Mask mandate takes effect today
A mask mandate on all indoor spaces that allow access to the public starts today and runs through Jan. 15.
- Coverage in the Daily Gazette says the requirement is to have a mask mandate or enforce a vaccination plan with employees and visitors to the location.
- Coverage in the Times Union focuses on how companies would enforce the vaccination status of visitors.
- The Adirondack Daily Enterprise carried the AP’s story on the subject, and the story focuses on the infection rate in the state.
$100M in private investment, again
Distribution of alcohol and electrical components along with development of the Saratoga County waterfront have driven private investment in the county over the $100 million mark for the second year running, the Albany Business Journal reported over the weekend. The Saratoga Economic Development Corp. attracted more than $230 million over the past two years. Big projects: former Krause’s Restaurant; Arnoff Global Logistics campus in Malta; and a small handful of beer, auto parts and electrical components distributors, the story says.
Black market pot
California's "father" of legal cannabis tells the Albany Business Journal that the black market for pot is three times the size of the legal market, mainly because California over taxed and over-regulated the market, leaving space for the “legacy” underground market to thrive. A policy similar to the one that allows New York localities to “opt-out” of sales and on-site use, meant only 36% of the state allows legal pot. Steve DeAngelo, is urging New York to extend the time localities can decide until after the regulations come down from the state marijuana regulators so that they are not making decisions in a vacuum, the story says.
Proctor’s looking to 2023
Proctor’s Theatre in Schenectady hopes to see a better season starting in January but expects to be back to pre-pandemic levels by 2023, a story in Daily Gazette says. The theater's CEO made the remarks at a press event with U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who said $1.9 billion in aid to shuttered venues nationwide, including $39 million to stages in the Capital Region, the story says.
Luge! Winter Olympics!
American luge-racers finished fourth on Sunday afternoon in the Altenberg team relay, the Adirondack Daily Enterprise is reporting. Emily Sweeney, Jonny Gustafson, Chris Mazdzer and Jayson Terdiman came within 0.18 of a second from the podium near the Czech Republic and the team is fourth in the overall World Cup relay standings. Three races remain before individual racers qualify for the Winter Olympics, the story says.