All Over Albany

Special session underway, Schenectady man charged in multi-state prostitution ring, rare Colonial ledger found on eBay, it's Uber Day

Special session
After hours of what was described as dysfunction, the Assembly passed legislation that would, among other things, ensure mayoral control of NYC schools for two years, and extend sales taxes that are vital to the financial health of more than 50 counties. The Assembly also passed legislation that would rename the Tappan Zee Bridge after the late governor Mario Cuomo and provide a financial incentive package for the Vernon Downs racino/harness track. The legislation goes to the Senate on Thursday. [TU][NYT][Gannett][NYSOP]

Ride share day
You can officially take an Uber ride in upstate NY as of today. [Gazette]

The man had demonstrated how dangerous he was. My God, why wasn't he locked away?
Chris Churchill asks why a career criminal who murdered a homeless man in the Albany's Mansion neighborhood this week, had been allowed to walk the streets after multiple convictions and parole violations.[TU+]

Schenectady man charged with running multi-state prostitution ring
A Schenectady man is facing charges for allegedly running a prostitution ring, which included a 16-year-old girl, that extended from the Capital Region to New York City, New Jersey and Massachusetts. [TU]

Pedestrian hit by car in Latham
A 44-year-old Lake Placid man is in critical condition after being hit by a car as he tried to cross Route 7 near Wade Road in Latham on Wednesday night. [TU][Gazette]

Tractor-trailer crash
A Lake George man was injured on Wednesday when a pair of tractor-trailers collided near exit 13 of the Northway. [Post Star][Spectrum]

Hartunian
As his retirement approached, Richard Hartunian, U.S Attorney for the Northern District of New York, reflected on the cases he's prosecuted, and the work left undone. [Spectrum][Gazette]

Woman trapped under car overnight
A 77-year-old Whitehall woman was hospitalized after she was trapped overnight Tuesday, under a car that rolled backwards, dragging her into a wooded area. [TU]

Landing hotel
A first look at Schenectady's new Landing Hotel-- the final piece in the Rivers Casino Resort project. [TU]

Albany mayoral candidates on cutting police force
Albany mayoral candidates weigh the recommendation of a state-funded report that suggests cutting the city's police force to improve its financial problems. [TU]

Shen superintendent gets another raise
Shenendahowa Central School District Superintendent Oliver Robinson -- the highest paid superintendent in the Capital Region-- will get another raise as part of his new contract extension, bringing his base salary to $215,652. [TU]

Ecovative wins Defense Department contract
Ecovative Design, the Green Island company that makes biomaterials from fungus, has been awarded a $9.1 million research contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop new types of "living" building materials.[TU]

Cohoes fined for dump site
The Department of Environmental conservation has fined the city of Cohoes $3,000 for operating an illegal dumpsite, where citizens were dumping items, although Mayor Shawn Morse says the city hasn't dumped at the site in years. [Spectrum]

Schenectady litter
"Prevention is tough unless you can change the culture some people seem to live in," Bob Harvey, president of the Eastern Avenue neighborhood association, on some of the challenges in dealing with Schenectady's litter problem. [Gazette]

Bike Share launch
The Capital Region bike share is expected to launch around August 1. [Gazette]

Father and daughter honored for Great Escape rescue
The father and daughter who helped rescue a 14-year old girl who fell from the Sky Ride at the Great Escape last week were honored on Wednesday for their actions. [WNYT]

Rare Colonial-era Albany County ledger found on eBay
An Albany historian typed "1772 Albany" into an online search and was led to an eBay auction for a rare Albany County ledger with handwritten summaries of cases handled by a justice of the peace during the period surrounding the Revolutionary War. [TU]

Stuff to do today

Alive at Five
Thursday: The Alive at Five series at Jennings Landing on the Albany riverfront has The Outlaws with The Steppin Stones. Thursday 5 pm -- free admission

Brown's Summer Sessions
Thursday: The Brown's Summer Sessions series behind the brewpub in Troy has Eastbound Jesus with Black Mountain Symphony. Thursday 5 pm -- free admission