All Over Albany

Verdict in fatal stabbing of Troy official, "extraordinary" session wraps at state Capitol, all the Lyfting and Ubering, a reminder about fireworks

Trial in the death of Bill Chamberlain
Update: The jury found Vandenburgh guilty of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. [Spectrum]
____
The jury in now deliberating in the trial of Joseph Vandenburgh, accused of fatally stabbing former Troy city official Bill Chamberlain near Chamberlain's home in Wynantskill in 2015. The prosecution alleges DNA evidence links Vandenburgh to a large knife used in the attack. Vandenburgh's attorney argued her client had no motive. [TU] [Troy Record] [Spectrum] [WNYT]

Extraordinary session
+ The state legislature wrapped its "extraordinary" session (technical term) with the passage of a bill that includes sales tax extenders for counties and mayoral control of NYC schools. [TU] [Spectrum]
+ Also: There's a provision that names the new Tappan Zee Bridge after Mario Cuomo, which Andrew Cuomo said his father wouldn't have wanted (but the son pushed for it anyway). [Politico]

All the Lyfting and Ubering
Thursday was the first day that ride hailing companies such as Lyft and Uber were allowed to operate across the state, and there was early morning Ubering, reporters riding, and elected officials praising, and photo opping. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [News10] [Troy Record] [@JohnCraigWNYT]

Schenectady train station
The Amtrak station in Schenectady has closed (though the train is still picking up and dropping off there). The old station is set to be demolished for the construction of a new station by the end of 2018. [TU] [Daily Gazette]

Schenectady schools superintendent salary
Daily Gazette editorial on the salary of Schenectady schools superintendent Larry Spring rising above $200k per year: "What we most object to, and what the school board still doesn't seem to understand, is that his pay is far out of line for both the fiscal prudence it advocates and for the people who are paying his salary." [Daily Gazette]

Faith against racism
An interfaith panel got together at a church in Albany Thursday to talk about ways faith communities can push back against racism. [WNYT]

Cohoes
How Van Schaick Island in Cohoes became a hot spot for apartment development. [TU]

Fireworks
Albany officials on fireworks and the Fourth of July: Please stick to the legal fireworks, and please don't blow your fingers off. [TU]