THE EAGLE: A Times Union Podcast

David Wain and Ken Marino are names you may recognize from their many movie and TV credits, including the “Wet Hot American Summer” franchise, “The Residence” on Netflix, and MTV’s ‘90s sketch comedy show “The State.” Their latest venture is something a little different—they formed a garage band during the pandemic, and their jam session videos took off on YouTube. Now, “Middle Aged Dad Jam Band” is touring the country, performing covers of popular ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s songs. They’re headed to Albany for Alive at Five on July 17, and Wain and Marino join Arts and Entertainment Editor Rick Mars...

Democrats Dorcey Applyrs and Zohran Mamdani had decisive victories in the contentious Albany and New York City mayoral primaries on June 24. Times Union editor Casey Seiler, columnist Chris Churchill and reporter Steve Hughes discuss the biggest surprises about the results, and the implications of those wins.

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A news anchor went viral last week when she delivered the news while in labor with her first child. The Times Union’s Kristi Gustafson Barlette discusses that story and recent others in the local TV news industry.

Also on this episode, Hudson Valley reporter Maria Silva talks about the remarkable life story of the owner of Kingston’s oldest Chinese restaurant.

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In April 2025, Keri Mazzuca was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 1997 death of her newborn, whose remains she left in Washington Park. The case of Baby Moses had been unsolved for decades before DNA analysis in 2024 identified Mazzuca as the mother. Prosecutors released video of her 2024 confession to police this week. On this episode, Managing Editor Brendan Lyons speaks with former Albany City Deputy Police Chief Steve Reilly, who responded to the call the day the remains were found in the park, and who investigated the case for many years.

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On the night of May 2, 2024, police forcibly removed an encampment of students, faculty and community members protesting the war in Gaza at SUNY New Paltz. It was the largest encampment clearing on a state university campus, and 130 people were arrested. Four student journalists reported on the events of that night for the school’s newspaper, The Oracle. On this episode of they join the Times Union’s Phillip Pantuso to look back on that night, and how what happened has affected their lives, their career aspirations, and their campus.

Also on this episode, a teen...

Times Union business reporter Larry Rulison had a way more exciting week than you. He joins us this week on “The Eagle” to discuss his epic triumph on an episode of “Family Feud” that aired Tuesday. Also on this episode, our features editor Gary Hahn looks back on his impressive four-decade career with the paper.

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News that a biotechnology company is claiming to have brought back the long-extinct dire wolf got us thinking about creatures that used to roam upstate New York. Times Union reporter H. Rose Schneider joins us to talk about those critters, which include 8-foot-tall beavers, 10-foot-tall sloths, and some very dapper-looking waterfowl. Also on this episode, Capitol Confidential’s Dan Clark and Capitol Bureau reporter Raga Justin talk about what’s next for New York lawmakers now that they finally have a budget.

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This week, two local actors join us on the show to celebrate the Bard of Avon's 461st birthday. Also, education reporter Kathleen Moore discusses the latest shake up in the Capital Region higher education scene: the announcement that The Albany College of Pharmacy and Russell Save College intend to merge.

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The judge declared a mistrial after a jury couldn’t reach a unanimous decision in the trial of Edward Holley, the Middletown man accused of murdering 20-year-old Megan McDonald in 2003. Times Union reporter Lana Bellamy was in court every day of the 7-week trial, and joins us to go over how it all went down. Also on this episode, Capitol Confidential’s Dan Clark sits down with New York State Budget Director Blake Washington.

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While it’s rare, there are thousands of documented incidents of surgeons leaving items inside patients’ bodies by accident each year in the United States. On this episode of “The Eagle,” Times Union reporter Emilie Munson talks about her recent investigative work looking into these medical errors, and how doctors and hospitals are trying to avoid them. Also on this episode, we’ll hear an addiction policy specialist’s views on allowing wine in New York grocery stores.

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Jamie Sullivan is one of 10 woman drivers on the current Monster Jam circuit, driving the popular pastel-hued, unicorn-shaped monster truck Sparkle Smash. She joins us on this episode of “The Eagle” to talk about driving up interest in the sport for women, and what it’s like to be behind the wheel of her truck.

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How much of what we’re throwing in our single-stream recycling bins is actually recycled? Turns out, only 5% to 6% of plastic used in the United States gets recycled. Times Union reporter Lucy Hodgman joins us on this episode of “The Eagle” to share what she learned after a recent visit to an Albany recycling facility.

