All Over Albany

One dead and four injured in Malta fire, city to stabilize compromised building, casino to open OTB, Jamion Christian to coach Siena

Fatal Malta fire
At least three people are injured and one is dead following an overnight fire in Malta. Two children and two adults were home when the fire broke out. The man who died had cerebral palsy and was unable to escape. [TU][WNYT][Gazette]

New Siena coach
Siena has formally announced that former Mount St. Mary's coach Jamion Christian as it's will be the school's new basketball coach. [TU][Spectrum]

Albany to stabilize collapsing building
The city of Albany is working to stabilize a multi-family home in the Ten Broeck neighborhood, after discovering that the back wall of the building was compromised. [TU]

Lake George Howard Johnson's plea
The owner of the last free-standing Howard Johnsons restaurant in the country has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he sexually abused girls and women who worked for the Lake George restaurant. [WNYT]

Video forces meeting with mayor
How a video, circulated on Facebook, forced Albany officials to meet with residents and activists in the West Hill neighborhood where a stray bullet from a fatal shooting landed inside a day-care center. [TU]

Split senate
Downstate Senator Tom Croci's announcement that he won't seek reelection in the fall -- following the retirement announcements of three republican colleagues last week-- could mean the Senate would be split 31-31. [TU]

Senate cracks down on violent offenders
The State Senate is considering bills that would restrict or deny parole for murderers and violent offenders.[News 10]

OTB coming to Rivers
Rivers Casino has announced it will open a Capital Off-Track Betting casino in the state to offer live on-site horse wagering. [TU]

Arrests in Rivers casino fight
Five people were charged after video showed their involvement in a weekend brawl at Rivers Casino. [TU]

Funding cut for backstretch health clinic
A reduction in NYRA funding will dramatically cut back the operation of a health clinic that serves the basic needs of hundreds of backstretch workers. [TU]

Cuomo threatens Charter with legal action
Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday that the state Public Service Commission is taking legal action against Charter Communications /a> over alleged violations of a merger agreement in which Charter promised to expand high-speed internet to underserved areas of New York. [TU]

Straws
A Waterford woman is leading an effort to ban plastic straws in New York State. [Spectrum]

NY shuts down NRA insurance program
New York is shutting down an NRA baked insurance program that provides liability insurance for gun owners faced with lawsuits stemming from firing their weapons. [TU]

Galway village police department
Sara Foss' call to disband the embattled Galway Village Police Department. [Gazette]

Potholes
The Capital Region's pothole problem may not improve soon. [TU]

Saratoga willow
In spite of efforts to save it, a longstanding Saratoga willow tree near the Congress park carousel was taken down on Wednesday. [Gazette]

ZZZZZZZZZZ
A new Siena poll shows only 24 percent of New Yorkers get eight hours or more of sleep each night, but we're getting plenty of caffeine. [TU]

Stuff going on today

Stage

The King and I
Today-Sunday: A touring Lincoln Center Theater production of The King and I will be at Proctors. Tuesday-Sunday various times -- $20 and up

Blithe Spirit
Today-Sunday: This is the last week for Capital Repertory Theatre's production of Noël Coward's Blithe Spirit. It runs through May 6. Tuesday-Sunday various times -- $20 and up

Music

Thursday: John Popper at The Egg
From Blues Traveler. With: Katrina Woolverton. 8 pm -- $39.50

Thursday: PVRIS at Upstate Concert Hall
Pop rock. With: Slenderbodies, Candy Ambulance. 7:30 pm -- $22.50 ahead / $25 day of

Thursday: Gary Hoey at The Upper Room
Blues/rock guitarist. 7 pm -- $15 and up

Thursday: Todd Sheaffer at Caffe Lena
From Railroad Earth. 7 pm -- $22

Thursday: Clay Cook at The Hollow
Roots rock. 9 pm -- $15 ahead / $17 day of