Since 2010, New York State employees needed to provide 10 years of service in order to become eligible to collect pension benefits upon retirement. But tucked into the state’s $220 billion budget this April was a little surprise — now it’s only 5 years of service to become fully vested. The change means tens of thousands of current and former state workers may now be eligible for pension benefits.

On this episode of “The Eagle,” we talk to reporter Rick Karlin, who looked into these under-the-radar pension reforms.

Also on this episode, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler has the latest on Albany County’s first case of monkeypox, and shares where to go to beat the extreme heat around the Capital Region.

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Video of a Capital Region news anchor who appeared disheveled and incoherent during a live broadcast went viral last week. CBS6 anchor Heather Kovar blamed exhaustion and sleep-deprivation for her peculiar behavior on air, and the station has suspended her from anchoring pending an investigation.

On this episode of "The Eagle," Kristi Gustafson Barlette explains her take on the situation, and how it may be a sign of something more problematic within the local TV news industry.

Also on this episode, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler goes over the week's top headlines, which include news of the state's top judge stepping down, and the choice of Saratoga county for distribution of the monkey pox vaccine.

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The Times Union was ready for its close-up last week when the production of "Mother's Milk," an upcoming film starring Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank, took over the the newsroom for a day of filming. The gritty noir-thriller casts Swank as a Times Union reporter whose life and work are inextricably tied to the worsening opioid epidemic gripping the nation in 2016.

On this episode of "The Eagle," we'll get a glimpse behind the scenes from Editor Casey Seiler, who was present during filming in the newsroom.

Also on this episode, we'll take a look back at the groundbreaking stories of departing reporter Massarah Mikati, and we'll talk to Sacramento Kings' shooting guard Kevin Huerter.

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More than 400 victims of sexual abuse have filed claims against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany under New York's Child Victims Act. Some of those claims include allegations against the former leader of the diocese, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard. 

On this episode of "The Eagle," Investigations Editor Brendan Lyons talks about the latest allegations leveled against Hubbard by two brothers from Warren county. (This segment contains descriptions of situations that may be disturbing for some. Please listen with care.)

Also on this episode, we'll go over the results of the gubernatorial primary and discuss the sudden movement in a decades-old cold case.

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The circumstances surrounding the killing of a Black transgender woman in her Albany apartment last month thus far are shrouded in mystery. Investigators have made very few details public, other than to say 30-year-old Ahsid Hemingway-Powell was murdered. 

On this episode of "The Eagle," we'll learn more about Hemingway-Powell's life and the investigation of her death.

Also on this episode, we'll discuss the U.S. Supreme Court ruling handed down this week that struck down New York's concealed carry restrictions.

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Atypical animal news continues to feed Capital Region headlines, with an alleged mountain lion sighting and a high court ruling denying the “personhood” of an elephant.

On this episode of “The Eagle,” we’ll talk about those headlines, and preview the upcoming primary election in New York.

Also on this episode, we’ll talk to local BIPOC LGBTQ activist Tandra LaGrone, and we’ll bid farewell to a beloved Hearst Fellow.

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Activists released hundreds of cockroaches in an Albany courtroom this week, causing a scene that shuttered proceedings and went viral. 

That is one of the more unique headlines we've seen in the newsroom and we'll discuss it on this episode of "The Eagle."

We'll also hear from Capital Pride Center leader Nathaniel Gray as Pride celebrations commence across the region, and we'll learn about how a local cricket league is trying to grow the sport.

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As the legislative session ends in Albany, lawmakers made a final push to pass bills on gun restrictions and abortion rights. The former was a focused effort following a mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store, and the latter stemmed from a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade.

On this episode of "The Eagle" podcast, we talk to Times Union Capital Bureau reporter Joshua Solomon, who's been covering the end-of-session activity.

Also on this episode, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler discusses the commotion over a bear who wandered into the city of Albany this week.

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There are few annual traditions more beloved in Albany than the annual blossoming of hundreds of thousands of tulips in Washington Park each May. Tulip blooms are dazzlingly vibrant but short-lived, lasting mere weeks. But they are perennial plants, and there is gardening work to be done once they wilt and fade that will ensure they return next year.

On this episode of "The Eagle," Albany City Gardener Jena Commerford shares tips for tending tulips.

Also on this episode, education reporter Kathleen Moore discusses the results of local school board elections that saw a record voter turnout this week.

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Last year, 26-year-old Max Ledwidge jumped to his death at the Grand Canyon. His suicide was the climax of a mental unraveling that began as the pandemic took hold. The former software sales executive left his job in Boston and embarked on a cross-country spiritual odyssey that led him to the sleepy college town of Cobleskill, where a little-known religious order decided Ledwidge needed to undergo an exorcism.

On this episode of "The Eagle," Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and investigative reporter Chris Bragg delve into this strange and tragic tale.

Also on this episode, we talk to filmmaker John Holser, whose new documentary attempts to solve the century-old cold case murder in Rensselaer County that inspired the plot of "Twin Peaks."

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