Jobless in Seattle

If Seattle succeeds in raising its minimum wage to $15, the city will suffer.

By Jordan Weissmann

Seattle could regret raising its minimum wage by so drastic an amount.

Photo by Maxvis/Thinkstock

Economists everywhere may soon be thanking Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. Not because of his inspired policymaking, but because Murray seems ready to turn his city into a gigantic laboratory for one of the most ambitious, and quite possibly misbegotten, labor market experiments in recent memory.

“There are concerns that it might lead to the substitution of automation for workers.”

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Pancake Breakfast Sunday May 4

Maple Hill Lacrosse will be holding a breakfast at the Castleton Ambulance Hall at 1700 Brookview Road in Castleton.

Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. members of Maple Hill Lacrosse teams will be serving breakfast to the community to raise funds for their program. 

Cost - $10.00 per person 
Seniors and children (ages 6 to 15) - $5.00 per person 
Children under 5 years old – Free 

Includes: Beverage 
Pancakes or French Toast 
Bacon and Sausage

Raffles, door prizes and and the ever-popular pie sale!

Early morning fire destroys historic barn

Stuyvesant Fire Chief Steve Montie said the fire was exacerbated by several explosions from gas tanks inside the barn. Tanks containing propane, oxygen the gas acetylene, used for acetylene torches, were stored in the barn, he said.

“It appears to be accidental, but we have a lot to go through,” he said.

Sterling banned for life!

NEW YORK (AP) -- Issuing about the strongest rebuke that he could, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life Tuesday for making racist comments in a recorded conversation, the first step toward forcing a sale of the club and permanently removing Sterling from the league.

Silver said when he first heard the audio, he hoped it had been altered or was fake -- but also said that from his 20-year relationship with Sterling, he suspected the voice was his.    "This has been a painful moment," Silver said, "for all members of the NBA family."

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Listen to ESPN Hosts take on the racism issue.

State Police: Mother and grandfather withheld food from children

Posted: Apr 26, 2014 2:34 PM EDT

SAND LAKE — A mother and grandfather have been arrested on felony assault and other child endangerment charges after an investigation of child abuse, the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Schodack announced Saturday.

Dana M. Glasser, 33, and Joseph J. Glasser, 61, both of Sand Lake, were arrested after an 8 count indictment against them was handed up Friday by a Rensselaer County Grand Jury.

Churchill: East Greenbush board sneaked a casino vote Chris Churchill

Chris Churchill

Updated 12:38 am, Thursday, April 24, 2014

East Greenbush

The vote seemed odd. Why was the Town Board in East Greenbush, of all places, backing a casino?

Now we know why. Just days after last week's vote, Saratoga Casino and Raceway said it wants to build a $300 million casino in the Rensselaer County town, on a hill above Route 4 and Walmart.

The chain of events raises two questions: Will East Greenbush residents get to give their opinion on the project prior to a potential state approval? Or did their Town Board just rob them of the chance?

But in East Greenbush, the cart rolled by with the horse chasing after it. The board unanimously approved a resolution before anyone knew the town was in play. There was no advance notice of the vote. It was added to the board's agenda at the last minute.

How and why did that happen?

Read more...

More from the Wall Street Journal..

Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser to benefit the Friends of the Castleton Public Library

Please join the Friends of the Castleton Public Library on Monday, May 5th from 5-8pm at Scarnato’s Restaurant in Castleton, NY for a Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser! There will be a buffet with desserts included (cash bar).  Come learn about the Friends and enjoy some great company. RSVP by April 27 to 732-7647. Cost: $35/person or $60/couple

Regeneron funds $75K fellowship program for science, math and engineering teachers

Megan Rogers

Reporter-Albany Business Review

Email  |  LinkedIn  |  Twitter

See correction at end of article.

Drug developer Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is opening its research laboratories to science, technology, engineering and math teachers as part of a fellowship program aimed at creating a bigger pipeline of workers in New York.

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Run Into Summer 5k

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Teen Stowaway Raises Security Questions

The boy's claim to have climbed into a plane's wheel well has airport officials deeply concerned.

Airport Security

Watch the video here..

Saratoga Casino shares plans for East Greenbush resort

Created: 04/22/2014 5:55 PM WNYT.com By: Mark Mulholland

SARATOGA SPRINGS - It's an undeveloped 70-plus acre parcel that would be home to a full-fledged casino resort.

