Marijuana and hemp are very similar plants. In fact, they are the same species. Telling them apart visually can be very difficult, especially for investigators at a crime scene. But if you take a closer look — a much closer look — at the molecular level, they are very different. One has a psychoactive component (THC) that keeps it federally illegal, while the other, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, does not and as such is perfectly legal. To avoid unnecessary incarceration, a rapid field test that can tell them apart on the spot would be a handy tool for law enforcement. With help from a U.S. DOJ ..read more

The ruins of the Kenwood Academy campus in Albany have left investigators few clues as to how the March 23 fire started. They say they believe it was the result of human action, but cannot say if it was accidental or intentional. Meanwhile, ownership of the property—and a $2 million insurance payout—remains unclear. On this episode of "The Eagle," reporter Steve Hughes goes over what we know about the Kenwood fire. Also on this episode, reporter Rose Schneider talks about her quest to determine whether there is a time capsule inside the Philip Schuyler statue outside Albany City Hall that woul ..read more

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 ..read more

For Omar Edwards, tapping is not a form of dance. It’s a way of communicating and expressing himself that transcends that narrow definition of the performance art. Edwards, whose cousin is tap legend Savion Glover, is currently playing the Tap Griot, an omniscient narrator who reflects the inner turmoil of four Tuskegee Airmen through tap in the stage drama “Fly.” On this episode, the Times Union’s Steve Barnes talks to Edwards about the show, his craft, and life lessons he has absorbed from tapping. Also on this episode, Leigh Hornbeck and Jessica Marshall discuss the doping scandal that’s ro ..read more

Last summer the city of Troy, New York, was transformed into late-19th century New York City for the filming of Julian Fellowes’ new HBO period drama “The Gilded Age.” But that wasn’t the only Capital Region connection to the production. Actress Kelley Curran, who plays the ambitious ladies maid Turner in the series, grew up in Slingerlands.  On this episode of “The Eagle,” Curran talks to reporter Ken Crowe about the show, her role and how she felt about seeing Troy on the small screen. Also on this episode, New York State Public Radio’s Karen DeWitt talks about her experience as the lon ..read more

The 2018 limousine crash in upstate New York that killed 20 people remains one of the deadliest U.S. transportation accidents in decades. The man responsible for putting the condemned vehicle on the road — flouting failed state inspections — will not do any prison time. Nor will any punishment befall his father, the owner of the limousine company and a well-known FBI informant. This week, New York Magazine reporter Ben Ryder Howe published a deep dive on the crash and the Times Union reporting that helped drive the investigation. On this episode of “The Eagle,” Howe shares what he learned, and ..read more

The Empire State is home to more than 7,000 dams. And recently, Times Union reporters Emilie Munson and Rick Karlin discovered that some of them are in questionable shape...and not all of them have actually been rated for safety.  On this episode of "The Eagle," we'll take a deep dive into their investigation to answer the question of whether we can rest assured New York's dams are safe, or we should all be worried they'll fail.  Also on this episode, we'll talk about the effects Omicron is having on the region, the potential impact of the end of the state's eviction moratorium, and ..read more

New York Attorney General Letitia James' office released a trove of materials this week that added dramatic new detail to its investigation of former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. From catty, expletive-laden text messages between staffers to testimony that revealed Chris Cuomo was deeply involved in helping his brother, the newly released material reveals how top aides and loyalists responded to an escalating series of allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against the former governor. Casey Seiler, Brendan Lyons and Rachel Silberstein discuss what they learned from the material, and what it means f ..read more

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 ..read more

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 st ..read more