All Over Albany

Tonko joins House Dems in sit-in, couple injured in Albany County bobcat attack, Siena team prints Frozen hand for child

House Democrats stage protest
Representative Paul Tonko was among the Democrats who staged a protest on Wednesday in the U.S. House of Representatives in a push for a vote on gun control. Tonko says the protest stemmed from frustration over the refusal to hold votes on gun control in the wake of the mass shooting in Orlando, "And you resort to the most extreme measures to draw attention to the fact that the silence is deafening.''[NYT][TU]

Special session not likely
Andrew Cuomo says isn't likely to call state legislators back for a special session to address ethics because "because the measures they didn't do, they don't want to do." Cuomo said he believes it could take a constitutional convention to get ethics laws changed.[TU]

Kamfer v. Cuomo
The Supreme Court declined to hear a Mayfield man's challenge to the NY Safe Act, but he says he's not done fighting. [TU]

Cuomo signs opioid package
Andrew Cuomo signed a package of bills on Wednesday that address the epidemic of heroin and opioid abuse. [TU]

Albany County bobcat attack
A couple visiting a home in New Scotland were hospitalized after being attacked by a bobcat on Wednesday afternoon. The animal was shot and killed and is being tested for disease. [TWCN][TU]

Report: laziness and incompetence led to Clinton Correctional escape
A report released this month by the state inspector general's office singled out 20 uniformed and civilian employees for laziness, incompetence and dereliction of duty enabling Richard Matt and David Sweat's escape from Clinton Correctional facility last June. [NYT]

Albany shooting
Albany police are investigating a shooting after they found a 29-year-old man who had been shot in leg at Lexington Avenue and Sherman Street late Wednesday night. [TWCN]

Evidence in 140 characters or less
An Albany gang member who was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for ordering the execution of a rival provided most of the evidence himself, through his tweets. [TU]

Rotterdam car vandalism
A spree of car vandalism continues in Rotterdam, where more than 20 vehicles were damaged between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. [WNYT]

Plea deal in Word of Life beating death
The father of a Utica teen who was beaten to death in a Word of Life church "counseling" session pleaded guilty this week, and will spend up to 15 years in prison. As part of the plea deal he will have to testify against his stepdaughter, who is one of seven others charged in the beating. [WNYT][News 10]

Emma Willard abuse allegations
Law enforcement and child abuse experts are looking into allegations of sexual abuse at Emma Willard School in the 1970s and 1990s. [TU]

Lieutenants vie for police chief
Four Lieutenants are in the running for Schenectady police chief .[Gazette]

Will Smith and a Glens Falls water company
Will Smith and Queen Latifa are backers in a Glens Falls water company that uses recycled packaging. [WNYT]

Siena team prints Frozen hand
A team of Siena students printed a Frozen themed prosthetic hand for a 9-year-old Stillwater girl. [Gazette]

Happening today

Hidden City House & Garden Tour
The annual Hidden City House & Garden Tour is in Albany's Center Square neighborhood (and adjacent areas). "Every year, this tour brings the neighborhood to life as homeowners open their doors and gardens to the public. Guests are able to tour, at their leisure, the beautiful and historic homes and hidden gardens that make up the Center Square & Hudson/Park neighborhoods." Thursday 5-8 pm -- $20

Music

Tony! Toni! Toné! at Alive at Five
Tony! Toni! Toné! has done it again. With: Tameka Amar. 5 pm -- free

Rodrigo y Gabriela
Hard to describe -- acoustic flamenco metal? -- but good. With: Ryan Sheridan. 8 pm -- $46.50 and up

Fitz and the Tantrums at Upstate Concert Hall
Indie pop. With: Finish Ticket. 8:30 pm -- $25 ahead / $28 day of

Michelle Shocked at Putnam Den
Playing her album Short Sharp Shocked. With: Dryer. 9 pm -- $20

Zach Deputy at The Hollow
One-man band. 9:30 pm -- $15

The Lucky Jukebox Brigade at The Hangar
With: Ragliacci, Able Thought. 8 pm -- $10

Laney Jones and the Spirits at Helsinki Hudson
Folk rock. With: Chops and Sauerkraut. 8 pm -- $12 ahead / $15 day of