All Over Albany

Sources say alleged warrantless search at heart of Troy drug unit investigation, fatal shooting in Albany, study links between cancer and toxic sites, celebrating 180 years

Troy police drug unit investigation
"Several city government sources" tell the Times Union that the entire Troy police drug unit was placed on leave because of an allegation that the unit filed a false burglary repot to cover up a warrantless search of residence. News10 talked with a landlord who said it was her property that was searched -- and she said police admitted to her that they did the search without a warrant. City officials have yet to publicly address the specifics of the situation. [TU] [News10] [Troy Record]

Albany tax break mistake
Following the recent revelation that the city of Albany has incorrectly applied a state tax break program to residential projects, the city said assessor Keith McDonald -- who told the Business Review it was his mistake -- is retiring at the end of June. Mayor Kathy Sheehan told the Times Union the issue dates back to 2011 and the city reviewing the potential impact of the mistake -- she also said the assessor operates independently and she had not spoken with him about assessments. One of the properties to which the tax break was apparently applied incorrectly was the new 73-unit residential conversion at 20 Park Street near the Capitol, the developer of which said the break was key in making the project happen. A ribbon cutting for the project scheduled for Monday was cancelled. [Biz Review] [TU] [Biz Review x2]

Albany homicide
Albany police say a 46-year-old man was fatally shot Sunday afternoon in the South End. The man had been at a family Father's Day celebration, and police say an altercation preceded the shooting. It's the seventh homicide in the city since a period of 9 months without a homicide ended late last year. [APD] [News10] [WNYT] [TU]

Toxic sites and cancer studies
A look at how the state Department of Health studies potential links between toxic sites -- such as the PFOA contamination in Hoosick Falls -- cases of cancer in the surrounding community, and the difficulty and criticism of such research. [TU]

Opioids
Surveying the Capital Region's House of Representative delegation about potential cuts to Medicaid, which advocates say will imperil treatment for people addicted to opioids. [TU]

Gambling
Two racinos -- including the Saratoga Casino Hotel -- are looking for the state relax some rules in attempt to compete with the full casinos. [Daily Gazette]

Port of Albany
The Port of Albany is about to start $49 million in upgrades as part of a plan to prepare for more traffic because of the widening of the Panama Canal. [TU+]

GE
Surveying how the tenure of exiting GE head Jeff Immelt affected Schenectady and GE businesses in this area. [TU]

Colonie burglaries
Police say there's been a string of overnight business burglaries in Colonie recently, including Coccadotts. [WNYT]

Schenectady neighborhoods
Leaders in Schenectady neighborhoods such as Mont Pleasant and Eastern Ave say they're concerned by what they think is an upswing in the amount of litter in their neighborhoods -- the city's director of solid waste says he doesn't think there's a problem. [Daily Gazette]

Downtowns
Chris Churchill speculates that apparent trend away from big-box retail will help downtowns such as Ballston Spa. [TU+]

Troy Muslim Soup Kitchen Project
A profile of the Troy Muslim Soup Kitchen Project, which serves as many as 500 meals a month at shelters around the area. [Troy Record]

180 years
The Duryee Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Schenectady recently celebrated its 180th year. [Daily Gazette]

Stuff going on today

Front Parlor
Monday: The Front Parlor storytelling series is back at the Olde English in Albany. This month's theme is: "leadership." Monday 7:30 pm

Fiddler
Monday: Proctors is showing the 1971 version of Fiddler on the Roof. Monday various times -- $5