It’s been 30 years since Albany-born author Gregory Maguire published his bestselling novel about the secret life of “The Wizard of Oz” big baddie, the Wicked Witch of the West. With the sequel to the hit film adaptation coming out in November, Maguire joins us on “The Eagle” to talk about why he thinks his story resonates with so many fans, how the last year of massive publicity for his work has gone, and what he’s currently reading. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The viral content creator who fashions medieval weapons out of yarn and wrecks hilarious havoc on his friends has found himself in the spotlight of the fiber arts world. Steven Borzachillo joins us on this episode of “The Eagle” to talk about his unlikely path from out-of-work screenwriter to crochet celebrity, and share a little exciting exclusive news about his next project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct. 6 marked seven years since the Schoharie limo crash that killed 20 people, becoming one of the deadliest ground transportation disasters in New York’s history. This week on "The Eagle," we’re going to play you the first episode of "Catastrophic Failure," our limited series podcast on the crash. Please note that it contains graphic descriptions of the events of that day, and listen with care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It started as an investigation into possible Social Security fraud in a quiet Albany neighborhood. But when police discovered the bodies of what they think are a missing elderly couple, it turned into a murder case. Not something Times Union reporter Steve Hughes comes across every day on his beat. He joins us on The Eagle this week to talk about his coverage of the story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The award-winning children’s book author and illustrator teamed up for a new magical fairy tale about love, loss and a tiny girl’s quest to find her family. They join us on “The Eagle” this week, ahead of their book release and appearance at the Saratoga Book Festival. Also on this episode, comedian Zane Lamprey talks about standup, working with animals, and his Capital Region Roots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time in a decade, we’ve brought on new writers to critique the dining scene in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley. On this episode, Steve Barnes sits down with Stephanie Gravalese and Shannon Lee to talk memorable meals, restaurants, and the role of the food critic in an age of Yelp reviews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Times Union columnist Chris Churchill explores an idea to pull all of the Capital Region under one municipal umbrella. Also on this episode, we debut a snippet of our new limited series true crime podcast, “The Girl in the Pond,” about the unsolved murder of Hazel Drew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Emmy-, Oscar-, and Grammy-winning musician has a special bond with Saratoga Springs. He met his wife there, they visit family frequently, and in late August, he performed selections from his new album “Big Money” with the Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC. He joins Arts & Entertainment Editor Rick Marshall on this episode of “The Eagle” to talk about the new album and his collaboration with Randy Newman that brought the 81-year-old back to singing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edward Leon is facing federal arson and murder charges for setting the 2013 fire in Schenectady that killed David Terry and three of his children. His arrest came more than 12 years after the blaze, and if convicted, he could face the death penalty. On this episode of "The Eagle," we revisit the story, which up to this point had been one of the region's biggest unsolved cases. Also on this episode, we'll sit down with longtime Capital Repertory Theater Artistic Director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill to talk about her career, and what's next after she retires this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Lego artist Nathan Sawaya fell in love with the bricks as a kid, he never imagined it could lead to a successful career. Yet here he is, building massive and complex Lego sculptures for a living. The traveling exhibit featuring his works, which include a giant T. Rex, is coming to Schenectady in August. On this episode of “The Eagle,” Sawaya joins Arts & Entertainment Editor Rick Marshall to talk about the show, and some of the surreal experiences his work with Lego has made possible. Also on this episode, reporter Kelsey Brown talks about the major concerns New York farmers have about immigration crackdowns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York State Police issued an Amber Alert early Sunday morning for a 9-year-old girl thought to have been abducted in a white van along I-87 near Lake George, New York. Less than 24 hours later, the girl’s body was found an hour north, and her father Luciano Frattolin had been arrested for her murder. On this episode of “The Eagle,” we’ll delve into our reporting on the case, and discuss the latest developments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Justice Department appointed John A. Sarcone III as first assistant district attorney of New York’s Northern District this week, which effectively makes him the region’s top prosecutor, at least temporarily. The move comes after a panel of federal judges declined to appoint him to the role permanently. Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and Managing Editor Brendan Lyons discuss the appointment, and some of the recent reporting on Sarcone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Marshall for a little preview. Also on this episode, reporter Ashley Soebroto talks about the latest trends in New York state population data.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Also on this episode, Managing Editor Sara Tracey gives us the highlights from this year’s Best of the Capital Region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 teenager has been charged in the death of 14-year-old Samantha Humphrey in Schenectady. Reporter Paul Nelson gives us an update. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices