ALBANY - An old building in Albany is being torn down tonight after part of a wall collapsed. It happened at 97 Beaver Street, next to the Times Union Center. Debris fell onto the street but there were no reports of anyone being injured. Firefighters say the building has been vacant for a long time.

ALBANY - Lighting up a cigarette on an Albany playground will soon cost you $50. The city's Common Council on Thursday night voted 13-1 to create Tobacco Free Zones on and around all outdoor recreational facilities, including playgrounds and ball fields.

When considering the serious negative health implications caused by tobacco use, Albany County's health commissioner says the new legislation is "very appropriate and right on the mark."

Lighting up near a swing set, seesaw or merry-go-round is a thing of the past, something that will go a long way toward preventing tobacco addiction among youth, according Albany County Health Commissioner Dr. James Crucetti.

"In Albany County, it is estimated that approximately 500 resident die from tobacco related illnesses," Crucetti said Thursday night during Common Council public hearing.

Albany resident Doris Coles doesn't like the new law one bit.

ALBANY - At its peak, an estimated 300 to 400 demonstrators occupied Albany's Academy Park in the past week. Although that number had dwindled to less than fifty on Thursday night, it's not clear if its attributable to weather or if the movement is running out of steam.

At the very least, the onset of early winter weather has taken many occupiers by surprise, but even though the numbers have lessened, occupiers insist it won't detract from or diminish their high-spirited message.

Just like the encampment at Valley Forge, there are winter hardships to cope with at Albany's tent city. Even a light snow fall on a late October day was enough to collapse the tent that Jalani Willis was hoping to sleep in.