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Olympic Champion figure skater and cancer survivor Scott Hamilton joins us on this episode of “The Eagle” to look back 45 years at his first Olympic experience in Lake Placid, to discuss the state of figure skating today, and to talk about his efforts to raise money for cancer research to improve the lives of patients going through life-saving treatment.

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A cult-like group of ultra-rationalist vegans is now connected to five deaths across the country. On this episode, we attempt to unravel the bizarre and convoluted story of the Zizians.

Also on this episode, our in-house movie buffs make their Oscar predictions.

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Gov. Kathy Hochul has decided not to remove New York Mayor Eric Adams from his elected office, despite the mounting pressure to do so after the U.S. District Attorney dismissed his federal corruption charges this month. Meanwhile, she is fighting to save controversial congestion pricing, putting her at increasing odds with the president.

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Former local news anchor Anne McCloy left the business in 2023 after two decades in news. Two years later, she’s got a new perspective on life that she’s eager to share with the world. On this episode of “The Eagle,” she joins the Times Union’s Kristi Gustafson Barlette for an update. Also, we’ll go over the latest in education news.

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Reporter Kelsey Brown gives us a download on local business news, including her thoughts on the much-anticipated return of Stewart’s cult classic beer Mountain Brew, and trouble with Albany's Lark Street Business Improvement District. Also on this episode, editor Casey Seiler and managing editor Brendan Lyons discuss the fate of U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik’s seat in Congress. 

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Singer and actor Tituss Burgess, who rose to fame following his Emmy-nominated performance in the Netflix series “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” says he tries to find musicality in every life experience. He’s headed to Saratoga Springs this week to perform his stage show “An Evening with Tituss Burgess,” and joins us on this episode of “The Eagle.” Also on this episode, we’ll go over the week’s top headlines, which include a foiled murder-for-hire plot and a shooting incident that resulted in the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

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You can’t buy wine in a grocery store or supermarket in New York. Sporadic efforts in the last 40 years to change state law to allow it have all failed. But a recent poll says New Yorkers are largely in favor of a change, and some momentum is building. On this episode of “The Eagle” Table Hopping’s Steve Barnes talks to an upstate liquor store owner about the potential implications of allowing wine sales in grocery stores. Also on this episode, we’ll talk about this year’s Times Union Best of the Capital Region contest.

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A good magician relies on sleight of hand, misdirection and creating false reality to trick their audiences. But in a fun way. That’s what professional magician Ben Seidman believes. Seidman, who has worked with the likes of Criss Angel, is bringing his act to Saratoga Springs this week. He joins us on this week’s episode to talk magic, and perform one of his impressive tricks. Also on this episode, we’ll discuss Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address.

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A Marcy Correctional Facility inmate was pronounced dead in early December at a Utica hospital. Just a few hours before, body camera footage shows corrections officers brutally beating him in a prison infirmary. On this episode of "The Eagle," we'll delve into what we know so far about the investigation into Robert Brooks' death. Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence that may be disturbing to some listeners, so please listen with care.

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Numerous drone sightings throughout the northeast have sparked concern, and in some cases, conspiracy theories. On this episode, we’ll talk about the latest on the New York’s response to it.

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With a fresh and innovative sound, Grammy-winning artist Samara Joy is introducing new audiences to her chosen genre, jazz. She joins us on this week’s episode of “The Eagle” to talk about her craft, her impact and the joy of singing holiday music.

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Four years ago this week, the editorial board of the Times Union called on members of the Electoral College to vote for someone other than Donald J. Trump.

The editorial — under the headline "Electors, reject Mr. Trump" — didn't call for that body to elect Democrat Hillary Clinton, but to consider a Republican alternative such as House Speaker Paul Ryan or Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

On this episode of The Eagle, hear the story of how that editorial came to be, and how the opinion pages of the paper operate separa...

’Tis the season to look out for gift ideas and great deals. Shopportunist Shannon Fromma joins us with some tips and tricks. Also on this episode, columnist Paul Grondahl discusses the discovery of a local hiker who went missing 24 years ago in the Andes Mountains.

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Last week Troy police announced they’d identified the human remains found near Burden Pond. Reporter Ken Crowe joins us to.discuss the resolution of an 11-year-old cold case.

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The Capital Region is getting a new pro basketball team, the New York Phoenix. Sports reporter Mike Kelly joins us on this episode to talk about the new franchise, and what else is going on in the local sports arena. Also, Steve Barnes goes over where you can get a great Thanksgiving dinner.

