All Over Albany

Cyclist dies in crash, Albany to begin search for police chief, pedestrian hit in Niskayuna, Palace names new executive director

Cyclist hit
A cyclist was taken to Albany Med with serious injuries after a crash with a vehicle on Washington Avenue Extension around 5:30 am Thursday. Update: Albany police say the cyclist has died. [WNYT] [APD]

Pedestrian hit in Niskayuana
A pedestrian is in critical condition after he was struck by a car on State Street near Balltown Road in Niskayuna on Wednesday night. [Spectrum]

Albany police chief search
Ten months after former Albany police chief Brendan Cox left his post, the city is hiring a search firm to find a new police chief. [TU]

New executive director for Palace
As it makes begins a planned $65 million expansion, the Palace theater has named a new executive director to replace Holly Brown, who is stepping down. [Business Review]

Troy officer charged with embezzling from union
The former president of Troy's police union is facing grand larceny charges for allegedly embezzling $6,200 from a fund he managed for the union. [Record]

Niskayuna jobs at GE
Jobs at GE Global Research Center in Niskayuna are expected to survive a decision by the company's new CEO to trim costs by closing research three research labs. [TU]

Mohawk River apartment plans scrapped
A developer has scrapped plans to build a large-scale apartment complex along the Mohawk River in Glenville. [Spectrum]

Amazon
Chris Churchill's "pitch" to Jeff Bezos to bring Amazon to Albany. [TU]

$19 million to fight drug abuse
New York State will get $19 million in federal funding to help people struggling with drug abuse.
[TU]

Documentary subject seeks exoneration
The attorney for Jesse Friedman, the subject of a 2003 documentary who pleaded guilty to child sex abuse crimes in the 1980s, has filed a FOIL request in an effort to get documents from Long Island prosecutors that he believes would prove Friedman's innocence [TU]

Murder/arson suspect recorded confession
The suspect in a Washington County arson that killed his former girlfriend told police he wanted them to die together, but changed his mind after it was too late. [WNYT]

Spa City charter battle
The Saratoga Springs Accounts Commissioner claims the Charter Review Commission violated rules over a recent mailing. John Franck says the Charter Review Commission which is meant to educate the public is actually advocating for the charter. [Saratogian][TU]

Democratic challenger drops out of 19th Congressional race
Democrat Steven Brisee announced in a series of tweets that he is dropping his bid for the 19th Congressional District seat. because he lacks the social skills necessary to run for office. [@BriseeForNY19][CapCon]

Dutchess County Executive investigates run for governor
Republican Marc Molinaro, the Dutchess County Executive, has formed a gubernatorial campaign committee. [TU]

"We don't want our rural folks to be second-class citizens."
Chuck Schumer voiced opposition on Wednesday to an FCC proposal he says will slow down internet speeds in rural areas. [TU]

$1.8 million on lobbying
According to a new JCOPE report, Uber spent $1.8 million in the first half of 2017 to lobby for rid-sharing in upstate NY. [Daily News]

Men honored for rescuing child
"I was just doing what I hope someone would do for my family." -- One of two Albany men who were honored by the city for rescuing a 4-year-old boy from a house fire on Saturday. [TU]

Battle of Saratoga
Schuylerville is commemorating the 240th anniversary of the Battle of Saratoga. [WNYT]

Stuff going on today

Bombshell
Thursday: There's a screening of the Hedy Lamarr documentary Bombshell at Skidmore. "The film tells the story of actress Hedy Lamarr, who became known as the 'most beautiful girl in the world' during the Golden Age of Hollywood and was also a creative genius who patented a "secret communications system" that is the basis of the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, satellite, and military technology millions of people use today." The film's director will be there for a post-screening discussion. Thursday 4:30 pm, Palamountain Hall -- free

Arts and sciences

Climate change
Thursday: Judith Enck and Curt Spalding -- regional EPA directors during the Obama administration -- will be at UAlbany's Rockefeller College for a discussion, "Is Climate Change the Paramount Public Policy Issue of the 21st Century?" Thursday 4:30 pm, downtown campus, Milne Hall -- free (registration required)

Other Uses
Thursday: The Other Uses series continues at EMPAC. "The third program in the Other Uses series turns the lens on unseen processes, people, and objects. The motion we see in the works--whether produced through montage, camera movement, or distortion of the recorded image--directly connects the action on screen to the hand of the artist." Thursday 7 pm -- $6

Music

Thursday: Cults at The Hollow
Indie pop. With: Cullen Omori, Hideout. 8 pm -- $13.27 ahead / $20 at door

Thursday: JJ Grey and Mofro at Upstate Concert Hall
Southern rock. With: The Commonheart. 8 pm -- $25 ahead / $28 day of

Thursday: Betsayda Machado y La Parranda El Clavo at Proctors
Venezuelan Afro soul. Part of the Music Haven at Proctors series. 7:30 pm -- $25

Thursday: Festival of South African Dance at Proctors
"Featuring 20 dancers with live musicians, the Gumboots and Pantsula Dance Companies use dance to respond to cultural and political issues in their communities by conveying real-life stories of hard work, human struggles, and longing for a better life." 8 pm -- $20 and up