Toll booths at local bridges to have ads
The Daily Freeman was the first to run with the press release from the state Bridge Authority, which has authorized ads on all bridge tollbooths henceforth. Who's advertising? We'll have to get back to you on that...

IDA hopeful jobs program will flourish
The Daily Mail 's Colin DeVries has a story on how the new Excelsior Jobs Program has taken up where the Empire Zone Program left off, shifting funds from tax incentives to actual job creation, and checking in with Greene County IDA Chief Sandy Mathes on how things are going.

Fierro gets community service in harassment case
Jamie Larson of the Register-Star reports that Joseph Fierro, owner of the American Glory Barbecue restaurant, was found guilty of second-degree harassment for allegedly slapping musician Alexander Turnquist in the face at the Red Dot restaurant and bar, across the street from his establishment, last October. His sentence? 25 hours of community service. Turnquist has already served community service for an Oct. 13, 2010 incident where he was caught on surveillance camera placing a bag filled with dog feces in front of American Glory.

Teacher effectiveness goes to head of class
The Times Union reports about how the state Senate narrowly approved a Republican-sponsored bill reforming "last-in, first-out" protections for New York City's teachers, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled legislation that would speed up changes to the ways teachers are evaluated across the state from seniority to effectiveness standards. The leader of the powerful New York State United Teachers union called the Senate bill "horrific."

Taylor, Jacob’s Pillow to receive the National Medal of Arts
The Berkshire Eagle complements our scoop on Columbia County's Sonny Rollins getting a National Medal of Arts by reporting that their own region's James Taylor and Jacob's Pillow dance center will also be getting awards today at the White House. Other awardees are music producer Quincy Jones and poet Donald Hall.