All Over Albany

Two decades for a crime he didn't commit, Cuomo says NY birth control coverage mandate will continue, bill proposes to change Columbus Day

Monday is Columbus Day. Some things are closed, some things are not. Check before you go.

Two decades for a crime he didn't commit
Brendan Lyons talks with Carl Dukes -- the man who served two decades in prison for a 1997 Albany murder he did not commit -- about how he was coerced into a statement by Albany police detectives, the despair he felt after being sent to prison, and how he eventually came to some sort of peace with what happened. [TU]

Albany fatal shooting
Albany police are investigating a fatal shooting on Sherman Street Sunday afternoon (map). A man told News10 that he heard four shots. APD is asking members of the public who might have info to come forward. [APD] [News10] [WNYT]

Birth control coverage
The Cuomo administration says New York State's contraceptive coverage mandate for health plans will continue despite the Trump admin's plan to roll back the provision it the Affordable Care Act on the federal level. [TU]

Infrastructure
A report from the state comptroller's office concludes the tab for fixing hundreds of locally-owned bridges around the state that are in need of repair is $27 billion. [AP/TU]

Troy land sales investigation
The state attorney general's office is investigating the sale of tax-delinquent properties to city employees, specifically the sale of a 1.85-acre parcel in 2015. Patrick Madden says the city is cooperating with the investigation. [TU] [Troy Record]

Municipal budgets
+ Patrick Madden's proposed Troy budget includes a 1.2 percent property tax increase. [Troy Record]
+ A look at the capital projects in the proposed Schenectady budget. [Daily Gazette]
+ The proposed Malta town budget includes no general fund or highway property tax -- it'd be the 34th in a year that's the case. [Daily Gazette]

Troy council president
Talking with the two candidates running for Troy city council president. [Troy Record]

State constitutional convention
Support for the a state constitutional convention is now at 44 percent in favor / 39 percent opposed in the latest Siena poll. [Politico NY]

Columbus Day
State Assemblyman Charles Barron has proposed a bill that would change Columbus Day to Indigenous People's Day. [TU]

National anthem
A group that showed up at the Niskayuna High School football game in reaction to students taking a knee during the national anthem did so with a display that included a confederate flag. [TU]

Farm fire
A Ballston Spa farmer drove a tractor into a burning barn in an effort to help animals escape -- a hundred rabbits and a rare San Clemente Island goat perished. [Daily Gazette]

Susan Holland
Historic Albany Foundation executive director Susan Holland is leaving to take a similar job in Ithaca. [TU]