Daily
Albany
Friday, February 20th, 2026
Good morning, Albany. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 20th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Churches and community groups are hosting fish fry dinners for Lent, offering meals on Fridays for local residents + check community boards for times and locations. WRGB
- ➤ Outhouse races return at Tinney’s Tavern on Saturday, Feb. 21 to support Expedition Yeti—raising funds for childhood cancer research—and the Nash Weston Onorato Memorial Foundation supporting parents after infant loss. Registration starts at 11 a.m., races begin at 2 p.m., and Big Sky Country performs at 5 p.m. NewsChannel 13
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ UAlbany now displays Toni Morrison's preserved office desk and chair as a tribute commissioned by the New York State Writers Institute to honor the Pulitzer Prize-winning author. The exhibit features pieces once used in professor Janell Hobson's office that underscore her lasting campus impact. WAMC
- ➤ Carolyn Michelle drew on her caregiving experience for Sarah Friedland's film Familiar Touch, which follows Ruth as she transitions into assisted living. The film is now streaming on MUBI. WAMC
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Environmental groups including Earthjustice have asked the DEC to deny a permit for CleanEarth's two-week PFAS cleanup experiment at Fort Edward, claiming the process does not reach the high temperatures needed to break down contaminants (a concern for local communities). The company says its controlled trial under NYSDEC oversight is safe and efficient. Times Union
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a settlement with EmblemHealth that requires the insurer to pay over $2.5 million and reform its provider directories to improve mental health access. EmblemHealth must fix inaccuracies within two business-days and meet new timing standards under independent review. WRGB
- ➤ The union for active and retired postal workers will hold a rally on Sunday at noon at 1770 Central Ave. in Colonie to demand fair contracts and better working conditions ahead of upcoming negotiations and a regional USPS hiring push. WRGB
- ➤ Bethlehem received a Gold award from the New York Association of Towns’ Towns of Excellence Program for its planning, community service, and economic development. Town Supervisor David VanLuven accepted the honor in New York City on Feb. 16 (Bethlehem is one of only 13 winners statewide). WRGB
- ➤ State employees at 625 Broadway reported bedbug sightings from October to January and continue to work with concerns while the workers union calls for clearer updates from management to ensure workplace safety, even though agencies say the issue has been resolved (with no current sightings). WRGB
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The UAlbany baseball team enters the 2026 season after a competitive 2025 campaign and prepares to build momentum. They open today with a four-game series at Texas Tech starting at 3:00 p.m., featuring veteran players (Banner, McAllister, and Filippi) as they face a tough nonconference schedule. University at Albany
- ➤ The UAlbany men's basketball team came from behind to win 81-63 over NJIT in Newark on Thursday night—with Amir Lindsey scoring 22 points—and will travel to Baltimore to face UMBC at 1 p.m. on Saturday. University at Albany
- ➤ UAlbany women’s basketball fell 70-64 to NJIT at the Broadview Center on Thursday night. Freshman Amaya Stewart scored 25 points as the team, now 13-13, prepares to host UMBC for Senior Day on Saturday at 4 p.m. University at Albany
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Girl's NYSPHSSA State Championships
12:00–4:00 a.m. — MVP Arena — Ticket prices vary — Witness top high school athletic talent compete for state titles.
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We Sing, We Speak, We Rise — Soulful: A Broadway Showcase
7-9 p.m. — Capital Repertory Theatre — Ticket prices may apply — Experience local talent performing beloved Broadway tunes in a unique style.
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Joythief Concert
7-9 p.m. — Empire Underground — Tickets available — Experience the evocative music of Joythief with their poignant lyrics and engaging performances.
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Candlelight Concert: 90s Unplugged
8:30-9:30 p.m. — The Egg — Ticket prices vary — Experience a magical evening of 90s classics performed by a string quartet under the soft glow of candlelight.
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Turn It Up Dance Challenge
March 13-15 — Palace Theatre — Registration open — Enjoy a thrilling weekend of regional dance competitions with awards and scholarships.
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Capital District Wind Challenge
8:30 AM – 2:30 PM — Sand Creek Middle School — School team participation — Experience the excitement of student-designed wind turbines in a competitive setting.
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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
12-3 p.m. — MVP Arena — Tickets available — Experience the thrill of the circus with world-class performances and family-friendly entertainment.
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Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
8:30-9:30 p.m. — UAlbany Performing Arts Center — Tickets available — Experience the enchanting music of Taylor Swift illuminated by candlelight.
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Live Music with Luke Palvus
7-10 p.m. — Seven Dining and Catering — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of live music by Luke Palvus at a popular local venue.
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