Reporter Eric Anderson reports that New York state had a record number of private-sector jobs in January, but a separate report on underemployed workers continues to be troubling. 

Reporter Jon Alexander reports that the number of volunteers at fire departments and EMS squads in Warren and Washington counties is dropping below levels where departments are able to sustain themselves.

Reporter Ted Booker reports that New York’s new budget will reimburse employers that hire teenage workers who are students. 

Reporter Michael Gormley reports that the state Assembly has adopted the state budget passed by the state Senate, one that is the third on-time budget in three years, but one that includes more taxes. 

Reporter Carl Campanile reports that New York state is the worst in the nation in terms of personal liberties. The university found New York’s government slams citizens from every angle — from huge taxes to tight controls on business to myriad rules on all kinds of fun.

Reporter Daniel Flatley reports that government challenges facing local leaders in the Tug Hill area can best be met by banding together, embracing new technology and encouraging the next generation of leaders to step up. 

Reporter Azi Paybarah reports that two new campaign committees have been formed as part of a plan by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to strengthen the Democratic Party’s reach and infrastructure, and will focus on issues, not specific policies. The committees are New Yorkers for Gun Safety and New Yorkers for Creating Jobs & Cutting Taxes.

Reporter Kim Smith Dedam reports that ORDA CEO Ted Blazer is questioning the state comptroller’s audit and rebutted the state’s data. 

Reporter Daniel Flatley reports that the executive director of the New York Association of Towns kicked off the 24th annual Tug Hill Local Government Conference – a gathering of more than 600 local officials come to Watertown for a day of training and networking.

Reporter Tim Fenster reports that the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and New York state attorney general have reached a $19.4 million settlement with Alcoa and Reynolds Metals to help correct the environmental damage caused by the release of contaminants. That settlement will be added to $1.8 million from the 2011 bankruptcy settlement from GM to restore local fisheries, protect the area environment and restore aspects of Mohawk Indian heritage that were impacted by the decades-long fishing ban. Of note: Times Union of Albany, Post-Star of Glens Falls and Press-Republican of Plattsburgh ran versions of this story. 

Reporter Don Lehman reports that the Invasive Species Subcommittee of the Warren County Board of Supervisors is asking for a permanent line item in the county budget to pay for  invasive species control and prevention efforts.

Reporter Thomas Kaplan reports on some of the highlights of the Senate-approved state budget, including taxes, local governments, and the minimum wage. 

Reporter Denise Raymo reports that the Adirondack Regional Airport has seen an increase in passengers, updated infrastructure and added Army helicopter training, making for a busy year.

Reporter Jon Campbell reports that the state Senate passed the bills making up the $135 billion state budget overnight, finishing at 4:32 a.m. The state Assembly is expected to begin passing the budget bills on Thursday morning.

Reporter Jamie Munks reports that a proposal to change zoning rules in the Village of Lake George to increase maximum building height brought out residents and businesses to discuss how that would affect the character of the village. 

Reporter Gordon Block reports that Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis counties will all see increases in highway improvement funding of more than 20 percent in the state budget.

A staff report notes that Washington and Essex counties are considering enacting a ban regarding transporting invasive species by boats that are trailered from one body of water to another. 

Reporter Martha Ellen reports that the intact sale of the Newton Falls paper mill has fallen through and the owners are now planning to liquidate the assets. 

Reporter Thomas Kaplan reports that officials trying to build a budget agreement are first trying to negotiate meetings and discussions around Holy Days, holidays and school vacations. 

Reporter Danny Hakim reports that an Assembly committee will review the decision by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration to negotiate itself a luxury suite at the stadium where the Buffalo Bills play.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that three parcels of former Finch land are expected to be evaluated, classified and added to the Adirondack Forest Preserve very soon.

Reporter Frederic Dicker reports that New York business leaders are concerned that the state budget being drafted represents Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s full betrayal of his claim to be making the state better for the private sector.

A staff report notes that the state is asking hunters to make recommendations for this fall’s duck hunting season. 

Reporter Martha Ellen reports that mayors and supervisors in St. Lawrence County agreed to push a county plan to raise the sales tax.

