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Capital Region News

NYS Assembly Advances Campaign Finance Reform

By • Apr 25, 2012

The State Assembly has introduced a bill to permit for the first time in New York State  voluntary public financing of some election campaigns.  Capitol Correspondent Karen DeWitt reports...

The Assembly bill would offer an optional public financing system for campaigns for state legislative and statewide offices, giving candidates six dollars for every one dollar in contributions. It is modeled after the New York City system and would be financed, in part, through a $5 check off option on state income taxes.  

Morning headlines with Judy Patrick of the Daily Gazette

By • Apr 25, 2012

WAMC's David Guistina gets the morning headlines from Judy Patrick, managing editor of the Daily Gazette.

Local salons and cosmetics going all-natural

By Elizabeth Conkey • Apr 24, 2012

As consumers demand more environmentally conscious products, companies have been responding with hybrid cars, green cleaning products, and organic food. The beauty industry is no different, and some salons and make-up lines are going “au naturel”. WAMC’s Elizabeth Conkey has more…

NY Voters Head to the Polls for Presidential Primary

By • Apr 24, 2012

New York’s Presidential primary is today, but the initial excitement over the vote vanished when Rick Santorum dropped out earlier this month. State GOP leaders say they are looking ahead to the general election instead.  Capitol Correspondent Karen DeWitt reports…

Morning headlines with Mike Spain of the Albany Times-Union

By • Apr 24, 2012

WAMC's David Guistina gets the morning headlines from Mike Spain, associate editor of the Albany Times-Union.

MMA Goes Another Round in NY

By • Apr 19, 2012
Silver
WAMC file photo

The effort to legalize mixed martial arts, also known as ultimate fighting, in New York, got a boost in the legislature Wednesday. The Senate passed a bill to legalize the sport, by a vote of 43 to 14, and the Speaker of the Assembly opened the door to possible approval in his house.  Capitol Correspondent Karen DeWitt reports…

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says he has “mixed feelings” about mixed martial arts.

NY Company That Makes Mushroom Packing Gets Award

By Tristan O'Neill • Apr 19, 2012

An upstate New York company that makes biodegradable packaging material from mushrooms is getting an award from the Environmental Protection Agency.  WAMC’s Tristan O’Neill reports…

EPA regional administrator Judith Enck will present an environmental leadership award today to Ecovative Design of Green Island, near Albany. The company uses the "roots" of the mushroom — called mycelium — and plant matter to make soft blocks that are used to cushion products ranging from computer servers to furniture.

Morning headlines with Judy Patrick of the Daily Gazette

By • Apr 18, 2012

WAMC's David Guistina gets the morning headlines from Judy Patrick, managing editor of the Daily Gazette.

Morning headlines with Mike Spain of the Albany Times-Union

By • Apr 17, 2012

WAMC's David Guistina gets the morning headlines from Mike Spain, associate editor of the Albany Times-Union.

Fire Damages Five Houses in Albany Neighborhood

By Tristan O'Neill • Apr 16, 2012

Authorities say at least five homes have been damaged by a three-alarm fire in an Albany neighborhood where the governor's mansion is located.  WAMC's Tristan O'Neill reports...

Officials say the fire broke out around 8 p.m. Sunday in a 19th-century home and quickly spread to neighboring three-story brownstones in the neighborhood known as the Mansion District. Nearby homes were evacuated as firefighters attacked what one resident called a "wall of flame."

Another resident, Barbara Tibbs, lives at 58 Park Avenue…

Cuomo Orders NY Health Insurance Exchange

By • Apr 13, 2012
Silver & Skelos

Governor Cuomo has issued an executive order to create a state health care exchange, required by the federal health care reform law, after the legislature failed to act.

Governor Cuomo Vetoes $640M of Legislative Member Items

By • Apr 12, 2012
New York State Capitol
Karen DeWitt

Governor Cuomo has vetoed over half a million dollars of legislative member items, saying he’s following through on a promise to ban the funds, which have been used in the past to finance lawmakers’ pet projects. 

Morning headlines with Judy Patrick of the Daily Gazette

By • Apr 11, 2012

WAMC's David Guistina gets the morning headlines from Judy Patrick, managing editor of the Daily Gazette.

NY Will Inspect Bus Lines with Poor Records More

By Tristan O'Neill • Apr 10, 2012

One of the smallest and most overlooked items in New York's new state budget just could be a life saver. WAMC's Dave Lucas reports...

Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature agreed to devote $1 million to change the way buses are inspected in New York following a bloody year on the road.

Instead of inspecting every bus several times a year, the state will switch to a "performance based" system in which companies with the worst safety records will be inspected more.

All companies will still get at least two inspections a year, even those with top safety records.

Promotional stunt for new SUNY Albany restaurant causes stir on campus

By Roy Frias • Apr 4, 2012

Blue Agave Mexican Grill opened last week in the campus center of the University at Albany.

The restaurant’s menu includes quesadillas and burritos. Student diners are giving the cuisine early positive reviews.

Despite praise for taste, the restaurant has also got the attention of students and faculty who are speaking out after a promotional event for the grill’s opening day.

Yampiero Polanco, University at Albany senior and President of Fuerza Latina, a student run education, and advocacy group focused on Latino culture described the promotion.

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