Plans call for a 300-room hotel, showroom, cabaret, couple of parking decks, and an 18-hole golf course and spa nearby.

One day after Saratoga Casino and Raceway said they were folding in their bid to bring a resort casino to Saratoga, they said they're all in in East Greenbush.

"It's by far the superior project we're going to see in the region. It's a superior location," said Rita Cox, vice-president of Saratoga Casino and Raceway.

Read more...

10 Big Companies That Pay No Taxes (and Their Favorite Politicians)

JD Hancock/Flickr

—By Gavin Aronsen

| Fri Apr. 13, 2012 3:00 AM PDT

Between 2008 and 2011, 26 major American corporations paid no net federal income taxes despite bringing in billions in profits, according to a new report (PDF) from the nonprofit research group Citizens for Tax Justice. CTJ calculates that if the companies had paid the full 35 percent corporate tax rate, they would have put more than $78 billion into government coffers.

Here's a look at the 10 most profitable tax evaders and the politicians their CEOs, employees, and PACs give the most money to.

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200 Girls Still Missing in Nigeria

One Week After Abduction, More Than 200 Girls Still Missing in Nigeria

LUCY WESTCOTT

Borno state governor Kashim Shettima, centre, visits Chibok, Nigeria, were gunmen abducted more than 200 students. (AP / HARUNA UMAR)

One week after their abduction from their school, more than 200 girls are still missing in Nigeria, as anger and criticism grows over the military's failure to stave off attacks by Islamic extremists. The schoolgirls, aged between 16 and 18, were taken in the early hours of the morning last Tuesday from a remote boarding school in Chibok, northeast Nigeria, reportedly by the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram. The group's name translates into, "Western education is a sin," and it's thought that the girls will be used as sex slaves and cooks.

“It seems every time the military trumpets a success in its ‘onslaught on terrorists,’ the extremists step up the tempo and deadliness of attacks,” Faul and Umar write.

Read more...  

A Casino in East Greenbush?

Another invitation for local gamblingEast Greenbush board welcomes "any reasonable" offer

By Jordan Carleo-Evangelist

Published 10:42 pm, Friday, April 18, 2014

East Greenbush

Another Capital Region community is batting its eyelashes at the deep-pocketed casino industry.

The East Greenbush Town Board voted unanimously this week to back "any reasonable" casino development proposals within its borders — though Supervisor Keith Langley said they have no formal proposal in mind and the legislation leaves the definition of "reasonable" open to interpretation.

The resolution, a late addition to the agenda that passed with little public notice, specifically mentions the financial benefits to communities selected by the state to host the four new upstate resort casinos "especially given the fiscal conditions the town is now facing."

Read more... 

Smartphones Make Us Stress More

True, the latest smartphone that can do it all should, potentially, make our lives easier. Only they can actually boost our stress levels too, according to recent British research. By relying on our phones to do everything for us, they also appear to foster a “relentless need,” so we end up constantly checking them or responding to various emails, texts, social media updates, you name it. It appears this dependence makes us anxious and stressed out.

Try: Out of sight, out of mind. Leave your phone in the other room at night or stuck in your pocket (not on the table) when you’re out with friends.

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Dont' forget

Public Announcement – Town of Schodack

Town Center Plan for Route 9/20

Meeting Moved!

Schodack Central School District may devote entire building to business incubator

Apr 8, 2014, 7:07am EDT UPDATED: Apr 8, 2014, 9:32am EDT 

The business incubator at Schodack Central School District has been so successful in its first year that superintendent Robert Horan wants to open an entire building to startup companies.

The district has proposed relocating middle school students in response to declining enrollments, leaving an entire building open to business and community.

A district capital project would relocate middle school students in the Rensselaer County district. Since 2009-10, enrollment has declined by 145 students and projections indicate all students could be housed in the elementary and high school. Moving middle school students into the elementary and high school building would leave the middle school open for business and community space.

