Noah Zweifel reports in the Altamont Enterprise that Democrats in Berne in southern Albany County aren't bothering with this year's election. The Berne Democratic Committee decided not to endorse any candidates in this year's election. They are not running any candidates even though they claim that the current Republican-controlled town board, “has not followed the law and has shown no regard for working with all members of the board.” There are only two town board seats and a justice position in this year's election, so Democrats are saying they are not running any candidates because they could not win a majority even if all their candidates won. A statement from Berne Democrats says, “It is not possible to make changes by running candidates this November with the limited Town Board seats that are available.... This is because this board has disregarded town code, state law, improperly managed town finances as certified by the Comptroller of NY, and has taken constitutional protections away from every citizen of Berne — all by showing that they will not work together for the betterment of the town and follow the law." So, instead, Democrats are planning for the 2025 election. Berne Republicans endorsed incumbent Al Thiem and planning board chair Joe Martin for town board, and Jeff Harvey for justice in this year's election. Read the full story in the Altamont Enterprise.

Michael Mahar reports at News10 that beginning July 24, the Adirondack Amtrak train will only operate between New York City and Saratoga Springs, and not go to Montreal. Currently, Canada has heat restrictions in place limiting trains within Canada to 10 miles per hour for up to 40 miles. The train service is not anticipated to return until mid-September, unless the heat restrictions are lifted before then. See the full story at the News10 website.

Nick Reisman reports at New York State of Politics that New York lawmakers are discussing increasing penalties for shoplifting. State Assemblyperson Angelo Santabarbara, a Democrat, said, "Repeat shoplifting is a significant concern affecting our community's businesses and burdening law-abiding families with higher prices.... This legislation ensures that repeat offenders are held accountable for their actions and, hopefully, serves as a strong deterrent against shoplifting in our state." His bill would bump repeat offenders who have been convicted of petty larceny twice within the last three months or three times a year up to fourth-degree grand larceny, a felony. State Sen. Jake Ashby, a Republican who represents part of Rensselaer County, is co-sponsoring the bill. Crime was a large issue in the 2022 Congressional elections in New York. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

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Andrea Macko reports for Porcupine Soup that it is now official, an extended, 20-year tax break has been given to the New Athens Generating Company, commonly referred to as Athens Gen. Usually, tax breaks are given to companies to lure them to an area, but Athens Gen power plant has been getting a tax break from Greene County for years. Even though members of the public consistently showed up against the tax break at several public hearings, the Town of Athens, the Catskill Central School District, the Greene County Legislature, and the Greene County Industrial Development Agency all signed off on the tax break. The story does not say how much less Athens Gen is paying in taxes. Greene County Legislator Ed Bloomer was just about the only local official to oppose the project, even though he did not. While he voted no, he said he favored the tax break. Bloomer said, “If this PILOT goes forward, I feel it would be a positive benefit for all parties. I think it is the best way to go… There is a significant volume of people in Athens who disagree with that―people I respect, being far more learned than I am. I want to honor their voice. I vote a reluctant no.” Read the full story in Porcupine Soup.

Steve Hughes reports in the Times Union that Albany County Executive Dan McCoy and Sheriff Craig Apple are up for reelection this fall, but have no primary or general election opponents. That has not stopped them from raising money. Together, McCoy and Apple have more than $1 million to spend on future campaigns. Apple has $646,025 in his last campaign finance filings with the state. McCoy, a Democrat, has $378,223. Apple says he is prepared for when he does have an opponent, saying, “A sheriff's race years ago was probably on the highest, most competitive end was like 80 to 100 grand.... Now in Albany County, if you have an opponent, you're going to drop $250 to $300 (thousand) in a New York minute." McCoy agreed saying, “I'm always prepared. I get ready for the worst-case scenario, and I don't take it for granted.... And I like to campaign. I like to get out there and put my message out to the people.” Read the full story in the Times Union.

Kevin Frey reports for New York State of Politics that Amtrak officials are warning that if a Republican-backed plan in Washington becomes law there will be reduced or suspended services. A budget bill approved by a Republican-led House committee last week would cut Amtrak's federal funding next year by nearly two-thirds, or about $1.6 billion. Even some New York Republicans are sounding the alarm about the bill. Long Island Rep. Andrew Garbarino said he was "concerned," and that, “​​I and other New Yorkers in Congress are actively engaging in discussions with Appropriations staff and Members on the topic.” Amtrak's Northeast Corridor would lose about $1 billion in funding, according to a Democratic aide. Suffolk County Republican Rep. Nick LaLota said, “I will not be a part of another attempt to screw New York. I am looking forward to a lively amendment process to right some of these wrongs.” Even far-right Republican Elise Stefanik said there will be “a significant amendment process” on the House floor for this bill. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

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Andrea Macko reports for Porcupine Soup that Republicans Marc Molinaro and Elise Stefanik and Democrat Pat Ryan voted for a bill that prohibits schools from being used as shelters for migrants, while Democrat Paul Tonko voted against. Molinaro said, "Schools are places for academics, athletics, community services, and places where children like mine receive vital therapy. They are not migrant shelters." The bill does not ban using schools as shelters for other reasons, such as weather emergencies. It also has very little chance of ever becoming law by passing the Senate and getting the president's signature. Ryan was among only four Democrats voting for the proposal, and Molinaro sponsored the bill. The White House released a statement saying the bill, "would supersede local control, interfering with the ability of States and municipalities to effectively govern and make decisions about their school buildings.” Republicans usually favor local control and less federal regulation, but not this time. Read more about this story at Porcupine Soup.

