Benny Nezaj

Opens in a new window Opens an external website Opens an external website in a new window This website utilizes technologies such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as for analytics, personalization, and targeted advertising. You may change your settings at any time or accept the default settings. You may close this banner to continue with only essential cookies. Privacy Policy Targeted Advertising Personalization Analytics Debate over proposed flock camera restrictions intensifies at Troy City Council meeting Video Player is loading. This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color Transparency Background Color Transparency Window Color Transparency Font Size Text Edge Style Font Family End of dialog window. Advertisement A heated debate over the use of Flock license plate reader cameras continued Thursday night in Troy as city leaders and clashed over a proposed law that would create new restrictions on how the technology can be used. The discussion drew a packed crowd to Troy City Hall, where residents voiced concerns about privacy, surveillance, and transparency surrounding the automatic license plate reader — or ALPR — system currently used by the Troy Police Department. Mayor Carmella Mantello strongly opposed the proposed legislation, arguing the restrictions would make it harder for police to investigate crimes and protect public safety. “This legislation creates unrealistic and dangerous restrictions,” Mantello said during the meeting. The mayor also defended the use of the cameras as an important investigative tool for law enforcement. “You cannot claim to support public safety while simultaneously stripping our law enforcement of the technology they rely on to solve crimes and protect residents,” Mantello said. But many residents who spoke during public comment argued the cameras raise serious civil liberties concerns and could lead to government overreach or misuse of personal data. “I don't think our civil liberties should end where the mayor or cops thinks it makes it more difficult for them to resolve crimes,” said Troy resident Emma Della Pia. “Our civil liberties exist for a reason.” Other speakers questioned whether Flock Safety — the private company behind the camera system — could be trusted with public data. “Flock Safety is a private company. They will never put our collective safety over their profits and market shares,” said Troy resident Fex Cahil. Residents also accused city leaders of failing to provide enough transparency about how the system operates, who has access to the data collected by the cameras, and whether the technology has been effective in reducing crime. The proposed legislation was introduced by Councilmember Bill McKee, who said the measure is intended to balance public safety needs with constitutional privacy protections. “This law would provide the guardrails necessary to protect privacy rights while preserving law enforcement's ability to use the technology to solve crimes,” McKee said. City council members said discussions on the proposal are expected to continue in the coming weeks. A public hearing on the legislation is scheduled for Thursday, June 4.

Opens in a new window Opens an external website Opens an external website in a new window This website utilizes technologies such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as for analytics, personalization, and targeted advertising. You may change your settings at any time or accept the default settings. You may close this banner to continue with only essential cookies. Privacy Policy Targeted Advertising Personalization Analytics Federal documents draw new concerns regarding Schenectady VA clinic closure The 69 pages of documents, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, show the VA expected to save millions of dollars by closing the location. The VA also says many patients will still be served at the Clifton Park location, which will receive additional staff and services before the Schenectady clinic closes on August 28. However, local elected officials claim the plan fails to account for the reality many veterans face. Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara argues the documents focus too heavily on costs and time-driven calculations, rather than addressing the needs of elderly or disabled veterans. He also raised concerns about traffic, public transportation, and the lack of direct bus routes to the Clifton Park clinic. “What I don't see in VA's documents is the fact that most of the people that we're talking about are seniors, a lot of them are disabled,” Santabarbara said. “A lot of them do not have reliable transportation. A lot of them rely on other people, family members.” NewsChannel 13 reached out to the Department of Veteran's Affairs which said in-part: “This change will lead to improved healthcare services, convenience, and customer service for a number of reasons, including more than 80 percent of Schenectady clinic patients living closer to the VA-operated Clifton Park clinic, where most patients will transition and to accommodate these changes, VA will increase staff and services at the Clifton Park clinic.” However, numbers provided by current employees at the Schenectady VA clinic contradict the VA's claims, saying nearly 1,300 patients actually live closer to the current location, while only around 100 live closer to the Clifton Park location. Stay with NewsChannel 13 on-air and online for updates on this developing story.

