Morning Edition on WAMC

Spain's third largest lender, Bankia, is getting a $24 billion lifeline from the Spanish government. The move is a part of Madrid's effort to return some stability to the country's struggling financial sector.

Governor Andrew Cuomo gave a rousing speech at a meeting of the State Democratic Party, but stopped short of endorsing a democratic take over of the State Senate. At the meeting, the new co chairs of the party, chosen by Cuomo, were introduced.  Capitol Correspondent Karen DeWitt reports...

The State’s second most powerful Democrat, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, was among the warm up acts for Governor Cuomo’s address before a meeting of the State Democratic Party.

The New York Yankees say they aren't for sale. WAMC's Dave Lucas reports… 

The Daily News reported Thursday that there were rumors in Major League Baseball and New York banking circles that the Steinbrenner family "is exploring the possibility of selling the Yankees."

Not so, says Yankees managing partner Hal Steinbrenner. He says the idea of a Yankees sale is "pure fiction" and "I expect that the Yankees will be in my family for many years to come."

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin says he supports a plan to bring F-35 fighter jets to the Air National Guard base at the Burlington International Airport.  WAMC’s North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley reports…

Shumlin says Vermont should be honored to host the F-35. He calls it a commentary on the quality of the Vermont National Guard.

The Air Force is considering a proposal to base between 18 and 24 of the planes in South Burlington.

Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another jogged around the 1½-mile Belmont Park oval for a second day in a row and is scheduled to resume galloping on today.  WAMC’s Dave Lucas reports…

The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner will attempt to become the 12th Triple Crown winner in the Belmont Stakes on June 9.

The colt's assistant trainer Jack Sisterson said Thursday "he gets over the track fantastic, he looked super, his energy level is high and he's doing everything we want to see him doing."

The vice chairwoman of Rhode Island’s economic development agency has resigned, becoming the second official there to step down as the agency grapples with the future of former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's troubled video gaming company. WAMC’s Lucas Willard reports…

Economic Development Corp. Vice Chairwoman Helena Foulkes said in a statement Thursday she spoke with Governor Lincoln Chafee and that thinks it's best that she resign.

She said she wished him luck "in this very difficult challenge."

A spokeswoman for Chafee had no immediate comment.

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Renee Montagne. A Memorial Day weekend combines honoring those who served with backyard barbecues. And some are getting an early start. Police in Boxford, Massachusetts responded to a call about six party crashers - cows. The Tri-Town Transcript reports the cows crashed a backyard gathering, chased away partiers, and drank their beer. Said a police sergeant, the thirsty cows, quote, "just went in and helped themselves." It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright National Public Radio.

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Authorities in New York City say they've cracked a 33-year-old case that helped focus national attention on missing children — the disappearance of Etan Patz.  WAMC’s Tristan O’Neill reports…

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly announced Thursday that 51-year-old Pedro Hernandez has been arrested on a murder charge. He’s awaiting arraignment.  It was the first arrest ever in the 1979 case.

Kelly says Hernandez confessed to choking the boy and putting his body in the trash.

Listen to Paul Caiano's WAMC Regional forecast.  Paul Caianois a meteorologist at WNYT Newschannel 13. He graduated from SUNY Albany in May of 1993 with a B.S. in the field of Atmospheric Science/Meteorology.