eric Schneiderman's office and CDPHP have reached an agreement whereby the health insurance company will no longer restrict Hep C coverage to patients in the advanced stages of the disease. [TU]

Troy Library
Efforts to save the Troy Library -- which could cost as much as $2.5 million.[WNYT]

Railroad sues NY
The owners of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad are suing New York State over the recent decisions to tear up miles of track between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid to create a hiking, biking and snowmobile trail. [TU]

Sunday morning mimosas?
Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that he plans to propose legislation to relax some state liquor laws, including one that forbids the sale of alcohol before noon on Sundays. [News 10]

Happening today

Workforce Challenge
The CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge takes place this afternoon in Downtown Albany. Here's a look at the road closures and restrictions in the area surrounding the race.

Fresh pasta
Gio Culinary Studio has a hands-on class about making fresh pasta from scratch. "Students will learn all about making a no-fail perfect past dough, and create various pasta shapes, some by hand, and some with the assistance of a pasta machine attachment. Each pasta will be paired with its own unique sauce. We will be using all scratch ingredients, professional and traditional techniques, that can be easily duplicated at home." Thursday 6:15 pm -- $60

Rickey Smiley
Comedian Ricky Smiley will be at The Palace for a stand-up show. Thursday 8 pm -- $35

Music

The Milk Carton Kids at Troy Music Hall
Folk. With: Margaret Glaspy. 7:30 pm -- $29 and up

Roger McGuinn at The Egg
From The Byrds. 7:30 pm -- $35

Dreamers at The Upper Room
Rock. (The Upper Room is the new venue in the old Jillian's building.) 7 pm -- $10.27 ahead / $15 day of

Normal Instruments at The Hollow
Jam. With: Solaris. 10 pm -- $12 ahead / $15 day of