Booking time in the Hudson Valley. If no power, utilities pay.
Saratoga Springs Morning Call: Take our poll. Read even more about Zohran Mamdani.
You are reading a sneak peek version of The Dispatch: Daily News in the Spa City.
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One week in, how are we doing?
We are finishing our first business week of publication. We have not really promoted this site yet (that comes next week), but we have been paying attention, writing like mad and reaching out to sources and to people we have not spoken to in a while — in some cases, years.
We have gotten some advertising and corporate support (you’ll see that next week, too)
We are trying to bring the noise and funk (or the news and the fun) of Saratoga. We broke a story about an ICE raid and posted another about six great places to go gluten-free, about the re-opening of the Five-Points deli, and Saratogans’ reactions to D. Wayne Lukas’ retirement.
In total: 22 published posts THIS WEEK about Saratoga Springs, or closely tied to it! Plus another eight (nine if you count this email) of emailed posts that go out to readers twice a day.
This is why Saratoga Springs needs its own daily news source run by pros: There is too much going on that other places have to ignore because they have too many other locations to cover (and they are not based here).
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Stormy weather for utilities
Electric utilities will have to pay you back if storms knock out your power for too long, the Times Union is reporting. The Appellate Division’s Third Department in Albany issued the ruling Thursday upholding a 2022 state law. Rate payers can receive a $25 credit on their next bill for each 24-hour out-of-power that runs past 72 hours. Consumers and small businesses can also get $540 for spoiled food.
Read a book!
If you’re traveling in the Hudson Valley, you might check out local, independent booksellers, says a story in the T-U. They often offer small concerts and drinks from coffee to hard liquor. They are part of a booming industry, the story says, citing an American Booksellers Association report.
Mamdani’s win created quite the wake
Zohran Mamdani’s unexpected drubbing of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in this week’s primary election has left behind a wake of stories like a freighter on Saratoga Lake. New York Focus has taken on the question: But can Mamdani’s promised agenda survive Albany scrutiny? The rub for the Democrat (he is not mayor yet), is that Albany has to help him with universal childcare and free transit or it won’t work. His time in the state legislature may be key, the story says.
At this hour: Traffic, weather and the markets
Weather
Cloudy and cooler today, says the National Weather Service, with a 1-in-3 chance of showers and thunderstorms in the middle of the night tonight. Sunday looks beautiful, 80s and sunny, but we have to roll through another rainy Saturday first.
Traffic
Google maps is showing the “All Clear” at this hour, about 7:10 a.m.
Premarket trading
The Dow, S&P500 and NASDAQ are all trending upward, about 0.25% each, in premarket trading, according to numbers from Marketwatch. It was a good week for stocks overall with the S&P500 gaining almost 3% this week, thus far.
In case you missed it…
No gluten, no problem! 6 gluten-free dishes to try right now
When Saratoga Water met 3:52 AM
We check in on 2025's No. 1 viral brand sensation, starring a familiar blue bottle.
Will the city move its main Public Works facility?
The City of Saratoga Springs sits on property worth millions, and they may cash in
Possible ICE Raid of Red Roof Inn, Queensbury
Warren County confirms that ICE officers responded to a call in Queensbury over the weekend.
