Topic: State University of New York at Albany

Jodi Arias trial: Does her statement about wanting death penalty factor in?

The death penalty phase of the Jodi Arias trial began on Thursday. Jurors aren't supposed to watch news coverage of the case, but experts say information from it often filters in.

Mayan pyramid bulldozed for road fill by construction company

Mayan pyramid bulldozed: The head of the Belize Institute of Archaeology, Jaime Awe, said the destruction at the Nohmul complex in northern Belize was detected late last week.

Jodi Arias case: What's trend line on women getting the death penalty?

Among male murderers in the US, a smaller share has been drawing the death penalty in recent years. That's not so, though, for women killers. How societal views may factor into sentencing in instances such as the Jodi Arias case.

Gun conundrum: Why is ammunition still in short supply?

Demand for bullets has surged, resulting in a shortage and skyrocketing prices. Some see a nefarious federal intent to take ammunition off the market. Others cite panic buying among gun owners. Where does the truth lie?

Obama tax proposal: Who makes more than $250k, and are they rich? (+video)

President Obama has proposed extending the Bush-era tax cuts for households making less than $250,000 a year. Here's a look at who would end up paying higher taxes.

Don't believe the headlines. Wind farms do not cause 'global' warming.

A recent study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that large wind farms could be pulling down hot air at night, raising the average temperature of the local region. The results of the study, however, have been widely misconstrued in the news media. 

How wind farms could cause local (but not global) warming

The atmospheric turbulence caused by large wind farms could cause local temperature increases, a new study indicates. 

Opinion: Beyond Kony 2012, child soldiers are used in most civil wars

Kony 2012 campaign calls for plastering posters everywhere tonight. But the use of child soldiers goes far beyond warlord Kony and his LRA. It is the norm in most civil wars. Governments, too, use children to fight. One way to stop it: Deny military aid to these governments.

A Bush-era victory in culture wars: faith-based initiatives

Despite federal budget cuts, faith-based initiatives appear to be a Bush victor in the culture wars. Experts say its legacy is that it overcame the cultural resistance to using religious organizations as part of social service delivery.

Trayvon Martin case: use of Stand Your Ground law or pursuit of a black teen?

A grand jury in Florida and the US Justice Department will both probe the Feb. 26 shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin. Key questions: Did the alleged gunman racially profile Trayvon? And did he use the Stand Your Ground law appropriately?

Can American manufacturing really be cornerstone of economic revival?

For decades, the US manufacturing sector has shriveled, but President Obama now envisions it as an engine of a revived US economy. The basis of his optimism may be hopes for 'advanced' manufacturing.

Troy Davis execution nears: What options remain for a reprieve?

Troy Davis is facing his fourth execution date Wednesday at 7 p.m. Attempts to delay the execution continue, with critics saying Georgia has not listened to doubts about Davis's guilt.

'Caylee's Law' petition drive: Do missing child laws need to change?

'Caylee's Law' petition calls for establishing two new federal offenses: failure of a parent to notify authorities of a missing child within 24 hours and failure to report a child's death within one hour. The online drive comes amid public anger over the Casey Anthony verdict.

My favorite NCAA tournament upsets – and near upsets

There's been much debate ever since the NCAA expanded the field of the men's Division 1 Basketball Tournament to 64 teams in 1985. This, paired with the NCAA's decision (also that year) to introduce the shot clock, has helped make it possible for the mid-major and smaller conferences to better compete with the power conferences.

NCAA Tournament: Boston University loads its slingshot for Goliath Kansas

Boston University, 16th seed and victor of the America East conference championship, faces the No. 1 seed Kansas Jayhawks in an opening round West Regional NCAA tournament basketball game tonight at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (6:50 p.m. Eastern time, TBS).

State budget woes: How much will they drag down US economy?

Cutting employees, raising taxes, and delaying payments to vendors could slow economic recovery, experts say, but perhaps only slightly.

More workers quit their jobs, and that's good news for the economy

The economy responds to consumer fear and confidence, and confident workers quitting their jobs in search of something better signal to economists that things are looking up.

Is Congress forcing Obama's hand on 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal?

President Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates wanted to move forward with a repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' more slowly. But Congress is pressing for a vote this week.

US crime rate is down: six key reasons

The crime rate fell last year across America, across all categories. Here, criminologists cite the key factors, which include better policing.

Opinion: Host city for 2020 Olympics: Why not Jerusalem?

If Israelis and Palestinians agreed to cohost the 2020 Olympic Games, it could help them clear hurdles to sustainable peace.

Shootings, murder-suicide raise broader question: Is violence linked to recession?

The deaths in North Carolina and California follow other high-profile shootings in recent weeks.

After a big political flap, New York gets its new U.S. senator

U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, who's relatively conservative, is named to take the seat vacated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

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Drought-stricken Georgia, eyeing Tennessee River, revives old border feud

State lawmakers seek to move part of Georgia's border one mile north into Tennessee.