The U.S. Justice Department appointed John A. Sarcone III as first assistant district attorney of New York’s Northern District this week, which effectively makes him the region’s top prosecutor, at least temporarily. The move comes after a panel of federal judges declined to appoint him to the role permanently. Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and Managing Editor Brendan Lyons discuss the appointment, and some of the recent reporting on Sarcone.

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David Wain and Ken Marino are names you may recognize from their many movie and TV credits, including the “Wet Hot American Summer” franchise, “The Residence” on Netflix, and MTV’s ‘90s sketch comedy show “The State.” Their latest venture is something a little different—they formed a garage band during the pandemic, and their jam session videos took off on YouTube. Now, “Middle Aged Dad Jam Band” is touring the country, performing covers of popular ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s songs. They’re headed to Albany for Alive at Five on July 17, and Wain and Marino join Arts and Entertainment Editor Rick Marshall for a little preview.

Also on this episode, reporter Ashley Soebroto talks about the latest trends in New York state population data. 

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Democrats Dorcey Applyrs and Zohran Mamdani had decisive victories in the contentious Albany and New York City mayoral primaries on June 24. Times Union editor Casey Seiler, columnist Chris Churchill and reporter Steve Hughes discuss the biggest surprises about the results, and the implications of those wins.

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A news anchor went viral last week when she delivered the news while in labor with her first child. The Times Union’s Kristi Gustafson Barlette discusses that story and recent others in the local TV news industry.

Also on this episode, Hudson Valley reporter Maria Silva talks about the remarkable life story of the owner of Kingston’s oldest Chinese restaurant.

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In April 2025, Keri Mazzuca was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 1997 death of her newborn, whose remains she left in Washington Park. The case of Baby Moses had been unsolved for decades before DNA analysis in 2024 identified Mazzuca as the mother. Prosecutors released video of her 2024 confession to police this week. On this episode, Managing Editor Brendan Lyons speaks with former Albany City Deputy Police Chief Steve Reilly, who responded to the call the day the remains were found in the park, and who investigated the case for many years.

Also on this episode, Managing Editor Sara Tracey gives us the highlights from this year’s Best of the Capital Region.

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On the night of May 2, 2024, police forcibly removed an encampment of students, faculty and community members protesting the war in Gaza at SUNY New Paltz. It was the largest encampment clearing on a state university campus, and 130 people were arrested. Four student journalists reported on the events of that night for the school’s newspaper, The Oracle. On this episode of they join the Times Union’s Phillip Pantuso to look back on that night, and how what happened has affected their lives, their career aspirations, and their campus.

Also on this episode, a teenager has been charged in the death of 14-year-old Samantha Humphrey in Schenectady. Reporter Paul Nelson gives us an update.

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Times Union business reporter Larry Rulison had a way more exciting week than you. He joins us this week on “The Eagle” to discuss his epic triumph on an episode of “Family Feud” that aired Tuesday. Also on this episode, our features editor Gary Hahn looks back on his impressive four-decade career with the paper.

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News that a biotechnology company is claiming to have brought back the long-extinct dire wolf got us thinking about creatures that used to roam upstate New York. Times Union reporter H. Rose Schneider joins us to talk about those critters, which include 8-foot-tall beavers, 10-foot-tall sloths, and some very dapper-looking waterfowl. Also on this episode, Capitol Confidential’s Dan Clark and Capitol Bureau reporter Raga Justin talk about what’s next for New York lawmakers now that they finally have a budget.

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This week, two local actors join us on the show to celebrate the Bard of Avon's 461st birthday. Also, education reporter Kathleen Moore discusses the latest shake up in the Capital Region higher education scene: the announcement that The Albany College of Pharmacy and Russell Save College intend to merge.

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The judge declared a mistrial after a jury couldn’t reach a unanimous decision in the trial of Edward Holley, the Middletown man accused of murdering 20-year-old Megan McDonald in 2003. Times Union reporter Lana Bellamy was in court every day of the 7-week trial, and joins us to go over how it all went down. Also on this episode, Capitol Confidential’s Dan Clark sits down with New York State Budget Director Blake Washington.

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