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After being found not guilty in a corruption trial Friday, former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno said he will seek state reimbursement for his legal bills; as much as $4 million. Bruono stated that state law gives him the right to seek money from the state Attorney General’s Office, after approval by the state Comptroller’s Office, as state law allows public officials to recoup legal fees if they are found innocent in relation to their official duties. Bruno spent $1.5 million from his campaign account on legal fees, and there was a legal fund to help his cause

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Ribbons fluttering from trees will mark the fourth annual emerald ash borer awareness week in New York state. The state DEC said the awareness week runs until May 24th. The emerald ash borer is a beetle native to China that kills ash trees. It was first spotted in North America in Michigan in 2002 and has spread across New York since 2008. The beetles have destroyed tens of millions of ash trees in the U.S. Volunteers will tie ribbons on ash trees to raise awareness of the insect.