Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration is in hot water as an FBI investigation launches into its handling of nursing homes and long-term care facilities in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. Times Union Capitol Bureau Managing Editor Brendan Lyons broke the story of the investigation this week, and reporters Amanda Fries and Ed McKinley have been covering the controversy surrounding COVID-19-related nursing home deaths in the state for months. On this episode of The Eagle, the trio discusses...
Feb 19, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 7
While Chinese communities in the Capital Region and around the world are welcoming the year of the Ox this week, the pandemic has complicated many elements of traditional Lunar New Year celebrations. Unable to travel to see family or host large gatherings, many say they are still celebrating on a smaller scale and staying home. On this episode of the Eagle, reporter Pete DeMola checks in with local Chinese families on how their holiday customs have been affected. Also on this episode, reporter W...
Feb 12, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 6
For the last century, the city of Albany, New York, has been ruled by Democrats—a powerful political machine that came to power in 1921, and at times determined the fate of politics well beyond its borders. It is older and longer than many famous Democratic dynasties in bigger cities like Chicago and Boston. In 2021 however, Albany is a very different city than it was in the 20th century. On this episode of The Eagle, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler sits down with columnist and historian Paul Gr...
Feb 05, 2021•40 min•Season 2Ep. 5
When cases of Jonas Salk's revolutionary polio vaccine arrived at Albany International Airport in the spring of 1955, it was a cause for celebration. On this episode of The Eagle, Times Union reporter C.J. Lais takes a look back at the rollout of the polio inoculation in the Capital Region, and how it parallels that of the COVID-19 vaccine nearly 70 years later. Also on this episode, Times Union Capitol Bureau reporters discuss Attorney General Letitia James' scathing report released this week s...
Jan 29, 2021•42 min•Season 2Ep. 4
We have a new president – and the first-ever female vice president. What comes next for the country, the state and the region? We'll soon find out. On this episode of The Eagle, Times Union Managing Editor of News Susan Mehalick says many New Yorkers are optimistic about the new administration in Washington. The inauguration also marked a first for the state: Sen. Charles E. Schumer, a Brooklynite, became the first Senate majority leader from New York. Plus, the coronavirus rages on in the Capit...
Jan 22, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 3
More than seven million New Yorkers are now eligible to sign up to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Among those eligible are first responders, teachers and individuals aged 65 and over. Vaccine distribution centers are opening across the state this week. On this episode of The Eagle, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler leads a discussion that explores why communities of color tend to have higher rates of distrust of vaccines and public medicine, and why overcoming those fears in the Capital Region a...
Jan 15, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 2
A day after a deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol, many New York lawmakers are calling for invoking the 25th Amendment against President Donald Trump. At the same time, other New York lawmakers were among those who voted against certifying President-elect Joe Biden's win. On this episode of The Eagle Times Union Editor Casey Seiler discusses what unfolded in Washington this week, and the ripple effects it's creating for New York and in the Capital Region. Also on this episode, a man in Saratoga Spri...
Jan 08, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 1
The year 2020 will go down in the history books as being a difficult one for many in the Capital Region. The pandemic affected nearly every aspect of life here in Upstate New York and beyond, and the future remain far from certain. On this episode of the Eagle, we'll take a look back at the Times Union's top stories of 2020. We'll also talk about this week's tribute to those in the region who succumbed to COVID-19 and hear from some of their loved ones. And finally, education reporter Rachel Sil...
Dec 30, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 40
It's been almost 200 years since "A Visit from St. Nicholas" - better known today as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" - was published in the Troy Sentinel on Dec. 23, 1823. Columnist Joyce Bassett shares the curious, local history of the now-famous poem. Are meal and grocery delivery drivers clocking more miles than Santa? Table Hopping's Steve Barnes spoke to locals who are providing this essential service during the pandemic. Editorial writer and editor Akum Norder shares adorable local lett...
Dec 24, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Albany teen Maliha Jackson wanted more than anything to attend a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the city this year. The pandemic, and her battle with end-stage kidney failure, made that difficult. But, not impossible. The Albany City School District and community members banded together to throw a surprise Christmas tree lighting just for the 14-year-old. Times Union reporter Eduardo Medina was there, and talks about covering this heartwarming story. Also on this episode, food writer Deanna...