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Hoffman's Playland opens up for the season

Updated: Saturday, April 12 2014, 02:38 PM EDT 

LATHAM -- It was sunny skies and a busy turn out for opening day at Hoffman's Playland. Owners say they're relieved after the harsh winter weather, especially since this could be their last season." "So we'll be operating through this season and we'll have to wait and see," says owner David Hoffman.  "I don't want it made into condos or whatever, it's just so special," says Debbie Birnbaum of Loudonville, who was at the park with her daughter Saturday. Families from all around the Capital Region came out to enjoy what could be their last memory at Hoffman's. Generations have come to the Playland, which owner David Hoffman worked tirelessly to open for the season. "March was extremely difficult for us the weather was brutal and we weren't able to get out here in the park and put together the rides as early as we'd like to so the past 10 days have been very stressful," he says.

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Hans Christian Anderson, not so Walt Disney

A few hours ago it was confirmed that Emma Watson was chosen to play the role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid. But that's not all! Prince Eric will be played by Daniel Radcliffe!

This new production of Disney's animated classic is planned for release in 2015 and will be a live action telling filmed digitally in 3D.

Don't look for "Happily Ever After" here.

The Little Mermaid, the classic fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen, will be made into a live-action movie by Universal Studios. To the excitement of many of her fans, Sofia Coppola has been chosen to direct the film. Directing the classic fairy tale will be a complete change from the genre that made her popular.

Coppola is known for her adult-themed films that tackle topics on adultery, romance, parenthood and death. Caroline Thompson, who will write the script, has started working with Kelly Marcel and Abi Morgan on their previous drafts. With four brilliant female filmmakers in charge of handling The Little Mermaid, it is expected that the movie will present something exciting and novel. The movie's plot is still being kept a secret, although we can expect that it will center on the romance between a mermaid and a human being.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Edward Parham, Director of Public Relations
Rueckert Advertising & Public Relations, Inc.
(518) 446-1091

EASTWYCK VILLAGE TO HOST 

NORTH GREENBUSH TOWN HISTORIAN ON April 17

NORTH GREENBUSH, NY (Tuesday, April 8, 2014) — North Greenbush Town Historian Jim Greenfield will give a lecture on the history of Defreestville and Wynantskill called, “A Tale of Two Hamlets” on

Thursday, April 17 at 2 p.m. at Eastwyck Village, 1720 Best Rd., North Greenbush.

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Rensselaer police officer was sentenced to prison

TROY -- A former Rensselaer police officer was sentenced to prison for driving drunk and killing his childhood friend in a crash. Mark Fusco pleaded guilty to first degree vehicular manslaughter Friday afternoon.

Fusco admitted he had a blood alcohol content of .18 or greater when he crashed into a tree in East Greenbush on March 13, 2013. His passenger, Sean Murphy, 22, was killed. Fusco said he couldn’t remember why the two got in the car after taking taxis all night. Murphy’s family said early reports that they had forgotten something in a taxi and were trying to catch up were untrue. Sean’s mother, Coreen, read the only victim impact statement during sentencing. Read more...

Mickey Rooney, versatile actor and master showman, dies at 93

 (Reuters) - Actor Mickey Rooney, who became the United States' biggest movie star while a brash teenager in the 1930s and later a versatile character actor in a career that spanned 10 decades, died on Sunday of natural causes, Los Angeles authorities said. He was 93.

Rooney, who developed a reputation as a hard-partying, off-screen brat in his heyday and married eight times, died at his home in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County coroner's office said, citing information from the Los Angeles Police Department.

"He was undoubtedly the most talented actor [who] ever lived. 

Read more... 

The ‘double life’ of Mickey Rooney

It has been reported that Rooney, who died on April 6 at the age of 93, had an estate valued at only $18,000. A victim of financial elder abuse, Rooney's life was far from that of the idealized teenager Andy Hardy. See Video

Bill Clinton Offers a Voter ID Solution That We Can All Agree On?

Strengthening voter ID laws is a hot topic – one that seems to be synonymous with racism and discrimination in liberals’ minds, despite most of the country being in support of it.

Former President Bill Clinton may have come up with a solution: adding photos to Social Security cards.With 34 states now requiring some form of identification at the polls, former president Bill Clinton and civil rights leader Andrew Young on Wednesday endorsed the idea of adding photos to Social Security cards as a way to prevent voter suppression.

“I’m not against photo identification, but only as long as the cards are free and easily accessible. Providing eligible voters the ability to obtain a photo on a Social Security card eliminates any genuine concern,” Young said. He called on Obama to issue an executive order making such photos available.

