Good afternoon, CivMix crew, we hope your day went well. We’re ending on a high note with lots of sunshine for that evening commute. And tomorrow’s Hump Day! The halfway point to the weekend. Sweet.
Some headlines you might have missed while otherwise distracted over the past several hours…
This is kind of mind-boggling: It is the first time in more than a century that all but one state legislature is dominated by a single party…Lopsided party dominance has not brought resignation; instead of minority parties conceding that they lack the numbers to effectively fight back, the mood has grown more tense and vitriolic.
A group of attorneys general from 10 states – led by New York’s AG, Tish James – filed a federal lawsuit today in a bid to block a proposed merger between the wireless carriers T-Mobile and Sprint, a $26 billion deal that has yet to receive the Justice Department’s approval.
The fate of two pit bulls that attacked a 3-year-old toddler in Schenectady last month hangs in the balance, with a judge poised to decide if a county child protective services caseworker will be allowed to take the stand for the city.
TV personality Andy Cohen was at the state Capitol today to add his voice to the push to to legalize paid gestational surrogacy, in which a woman is compensated for carrying a baby.
Cohen, a Bravo host and the executive producer of such reality series as “Real Housewives,” has son born through a surrogate. An interview with Cohen conducted by Nick Reisman will air on Capital Tonight at 7 p.m.
But the surrogacy bill faces opposition from within the progressive umbrella. Feminist Gloria Steinem said the “profit-driven reproductive surrogacy industry” endangers women.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has a bad back.
Columbia Turnpike, the traditional business corridor in East Greenbush, is getting another boost as the state invests $1 million to add new sidewalks east from Route 4 toward Hays Road as it pushes to reach Schodack.
A large fight and a report of a drive-by shooting stretched the city of Troy’s police department thin last night, requiring officers to call in back-up from Rensselaer County Sheriff deputies and State Police.
CVS Health failed to pass on at least $2.2 million in drug rebate savings to New York from 2014 to 2018, according to a recent audit by the state Comptroller’s office.
A bill with new requirements to drive recreational motorboats in New York, known as “Brianna’s Law,” is now in the hands of the governor, though some opponents remain concerned it will hurt tourism.
A Los Angeles woman who belonged to Keith Raniere’s secret “master/slave” society testified that she carefully plotted to escape the “cult” after being horrified at an order to seduce and have sex with the NXIVM spiritual leader.
The City of Schenectady is cracking down on the use of illegal dirt bikes.
Three 8th graders from Scotia-Glenville School are being called heroes. A ceremony was held to honor them with the state Senate’s highest award today for their part in saving two lives back in April.
Down in D.C., former “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart shamed ​members of a House panel when only five lawmakers were seated in the rostrum to hear survivors of the Sept. 11 terror attacks testify about the need to reauthorize the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.
President Trump unleashed a furious attack on Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden, hours before they were scheduled to deliver dueling speeches in the key battleground state of Iowa.
A public hearing is being held in Johnstown this evening to discuss the school budget revote, happening in one week.
Free money – sorta – in Saratoga County.
Are you following the World Cup?
A local fish tale.
