The Associated Press reported in The Guardian that local poet John Ashbery died Sept. 3 in Hudson at age 90. His husband, David Kermani, attributed the death to natural causes. The story lists a few of his accomplishments: "Ashbery was the first living poet to have a volume published by the Library of America dedicated exclusively to his work. His 1975 collection, 'Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror,' was the rare winner of the American book world’s unofficial triple crown: the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the National Book Critics Circle prize. In 2011, he was given a National Humanities Medal." “No figure looms so large in American poetry over the past 50 years as John Ashbery,” Langdon Hammer wrote in the New York Times in 2008. “Ashbery’s phrases always feel newly minted; his poems emphasize verbal surprise and delight, not the ways that linguistic patterns restrict us.” Read the full story in The Guardian.

Brendan J. Lyons reports in the Albany Times-Union that Assemblyperson Steve McLaughlin, now running for the Republican nomination for Albany County Executive, has been accused of roughing up a female aide during a heated argument in early August. McLaughlin denies assaulting the woman, but admits he made several vulgar references to the aide during the argument. She remains on his taxpayer-supported payroll. The newspaper has an audio recording from after the incident, in which the aide says, “You put your hands on me for the last time today.... Did you ever think I was going to let you beat me up and get away with it?” McLaughlin then says: “I didn’t touch you. I didn’t (expletive) touch you.” The aide responds: “You didn’t? My earring shows different.” Republican Chris Meyer, currently deputy county executive, is competeing with McLaughlin in the Sept. 12 primary, with the winner facing Democrat Andrea Smyth in November on the Republican line. Read the full story in the Albany Times-Union.

Newsday reports that New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman warned consumers this weekend to be alert for gasoline price gouging in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. New York gas prices rose 23 cents to a two-year high this week as speculation over low fuel supplies because of flooded infrastructure near Houston. “Experience has shown that some gas station owners use severe storms as an opportunity to exploit consumers,” Schneiderman said in a statement. “We’ll hold accountable those who seek to capitalize on the storm at the expense of hardworking New York families.” Reports of price gouging should be made to the attorney general’s office at 1-800-771-7755 or go to www.ag.ny.gov/price-gouging-complaint-form.

H. Rose Schneider reports in The Altamont Enterprise that most elections in Rensselaerville in November will be contested, as both Democrats and Republicans have an almost full line of candidates. Current town supervisor Valerie Lounsbury is not running for re-election, and the GOP has not found a replacement candidate. The Democrats are running Steve Pfleging for supervisor. Republicans have nominated Randall Bates, an enrolled Conservative, for re-election as highway superintendent, while the Democrats do not offer a candidate to be in charge of the town roads. Democrats running for town council include Marie Dermody and Robert Tanner, while the Republicans are backing Jason Rauf and Marion Cooke. Republicans have also nominated Donna Kropp and Kathryn Wank as town assessors. Democrats are backing Michael Weber and Hebert Joseph for town assessor, and Victoria Kraker, the incumbent, for town clerk. Read the full story in The Altamont Enterprise.

Upstate Sports Zone reports scores from the first weekend of local high school football. It wasn't the best opening week for most local teams. Hudson High, for instance, opened its new field with a 34-0 loss to Glens Falls. Ichabod Crane was also shut out, 33-0 to Hudson Falls. Chatham was beat by Holy Trinity 13-6. Cairo-Durham lost 55-13 to Voorheesville, Taconic Hills lost to Watervilet 32-12, and Coxsackie-Athens just barely was beat by Tamarac, 34-32. Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk were the only local winners, with a 20-14 victory over Johnstown.