All Over Albany

Witnesses testify in UAlbany bus incident, testimony begins in Lake George boat crash trial, Anderson announces mayoral bid, letters from 1940s Albany

UAlbany bus trial
Jurors saw video of the UAlbany bus incident on Wednesday and heard from some of the people who recorded video of the altercation on their phones. Witnesses who testified said they could not tell if the fight was racially motivated. One juror had to be replaced by an alternate after he fell asleep twice during testimony, was an hour late to court on Wednesday, and two deputies had to bring him to the courthouse. [TU][TWCN][WNYT]

Lake George boat trial
Jurors in the trial of Alexander West on Wednesday heard the 911 tape from the night of the boat crash that killed 8-year-old Charlotte McCue in July of last year. They also heard testimony from McCue's step-grandmother in the case. In her opening statements, Warren County DA Kate Hogan said West drank throughout the day and snorted cocaine prior to the crash. [TU][Gazette][TWCN]

Marlon Anderson joins Albany mayoral race
Marlon Anderson, who ran unsuccessfully for Albany mayor in 2013, has announced he is entering the upcoming mayoral race. [TU][WNYT]

Nicholaus building
The owners of Schenectady's Nicholaus Building are suing the city claiming the historic building was "negligently and recklessly" demolished without considering alternatives to save it. [TU]

Schenectady building to be demolished
Schenectady is planning to demolish a building a vacant building at the corner of Schenectady and Strong streets today, after city building inspector reported the structure was a hazard. [Gazette]

Contractor sues over PFOA
A Hoosick Falls contractor is suing Saint-Gobain, claiming PFOA contaminated groundwater had a devastating impact on his business.

Fighting guns
Schenectady, Albany and Rensselaer counties will share in $13.3 million being distributed statewide to help fight gun crime. [Gazette]

Schenectady teen arrested on robbery and weapons charges
A Schenectady teen is facing charges after allegedly robbing a woman and pointing a shotgun at her when she caught up to him and confronted him. [Gazette]

Emma Willard report
Sara Foss reflects on the recent report detailing nearly 70 years of sexual abuse incidents at Emma Willard, and the incidents reports, and similar reports at other private schools. [Gazette]

Troy movie theater plan
Troy's city council voted 8-1 to approve a land development agreement for the proposed movie theater project at 1 Monument Square. [TU]

Start-up NY
START-UP NY companies are no longer required to report their job creation figures, but Andrew Cuomo says he believes they'll continue to do so. [NYSoP]

Food pantry displaced
Troy's Mount Ida Food Pantry is searching for a new home. [TU]

Geyser Road bike trail
A design is in place and $3.2 million has been secured, but opposition from some neighbors and the town of Ballston Spa has created another stumbling block for the proposed Geyser Road bike Trail. [TU]

Union rally for immigrants
About 40 Union College students and faculty rallied on Wednesday for" dignity and respect" for immigrants. [Gazette]

A for air quality
A recent American Lung Association study gives Albany an A for air quality. [WNYT]

Letters from Albany
Chris Churchill shares letters from an Orange Street family living through WWII. [TU+]

Stuff going on today

Eric Fair
Eric Fair will be at the State Museum to talk about his memoir Consequence as part of NYS Writers Institute visiting writers series. "Eric Fair, an Army veteran, worked in Iraq as a contract interrogator in 2004. His 2012 Pushcart Prize-winning essay "Consequence," which was published first in Ploughshares and then in Harper's Magazine, detailed some of his experiences. Fair expanded the essay into his 2016 book, also titled Consequence." Thursday 8 pm, Clark Auditorium -- free

Albany Wordfest
Today-Saturday: Albany Wordfest returns with events at sites in Albany and Troy. It's a celebration of National Poetry Month and includes readings, open mics, and poetry slams.

Albany Craft Beer Week
Monday-Sunday: The first Albany Craft Beer Week includes a handful of events and specials at locations around Albany. And Saturday is the first Albany Craft Beer Festival at the Washington Ave Armory.

The Price is Right Live
The Price is Right Live -- a touring stage version of the TV game show -- will be at The Palace. Here's the process for applying to be a contestant, which does not require buying a ticket. Thursday 7:30 pm -- $32.50 and up

Music

Black Violin at Troy Music Hall
"Black Violin is the blend of classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B, and bluegrass music." 7:30 pm -- $20 and up

Danny Barnes with Grant Gordy & Joe K. Walsh at Caffe Lena
Roots. 7 pm -- $20

Candy Ambulance, Hospital Corners, Better Pills at The Low Beat
Trio of locals. 8 pm