Clinton did not go so far as to urge executive action. However, he said, putting photos on Social Security cards would represent “a way forward that eliminates error,” without having to “paralyze and divide a country with significant challenges.”

Read more...

Stephen Colbert named new host of CBS 'Late Show'

© AP / Stephen Colbert

April 10, 2014, 12:03 PM EST

By Tony Maglio
TheWrap

CBS has named Stephen Colbert its new host of "Late Show," the network said Monday.

The comedian and political satirist will take on his new duties after David Letterman retires next year.

Photos: Late-night hosts

Colbert inked a five-year deal with CBS, according to the network. Specific creative elements, as well as the producers and the location for the Colbert-hosted "Late Show," have yet to be determined and announced at a later date, CBS said.

Letterman, who has sat behind the "Late Show" desk for 21 years, announced his pending 2015 retirement on April 3. The long-tenured late night personality mentioned 2015 as his exit year, though no more specific timeframe has been targeted at this point.

"Stephen Colbert is one of the most inventive and respected forces on television,"

Craig Wilkinson was honored

Schodack Central School District

Craig Wilkinson was honored at the Questar III Board meeting on April 9 with the G. Lucius Cary Annual Service Leadership Award for his incredible volunteer work in Schodack schools and the community. “Craig is a valuable asset to our students, faculty and staff for the Schodack Central School District as well as in the community. If you see him, please take a moment to thank him for all that he does while asking for nothing in return,” said Superintendent Bob Horan. Congratulations Craig!

(5 photos)

"Mr. Schodack" everybody knows him...everybody loves him.

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Town Center Meeting MOVED

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Town Offices: (518) 477-7938

Public Announcement – Town of Schodack 

Town Center Plan for Route 9/20

Meeting Moved!

When: Thursday, April 23, 2014 at 7 pm
Where: Green Meadow Elementary School - Auditorium

Public Announcement – Town of Schodack

Town Center Plan for Route 9/20

Meeting Moved to Maple Hill Middle School

Please join the Town of Schodack during the upcoming public presentation of the Town Center Plan. The Town of Schodack’s Town Center Plan for Route 9/20 is ready for your review and input. It includes a community vision with specific strategies to revitalize the local economy and guide future growth in the Town Center:

When: Thursday, April 10, 2014 at 5:30 pm
Where: Maple Hill Middle School Cafeteria

Plan for Schodack’s Town Center to be discussed
By Record staff, newsroom@troyrecord.com, @TroyRecord on Twitter posted: 04/01/14, 12:37 PM EDT

SCHODACK -- A meeting to discuss Schodack’s future regarding many aspects of the prospective Town Center plan.
The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on April 10 at Maple Hill Middle School,

Village court goes dark forever Monday

Village court ends in Castleton

The end of village court marks the end of an era as towns look for ways to cut village costs

The 36th Annual Freihofer's Run for Women

Welcome runners!

The 36th Annual Freihofer's Run for Women will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 9:45 a.m.

The Freihofer's Run for Women 5km combines some of the top International and American women distance runners and over 4,000 women from the Capital Region and across the nation. From Olympians to recreational runner, it's a wonderful blend of competition, participation and camaraderie.

Read more...

Dunn Memorial Bridge Still closed

Suspects jump off Dunn Memorial Bridge following high-speed chase 
Updated: Wednesday, March 26 2014, 03:46 PM EDT 
ALBANY -- The Dunn Memorial Bridge is down to one lane following a high-speed chase that ended there on Wednesday. 

East Greenbush Pop Warner Registaion

East Greenbush Pop Warner Online Registration

East Greenbush Pop Warner is now offering Early Bird Registration.

We are currently offering registration for interested Tackle football players, Flag football players and Cheerleaders, who will be ages 7-15 on or before July 31st and registration for interested Flag players and Cub Cheerleaders ages 5-7 who will be ages 5-7 on or before July 31st.

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It's Official - Castleton Court is no more

Tonight is the last day The Castleton will hold open court...

Castleton

Even while they re-elected Village Justice Paul Peter, Castleton voters decided to abolish the village court and the justice seat. By April 1, the functions will be taken over by the town of Schodack.

