Pig Out. Farming trees. Fountain Square expands.

The energy of A.I. Just when you can pool those tips.

The “Morning Call” wakes you up with the top stories from the Dispatch and other news outlets that affect Saratoga.

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Voluntary water restrictions remain

The Department of Public Works is asking residents to reduce their outdoor watering when using automatic systems. The restriction began Aug. 12. There are no restrictions for outdoor watering with hand-held devices for gardens, plants, trees, or shrubs. Click here to read more.

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Community celebrates tower’s 100th

In the 1990s, residents rallied to save the Kane Mountain Fire tower, a tower that was central to the community west of the Great Sacandaga Lake, and now people are celebrating its 100th anniversary, a story in the Daily Gazette says. The Canada Lake Protective Association and the state Department of Environmental Conservation were the lead protectors, the story says.

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AI uses more energy than state mandates allow

Data centers that power Artificial Intelligence are among the reasons electricity projections are ramping up in New York and across the country, and the amount of energy they use could threaten the state’s clean energy goals, a Times Union story says. The projection is that datacenter will draw more energy nationally than many traditional manufacturing jobs, such as car making, over the next decade.

Pig Out in Troy

Nineteen local restaurants drew thousands of diners to downtown Troy on Sunday afternoon to enjoy the annual Pig Out festival, which features a “Favorite Barbeque” award, a story in the Saratogian says. This year’s Pig Out moved locations the waterfront to various locations on River Street, Broadway, and Monument Square, where people could sample and then dip into other retail locations between bites, the story says.

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Agroforestry grows in Adirondacks

Adirondack farmers are seeking out ways to be more resilient in a changing climate, incorporating trees into their farming operations, diversifying the income stream, a story in the Adirondack Explorer says. In 2022, 1,350 farms in New York state, including 38 in the Adirondacks, practiced one of the five recognized agroforestry methods, according to census data, the story says. Fruit trees and similar flora can survive floods and outlast dry spells better than traditional crops can, the story says.

Pooling those tips

A Rotterdam restauranteur is working with state Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara to change the laws regarding tip pooling for take-out style restaurants, the Daily Gazette says. Current law says the tip receiver must be nearly 100% facing the customer (waitstaff), but what is being argued is the restaurant business model has changed with some people who prep or present the food are also working the back and front of the house simultaneously. The new law would clarify when tips can be shared, the story says.

Below the fold:

Outdoor retailer to expand. Mavis Tire’s law firm may be taken off limo case. Death investigation in North Country jail. Weather, traffic, stocks and more…