Daily Digest: SIENA POLL: Hochul favorability, approval ratings drop; lead over Blakeman increases

Also: IBEW Local 1430 announces potential work stoppage for backstretch workers • HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: Averill Park clips Columbia in Suburban Council clash

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Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Happy Wednesday! Hope everyone is having a great week. Before you head out or enjoy that morning cup of coffee or tea, check out some of the top stories on our website. Be safe and enjoy the day. — Ron Rosner, Senior Editor e-edition                            obituaries SIENA POLL: Hochul favorability, approval ratings drop; lead over Blakeman increases Governor Kathy Hochul has a 41-46% favorability rating, down from 45-42% in March, her lowest favorability rating since June 2025, according to a recent Siena Poll of New York State registered voters. Read more → IBEW Local 1430 announces potential work stoppage for backstretch workers IBEW Local 1430 held a press conference on Tuesday morning in front of Saratoga Race Course to announce a potential work stoppage by backstretch workers across the three thoroughbred racetracks operated by the New York Racing Association,… Read more → HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: Averill Park clips Columbia in Suburban Council clash AVERILL PARK, N.Y. — In a meeting between two of the best high school varsity softball teams across all of Section 2, Averill Park (14-4) bested Columbia (12-2) 4-2 at home on Tuesday.After a scoreless two frames, the Golden Knights s… Read more → HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS: Sectional team results Below are the results from Monday’s quarterfinal action in the Section 2 high school boys team tennis sectionals. Class AA #1 Shaker  over  #9 Colonie     9-0 #2 Bethlehem  over #7 Albany HS   9-0 #3 Shenendehowa  over  #6 Saratoga   … Read more → Entertainment calendar Please email entertainment listings to entertainment518@digitalfirstmedia.com. Thursday, May 14, 2026 PROCTORS: 432 State Street, Schenectady. Yeison Landero, 7:30 pm. www.atproctors.org. CAPITAL REPERTORY THEATRE: 251 North Pearl St., Albany. Dodi and Diana, 7:30 pm. www.attherep.org. Friday, May 15, 2026 THE EGG:  1 Empire State Plaza, Albany. Brett Dennen, 8pm. www.theegg.org. MVP ARENA: 51 S. Pearl St, Albany. Nate Bargatze, 7 pm. www.mvparena.com. CAPITAL REPERTORY THEATRE: 251 North Pearl St., Albany. Dodi and Diana, 8 pm. www.attherep.org. Saturday, May 16, 2026 CAPITAL REPERTORY THEATRE: 251 North Pearl St., Albany. Dodi and Diana, 2 pm and 8 pm. www.attherep.org. Sunday, May 17, 2026 […] Read more → What a US gas tax suspension could mean for drivers and the prices they see at the pump Supporters believe a suspension could provide relief for struggling families and businesses. Read more → US colleges report 20% drop in foreign students over visa clampdown International students are a key source of revenue for universities. Read more → Silicon Valley county sues Meta, alleging it made billions from scam ads The lawsuit further alleges that the tech giant’s practices harm consumers and increase advertising prices for legitimate businesses. Read more → HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: Averill Park clips Columbia in Suburban Council clash AVERILL PARK, N.Y. — In a meeting between two of the best high school varsity softball teams across all of Section 2, Averill Park (14-4) bested Columbia (12-2) 4-2 at home on Tuesday. After a scoreless two frames, the Golden Knights struck first on a bases-loaded walk by senior Emily Aiossa with no outs in […] Read more → Jason Collins, NBA’s first openly gay player, dies at 47 of brain tumor Collins had been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, which has an extremely low survival rate. Read more → Funko accused of collecting user data without permission A new lawsuit accuses Funko of collecting and selling users’ data without permission. Read more → Weinstein defense urges acquittal as prosecutors seek to revive a #MeToo-era rape conviction The former Hollywood honcho has been imprisoned on various sex crime convictions since 2020. Read more → Republican senators say they need more detail on $1B White House security request Secret Service Director Sean Callan discussed the proposal at a closed-door party lunch. Read more → Obama meets with Talarico, aiming to boost Democrat’s bid for US Senate in Texas Talarico will face the winner of a runoff between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn. Read more →

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