THE VERY LATEST

Here's 'the very latest' at this time, about 9:30 Sunday night.

FLOODING:

There is NOTHING wrong with the Ft. Hunter bridge. (Jessica Layton, twitter)

The Mohawk River is projected to crest by mid-afternoon Monday, at least six feet higher than the highest recorded level in 1914. Police are asking ALL residents of Schenectady's Stockade (below Erie) to evacuate. (AP and TUCapCon, twitter)

TRAFFIC: (NYS Thruway authority)

CLOSED: NYS Thruway both directions from milepost 173.6 to 182.2 between exit 27 (Amsterdam) and exit 28 (Fultonville), all traffic must exit between Exit 27 and Exit 28.

CLOSED: Southbound between milepost 148.1 - 18.7, From Exit 24 (Albany I-90/I-87) and Exit 12 (Nyack), all southbound traffic is currently banned between Exit 24 and Exit 12.

STATE OF EMERGENCIES:

This just in from Montgomery County: The county has declared a state of emergency for all of Montgomery County. (Amsterdam Recorder)

More here.

DEATHS:

State police have recovered the body of a woman who apparently drowned after she fell into a creek swollen by Irene's downpour in upstate New York. (AP)

Hurricane Irene had led to the deaths of at least 21 people in eight states as of Sunday evening.(WTEN, twitter)

Here’s what I think you should know about what happened today.

The Big Story: Hurricane Irene Strengthens. Just one day after an Earthquake ravages (ok, not really) the East Coast, Mother Nature is gearing up for round #2. Ding! Parts of North Carolina have already been evacuated and the governor of New York has decided to take action! Shocking, a politician taking action before a natural disaster!

Anyway, here’s the latest on Irene; such a nice name for such a scary storm. And here's Al Roker incase you don't know how to read a graphic:

In Other News:

Late-Breaking: Steve Jobs Resigns.

East Cost Quake: While there were rumors at first, it appears the Washington Monument actually does have a crack in it, but here’s what no one’s asking…so does the Liberty Bell and no one seems to care. Anyway, the Left Coast doesn't understand why we were all freaked out over a ‘little’ earthquake…..well you know what California, just wait until Mother Nature drops 18 inches of snow on you.

Travers Post Positions: YNN had Live Coverage of this event this morning; here is everything you could possibly want to know. Also, the Travers will be live on NBC at 5pm this Saturday.

Movie Shoot Continues: FOX23 News continues to do an excellent job of stalking covering the so-called celebrities in the Capital Region. Watch here.

Check This Out:

What were you doing on August 23rd at 1:51 when the earthquake hit? Well, who cares, you weren’t filming it, so it must not have happened. These people were, so it was on the news:

Schenectady was mentioned on ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’ last night when someone who no one recognizes Rose Byrne talked to Dave about ‘The Place from the Pines,’ which os currently filming in and around the city:

A Tip of the Hat: To FOX23 News, yesterday they broke in, expanded their 5:00 newscast and had complete team coverage at 10:00pm of the ‘East Coast Quake.’ If you’re not watching this news station; you’re really missing out. So tune in tonight at 10 and/or 11.

Pictures from: @twcspacewx, ushistory.org.

What's Making News: August 22nd, 2011.

The Big Story: Libya. NBC's Richard Engel has the story:

In Other News:

Visitors flock to MLJ memorial. NBC's Kristen Dahlgren reports on the monument that is set to honor the leader on the civil rights leader. Here are photos of the new monument, which will be officialy dedicated this Saturday.

Tracking Irene.

Hurricane Irene has churned into a stronger Category 2 storm and has cut a destructive path through the Caribbean as it heads toward the U.S. coast. [AP via WSVN]

Here are the forecast cone and model from WSVN. [Photo: WSVN.com]

Travers 2011:

Restaurant Week. Began today and ends on Thursday, August 25th. Over 50 restaurants in the greater Capital Region will be offering three-course meals for a special $18.64. See a list of the participating restaurants here. [WTEN]

Post Positions. NYRA will air the drawing for the post positions of the raceonline this Wednesday beginning at 11:00am.

Special Reports. Friday at 7:00pm on WNYT/NewsChannel 13, WXXA/FOX23 and 8:00pm on WTEN/News10

Decision 2012: Former Governor Pataki might be running. The AP report and a report by NewsChannel 13's John McLaughlin are here.

Must See Video: Terrifying gas station crash caught on camera. Here's the video from KTRK-Huston.

A new type of Morning News.

In 2006, FOX23 debuted a new type of morning news. It was called "Daybreak" and featured 2 anchors; Mark Baker and Diane Lee.

There was also a traffic reporter, Kaitlyn Barto. A live reporter, Kathryn Hauser and a meteorologist, Brandon Hertell.

Today, Mark Baker remains the only original team member. Come Monday, that's all about to change.

The next chapter of FOX23 News in the Morning will premiere. Stephanie Schelkun and Jason Caterina will team up to "bring you the latest news, weather and traffic to get your day started on the right foot, plus a little something extra."

They have a new Facebook page outlining what new features viewers will see. Hopefully these are the start of some changes to come. Two anchors and a live reporter would also add more depth to the show.

However, for now, let's reserve judgment until we see what the new show looks like. I'll be watching Monday from 6 - 8 on FOX23.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day TV Highlights

Here’s a look at what Christmas specials will be airing on Capital Region television stations as well as some of your favorite cable stations.

Christmas Eve:

ABC:

8:00pm: Disney Prep and Landing

8:30: Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation

9:00pm: The Santa Clause 2

NBC:

8pm It's a Wonderful Life NBC

CBS:

6:30: Take a Break (WRGB)

7:30: Melodies of Christmas (WRGB)

CW:

10:30: Melodies of Christmas (WCWN)

ABC Family:

12 Noon: Holiday Classics Marathon

Christmas Day:

ABC:

Noon: Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade

WRGB:

8:00 am, 5:30pm: Take a Break (WRGB)

8:30am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm, 7:30pm: Melodies of Christmas (WRGB)

CW:

2:30pm, 5:00pm 9:00pm: Melodies of Christmas (WCWN)

ABC Family:

7:00pm, 9:30pm: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

USA:

8:oopm, 9:30pm: ELF

Holiday Specials Begin This Week on TV.

• This Thursday, November 18th, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving will air at 8pm on ABC, it will re-air next Thursday, Thanksgiving, at the same time.

• This Friday, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966), will air on TBS at 8pm.

• This Sunday, 2 episodes of Elf will air back to back on the USA Network beginning at 7pm.

• ABC Family's Countdown to the 25 Days of Christmas begins Sunday.

This website has a pretty complete list of Christmas specials and when they're airing.

Is it Too Soon?

Did you know what happened 6 days ago? Halloween. But, living in the Capital Region, you would have thought it was mid November. Stores have decked their halls with balls, garland and tacky Christmas lights.

And two local radio stations, Buzz -or should I say- Santa 105.7 and 98.3 WTRY have flipped the switch to 24/7 Christmas music. 98.3 says they have “gotten the vibe” that people are ready for Christmas." I don't know what vibe they are picking up.

Interestingly, The Business Review reports that an Indiana radio station starting playing Christmas music on October 18th!

John Gray put it best last night: "Wasn't it Halloween like 10 minutes ago?" In fact it was John. Watch:

Why are we always rushing the Holidays? It's one thing to start buying gifts and decorations for Christmas, but 24/7 Christmas music and mannequins holding red packages in Macys? Yes, it is too soon.