All Over Albany

FBI raids NXIVM buildings, budget deadline looms, Rivers asks to renegotiate, Capital Region unemployment rise

NXIVM
NXIVM co-founder Keith Raniere will remain in federal custody until he is returned to New York to face federal charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit forced labor. The FBI raided the home of NXIVM President Nancy Salzman in Halfmoon on Tuesday. [TU][TU]

Budget
Legislators are scrambling to finish up the budget early so they can get home for Passover and Good Friday, and it appears a number of issues may be left out of the plan, including taxes, immigration policy, sexual harassment and the Child Victim's Act. The Assembly appears to have secured $9.8 million in the budget for an allotment to the city of Albany, but Mayor Kathy Sheehan says without the full $12.5 million, city services will have to be cut. [TU][TU]

Proposed ban on tobacco in pharmacies
For the second time, the Albany County Legislature is considering a proposal to ban pharmacies from selling tobacco products.[WNYT]

Schenectady fire
One person was hospitalized after fire broke out at a Fifth Avenue home in Schenectady this morning. The cause remains under investigation.[TU]

Casinos asking for financial help
Rivers Casino is one of four non-Indian casinos asking the state to renegotiate some of their terms of operation after performing below expectations. [Gazette]

Not guilty plea in fatal overdose
The alleged Saratoga Springs drug dealer charged with providing a fatal Fenanyl overdoes pled not guilty on Tuesday.[Gazette]

Restore New York
Among the recipients of Restore New York grants : Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga will get $750,000 to redevelop a vacant church into a performing arts center, $1,800,000 in Troy for the renovation of a 90,000 square foot industrial building on River Street, -- $1,800,000 -- Renovation and restoration of four vacant and blighted downtown buildings in Schenectady
and $1,000,000 for demolition of a building at the former First Prize Center in Colonie to make room for commercial development. [Saratogian][Gazette]

Fatal Jonesville crash
Saratoga County Sheriff's deputies are investigating a fatal Jonesville crash that claimed the life of an elderly pedestrian on Tuesday evening. [Gazette]

Missing teen
Troopers are searching for a 16-year-old Fort Ann boy who has been missing for 11 days. [TU]

Schneiderman leads lawsuit over census question
Eric Schneiderman will lead a lawsuit challenging a Federal government effort to bring back a census question that asks about citizenship status in the 2020 census. [Politico]

Capital Region unemployment rate up
The unemployment rate in the Capital Region jumped from 4.8 percent in February 2017 to 5.2 percent in February 2018. [TU]

Tesla
Tesla is pushing for permission to expand its direct-to-consumer dealers into the upstate New York market, after an unsuccessful attempt last year. [TU]

Southern Pine Beetle
The destructive southern pine beetle has been found for the first time in Albany -- the furthest north it has been discovered. [TU]

Building a Cell
A father whose 21-year-old son hanged himself in a solitary confinement cell in a Dutchess County correctional facility built a 6-foot-by-9-foot portable wooden prison cell and quit his engineering job to campaign for prison reform.[TU]

Beech Nut demolition
New York State will contribute $6 million for demolition of part of the former Beech Nut plant in Canajoharie, and contribute to a study to determine whether the historic main plant can be saved. [TU]

A gift from a closed church
The Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, closed last year to be redeveloped into apartments, gave a $20,000 gift from the congregation to the Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club. [TU]

Stuff going on today

Garth Fagan
Wednesday: The Creative Life series at UAlbany has Lion King choreographer -- and Tony winner -- Garth Fagan at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center. He'll be talking on stage with WAMC's Joe Donahue and answering questions from the audience. Wednesday 7 pm -- free

Alison Gaylin
Wednesday: Author Alison Gaylin will be at Hattie's in Saratoga Springs for a lunch event organized by Northshire Bookstore. Gaylin will be talking about her new novel If I Die Tonight. Tickets include a buffet lunch and copy of the book. Wednesday at noon -- $37 / $54 for two people and one book

Lacrosse

Wednesday: The UAlbany men's lacrosse team -- undefeated and ranked #1 in the nation -- takes on Harvard at Casey Stadium. The Great Danes play fast and score and tend to score a lot of goals. 7 pm -- $10 and up

Music

Wednesday: Celtic Woman at Proctors
"Celtic Woman celebrates Ireland's rich musical and cultural heritage, while continuing its remarkable legacy of introducing some of Ireland's most talented singers and musicians onto the world stage." 7 pm -- $55 and up

Wednesday: Robin Trower at The Egg
Blues-rock guitarist. With: Sly Fox and The Huslters. 8 pm -- $39.50 and up

Wednesday: KAYZO at Upstate Concert Hall
DJ. 8 pm -- $20 ahead / $25 day of