Good morning, Albany.

Local leaders joined Northern Rivers Family of Services on Tuesday to celebrate the opening of a new aquatic center with a 50 foot by 25 foot pool at the Albany campus on Academy Road.

The facility will serve over 200 youths daily this spring and summer — funded by $750,000 in grants and private donations.

On June 3, 2025, Albany man Billy Rodriguez, 24, pleaded guilty to a firearm charge after admitting he threatened a woman with a loaded handgun during a dispute on Third Street — he was found with extra ammunition and had an outstanding bench warrant from a May 2024 larceny case, and now faces up to ten years in prison followed by probation.

Albany Police arrested Woodley Vales, 38—accused of threatening his neighbor with a gun on Third Street near Ontario Street around 8:15 p.m. on Monday—and later recovered his red backpack with a loaded gun found on Third Avenue.

The University at Albany accepted its first delivery of renewable diesel fuel last week as it begins replacing petroleum diesel in campus-operated vehicles — the conversion includes 12 buses, three garbage trucks, 50 heavy-duty utility vehicles and 20 diesel-powered mowers to lower carbon emissions and improve air quality. Renewable diesel is a biodegradable fuel made from vegetable oils, animal fats and recycled restaurant fats that meets standard diesel specifications without requiring costly modifications.

UAlbany’s AI Lab partnered with the New York Prosecutors Training Institute—developing AI tools that will help prosecutors summarize case decisions and answer legal questions.

Graduate student Mikail Demir will lead the project at the lab for the next year and a half to streamline legal research.

Alcohol reform efforts remain stalled as bills to let supermarkets sell wine are still in committee while the Legislature is set to adjourn its session next week.

Sen. Liz Krueger and Sen. James Skoufis have proposed measures to adjust rules—such as a 500-foot rule for supermarkets near liquor stores—amid industry concerns over rising costs.

The Capital Region Heart Walk will take place this weekend in downtown Albany to raise funds for the American Heart Association.

The event begins at UAlbany with registration at 7 a.m.—the run starts at 8 a.m. and walkers leave at 10:30 a.m., featuring a 15-year-old Heart Hero and CDPHP’s CEO who recently had open-heart surgery.

Alive at Five Summer Concert Series - Classic Rock Night

4:30-9 p.m. — Tricentennial Park — Free entry — Experience a night of classic rock with Queensryche and Gozer during Albany’s signature summer concert series.

Raymour & Flanigan Paint & Save

1-3 p.m. — Raymour & Flanigan — $1.50 ticket service fee — Paint a mug to support mental health therapy for service members and veterans.

Albany Comic Con

10 AM – 4 PM — Polonaise Ballroom at PCC — Free for kids 12 and under with a paying adult — Enjoy the premiere comic book and collectibles show in Upstate New York.

The Native Howl Concert

7-9 p.m. — Empire Underground — $39+ — Enjoy last-minute concert tickets for a thrilling performance by The Native Howl in Albany.

Neal Francis Concert at Tricentennial Park

4:30-8:00 p.m. — Tricentennial Park — Free entry — Experience Albany’s vibrant concert series featuring diverse live performances under the summer sky.

Albany Contra Dance

7:45-11 p.m. — Elks Lodge #49 — $8 – $25 — Dance the night away with the Capital District Megaband and caller Julian Blechner in a lively contra dance experience.

Annual Summer Market

11 AM – 3 PM — Stuyvesant Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy shopping, food tastings, and live music in a vibrant summer atmosphere.

Green's Blues Jam

7:30-11:30 p.m. — McGeary's — No cover charge — Experience an exciting evening of blues music led by jam master Richard Green.

Albany Water Lantern Festival

6-10 p.m. — Empire State Plaza — $28.99 - $55.99 — Experience a magical evening of food, music, and thousands of lanterns illuminating the night with love and hope.

Make Music Albany

12 p.m. – 11:59 p.m. — Albany City Hall — Free entry — Celebrate the joy of music across Albany with performances by local talents and community participation.