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Bigfoot. Sasquatch. Wendigo. Yeti. Yowie. Whatever you call it, the forest-dwelling man-beast's existence has never been proven. But never really disproven either. And a growing group of people in New York’s Hudson Valley are dedicated to finding the truth.

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We’ll recap the results in New York, where heavily contested House races flipped a handful of seats in favor of Democrats, a measure to codify civil rights got solid approval from voters, and some typically solid blue districts in the state started to show more support for Republicans.

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Capital Confidential’s Dan Clark joins us on this episode of “The Eagle” to preview the top races across New York state, which could be a key battleground for control of Congress. Also, we’ll catch up with some of the top news in the Capital Region, including the arrest made in the swatting incident at Bethlehem High School and controversial new traffic cameras in Albany.

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The discovery of human remains in South Troy fuels speculation about what may have happened to Jaliek Rainwalker, a 12-year-old who disappeared from Washington County in 2007.

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Fifteen years ago, Table Hopping columnist and Times Union theater critic Steve Barnes went to see comedian Dane Cook perform in Albany. Opening for Cook was Robert Kelly, an up-and-coming stand-up. Kelly’s set made Barnes laugh so hard, he cried. And then told 100,000 readers that Kelly was funnier than the main act. On this episode of “The Eagle,” Barnes and Kelly reunite for a few laughs.

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For six years, Times Union reporter Larry Rulison has been trying to find Prestige Limousine & Chauffeur Service owner Shahed Hussain. He's a former FBI informant who helped convict 7 people in terrorism sting operations in the early 2000s. He's also the father of Nauman Hussain, who is in prison for the deaths of the 20 Schoharie limo crash victims. The elder Hussain disappeared in 2018, and stayed silent throughout the trial and conviction of his son. Now, he says his son has been diagnosed with cancer, and he's speaking out.

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One of the Capital Region’s most notable civil rights advocates has died. In this episode of “The Eagle,” we replay a story Green told us about an encounter she had as a teen that inspired her career and lifelong dedication to social justice.

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We've been hard at work on a new limited series podcast here at the Times Union. On this episode of "The Eagle," we're bringing you a preview of "Catastrophic Failure: The Story of the Schoharie Limo Crash." In this new series, reporter Larry Rulison and Jessica Marshall delve into the story of the 2018 crash that killed 20 people. It's a story of tragedy and loss. Negligence and consequence. But more than that, it's a story of catastrophic failure. 

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New York’s top executive sat down with Times Union Capitol Correspondent Dan Clark this week for an exclusive interview at Hearst Tower. They talked about the 2024 elections, her support for President Biden, climate change, congestion pricing, and more. This week on “The Eagle,” we’ll hear some of that conversation. 

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The song that propelled Sammy Hagar to rock stardom - the 1984 anthem of rebellion and fast living - came to him after he was pulled over and ticketed for speeding on I-87, just outside of Albany. Hagar says he wrote “I Can’t Drive 55” in his head as he continued on to Lake Placid, where he had a home near his son's boarding school.

The former Van Halen lead singer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer spoke to Patrick Tine about that song and his upcoming tour, where he’ll be joined by former V...

When the remains of 25-year-old Karen Ramsey were unearthed at a construction site in March, investigators couldn’t find any record of a missing persons report. Times Union Hudson Valley Managing Editor Phillip Pantuso joins us on this episode of “The Eagle” to discuss what he’s discovered about who Karen Ramsey was, and what happened to her more than 40 years ago.

Also on this episode, we’ll get the latest on the investigation of a plane crash in Colonie this week, just a few blocks from our newsroom. 

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For almost four decades, New York State Public Radio’s Karen DeWitt has brought the latest news from the Capitol in Albany to the airwaves. She’s been there for six governors, countless legislative power shifts (including two coups), and all the political maneuvers and scandals that unfolded along the way. She’s on the brink of retirement, and joins us on this episode of “The Eagle” to reflect on some of the most memorable moments of her tenure.

Also on this episode, we’ll go over the latest in a fake feud between late-night TV host John Oliver...

For more than three decades, Colin Mochrie has been out of his comfort zone, and he has loved every minute of it. The “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” star says that’s the key to being good at improv comedy. Mochrie and fellow “Whose Line” alum Brad Sherwood are traveling the continent with their unscripted stage show “Asking for Trouble,” and they’ll be in Peekskill on June 15. On this episode of “The Eagle,” Mochrie joins us to talk about the art of improv, and how it has shaped his life and career.

Also on this episode, we’ll take a look ba...