SARATOGA SPRINGS – Microbreweries in New York State received some bad news earlier this month when the fallout from a lawsuit filed against the state deemed tax breaks offered to in-state beer makers were ruled unconstitutional. The result could cost New York’s quickly growing craft beer industry millions of dollars in once-waived taxes and fees. Previously, in-state microbreweries were exempt from state excise taxes if they brewed less than 200,000 barrels annually. The same goes for label-registration fees, which can cost upward of $150, and includes small-batch or limited-release beers.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – In 2009, the New York City Ballet’s residency at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) was cut from three weeks down to two. This year, SPAC and the NYC Ballet are discussing the possibility of limiting the season to only one week because of rising costs. And in just a few years’ time, maybe less, the NYC Ballet may disappear from SPAC’s lineup altogether.

SARATOGA SPRINGS-Representatives from the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation (SSPF) and Saratoga Springboard, as well as Saratoga Springs Mayor Scott Johnson, were on hand Monday, May 14, at a press conference in Congress Park to announce plans for Saratoga Springs’ leading lady’s makeover. The iconic “Spirit of Life,” statue nearly 100 years old, is located in the park and is the heart of the Trask Memorial

I’ll Have Another stole the show when he overtook a tiring Bodemeister to win the 138^th running of the Kentucky Derby. Now it’s his time to shine as the leading horse come Saturday for what should be a competitive renewal of the $1 million, mile and 3/16, 137^th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

If you haven't been subjected to the latest cover of Time magazine, consider yourself lucky.

The disturbing image, which borders on child pornography, pictures a very attractive woman standing in a seductive pose with her left breast protruding out of her shirt. Attached to her breast is her 3 or 4-year-old son who is standing on a stool. Looming large next to them is the headline "Are you mom enough?"

If you went to the movies in the last week, there’s a really good chance it was to see “The Avengers.” The Marvel Comics film grossed over $200,000,000 in its opening weekend alone, and it seems very likely to surpass the one billion dollar mark before the end of the month. With both “The Amazing Spider-man” and “The Dark Knight Returns” scheduled for release in July, it will be a summer filled with your favorite fictional good guys finding their way into a theater near you.

NEW YORK – For the third consecutive time, a bill aiming to legalize mixed martial arts (MMA) in New York State will not make it to a vote on the Assembly floor. Bill No. S.1707-A was scrapped by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver after private discussions held May 7. The bill had been sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Morelle. New York and neighboring state Connecticut are the only two states that currently do not allow MMA promotions to hold events.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Next year marks the 150^th anniversary of Thoroughbred racing, and in true Saratoga-fashion, the party-planning has already begun!

 To throw a worthy celebration with all the Saratoga flash and flare, a simple one-day bash wouldn’t do. A week-long carnival fell short of expectations. A month dedicated to the anniversary? Child’s play. Instead, the Saratoga 150 event committee has outdone themselves and planned a five-month-long party.

MALTA – State police stormed the Saratoga Nissan lot just off of Northway Exit 13 Wednesday, May 9, seizing dozens of boxes filled with documents from the local dealer. Police packed the documents away in a large moving truck to take down to the state’s Attorney General’s office as part of an ongoing investigation.

It seems modern medicine never stops advancing thanks to new technology and research that simply didn’t exist before. People suffering from debilitating diseases or injuries are living much longer than they used to thanks to the specialized care provided by any number of health care facilities. With an increase in patients, not to mention the length in which some of them require care, the need for nurses has never been higher.