Opens in a new window Opens an external website Opens an external website in a new window This website utilizes technologies such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as for analytics, personalization, and targeted advertising. You may change your settings at any time or accept the default settings. You may close this banner to continue with only essential cookies. Privacy Policy Targeted Advertising Personalization Analytics Argyle kennel case conclusion renews push for pet boarding reforms Video Player is loading. This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color Transparency Background Color Transparency Window Color Transparency Font Size Text Edge Style Font Family End of dialog window. Advertisement The conclusion of the criminal case involving the deaths of 21 dogs at an Argyle boarding facility is renewing efforts to strengthen oversight of pet boarding businesses across New York. Earlier this week, Anastasia Palulis, co-owner of Anastasia Acres in Argyle, pleaded guilty in connection with the August 2025 incident that killed 21 dogs. Under a plea agreement, she will receive two years of probation, while charges against her husband, Robert Palulis, were dismissed. For Cody Shields of Argyle, who lost three dogs in the tragedy, the plea deal was disappointing. “This just shows you what is wrong with our justice system. It's a huge slap in the face,” Shields said. Shields lost his dogs — Brutus, Hilda and Loki — after boarding them at Anastasia Acres. While he remains frustrated by the outcome of the criminal case, he says his focus has shifted toward preventing similar tragedies from happening again. In the months since the deaths, Shields has worked with State Sen. Jim Tedisco to advance the proposed Safe Pet Boarding Act, legislation that would establish statewide standards for pet boarding facilities. The bill would require measures such as inspections, licensing requirements, surveillance systems, temperature monitoring and other safety protocols designed to protect animals. “There has to be a sanction that goes and inspects facilities,” Shields said. “There needs to be temperature controlled monitors in these facilities. There needs to be oxygen sensors. There needs to be 24-hour surveillance.” Tedisco said pet boarding facilities should be held to many of the same standards already required of other animal care operations. “Whatever we ask the vets to do, in terms of inspections for them and making sure they have all the necessary equipment that they need to keep the animals safe, the breeders, the shelters, we need to do for this group of individuals,” Tedisco said. Shields said his advocacy is driven by a promise he made after losing his dogs. “The last thing before I buried my dogs, I said I'm not going to stop until something is put in place to stop this moving forward,” he said. The Safe Pet Boarding Act was not included in this year's state budget and remains stand-alone legislation. Despite that setback, Shields said he plans to continue working with lawmakers until stronger protections are enacted. “We have a bill. It's on the floor. It still needs to get voted, but I'm not going to stop until the laws are actually in effect,” he said. Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan previously told NewsChannel 13 that he hopes everyone involved can begin healing now that the criminal case has been resolved. For Shields and other families affected by the tragedy, the focus now is on turning the loss of 21 dogs at an Argyle kennel into lasting reform.

