Another Thursday in the book, CivMix community. Here’s what’s going down…

The 2019 legislative session is still crawling along to the finish line at a veritable snail’s pace, as state lawmakers vote on hundreds of bills – both big and small – before calling it quits for the summer.

Developments today: A bill that would legalize gestational surrogacy in New York died after Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said his members have too many concerns to bring it to a vote.

A bill that would expand prevailing wage to any construction project that is partially funded with public money appeared stalled.

Both houses of the Legislature renewed and expanded the state Minority-and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) program this week.

The #MeToo movement has officially arrived in Albany.

New York became the seventh state Legislature to approve a ban on the so-called “gay panic” defense.

President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sought to demonstrate a united front in the uphill effort to get a replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement over the finish line.

Stocks hit a record high today, a day after the Federal Reserve opened the door to interest rate cuts in the coming months.

A jury has found a man guilty in the death of a 21 year old St. Johnsville woman. Daniel Nellis, Sr. has been convicted of shooting Michaela MacVilla.

City of Albany police are warning the community about an email scam about to red light camera ticket fines.

The Rosenblum Cos. broke ground this morning on its $18 million, mixed-use building at Congress and Fourth streets in Troy that has already generated a lot of excitement in the city.

A land purchase is paving the way for a 1 million-square feet Amazon Distribution Center in Schodack. Scannell — a developer for Amazon — closed a deal to purchase a large piece of land on Route 9.

Schenectady police are warning of a “noticeable increase” in items being taken from cars in the city. The thefts have occurred over recent nights and have centered around Van Vranken Avenue and side streets north of Nott Street, police said on Facebook.

Eleven police dogs and their handlers graduated from the State Police Canine Handler Basic School.

The historic mansion at Yaddo, a renowned Spa City artist retreat, is now reopen following the completion of a multimillion-dollar restoration and stabilization.

A 911 call from a juvenile saying someone inside Park Terrace Elementary School was “trying to kill him” sent the school into a lockdown this morning. Police responded and determined there to be no threat and the call to be a “prank.” An investigation continues.

A Slingerlands estate attorney who admitted last month to stealing more than $2 million from his employer and at least 10 clients has been disbarred.

Did you know that June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month? (I didn’t either, who makes these decisions, anyway?) Well, but this is a good one, regardless of where it originated. We could all use more vitamins and minerals in our diets.

“American Idol” finalist and Cohoes nativre Madison VanDenburg, along with Moriah Formica, are hitting the Times-Union Center stage on Friday, June 28.

More palace intrigue across the pond.

(Photo credit: Fred Coffey).