Nick Reisman reports at New York State of Politics that Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration announced this week $15 million to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure in New York. But some activists don't think Hochul is doing enough to fight climate change. Alex Beauchamp of Food and Water Watch says, "Climate change is already here and we're already to paying for it.... So, not only do we need to move the state off fossil fuels, we also need an enormous amount of money to deal with the impacts of climate change that are already here and are going to get worse." NYPIRG's Blair Horner wants a bill passed forcing companies deemed responsible for pollution to pay to pay for the necessary infrastructure changes. "They're responsible.... They lied about the threat, undermined the science and bamboozled the public and now we're going to pay the price." Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

Jesse McKinley reports in The New York Times that next month British endurance athlete Lewis Pugh plans to swim the entire 315-mile length of the Hudson River from the Adirondacks to New York City. Pugh said, “I’ve been looking for a river for many, many years which could tell the story about all rivers.... And always, every single time, it comes back to the Hudson.” Pugh has previously swam the 325-mile English Channel. He could catch possible infections from everything from “human sewage and rat infestation” to poisoning from mercury left over from the Hudson’s industrial past. Pugh says he thinks the Hudson River is much less polluted now than in the past. “It shows how a river can be misused and then cared for and turn around its fate.... And so it gives hope to people who live on the Ganges, the people who live on the Yangtze, the Nile, the Seine or here in England on the River Thames. That your river can be saved.” Read the full story in The New York Times.

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Joshua Solomon reports for the Times Union that with few businesses or communities willing to build new, much-needed affordable housing, Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to turn the former Downstate Correctional Facility in Fishkill in Dutchess County into a residential development. Developers could get up to $8 million in state grants to turn the 80-acre site from a maximum-security facility with space for 1,200 inmates into a housing development at least 20 percent affordable housing units. The site is near a retail distribution center for GAP, Inc., a minor league baseball stadium, and a semiconductor business. Fishkill is four miles north of Beacon and 14 miles south of Poughkeepsie, where there are Metro-North railroad stops. New York began taking bids from developers on July 20. Read more about this story in the Times Union.

Mid-Hudson News reports that after a Wall Street Journal story said hundreds of communities across the country including Wappingers Falls in Dutchess County have lead telecommunications cables leaching into the ground Congressperson Pat Ryan and Governor Kathy Hochul are upset. Both are demanding telecommunications companies remove lead cables from around the country. Ryan, who represents the 18th Congressional District, has written to the CEOs of Verizon, AT&T, and US Telecom requesting they remove the toxic lead cables. In Wappingers Falls one lead cable runs along the perimeter of a children’s playground and basketball court. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that children avoid soil containing more than 400 parts of lead per million, but samples taken on the local playground tested at 850 parts per million. Hochul has ordered an investigation into the issue, and closed the Wappingers Falls park while the soil there goes under further testing. Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.

Nick Reisman reports for New York State of Politics that many Republicans in the state Legislature want to ban smoking cannabis in public places in New York, after two years of legalization with few stores open for sales. State Sen. George Borrello said, “State residents, including children, are now regularly assailed with the pungent odor of marijuana on public sidewalks, in parking lots and other public spaces.... Many New Yorkers don’t want to be exposed to either the effects of marijuana smoke or its smell and don’t want their children subjected to it." State cannabis regulators announced a process this week to sell cannabis at large events and festivals, as they get continued criticism for the slow rollout of stores. Republicans want to fine folks smoking cannabis in public up to $125. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.

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Adam Reiss and Rebecca Shabad reports for NBC News that after former President Donald Trump announced earlier this week that he got a letter saying he will likely be indicted for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection he called Rep. Elise Stefanik. Trump called House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Stefanik, who represents the 21st Congressional District in New York including Rensselaer County, and asked them to rally support from other House members. Stefanik has endorsed Trump in his re-election campaign. After the call from Trump, Stefanik said, "We have yet again another example of Joe Biden’s weaponized Department of Justice targeting his top political opponent, Donald Trump." Read more about this story at the NBC News website.

H. Rose Schneider reports in the Times Union that after a few days of sunshine, there is another flood watch issued for the area on July 21 as more showers and thunderstorms are expected in the area. The flood watch is from noon Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday. Kevin Lipton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albany, said one to three inches of rain could fall. Local downpours could cause flooding situations. That happened on July 18, when 5,000 Albany County residents lost power after severe, but brief, afternoon storms passed through the area. There might be a few more showers Saturday. But then Lipton says, "We'll at least have a two-day period where we won't have to worry about significant flooding issues." Read more about this story in the Times Union.