News in brief

Capital Region’s unemployment rate climbs slightly in June

ALBANY, N.Y. » The Capital Region’s unemployment rate for June was slightly higher than during the same month in 2016, according to preliminary monthly figures released Tuesday by the state Department of Labor.

The Albany-Schenectady-Troy metropolitan area posted an unemployment rate of 4.3 percent in June, up from 4.1 percent in June 2016, according to the state agency, but still remained below the statewide rate of 4.5 percent, down 0.2 percentage points from the same month last year.

Within the Capital Region, both Albany and Rensselaer counties saw their respective jobless rates climb from 4.2 percent to 4.4 percent between June 2016 and June 2017, while Saratoga County’s figure rose from 3.6 percent to 3.8 percent. Despite the increase, the region continued to boast one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, trailing only Glens Falls and Long Island, which each came with a jobless number of 4.2 percent.

The statewide decline was pushed largely by New York City, which saw its unemployment rate nosedive from 5.2 percent to 4.4 percent over the past 12 months. Overall, the state’s private sector job count increased by 155,800, to 8,079,200, over that same time period, according to the state Department of Labor.

Entries sought for Rising Stars event

SCHAGHTICOKE, N.Y. » Some of the area’s best performers will take the stage from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, as the Schaghticoke Fair hosts its annual Rising Stars competition.

Singers, dancers, musicians and novelty acts will compete for cash prizes, trophies and a chance to showcase their talent at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. Performers will compete in two age groups: 12 and younger and 13 and older.

Those wishing to participate in the competition are asked to call the show’s talent coordinator, Jim Staats, at 767-2744 or e-mail Schaghticoke2017@aol.com for a registration form. The deadline for entries is Thursday, Aug. 24.

Participants sought for wild turkey survey

ALBANY, N.Y. » The state Department of Environmental Conservation is asking New Yorkers to participate in its annual survey of the state’s wild turkey population to help biologists better understand this iconic bird.

Participants are asked to record the sex and age composition of all flocks of wild turkeys observed during normal travel in the month of August, accordign to a news release from the state agency.

“Citizen science efforts like the Summer Turkey Sighting Survey provide our wildlife managers with invaluable data and give people the opportunity to help DEC monitor New York’s wildlife resources,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said in the release. “I encourage everyone to take the time to record their observations of turkeys while exploring the forests and fields in their communities or while driving through our state’s beautiful landscapes this summer.”

Since 1996, the state agency has conducted the Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey to estimate the number of wild turkey poults (young tur-

key born this year) per hen statewide. Weather, predation, and habitat conditions during the breeding and brood-rearing seasons can all significantly impact nest success, hen survival and poult survival, and the index helps DEC to gauge reproductive success and predict fall harvest potential.

Those interested in participating can download a survey form, along with instructions and the data sheet, at www.dec.ny.gov/ animals/48732.html. Survey cards can also be obtained by contacting a regional DEC office, calling 402-8883, or emailing wildlife@dec.ny.gov with “Turkey Survey” in the subject line. Participants can also submit observations online by visiting the survey link and clicking “Summer Wild Turkey Sighting On-line Report.”