Dairy news and immigration. Batteries and nuclear power.
The odd not-duck in the county.
ANNOUNCEMENT: We go mostly behind the paywall Monday July 21.
Thank you to all our readers who have made the launch of the Dispatch a wonderful success. We soft-launched June 16, and already can boast thousands of pageviews a day. Thank you!
(If only pageviews were enough…)
We are a self-owned, subscriber-based news outlet. We have pledged daily news from the Spa City 5-7 days a week, but we must find a way to pay for it — right now, a paid subscription is less than $1/week, significantly less than a cup of coffee!
Readers who buy an annual subscription by Sunday July 20 will receive a 13th MONTH added to your 12-month membership. Take advantage of this one-time offer created just for our launch!
So, join now and get 13 months for the price of 12. (We will add the month to the people who have already paid for an annual subscription, too!)
If you remain a free subscriber, you will get some of our great coverage and learn some of what is going on around Saratoga Springs — but you won’t get all of it.
We also have corporate and small group subscription rates. Contact editors@saratogadispatch.com for more information on how you can play a crucial role in ensuring access to a free and local press for all.
—Steve Thurston and Abby Tegnelia, co-owners, Saratoga Dispatch
The “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets that affect Saratoga.
Milk tanker overturns on Northway
A tanker truck overturned on the southbound shoulder of Interstate-87 in Saratoga Springs on Saturday evening, closing two lanes of traffic into the wee hours of Sunday morning, the Daily Gazette says. The driver was injured, no word on how seriously.
Speaking of milk…Dairy farmers fear the immigration crackdown
A story in the Times-Union over the weekend says dairy farmers are worried about the staffing shortages caused by the Trump Administration’s crackdown on immigrants in the state. More than 50% of the farm workers are undocumented partially because of the structure of legal federal programs, the story says. The threat of arrest and other disruption is threatening the industry, too.
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Email editors@saratogadispatch.com for details.
Downstate battery storage under verbal fire
A proposal to build a large battery storage facility in a former high school in the Hudson Valley has drawn concerns of fire safety especially given how close the building is to homes, some residents argue, a story in the Times-Union says. The site would not generate power, but store power from the electric grid and distribute it during times of high demand proponents of the project say.
Looking for more Saratoga Springs headlines?
Head over to our friends at SARATOGA REPORT!
Consumer sentiment up
The New York State Index of Consumer Sentiment rose to 71.9, up 2.8 points from January through March this year, a Siena poll found. New York’s overall consumer sentiment remains higher than across the nation, a story in the Saratogian says.
Springs industrial park getting new tenant
Ambrave Corp., a distributor of tactical gear for police and military use, plans to fill a lot on the eastern side of the W.J. Grande Industrial Park in Saratoga Springs, a story in the Albany Business Review says. Ambrave is outgrowning its Malta location, the story says.
North Country leaders pitch nuclear
After Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a nod toward growning nuclear energy in the state, North Country leaders are looking to get in on the action, says a story on the North County Public Radio website. A large community gathering in Alexandria Bay on the St. Lawrence River discussed the economic impacts, environmental risks and rewards, and how to get the state’s sights set on the North Country.
At this hour: Traffic, weather and the markets
Weather
Showers and thunderstorms expected throughout the day today, the National Weather Service’s Albany office says.
Traffic
Google Maps says the traffic at this hour (about 7:30 a.m.) is fine.
Premarket trading
Stock indices are off by about 1/3 of one percent, according to numbers from Marketwatch. The downward pressure comes again from the Trump Administration’s tariff threats on Mexico and Canada.
That’s one odd not duck
The common gallinule, a duck-like swimming bird, is not too common in Saratoga County, but the Daily Gazette’s writer says in his first piece called “Winging It” for the paper, that the fun of finding the not-duck at Vischer Ferry and Round Lake was just as fun as going to new places, meeting new people and using new software.
Earlier stories by Dispatch editors and staff…In Case You Missed Them…
NYC Ballet, Northshire Bookstore’s pivot after flooding, handicapping, more
By Abby Tegnelia, Dispatch’s Saturday newsletter “Second Cup.”
Sit back with that second cup of your morning beverage and find out what’s going on in town, online and streaming. Dispatch co-founder Abby Tegnelia runs through the list of oh-so-many-possibilities in our possibility-rich city…Read more here.
‘Camping’ law enforcement coming
By Steve Thurston, Dispatch news
Enforcement of the controversial “camping law” on Saratoga Springs city streets is coming. The Dispatch’s Steve Thurston talks to a local homeless services provider to find out if they are ready for the new system…Read more here.
What parfum does a woman wear to a Spa City’s outdoor gala?
By Abby Tegnelia, Dispatch at the track
It’s not Eau de DEET, we can tell you that much. The Dispatch has the latest on the perfume that is perfect for that outdoor event, one that smells great and keeps the mosquitos at bay, if you can get it…Read more here.
Learn handicapping from a pro
By Abby Tegnelia, Dispatch at the track
Mark “The Gambler” DiBello takes a look at races for us at the Dispatch, rough scratches and all. If you bet because the horse has a nice name or you’ve heard of that jockey, you should be reading what a pro has to say…Read more here.
The Store…It’s a lifestyle
By Steve Thurston, Dispatch news
Take a first peek inside The Store, a clothing store, but not just a clothing store. “Everyone comes in and has their own experience,” says owner Sophie Deshaies. She has big plans for the small place…Read more here.
Where does Saratoga stack up on the journalism scene?
By Abby Tegnelia, Dispatch on the scene
The Local Journalism Index has come out with its comparison of regional and local journalism through the U.S.A. Find out how the Spa City ranks. Not to sound too click-baity, but the numbers in our area may surprise you…Click here for the run-down.
Pull up a chair
By Abby Tegnelia, Dispatch on the scene
Dispatch has the Dish
“I want to keep it casual, but refined. I know that's a tricky line to walk. But dining out has become so routine for a lot of people, and it doesn't feel special anymore. I want this to really feel special.” — chef Justin Daw, speaking of the new Libby Supper Club inside Union Gables Inn...Read more here.
Northshire remains closed for now
By Steve Thurston, Dispatch news
Dispatch covers the News
A leak in the building above the popular bookstore in downtown Saratoga Springs has closed the shop, but for how long?…Read more here.
No phones, no exceptions
By Abby Tegnelia, Dispatch on the scene
Dispatch has the Dish
July 9, 2025: [Kids] didn't ask to be in this digitally saturated world. Sometimes we get so frustrated with them when they're showing symptoms of being addicted to their screen. But we have no idea what it's like to be growing up in this time. So we have to…Read more here.