Dec 11, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 37
America's first Treasury Secretary-turned-Broadway musical star Alexander Hamilton was back in the spotlight recently, but not for a flattering reason. New historical research from the Schuyler State Historic Site provides compelling evidence that this "Ten-dollar founding father without a father," whom historian Ron Chernow called an "uncompromising abolitionist," was in fact, a slave owner. Times Union columnist Paul Grondahl recently explored that research, by Schuyler Mansion interpreter Jes...
Dec 04, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 36
David Gordon runs the mobile lyricism program at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Capital Area. Over the summer, he bought a beat-up RV and converted it into a recording studio decked out with subwoofers, a soundproof recording booth and neon lights. Gordon’s goal was simple: to bring his lyricism program to the Capital Region kids who need it— particularly when the coronavirus pandemic hit. In this episode of The Eagle, Times Union reporter Massarah Mikati takes a peek inside the mobile studio. ...
Nov 27, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 35
A New York court is considering this week whether an elephant can be considered a person by law. The argument involves Happy, the last remaining elephant at the Bronx Zoo, and whether she should be granted legal personhood—which would subject her to habeas corpus and allow for her removal to an elephant sanctuary. Reporter Robert Gavin has been following the case, and discusses the unique legal argument in the case. Also on this episode, Times Union Capitol Bureau reporter Amanda Fries has an up...
Nov 20, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Twelve-year-old Isla Besha can pick up a copy of J.K. Rowling's new book, The Ickabog, open it to a certain page, and find an illustration she had drawn on a whim while looking for something to do during the pandemic lockdown. The middle school student in East Greenbush was one of a handful of children in North America chosen to illustrate Rowling's book, culled from more than 40,000 submissions. The Times Union's Kristi Gustafson Barlette had a chance to chat with Isla, and learn about her art....
Nov 13, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Election Day has come and gone, and Times Union Capitol Bureau reporters Amanda Fries, Edward McKinley and Chris Bragg offer a debrief of state-level election surprises and as-yet undecided races. Also on this episode, reporter Massarah Mikati visits a refugee family living in Albany to learn about the unique challenges their eight children face as both new English learners and remote students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 06, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 32
NXIVM leader Keith Raniere has been sentenced to 120 years in prison, doubling his lifetime and all but ensuring he will spend the rest of it behind bars. Times Union reporter Rob Gavin was in the federal courtroom for the sentencing this week, and recounts the experience and reaction from victims who gave powerful impact statements. Also on this episode, Managing Editor Brendan Lyons talks about breaking the story of the arrest of a New York State Assembly aide this week who led a secret double...
Oct 30, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Almost 90 years ago, a valuable painting in Jewish newspaper publisher Rudolph Mosse's Berlin collection was stolen by Nazis, and disappeared. Last week, the FBI announced the painting had been recovered and returned to Mosse's heirs. It had been found at the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie, New York. Reporter Eduardo Medina covered the return of the painting and reveals what happened to it in the decades after it was stolen. Also on this episode, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and reporter Rob Ga...
Oct 23, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 30
India Oxenberg spent seven years of her life entrenched in the world of the shadowy organization known as NXIVM. She was a member of the secret female "master/slave" group run by Keith Raniere, and was branded with his initials. She left NXIVM in 2018 and returned to her mother, actress Catherine Oxenberg, who had led the charge to expose the crimes of Raniere and other NXIVM leaders. Now, she's rebuilding her life and has co-produced a documentary series about her experience that's premiering o...
Oct 16, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Father Peter Young's life would make for a great movie. The Albany-based priest spent decades doing everything in his power to help men in the Capital Region suffering from alcoholism, addiction and homelessness get treatment and get their lives on track. Sometimes that meant taking a beating, emotionally and physically. Now 90 years old, the beloved icon is reflecting on his life of service, and doing what he can still to help. On this episode of The Eagle, reporter Lynda Edwards talks about he...
Oct 09, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 28
It has been nearly two years since the tragic limousine crash in Schoharie county that killed 20 people. This week, the National Transportation Safety Board finally released its long-awaited report on the crash, laying the blame for the crash on the limousine operator and the state, and placing blame for the delay in the report's release on the Schoharie county district attorney and the state police. Reporter Larry Rulison has been following the story since that fateful October day in 2018, and ...
