Times Union 2016 Top Stories Survey

POLITICAL CORRUPTION
Top state government insiders and business development executives, including SUNY Poly president Alain Kaloyeros and president of Columbia Development Corp., Joseph Nicolla, indicted in pay-to-play corruption probe, scorching Gov. Andrew Cuomo's hallmark upstate economic initiatives.
http://www.timesunion.com/corruption/

UALBANY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
Playing in the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season, the University at Albany women’s basketball team rallies in the fourth quarter to pull off a stunning upset of University of Florida in the first round, giving the Great Danes their first ever NCAA Tournament win in March 2016
Pete Iorizzo: UAlbany women's basketball celebrates historic NCAA Tournament win

LAKE GEORGE FATAL BOAT CRASH
8-year-old killed in hit-and-run Lake George boat crash; 5 face charges, July 2016:
1 killed,1 injured in Lake George boat crash
Five charged in fatal Lake George boat crash

MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Medical marijuana goes on sale in New York, program is slow to take off – but state is seeking to expand program, beginning Jan. 2016.
New York looks to medical marijuana expansion
Sales off to a sluggish start
State could license more medical marijuana firms

PFOA
A U.S. congressional committee has launched an investigation into the state and federal governments' handling of the widespread contamination of public and private water supplies in Hoosick Falls and other areas of eastern Rensselaer County.
http://www.timesunion.com/environment/

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES IN CAPITAL REGION
On April 11 presidential candidates Bernie Sanders, John Kasich and Donald Trump come to the Capital Region, not long after Hillary Clinton and Ted Cruz visited.
Albany is epicenter for Trump, Sanders, Kasich

UALBANY BUS ATTACK
Three female students face charges for falsely reporting an allegedly racial attack on late-night CDTA bus ride back to campus.
Charges filed against UAlbany students who claimed bias attack

DISTRICT ATTORNEY UNDER FIRE
Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove has had a year of turmoil and could face removal by the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo after a series of apparent missteps. These include his handling of a case in which a Troy police officer fatally shot an unarmed man, his alleged politically motivated treatment of defendants involved in the leak of a 911 call; and the dismissal of felony cases because his office failed to meet state speedy trial deadlines.
Judge tosses Abelove off case
Attorney general seeks probe of Rensselaer County DA
Failure to indict ends 3 Rensselaer felony cases

CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE
Water main and sinkhole woes plague Troy and Albany, beginning in Jan. 2016
Albany water repairs done
Troy water main break highlights infrastructure issues

TALK OF PRICE CHOPPER SALE
Reuters news reports Schenectady-based Price Chopper chain is in “advanced” talks to sell the company to Albertsons Cos. for $1 billion.
Price Chopper on block for $1B
Churchill: Price Chopper sale would be terrible

$15 MINIMUM WAGE IN NEW YORK
The fight for $15 minimum wage prevails, moving New York ahead of every state save California in the initiative. It was approved by the legislature with the passage of the state budget.
Assembly castsfinal votes on New York budget

MURDER-SUICIDE IN COLONIE
Colonie police officer Israel Roman kills his wife, son and himself, then sets house on fire in February.
Sources: Colonie officer despondent before killing wife, son

SA’FYRE THANKS COMMUNITY MEMBERS
In July, fire victim Sa’fyre Terry thanks law enforcement officers, civilians for efforts in sifting through thousands of Christmas and gift cards. Her mother and St. Johnsville man Edward Leon were sentenced to prison for perjury in the case of the 2013 fire that killed Sa’fyre’s siblings and father.
Sa'fyre Terry thanks State Police for help

Times Union 2016 Top Stories

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* What other story do you think ranks as the top story of 2016?