Take heart, CivMixers, the weekend is almost upon us!
And it looks like it’s going to be a good one, as far as Mother Nature is concerned. We’re headed for a blessedly dry, sunny and appropriately warm stretch of weather, according to The Weather Channel, with a predicted high of 81 degrees and low of 56 today in Albany.
The clear skies and highs in the 80s should continue through Sunday.
Troy and Schenectady are looking at similar forecasts, plus or minus a few degrees, while Satatoga will be just a hair cooler, but also nice and clear.
Here are some headlines to kick off your day…
A lot of unanswered questions surround the tragic training accident at West Point that killed one cadet and injured 20 others, along with 2 soldiers. An investigation is underway. The identity of the deceased cadet has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
The tariff battle between the U.S. and Mexico is coming down to the wire.
At the state Capitol, the Senate passed a package of nine bills intended to improve the safety of the limousine industry, eight months after 20 people died in a limo crash in Schoharie County that was the nation’s deadliest transportation accident since Flight 3407.
The Assembly may or may not take up the whole package before the session’s scheduled end on June 19, but advocates – the family members of limo crash victims – are motivated and pushing hard.
Here’s the latest from the Keith Raniere/NXIVM trial taking place down in NYC.
Former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who has decided not to run for president, but continues to try to use his fortune to make big changes, announced in a tweet that he would spend $500 million on Beyond Carbon, which he described as “a coordinated campaign to take on the climate crisis.”
If star gazing is your thing, you’re in for a treat this month, as the largest planet in the solar system is going to be putting on a show. Jupiter will be its “biggest and brightest” in June. It will rise at dusk and remain visible all night with the naked eye, say NASA officials.
At the ripe old age of 17, April the giraffe, the internet sensation and, hands down, the most famous resident of the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, is retiring from the propagation program. She has given birth to five babies over the course of her lifetime, and now will be on birth control to avoid further pregnancies.
A Clifton Park woman will spend nearly two years in prison for embezzling thousands of dollars from local KeyBank branches, according to the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.
The Greater Johnstown School District school board abolished seven positions last night and accepted one resignation as well as nine retirements, all part of $825,000 in spending cuts prompted by the failure of the district’s May 21 budget vote.
The Stillwater councilwoman who was charged last month with driving with a blood-alcohol content nearly twice the legal limit, pleaded guilty in court yesterday to driving while ability impaired.
Anonymous campaign mailers against a Niskayuna school board candidate distributed three days before she lost the election concerned residents. However it remains a remains a mystery who sent them.
Beware mountain lion(s) in Halfmoon.
It’s National Donut (Doughnut?) Day! This day was established in 1938 to honor the Salvation Army Donut Lassies, women who served the treats to soldiers during World War I, and it’s one of the busiest days of the year for bakeries.
Freebies abound for donut lovers. For example, you can get a free classic doughnut of your choice at Dunkin’ with the purchase of any beverage all day, (while supplies last).
Also participating: Walmart, where you can get one free glazed doughnut at all stores in the bakery section. The limit is one per person, also while supplies last. The retailer expects to give away 1.2 million doughnuts.
Horse deaths continue to be a problem in the racing industry – something to keep an eye on as Opening Day for the Saratoga meet nears.
RIP Mac Rebennack, the pianist, singer, songwriter and producer better known as Dr. John, who embodied the New Orleans sound for generations of music fans. He died yesterday at the age of 77.