Opens in a new window Opens an external website Opens an external website in a new window This website utilizes technologies such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as for analytics, personalization, and targeted advertising. You may change your settings at any time or accept the default settings. You may close this banner to continue with only essential cookies. Privacy Policy Targeted Advertising Personalization Analytics Saratoga Springs businesses prepare for final Belmont Stakes week in the Spa City Video Player is loading. This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color Transparency Background Color Transparency Window Color Transparency Font Size Text Edge Style Font Family End of dialog window. Advertisement SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY. (WNYT) — With the Belmont Stakes set to return to Saratoga Race Course for a third and final year, businesses throughout the Spa City are preparing for what is expected to be one of the busiest weeks of the year. More than 100,000 visitors are expected to travel to the greater Saratoga area during the five-day racing festival, bringing a significant economic boost to hotels, restaurants, shops and other local businesses. The festivities begin next Wednesday with Belmont on Broadway, a downtown celebration that has become a centerpiece of the weeklong event. For the newly opened AC Hotel Saratoga Springs, this year's Belmont Stakes represents a major milestone. The hotel, which opened in December, is preparing for its first sold-out Belmont weekend. “We're really excited to have our first sold out weekend,” said Brandon Andrews, general manager of the AC Hotel Saratoga Springs. Andrews said hotel staff have spent months preparing for the influx of visitors. “We kind of had this as our deadline to make sure that we were prepared, fully operated at a high level,” Andrews said. “Our rates are higher and we wanted to match the service to make sure the guests have the full AC experience.” Preparations are also underway at businesses throughout downtown Saratoga Springs. At G. Willikers, a longtime toy store on Broadway, employees have been stocking shelves with horse-themed merchandise, extending store hours and preparing for the expected increase in foot traffic. “We will have long hours which is great and we have a bunch of employees here working constantly just trying to get everything on the shelves,” said retail associate Olivia Nicoll. “Just try to have someone here to greet everybody and to work on the windows.” The store is also participating in Saratoga's Belmont-themed window decorating contest. Fourteen downtown storefronts have created displays centered around a summer-in-Saratoga theme, with judging scheduled for June 2 and winners announced the following day. Excitement is also building for Belmont on Broadway, which will feature a free concert from Fitz and the Tantrums and is expected to draw thousands of racing fans to downtown Saratoga. “We have a great concert coming up next Wednesday with Fitz and the Tantrums,” said Saratoga Springs resident Maureen Roberts. “Every year we go to the concert, we hang out, we go to the race. It's a blast.” For Roberts, this year's Belmont Stakes carries additional significance as the final running of the race in Saratoga before it returns to Belmont Park on Long Island following construction projects there. “I'm buying the 2026 Belmont poster and framing it because they won't make another Belmont Saratoga poster,” Roberts said. “This is it.” As part of Belmont on Broadway, a portion of Broadway from Van Dam Street to Lake Avenue will be closed beginning at 5 a.m. Wednesday through 2 a.m. Thursday to accommodate the festivities.

Opens in a new window Opens an external website Opens an external website in a new window This website utilizes technologies such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as for analytics, personalization, and targeted advertising. You may change your settings at any time or accept the default settings. You may close this banner to continue with only essential cookies. Privacy Policy Targeted Advertising Personalization Analytics Saratoga Springs filmmaker gives voice to horse racing's unsung heroes Video Player is loading. This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color Transparency Background Color Transparency Window Color Transparency Font Size Text Edge Style Font Family End of dialog window. Advertisement As Belmont festivities return to Saratoga for a final year, one local storyteller is working to ensure the spotlight extends beyond the horses and onto the people who dedicate their lives to caring for them. For the past several years, Saratoga Springs filmmaker and content creator Rasi Harper has built a growing platform centered on the often-overlooked workers of horse racing. Through his project, The Real Players Inside the Backstretch , Harper shares the stories of grooms, hotwalkers, trainers, and other backstretch workers whose contributions are essential to the sport. “I always knew the stories were special because they were special to me when I was hearing them,” Harper said. Originally from Brooklyn, Harper moved to Saratoga Springs 16 years ago. His introduction to the horse racing world came in an unlikely setting: a downtown barbershop. While cutting hair, Harper regularly listened to trainers, owners, and backstretch workers recount their experiences in the sport. Those conversations left a lasting impression. “Hearing the stories in the chair from clients at the barbershop, you start to realize how special the people were,” Harper said. “You hear a lot of behind-the-scenes stories of what goes on and some of the horsemen, the love that they had for horses and the commitment.” What began as casual conversations soon evolved into a storytelling mission. Harper started recording interviews, producing videos for social media, and documenting the lives of people working behind the scenes in horse racing. Today, his content reaches hundreds of thousands of followers and features interviews with everyone from stable workers to some of the sport's most recognizable figures, including Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito, winner of the 2004 Belmont Stakes. Harper believes one of the most remarkable aspects of horse racing is the close-knit nature of the backstretch community — a side of the industry many fans never get to witness. “On the outside looking in, I don't think people realize how small this world is and how connected everybody is,” he said. As his audience has grown, so has his sense of responsibility to tell the stories of people who rarely receive public recognition. “What started as a passion project has grown into a full-time mission,” Harper said. “There's somebody out there doing God's work. Talking to the unsung heroes and giving the voiceless a voice.” With thousands of visitors expected to descend on Saratoga during Belmont week, Harper hopes newcomers will take time to learn about the people who make the sport possible. He also hopes his work helps challenge misconceptions about horse racing and the treatment of the animals at its center. “These folks are taking care of horses,” Harper said. “Horses are not getting abused. Horses are getting loved on and cared for better than humans. So don't judge the book without reading it.”