Oct 02, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Zanief Washington has been numb to the sound of gunfire since he was six, when a stray bullet smashed through his living room window in Albany and lodged itself in the wall while he was playing a video game. Now 19, he walks for hours around the city each day, trying to escape the poverty and gun violence that plagues his neighborhood. Times Union reporter Eduardo Medina recently spent time with Zanief, and learned about the young man's hopes and dreams of lifting himself up to make it in the mu...
Sep 25, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Some say notorious prohibition era gangster John T. "Legs" Diamond got his nickname from his ability to outrun trouble. But trouble did eventually catch up with him in 1931, when he was gunned down in a boarding house in Albany. But for all his notoriety – all the movies and popular culture surrounding him, he had very little in the way of a paper trail...until recently. Times Union reporter Ken Crowe obtained a stash of documents that time forgot in the Rensselaer County Clerk’s Office, and the...
Sep 18, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 25
The annual Best of the Capital Region special section is finally coming out, after a five-month delay due to the coronavirus pandemic. Times Union readers voted in record numbers this year, selecting their favorite local businesses and services across 100 categories. On this episode of The Eagle, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler talks to Features editors Gary Hahn and Sara Tracey for a preview of what went into the unusual making of this year's special section, and what readers can expect to see ...
Sep 11, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 24
The national debate over how to commemorate the nation’s past came to Albany this spring when Mayor Kathy Sheehan announced her intention to move the statue of Philip Schuyler—Revolutionary War general and owner of enslaved persons—from in front of City Hall. This episode of The Eagle features a portion of a livestreamed discussion on the fate of the statue, featuring Sheehan, UAlbany Africana Studies professor Oscar Williams, social justice advocate Alice Green, author Harold Holzer and Schuyle...
Sep 04, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Once in a while a thoroughbred comes along who blows away the field, securing a glorious place in racing history. Names like American Pharaoh and Secretariat come to mind. Tiz the Law, a New York-bred, 3-year-old bay stallion, might just be one of those horses. The Triple Crown hopeful already nailed one leg this year, the Belmont Stakes, winning handily by several lengths. In this episode of The Eagle, we'll catch up with Tiz at his summer training HQ in Saratoga, where he's fresh off a win at ...
Aug 28, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Capital Region educators, school leaders, stakeholders and parents are feverishly planning for the start of the school year amid an uncertain landscape. On this episode of The Eagle, Times Union education reporter Rachel Silberstein sits down with Albany City School District Superintendent Kaweeda Adams, Guilderland Central School District Superintendent Marie Wiles, Questar III BOCES Superintendent Gladys Cruz, and Albany Academies Head of School Christopher Lauricella, to discuss their plans f...
Aug 21, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Live theater is back in the Berkshires this week. The only two theater companies in the country that have the blessing of the Actors Equity Association opened shows there, and the Times Union's top theater critic Steve Barnes was in the house. Also on this episode, investigative reporter Chris Bragg talks about his reporting on local urgent care chains that are charging the uninsured for COVID-19 tests, despite taking millions in federal aid. And we say goodbye to three of our visiting Hearst Fe...
Aug 14, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 20
College students from out of town have returned to campuses all over the Capital Region this week. But classes won't be starting just yet. Instead, they're electing to quarantine in their dorm rooms or hotel rooms for 14 days. Education reporter Rachel Silberstein caught up with one student at Siena College, who says being cooped up in a dorm is a small price to pay for the chance to return to campus life. Also on this episode, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler speaks with author Ed Schwarzschild ...
Aug 07, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 19
We use the concept of a "drive-thru" for many aspects of modern life - i.e. for food, for banking, for coffee - but the pandemic has opened up a new avenue for a funeral home in Ballston Lake. Reporter Rick Karlin spoke with the directors of the home about the technology they've set up to enable grieving families to receive friends and loved ones at a traditional wake. Also on this episode, entertainment reporter Amy Biancolli takes a look back at her nearly three-decade career at the Times Unio...
Jul 31, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 18
A recent surge in gun violence in Albany and across New York led senior editor Brendan Lyons to investigate the cause. What he found was not what he expected - that teenagers are doing most of the shooting. Also on this episode, education reporter Rachel Silberstein talks to a former Cuomo aide whose name has been floated to replace the departed SUNY chancellor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 24, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 17
