Good morning, Albany.

The renovated Peerless Pool Complex at Saratoga State Park is now open to help locals beat the heat + it offers a refreshing oasis during the region’s incoming heat wave.

7-year-old Harbe Nagi, found dead near his family’s gathering in Menands, will be honored today during a visitation at Al-Hidayah Center (293 Troy-Schenectady Rd in Latham) and his funeral will be held tomorrow at 1 p.m.

The owner of Taste of Italy in Latham said his restaurant's Facebook account posted a controversial comment on Tuesday that upset locals after referencing a boy’s death.

He explained that his wife posted by mistake (she thought it was a personal account) and said he will now control the page.

Local residents have turned to the new BioLife Plasma Donation Center in Latham to earn extra money as rising costs and job challenges hit basic needs.

Donors spend about an hour and a half there and sometimes earn a couple hundred dollars per session (a short-term stopgap).

UAlbany student-athletes were honored on June 30 for academic and on-field success + seven earned SUNY Scholar-Athlete awards while 12 received America East Presidential honors for achievements across 11 sports.

On Tuesday, Jun. 30, DEC’s Outdoors event featured Jeremy Hurst and wildlife biologist Jordan Youngmann — host Ray Graf led a discussion on wildlife management.

Listeners called 800-348-2551 during the show.

Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby has created a child safety commission — bringing together experts from law enforcement, child services and health professionals — to review systemic issues following child deaths in Mechanicville and Corinth; the commission will meet later this summer to suggest reforms.

Saratoga County is forming a Child Safety Review Commission with law enforcement + child protective services + health professionals to address recent local tragedies; commission members will be announced in August to guide early intervention measures.

Senators Schumer and Gillibrand announced new FAA funding of nearly $63.7 million for safety and modernization projects at Upstate airports on June 30.

Capital Region airports like Albany International will receive almost $2.4 million for runway, taxiway, and terminal improvements.

Nearly half a million Essential Plan members will lose coverage this week due to federal funding changes from H.R.1, and health experts warn that some local hospitals with tight budgets may face extra unpaid care + financial pressure.

UAlbany weather experts say an extreme heat wave will intensify from today through Friday with feels-like temperatures topping 100F, prompting campus cooling measures and community alerts.

Emergency managers (using real-time Mesonet data) are monitoring conditions to issue timely warnings.

Albany College of Pharmacy researcher Dr. Vir Singh is leading a three-year, NIH-funded study to find a functional HIV cure (block and lock method), which will involve local universities and hands-on research opportunities for students.

Shynelle Woroniuk, a UAlbany graduate student, was named one of three collegiate award recipients by CDSWOY for 2026.

She will be honored for her academic, athletic, and community service achievements at the Awards Gala on Monday, Aug. 3 at the GE Theatre at Proctors.

Alive at Five Summer Concert Series: Classic Rock Night

5-11 p.m. — Washington Park — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of high-energy classic rock with FJ's tribute to Foreigner and Journey.

Atomic Rule Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Empire Underground — Ticket prices vary — Experience an electrifying night with Atomic Rule and The Virgos in Albany.

John Caparulo Comedy Show

9:15 PM — Funny Bone — Tickets available — Enjoy a night of laughs with comedian John Caparulo at the Funny Bone Comedy Club.

WWE Friday Night SmackDown

7:30-9:30 p.m. — MVP Arena — Tickets from $81 — Experience the electrifying atmosphere of WWE SmackDown live in Albany.