Brian Shields

It’s been said that death and taxes are the only two guarantees in life , but being unable to find a parking spot in the city in Albany is also certain. But for some city residents, who live near the state capitol and the empire state plaza, which will change next month. After almost two decades of discussion, debate and court challenges, Albany will implement a permit system in certain designated areas, beginning January 15th.  Albany city clerk Nala Woodard is in charge of getting distributing parking permits for the new system.

Several lower courts have ruled against it, saying it is un-constitutional, but the nation’s highest court will take up a challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act, a law passed by congress in 1996 that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. New York is among a handful of states that have legalized same sex marriage, and the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court will be watched very closely in New York. George Simpson, spokesman for Empire State Pride Agenda, spoke about the issues under review by the court with WAMC’s Brian Shields.

Republican New York State Assemblyman Steven McLaughlin claimed victory on election night, but his opponent, Democratic challenger Cheryl Roberts did not concede right away,  waiting for absentee ballots to be counted. Roberts has now admitted defeat, and McLaughlin says he is ready for a new two year term representing New York’s 107th Assembly District which includes Washington, Rensselaer and Columbia Counties. Speaking with WAMC’s Brian Shields, he says recent events have changed the agenda for January.

Education and business officials came together today in Saratoga County with the high tech future in mind.  GlobalFoundries and the Center for Economic Growth organized the meeting at the Saratoga Technology and Energy Park to develop a regional 13 county laboratory to promote the future of an educational system that must meet the needs of a growing technology sector. Michael Tucker is the CEO and executive director of the Center for Economic Growth. He spoke with WAMC’s Brian Shields.

If high school students could vote, President Barack Obama would sail to an easy re-election. A mock vote was held at 130 high schools across the country, and on Sunday night, the votes were counted. Obama received 50 percent of the vote and 316 electoral votes, while Mitt Romney took 41 percent of the popular vote, and 208 electoral votes. This mock election has been held every four years since 1988. It was organized by Jim Shea a teacher at Northfield-Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts. He spoke with WAMC’s Brian Shields.

Voters in Saratoga Springs will vote tomorrow on how the city government will be structured. A charter change is on the ballot. Voters can stay with the current commissioner form of government or decide to change to a council-manager form of government. For more on the charter question, WAMC’s Brian Shields spoke with Saratogian city desk reporter Lucian McCarty.

Here's the latest forecast with News Channel 13 Meteorologist Paul Caiano.

WAMC's Brian Shields spoke with Massachusetts Rep. Richard Neal this afternoon for an update on storm preparations and response.

The New York State Attorney General and the office of the Albany County District Attorney will review the findings of a state audit that found highly questionable spending and expenses at the State University of New York Research Foundation.