Good morning, Albany.

Albany County Sheriff’s Office K-9 (8-year-old bloodhound) Casey was found fatally struck on the Thruway early Sunday morning after her kennel door was not properly latched, and she was discovered about a half-mile from her handler’s Ravena home.

The Albany County Sheriff’s Office is investigating how K-9 Casey escaped from a Ravena home on Saturday when a kennel door did not latch and was later fatally struck on the Thruway — the department will add locking devices and GPS tracking to better secure its police dogs.

On Aug. 4, a DGS fuel pump explosion in Albany injured Battalion Chief Wayne Brennan and Supervisor Anthony Hughes — Brennan remains hospitalized with severe burns while Hughes is set for further surgery as investigators continue their review.

On Friday, Aug. 21, at 7:30 p.m., the Saratoga Performing Arts Center will host Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert with conductor Damon Gupton leading The Philadelphia Orchestra live as the complete 1977 film is shown on the big screen.

Kira Wizner at Merritt Bookstore in Millbrook and Lily Bartels at Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady have shared their top book picks for the week.

Their selections (which include titles like The Skeleton and the Cat, All the Sinners Bleed, and Sunrise) offer Albany readers fresh options for their next read.

The University at Albany welcomed more than 3,500 first-year students on Monday as part of its record Fall semester, with new academic programs and community events designed to boost student success — including a candlelight ceremony today at Entry Plaza.

UAlbany launched a Neuromorphic Quantum Computing Constellation funded by the Simons Foundation that will support four new tenure-track faculty members in neuroscience, mathematics and hardware engineering.

They began work this month on campus to develop brain-inspired quantum computing systems.

Pita & Olive in Clifton Park serves scratch-made Mediterranean dishes.

Opened at the end of 2024, the restaurant offers signature items like slow-roasted lamb shank over kabuli rice, and owner Sal Niazi — who also launched AI tool netta for restaurant finances — says fresh, local ingredients set them apart.

Developers from EKG and Guild Ventures presented plans for Kenwood Commons, a 76-acre site in Albany, that include a data center and mixed-use amenities at an estimated cost of $700 million — details will be refined as grid and environmental studies proceed.

The University at Albany men's basketball program has announced its 2026-27 schedule, which includes 14 home games at Broadview Center with a key match—the Albany Cup against Siena on Dec.

12. Season tickets are on sale starting at $100, and renewals must be completed by Oct. 29.

UAlbany women’s basketball, coached by Kelly Morrone, released the 2026-27 schedule with 15 games and a home exhibition on Oct.

29 at Broadview Center. Season tickets (starting at $75) are on sale now, and the season opens with a road game at Northeastern on Nov. 2.