Happy Aug. 11, y'all!

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the politicians are spinning.

Here's what they're up to.

Firefighters

Officials want to raise taxes in Brownville to help fund a new joint fire district. (I thought we were trying to consolidate these?)

New York Remembers

Exhibits in Potsdam and Watertown will honor the victims of the 9-11 terror attacks.

Verizon

Can you hear me now? Good.

SMC

Samaritan got some land.

Trash

Should burning trash get you a state subsidy?

Housing

Developers: Show us the money!

Union contract

SEIU workers at EJ Noble rejected a contract offer.

RIP

Former Gov. Hugh Carey's funeral is today.

Akwesasne

A casino inspector is accused of receiving improper gifts.

NYPA

The drumbeat continues.

Owens

Tea partiers protested outside his office.

Gay issues

Seven out of 10 New Yorkers said they'd go to a wedding of two members of the same sex if they were invited.

A look at healthcare.

2012 presidential primary

Mitt Romney is on the stump in Iowa.

File this one under, "Ruh-roh."

Economy

DOWn

Comparisons to the 2008 crisis abound.

Gas taxes could be the "next political fight," The Hill says.

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