Sanctuary churches, international airports, APA's chief
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The Morning Call wakes you up with the top news that affects Saratoga.
Plattsburgh’s big dreams for its small airport
The small Plattsburgh International Airport, about 30 miles south of the Canadian border, has a big dream: Be Montreal’s secondary international hub, a story in the Times-Union says. A big hurdle is that Clinton County has to foot the bill for customs agents to staff the international gates, but that changes if local officials can convince the federal government to call Plattsburgh’s airport a “port-of-call” which would then throw the cost to the U.S. government, the story says.
Schuylerville lauds Lafayette’s return to the U.S.
Marquis de Lafayette became a trusted commander under Gen. George Washington during the American Revolution, despite his status as a French nobleman, returned to the new United States at the invitation of President James Monroe, a trip that included a short stop in Schuylerville, says a story in the Daily Gazette. The Schuyler Estate celebrated the trip on June 29, 2025, one day short of the 200th anniversary of the first trip in 1825, the story says.
Pop art prize in fire sale art auction
A print of mobster John Gotti created by pop-artist Andy Warhol was the biggest draw at an art auction held during the Belmont Stakes weekend in Saratoga Springs earlier this month, the T-U is reporting. It drew $16,500 for the creditors of Kris Roglieri, the former commercial loan broker who is accused by the government of multiple wire-fraud charges. Beyond the criminal fraud complaint, his creditors have fought to receive some of the millions of dollars owed them and the government, the story says.
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Report clears APA chief
The New York Inspector General’s office has found that allegations of wrongdoing by APA Executive Director Barbara Rice were largely “unsubstantiated,” the Adirondack Daily Enterprise is reporting. The APA released the report Monday. An unnamed source had accused her of self-dealing and retaliation against whistle-blowers. Will Doolittle, of The Front Page opinion website in Glens Falls, has been following the story closely, as well. The main issue was whether Rice was using her power to move events and even the headquarters of the agency to the Saranac Lake area, where she lives and served in public office.
At this hour: Traffic, weather and the markets
Weather
Rain today and likely more tonight, though tomorrow should be much more sunny. High temperatures today should hit 88 degrees, and 86 tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service’s Albany office.
Traffic
Everything is open and rolling, according to Google Maps, which makes us wonder…
Premarket trading
Stock indices are down by small percentages in premarket trading, according to numbers from Marketwatch. Wall Street Journal says investors are holding their breath as they await the outcome of the Great Big Beautiful Bill debate in Congress.
A “Call back” from a Morning Call reader:
Dear Editors,
Thanks for the Substack articles, including the one on the Senate version of the Trump agenda bill. (The writer is referring to our June 30 “Morning Call” email in which we summarized one story from the Times-Union and added an Editor’s Note. —Editors)
It's really interesting to a non-New Yorker to read about the effect of ongoing and proposed federal policies on the North Country.
One clarification: the Senate voted to open debate on the bill, but there will be an opportunity today for amendments. Senate Democrats are expected to introduce many amendments, so it's unclear when to expect the final vote on the bill.
Best regards,
Ann KB, Arlington, Va.
[Do you have something to say about our newsletters, the Morning Call or the afternoon Daily Dispatch? What about your opinions of our stories? Write us: editors@saratogadispatch.com. Include your full name, a phone where you can be reached and where you live, please.]
Lake Placid Church is sanctuary in ICE raids
When the Temporary Protective Status of a Venezualian family in the Lake Placid area was revoked, and they were told to leave the country or risk arrest by ICE agents, a local church and its leadership jumped into the fray, working with the local Lake Placid Immigrant Allies project. A judge’s decision kept the family in the country for now, but the St. Eustace Episcopal Church has designated itself a sanctuary and lists portions of its space as private, indicating that ICE agents need a signed warrant if they want to enter, North Country Public Radio is reporting.
In case you missed it…
A Champagne dream of a weekend
“Wild” tales take over the town, thanks to Opera Saratoga and Bocage.
Saratogians mourn the death of horse racing icon D. Wayne Lukas
City Schools: Debate on school cell phone ban heats up
Questions remain about the state-mandated policy. SSCSD must make some version permanent in July.