May 17, 2013 — ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) State labor officials say New York's unemployment rate dropped to 7.8 percent in April, the lowest since the end of the Great Recession in 2009.

They say preliminary U.S. Department of Labor statistics show the rate fell from 8.2 percent in March and 8.6 percent a year earlier.  Go to full article

May 17, 2013 — Assembly Speaker Silver proposes a full investigative report and removal of Assemblyman Lopez. Financial disclosure report finds Cuomo's assets range from $1.8 to $2.1 million. New York's power grid is read to tackle the summer heat. Colgate University returns aboriginal art to children in Australia.

A new boat launch is set to be built at the base of the new Champlain Bridge. The provincial government is set to help 13 municipalities rebuild and recover from floods.  Go to full article

May 16, 2013 — Fatal ATV crash kills northern New York man. 150th anniversary of thoroughbred racing set to take place in Saratoga. Staten Island DA finds Lopez's conduct alarming, but not criminal. Two victims of sexual harassment speak out in the Lopez case. Assemblyman Silver repeats call for Lopez to resign. New York man dies from cocaine overdose while in police custody. New York driver charged with reckless driving receives probation.

Funeral set for Army Staff Sgt. Francis Gene Phillips IV of the Finger Lakes. Schumer says he backs doubling of a student loan interest rate. New York State Police will honor members with ceremony in Albany. Judge tosses lawsuit to stop the treatment of sludge. Demolition of Albany church tower delayed due to vandalism. Burlington's Fletcher Allen Health Care seeks permission for construction. Lawyers and workers walk off the job in contract dispute in New York City.  Go to full article

May 15, 2013 — ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Gun owners in New York who don't want their registration information available to the public are facing a deadline to file an exemption form with local licensing authorities.

Starting Wednesday, the records of anyone who has asked to be exempt from the state Freedom of Information Law will be kept secret.

But the information will be available for gun owners who haven't acted.  Go to full article

May 15, 2013 — Albany Mayor Jennings will not run for sixth term after nearly 20 years in office. New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan discusses Cuomo's stance on abortion rights. Governor Cuomo will set aside at least $80 million for local cities and counties.

Record low hay levels, but strong winter wheat levels in New York. Robot submarine duo set to analyze the health of Lake Ontario. Supporters of Ultimate Fighting push for legalization in New York State. Mans body found on the shore of northern New York pond.  Go to full article

May 14, 2013 — United States Representative Peter Welch of Vermont to discuss importance of farm bill. Vermont lawmakers hope for approval of the general fund budget.

Governor Andrew Cuomo and ex-wife Kennedy push for farm workers rights. Leonard admits to death threat of a Skidmore college student. Finger Lakes are set to honor fallen soldier with funeral plans set. Cooperstown Central School changes name to Hawkeyes for $10K thanks to Oneida Indians.  Go to full article

May 13, 2013 — Advocates for NY farmworkers plan rally for collective bargaining rights. Ex-Penn St head was top paid among public colleges. NY groups hold cleanup events in Hudson Valley.

Cavendish, VT plans a museum honoring former resident and dissident Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn. Vermont Corrections Dept. will hold toe-hall style meetings via viseo to get feedback from public. The Vermont legislative session has been extended beyond a hoped for Friday end.  Go to full article

May 10, 2013 — Former NY prison camp gets $241,000 auction bid. Ex-state lawmaker gets 1 year in NYC fraud case. Lawmakers go undercover in NY corruption probe. EPA, other US agencies expand urban waters effort.

Vt. US Rep. to talk of need to reform ethanol law. Vermont Senate to take up campaign finance. Provincial parks open in southern Ontario.  Go to full article

May 09, 2013 — ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Motorists who travel the New York State Thruway are being advised to be alert for deer on the highway this spring.

The Thruway Authority and state police Troop T have issued their semi-annual "antler alert" to remind motorists that deer are more active in May and June. Officials say the most deer-vehicle collisions on the Thruway occur during the next two months and October through November.  Go to full article

May 09, 2013 — Gov. proposes that casino revenues be spread around the surrounding counties. The body of Edward Whitfield III, who drowned in the Black River during the unsuccessful rescue of a child, has been found. Limited racing is back at Vernon Downs following a quarantine on sick horses.

Phillipine authorities are seeking the extradition of a former Marine arrested in connection to a double murder. A Keeseville man is convicted in a fatal 2012 assault. A Schuyler County jury has convicted a woman in a shotgun slaying in Dix. Two NYers have plead guilty to a string of bank robberies across NY and Massachusetts.  Go to full article