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that a state Supreme Court judge has rejected the request by Protect the Adirondacks, the Sierra Club and three neighboring landowners to carry out broad discovery actions in the lawsuit challenging the APA approval of the Adirondack Club and Resort. 

A staff report notes that the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program — founded by the Nature Conservancy’s Adirondack Chapter, the APA and the state’s DEC and DOT — has received a 2013 National Invasive Species Awareness Week Award.

Reporter Danny Hakim reports that the deal to keep the Buffalo Bills in the state includes $54 million of state money as well as a luxury suite for use by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration.

A staff report notes that an undisclosed buyer has purchased — intact — the Newton Falls Fine Paper mill. 

Reporter Jimmy Vielkind reports that top state elected officials have reached a conceptual budget agreement, including a minimum wage increase, the continuance of the "millionaire tax," tax rebate checks to homeowners next year (an election year), and an undefined tax relief for businesses.

Columnist Bob McManus writes that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is bending to the needs of New York City voters and influencers as upstate unemployment rises and the population continues its long decline. 

Reporter Erik Kriss reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has come up with new math — it says that continuing the “millionaire” tax a second time is really a tax cut. 

Reporter Ted Booker reports that about 800 people applied for 55 new openings at the New York Air Brake plant in Watertown.  

Reporter Brian Mann reports that state Sen. Betty Little is concerned that the state budget might include the closure of a correctional facility in Franklin County. 

Editor Peter Crowley reports that DEC Commissioner Joe Martens is reviewing ways to allow outdoors writers to get answers from DEC employees, especially when they’re just asking for description from the field rather than department policy.

Reporter Jon Campbell reports that a new poll from Quinnipiac University found that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s approval rating has dropped 4 points from January (to 55 percent approval) and 19 points since December. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that APA Planning Director Jim Connolly told the agency board Friday that it will likely have three parcels to consider during the upcoming state land classification process for the former Finch lands: the 18,000-acre Essex Chain of Lakes tract, the 1,000-acre Indian River parcel and the 3,000-acre OK Slip Falls tract. The purchase of the Indian River and OK Slip Falls tracts are expected to be completed shortly.

Reporter Allison Dunne reports that Erin Crotty, former chief of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, has been selected as the executive director and vice president for Audubon New York.

Reporter Joseph Spector reports that according to the US Census Bureau, 35 counties in Upstate New York lost population between 2010 and 2012. 

A staff report notes that the Adirondack Cooperative Economy is inviting everyone to a presentation and conversation about the need for, and path to, a sustainable, steady-state economy in the Adirondacks. 

Reporter Danny Hakim reports that New York under Gov. Andrew Cuomo has slightly trailed the nation in private-sector job growth during his first two years. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that an APA committe has approved the use of an herbicide to kill invasive milfoil in Loon Lake.  

Reporter Jimmy Vielkind reports that New York state officials are expecting to have a $136 billion state budget plan in place before the end of next week. Of note: A minimum wage increase is still being discussed.

Reporter Julie Grant reports that legislators in St. Lawrence County are pushing to raise the county sales tax in order to reduce the property tax on residents.

Letter writer Edward Griesmer, president of the Loon Lake Park District Association, writes that the APA’s delay in approving a chemical to kill milfoil will cause more serious consequences, making it more difficult to control the spread of the invasive species.

Reporter Thom Randall reports that because local rescue squads are having problems staying afloat, Warren County is considering developing Advanced Life Support cars to be deployed throughout the rural areas of the county. 

Writer Will Doolittle writes about the difficulty for environmentalists — do they join the fight against invasives or not?

Letter writer Bill McGhie, president of the Adirondack Lakes Alliance, writes that his organization approves and supports the use of a chemical to remove milfoil from Loon Lake. 

A staff report notes that the job outlook in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties hasn’t gained any ground compared to January 2012.

The Associated Press reports that the state DEC is announcing a ban on burning of brush from March 16 to May 14.  

A staff report notes that attorneys in the Adirondack Club and Resort case — just the attorneys fighting the development — will host at talk in Colonie about the development called "Sprawl on Steroids in the Adirondacks."

The Associated Press reports that state Health Commissioner Nirav Shah plans to offer his organization’s recommendation to Gov. Andrew Cuomo "in weeks" whether New York should allow hydraulic fracturing. 

