Government

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The New York State Council of Churches is calling on members of the state Senate and Assembly to overhaul the state's bail system.

The organization says too many people charged with a crime must remain in jail awaiting trial simply because they can't afford bail.

The council released a statement Friday urging lawmakers to take action on several proposals to change the bail system before they adjourn for the year later this month.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Officials in New York are conducting a series of cybersecurity drills to test how vulnerable the state's election system is to hacking.

The exercises will simulate scenarios in which a hostile group seeks to tamper with voting systems, change election tallies or otherwise undermine voter confidence.

Members of law enforcement, state cybersecurity experts and election officials will participate in the training drills, which will be held around the state through the middle of June.

BOSTON (AP) — A Boston-based beer company that makes popular brands such as Angry Orchard and Sam Adams will pay New York nearly $1 million over a product labeling violation.

Officials said Thursday American Craft Brewery, a subsidiary of Boston Beer Co., has agreed to pay a $975,000 fine to the New York State Liquor Authority over charges that it sold unregistered beer and malt drinks in the state.

The SLA says it notified the company in 2016 that its distributer in the state had only received label approval for one product, Summer Blueberry Twisted Tea.

Frontier Field will be the backdrop of the 2018 State of the County address by Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo on Thursday evening. The address begins at 7 p.m. and here is a rundown of WXXI's coverage:

Radio - AM 1370, FM 107.5

Streaming audio - WXXINews.org

Social media - Follow the address on Twitter at @WXXINews

Memorial Day brought together the remaining members of the Genesee Valley Chapter of the Battle of the Bulge.

Just a few are left of those who fought in the bloodiest battle of World War II some 74 years ago.

Jack Foy runs the group, which assembled at Ontario Beach Park in front of the memorial dedicated to those who fought in the bloodiest battle for the United States in World War II.

He says the Genesee Valley Chapter started with 99 members around 30 years ago, but just five remain.

NEW YORK (AP & WXXI News) — A New York assemblyman who worked to make banking and finance more consumer-friendly and earned respect for working across the political aisle during 42 years in office has died. Herman "Denny" Farrell was 86 and retired just last year.

Farrell's family says he died early Saturday. A family statement, provided by current Assemblyman Al Taylor, didn't give a cause of death.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A longtime Albany activist is running as the Green Party's candidate for New York state comptroller, while an upstate lawyer is the party's nominee for attorney general.

Mark Dunlea and Michael Sussman were at the state Capitol Friday to discuss their campaigns for statewide office. Dunlea is the party's candidate for comptroller, and Sussman is running for attorney general.

Dunlea is an environmental and anti-poverty activist. He served as executive director of the Hunger Action Network of New York State for nearly 30 years.