Happy July 19!

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the politics is a-churnin'.

Here's what's going on.

Campaign finance

Former Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava made a $100 donation from her political account, a practice that good-government groups do not like.

Owens brings in funds, Doheny dishes them out, Eustis steps aside.

Animals

A new dog licensing system means that dogs are staying longer in Jefferson County kennels.

Food

A food pantry in St. Lawrence County finds a new home.

Health

The North Country Children's Clinic got a federal grant.

Mercy/Masonic temple

No deal.

Union contracts

The Legislature will likely come back in session soon to approve them.

A generational gap, the TU writes.

Nationally, business groups come out against new rules.

ADK

Gov. Andrew Cuomo can make his imprint on the Adirondack Park Agency after its chairman stepped down.

Owens

Rep. Bill Owens was targeted by Karl Rove's political group on his debt position.

Debts and deficits

President Bill Clinton would have used the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling, bypassing Cognress.

Scary.

Debt talks "elude compromise."

2012 prez

For Bachmann, it's "Iowa or bust."

What about South Carolina?

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