Former Bishop talks publicly one way, a different way under oath
Despite writing an op-ed for the Times Union last August saying that the church did not know of the extent of child sexual abuse claims, to the contrary, disgraced former Bishop Howard Hubbard said under oath the previous April just how much he knew and did not report, a story in the Times Union reported over the weekend. The news comes as the courts released the transcripts in part because Hubbard was out publicly speaking about the matter.
Tax man cometh
New York State owes around $9.3 billion to the federal government to cover the pandemic-fueled unemployment insurance payout by the United States, the Albany Business Journal is reporting. New York has raised the unemployment insurance rates on businesses to the top end, up to $200 more per employee in taxes, in an attempt to pay back the federal government, the story says. The hitch: 32 other states have used COVID dollars to pay down the insurance costs.
Garden Expo returns
Sunday saw the return of the Capital Region Flower and Garden Expo, the Daily Gazette reports. About 160 vendors hit the Hudson Valley Community College campus in Troy. The pandemic shuttered the event for two years. The three-day event ran Friday through Sunday and attracted thousands, the story says.
Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge 161 makes history
The Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge made a historic change by naming its first Black woman to lead it. The group was once a white-male-only organization, and the first Black man only joined four years ago, a story in the Times Union says. Dora Lee Stanley will become the Exalted Ruler and a Black man, Kendall Hicks, will assume the second in charge position, the Esteemed Leading Knight. The Elks dates from the 1860s and allowed Black men in the 1970s. Ten years ago the local organization opened their full ranks to women, the story says.
Wheat, soy cause recall in ready-to-eat meals
The ingredients list on some ready-to-eat chicken breast meals at Hannaford grocery stores were not properly labeled; wheat and soy allergens were left off the labels. Hannaford has recalled them, according to a story in the Times Union. This applies to the 11.55 ounce “freshly made meal chicken breast” purchased from March 19 to 22. Look for the codes of TFNE078, TFNE079, TFNE080, and TFNE081, the story says.
Trumpers support Hochul, too
Billionaires, real estate developers and others who donated millions to former Republican President Donald Trump also gave about $870,000 to Gov. Kathy Hochul in her gubernatorial bid this year. This according to the watchdog network LittleSis, a story in the Times Union says. The governor is the Democratic nominee.