Dave Lucas

Albany

Capital Region Bureau Chief at WAMC, Northeast Public Radio

🎙Broadcast Journalist | Legacy Blue Checkmarked. I ♡ pop culture, crypto Apasionada por la Música y las Fotos! If twitter feed stops go to my WordPress site!

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Articles

Bethlehem Town Supervisor expects federal funding to continue, but anticipates challenging 2026

2 weeks ago | wamc.org | Dave Lucas

In the midst of national economic uncertainty, the leader of Bethlehem says the Albany County town is doing well — for now. Since giving his eighth State of the Town address in January, Supervisor David VanLuven says Bethlehem continues to experience positive changes. At the beginning of the year, the town's water supply was making a difficult comeback after an October algae bloom had settled on the 165-acre Vly Creek Reservoir.
CDPHP faces backlash over withholding provider payments

2 weeks ago | wamc.org | Dave Lucas

The Medical Society of the State of New York is accusing a major health insurer of withholding payments. According to the Society’s Executive Vice President Dr. Thomas Lee, the organization is taking Albany's not-for-profit Capital District Physicians' Health Plan to task for withholding tens of millions of dollars owed to community-based medical practices.
Charter change effort in Hudson would dramatically change mayor’s role

3 weeks ago | wamc.org | Dave Lucas

A public hearing was held Monday night in Hudson on a petition to revise the city charter. In March, the group Hudson Charter Change filed a petition with the city clerk to amend the city charter. 240 residents signed the document detailing proposed changes, including establishing a city manager-led government. The filing gives the Common Council 60 days to act. Monday night the council heard public comment.
Albany mayor, police chief hold latest public conversation as series continues

3 weeks ago | wamc.org | Dave Lucas

Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Police Chief Brendan Cox are continuing a series of "community conversations" about building safer neighborhoods in Albany. Tuesday night's gathering at New Scotland Elementary School was the third of seven. "I'm going to start off by saying simply this. Any shot that is fired in our city is one too many," said Cox, who came back on the force for a second stint as chief for this last year of Mayor Sheehan’s term.
Future of ADU policies remains in flux in the city of Albany

3 weeks ago | wamc.org | Dave Lucas

The Albany Common Council continues to examine a proposed change to existing law that would eliminate single-family home zoning throughout the city. Opting to not "wait for federal and state action," 10th ward councilor Owusu Anane is lead sponsor of a measure green-lighting construction of Accessory Dwelling Units. Anane says allowing higher-density housing would offset the shortage of housing opportunities citywide.
RPI debuts new nuclear training center

3 weeks ago | wamc.org | Dave Lucas

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has taken the wraps off a state-of-the-art nuclear training center. RPI has unveiled its Energy Exploration (E2) Center at the Jonsson Engineering Center. The lab offers students preparing for careers in the field of nuclear energy hands-on training, allowing them to operate a virtual nuclear plant in a simulated control room. It will be used to enhance undergraduate courses.
Capital Region lawmakers seek parity for firefighters at military facilities

4 weeks ago | wamc.org | Dave Lucas

State lawmakers are pushing for pension parity for military firefighters to be included in New York’s next budget. Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, Senator Pat Fahy and Senator James Skoufis are backing new legislation that ensures military firefighters receive the same benefits as their municipal counterparts.
Cancer diagnosis forces Albany mayoral candidate to exit race

4 weeks ago | wamc.org | Dave Lucas

An Albany mayoral candidate is withdrawing from the race. Independent candidate Michael Crook says he's pulling out after receiving a diagnosis of end stage type IV colorectal cancer. Crook tells WAMC the right thing to do is end his campaign immediately. "Basically I don't feel like moving forward. I'll be fair to the voters. I think the most responsible thing is to step back and let the voters choose a candidate who can effectively the serve their term," said Crook.
Albany leaders mark Medal of Honor Day by opposing Trump administration’s move to minimize local hero Henry Johnson

1 month ago | wamc.org | Dave Lucas

Leaders in Albany are raising alarm about what they say appears to be an effort by the Trump administration to diminish the legacy of local hero Sergeant Henry Johnson. In 1991, Congress declared March 25th as National Medal of Honor Day. At the Henry Johnson monument in Washington Park, Mayor Kathy Sheehan spoke as part of a press conference about the U.S. military's removal of a webpage honoring the 2023 renaming of Fort Polk after World War I soldier Henry Johnson.
St. Clare’s pensioners renew their calls on New York state lawmakers for help as limbo continues

1 month ago | wamc.org | Dave Lucas

Former workers at St. Clare’s Hospital are asking Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers for help — again. St. Clare’s Hospital Pension Recovery Alliance Chair Mary Hartshorne sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul and other electeds officials for a New York state budget allocation to restore the workers’ pension fund. Hartshorne has been a tireless advocate for those who worked alongside her at the former hospital in Schenectady.