National Best Friends Day is celebrated each year on June 8, offering people a chance to recognize the relationships that have helped shape their lives. This year, the CRL crew shared the people they consider their closest friends.

Opens in a new window Opens an external website Opens an external website in a new window This website utilizes technologies such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as for analytics, personalization, and targeted advertising. You may change your settings at any time or accept the default settings. You may close this banner to continue with only essential cookies. Privacy Policy Targeted Advertising Personalization Analytics Arkansas meteorologist stays on air during studio fire while tracking tornado warnings Video Player is loading. This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color Transparency Background Color Transparency Window Color Transparency Font Size Text Edge Style Font Family End of dialog window. Advertisement A live weather broadcast in northwest Arkansas took an unexpected turn over the weekend when a studio light caught fire as a meteorologist was tracking active tornado warnings. KFSM meteorologist Noah Simmons was providing viewers with updates on severe weather and multiple tornado warnings when the fire broke out inside the studio. Rather than leaving the broadcast, Simmons calmly alerted his colleagues to the situation and continued delivering critical weather information to viewers as crews worked to address the fire. Video from the broadcast shows Simmons informing viewers and his production team about the incident while maintaining coverage of the dangerous weather unfolding outside. The fire was quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported. Since the incident, Simmons has received widespread praise online for remaining composed under pressure and continuing to provide life-saving weather information despite the unusual circumstances. Many viewers commended the meteorologist's professionalism, noting that he was simultaneously managing an active emergency inside the studio while helping keep the public informed about tornado threats in the area. The clip has since gained significant attention on social media, where many have called Simmons' response a remarkable example of dedication to public service broadcasting.

Opens in a new window Opens an external website Opens an external website in a new window This website utilizes technologies such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as for analytics, personalization, and targeted advertising. You may change your settings at any time or accept the default settings. You may close this banner to continue with only essential cookies. Privacy Policy Targeted Advertising Personalization Analytics Schenectady County takes legal action against Hillcrest Villas over ongoing water problems Video Player is loading. Text Color Transparency Background Color Transparency Window Color Transparency Font Size Text Edge Style Font Family Advertisement

Opens in a new window Opens an external website Opens an external website in a new window This website utilizes technologies such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as for analytics, personalization, and targeted advertising. You may change your settings at any time or accept the default settings. You may close this banner to continue with only essential cookies. Privacy Policy Targeted Advertising Personalization Analytics New proposal would bring Albany bus terminal to Empire State Plaza Video Player is loading. Text Color Transparency Background Color Transparency Window Color Transparency Font Size Text Edge Style Font Family Advertisement

Opens in a new window Opens an external website Opens an external website in a new window This website utilizes technologies such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as for analytics, personalization, and targeted advertising. You may change your settings at any time or accept the default settings. You may close this banner to continue with only essential cookies. Privacy Policy Targeted Advertising Personalization Analytics Fort Ticonderoga brings America's revolutionary story to life ahead of America 250 Video Player is loading. Text Color Transparency Background Color Transparency Window Color Transparency Font Size Text Edge Style Font Family Advertisement