News

WASHINGTON – If nothing is done by the beginning of July, the college federal student loan rate will double and US Senator Charles Schumer has joined the battle to keep it at its current level.

The Senator said on Wednesday he is in support of the effort to retain the current rate.

“To let the loan rate to go from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent would cost the average student about $3,798 more over their retainment term,”  said Schumer.  “That’s not chump change; that’s mortgage payments, car payments, and let’s not forget that students have lots of other debt.”

ALBANY – Business leaders in the Hudson Valley, members of the governor’s Regional Economic Development Council, Wednesday mapped out their plans for the third year of program.

Co-chairman Dennis Murray, president of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, said the council plans on capitalizing on the successes of the first two years of the grant program to promote business, economic development growth and jobs.

ALBANY – Legislation proposed by Senator Terry Gipson (D- Rhinebeck) and Assemblywoman Didi Barrett (D- Hudson) would provide Thruway toll tax credits to farmers who use their vehicles to transport their products.

The measure would allow farmers to claim a tax credit equaling 75 percent of Thruway tolls paid for the transport of goods and services during one tax year. The credit would be applicable for travel for the purpose of selling within 150 miles of a taxpayer’s farm, roughly the distance between New York City and Albany, said Barrett.

In major league baseball, checking the American League, Stephen Drew hit his second career grand slam and the Red Sox beat the Rays 9-2. Jon Lester stayed unbeaten, allowing two runs in seven innings to help end the Rays' season-best six-game winning streak. Elsewhere, Raul Ibanez hit a grand slam and two-run homer at Yankee Stadium to help Seattle rout New York 12-2. Houston defeated Detroit 7-5. The White Sox won against Minnesota 9-4. Texas beat Oakland 6-2 and Kansas City passed the Angels 9-5.

Newschannel 13's Meteorologist Paul Caiano gives the WAMC Morning Edition Forecast.

The race to replace Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings is stirring controversy in the city of Albany, New York. At a meeting Wednesday night, the Albany County Democratic Committee endorsed current City Treasurer Kathy Sheehan for mayor.

Sheehan said that she was honored to be the party’s nominee and thanked the committee and the community for their support.

However, Sheehan’s endorsement was not met with unanimous approval and prompted some verbal sparring at the meeting.

In today’s Academic Minute, Dr. Claudia Buchmann of Ohio State University explains the growing gender gap that exists on college campuses.

The owner of a crude oil pipeline that runs between Maine and Montreal is asking Vermont environmental regulators to reconsider a ruling that would require a new review under the state's land use law if the company seeks to move Canadian tar sands oil in the pipeline.

SUFFERN, N.Y. (AP) — The FBI says agents with a search warrant entered a town hall in the Hudson Valley Wednesday and told employees to leave for the day.

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin says new efforts are being made to encourage state workers in Montpelier not to drive into the city but to use other commuting methods.