Lesson learned? I hope not!

Girl shaves head for pal, breaks school dress code

Created: 03/25/2014 6:09 PM WNYT.com

By: AP

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) -- A Colorado girl who shaved her head to support a friend who went bald because of cancer treatment has been told she violated her school's dress code.

Reward offered

Updated: Wednesday, March 26 2014, 10:56 AM EDT UPDATE: Authorities say the reward offered and the public's information has led to the discovery of those involved. Joseph Losowski, 55, and Dave Garrity, 49, were both charged with illegal disposal of solid waste. Authorities say they could face a fine of $1,500 to $15,000 and up to 15 days in jail.

Schodack Budget Workshops

Budget Forum and Workshop Offer Opportunities for Community Questions – Wednesday, March 26 and Tuesday, April 8

To help answer questions our community may have about the 2014-15 budget, the district will hold a Community Budget Forum on Wednesday, March 26 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the High School cafeteria. The Board of Education will also hold a budget workshop with community input on Tuesday, April 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the High School cafeteria. Free babysitting will be available for both meetings. Each meeting will offer opportunities to learn about the 2014-15 budget process and ask questions. Community members will also be able to ask questions about the proposition to address infrastructure needs as well as the Capital Project.

Howe Caverns to explore above ground casino

Updated: 03/22/2014 3:55 AM
Created: 03/21/2014 4:44 PM WNYT.com
By: WNYT Staff

HOWES CAVE - In Schoharie County, the owners of an all-ready-well-known tourist attraction say they're now a step closer to building a casino on their "above ground" property.

Happy Birthday William Shatner

14 things that are obsolete in 21st century schools

Saying that it has always been this way, doesn’t count as a legitimate justification to why it should stay that way. Teacher and administrators all over the world are doing amazing things, but some of the things we are still doing, despite all the new solutions, research and ideas out there is, to put it mildly, incredible.

Education should be individualized, students should work in groups regardless of age and their education should be built around their needs.

 Posted by ingvihrannar | February 26, 2014
Read more... 

The Wounded Warrior Fundraiser

March 29

Saturday, March 29, 2014 2:00 pm VFW 100 Hays Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061 
www.rebuildingwarriors.com
Our Mission — The Wounded Warrior Fundraiser

In 2012, Rebuilding Warriors changed its focus providing companion dogs to Wounded Warriors. Warriors diagnosed as Amputees as well as those with PTSD, (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Most of our dogs are bred especially for autistic children and have a highly sought after demeanor. We provide these dogs to active duty service members from any branch of the Armed Forces or Honorably Discharged Veterans from any service era that meet our eligibility standards.

EDITORIAL: Regents need new commissioner

Written by PARRY TEASDALE

Thursday, 13 March 2014 10:54

THERE WAS AN ELECTION in state government this week. Not the kind with TV ads extolling candidates who'll cut every tax and save us from big spenders who'd outlaw hamsters. This one was for four unpaid jobs as members of the Board of Regents. There was a local candidate for one of the seats on the Board of Regents, Regina Rose, a retired teacher and former member of the Ichabod Crane Board of Education. Ms. Rose did not win the seat, though she was qualified. So were the other candidates. And, no, you didn't forget to go to the polls Tuesday to cast your ballot. The public doesn't elect regents. Regents are chosen by the full state legislature--the Assembly and Senate--convened in a joint session. A majority of both houses voting as one body decides. The Assembly has more members than the Senate, and the Assembly has a large Democratic majority, which makes the speaker of the Assembly the most powerful player in the appointment process, more powerful than the governor.

The Years Are Short

Governor Paterson to Join STRIDE Adaptive Sports’ Honorary Board of Directors

(Albany, NY) –With the 2014 Paralympic games underway in Sochi Russia, America is inspired by people with physical disabilities and their accomplishments. That is why STRIDE Adaptive Sports, an official Paralympic sports club of Albany NY is excited to announce the newest member to their honorary board of directors, former New York State Governor David Paterson. Governor Paterson served as the 55th governor of New York from 2008 – 2010, and was the first African American Governor of New York and the second legally blind Governor of any U.S. state. Since leaving office, Paterson has been working as a radio talk show host on station WOR in New York City. David Paterson continues to inspire us in his career achievements despite being blind.