Reporter Fred Dicker interviews Secretary to the Governor Larry Schwartz in a combative discussion surrounding the gun bill, hydrofracking and other issues. 

A staff report notes that the DEC is calling for ice fishing shanties to be removed from lakes this week. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that Adirondack Health is looking at moving, shutting down or cutting the hours of the emergency room at its Lake Placid hospital, citing a growing financial crunch.

Reporter Brian Mann reports that the town of Thurman will be one of the first communities in the US to use "white space" broadband internet technology, which can penetrate trees and travel up to a few miles through the woods. 

Reporter Brian Nearing reports that Robert Hallman is leaving as the state’s top environmental and energy advisor to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

Reporter Joseph Spector reports that a new Siena College poll has found Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s favorability rating at its lowest point since taking office in 2011.

A staff report notes that the APA will hear a pair of forestry-related presentations during their monthly meeting this week.

Writer Will Doolittle, Projects Editor of The Post Star, writes his response to  Peter Bauer, Executive Director of Protect the Adirondacks, who published a letter in the Adirondack Almanack recently about his stance on public navigation rights.

Reporter Chris Morris reports that Kristy Sprague will seek another term as Essex County district attorney.

Reporter Kim Smith Dedam reports that the Lewis Family Farm sold two parcels of land for preservation and protection of wildlife corridors conveying 87 acres in Westport and nearly 12 acres in the Town of Essex to Champlain Area Trails

Reporter Casey Seiler reports that a two-year ban on hydrofracking has passed the Assembly, but a measure proposed in the state Senate is uncertain because of the power-sharing deal. 

Reporter Martha Ellen reports that with a new board, a new administrator, an infusion of money and a management agreement with Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Potsdam, EJ Noble Hospital in Gouverneur has a new beginning as a critical access hospital. 

Reporter Dan Heath reports that towns of Bellmont, Dannemora, Schroon, North Hudson, Jay and Wilmington are being awarded grants to bring broadband Internet to the communities. 

Reporter Casey Seiler reports that the Independent Democratic Conference is proposing a two-year hydrofracking ban in order to put the science first and allow numerous studies to be completed. The Assembly has a similar proposal. 

A staff report notes that Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh is co-sponsoring legislation that would extend the authorization for the Northern Border Regional Commision for an additional five years. Money from the commision went toward extending a CSX rail spur into Massena.

Reporter Don Lehman reports that the municipally operated "festival space" in Lake George will see construction begin this summer and will be completed by late 2014.

Letter writer Kathy Abusow, President & CEO of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc., writes that her organization  is a leader in establishing rigorous standards for certified forests that require independent third-party audits. She writes that "we look forward to working with all stakeholders in the Adirondacks to ensure that these treasured forests remain healthy and vital for generations to come."

The Times Union editorial board praises a judge’s decision that waterways that are navigable are public "highways" and therefore are able to be used by all citizens, even if the stream flows through private property.  

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that Tupper Lake is looking at various ways the town can increase its snowmobile traffic, including better trails and grooming.

Reporter Daniel Flatley reports that outdoor enthusiasts offered mixed reviews on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed changes to hunting and fishing licenses. 

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that the Tupper Lake Planning Board approved the first phase of the Adirondack Club and Resort. The first phase includes the development of all the project’s large "great camp" lots and some of the small ones. 

Letter writer Dominic Jacangelo, executive director of the New York State Snowmobile Association, writes that the multi-use snowmobile trail from Moose River Plains to Raquette Lake was built carefully so it would in no way look like a road, but would wind through the forest, respecting sensitive regulations.

Letter writer Carl Heiner writes that other lakes need to be protected from invasive species as much as Lake George. The state needs to act now to protect all waterways.

Writer Bill Ingersoll, publisher of the Discover the Adirondacks guidebook series, offers a suggestion for the classification of the new land purchased by the state: a semi-primitive non-motorized designation that would accomplish many of the same preservation goals as Wilderness, but provide an alternate set of management guidelines — called Backcountry. 

Reporter Brian Man interviews Phil Brown about his court case that opened waterways through private land to paddlers.