Good morning, Albany.

Capital All-Star Community Youth Weekend will take place August 23rd and 24th at Lincoln Park in Albany—organized by Second Chance for Adults Inc. and A Step Above My Community and free to attend.

The event will feature a 3-on-3 basketball challenge at 9 a.m. and Boxing in The Park at 3 p.m. on Saturday along with a Living Legends Celebration, a Middle School All-Star game, and vendor booths on Sunday.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that gun violence dropped by 14% in shooting incidents with injuries across New York, with data showing a 21% decline in shooting deaths and Albany experiencing a 53% fall (record investments and the GIVE initiative helped strengthen law enforcement efforts).

Former correction officer Brandon Montanari was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for beating and choking a Black inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Oneida County—he pleaded guilty in April.

A nurse at Livingston Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center was arrested Wednesday—police and the state Department of Health said an investigation into missing narcotics led to drug and endangerment charges.

Albany County received over $1M from the state for broadband expansion—selecting proposals from three ISPs to cover about 1,000 unserved addresses in seven towns and joining $3.2M in ARPA funds to boost high-speed internet coverage to 95%.

Gov. Kathy Hochul allocated $200 million for high-impact projects that may fund Albany Waterway Inc.'s plan to revitalize the downtown waterfront with a new canal.

The plan includes ideas such as uncovering an Erie Canal lock for a marina and building a large basin near SUNY Administration—steps that could boost local development.

Columbia County Fair

8 PM – 6 PM — Columbia County Fairgrounds — Admission fees vary — A delightful week of fun, rides, and local showcases.

Meet the Scientist: Heather Clark

12 PM — New York State Museum — Free entry — Discover how archaeological mapping unveils the stories beneath our feet with expert Heather Clark.

Bulldog Courage Concert

4-6 p.m. — Empire Live — Prices vary — Experience an exciting live performance featuring Bulldog Courage and Death Before Dishonor.

Phantogram Concert

8:00–9:30 p.m. — Empire Live — Tickets from $54 — Enjoy a night of alternative music with Phantogram in Albany.

Improvement Movement Concert

7-11 p.m. — Lark Hall — Check website for ticket info — Experience the eclectic sounds of Atlanta's Improvement Movement live on stage.

Harvest Craft Fair

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Shaker Heritage Society — Suggested donation of $5 — Enjoy a family-friendly weekend with a petting zoo, live music, and over 65 vendors.

Tunnel to Towers Climb

12:00 – 3:00 p.m. — Albany Mall — Registration fee required — Honor the heroism of firefighters and participate in a community climb.

Adam Sandler Live

7:30-9:00 p.m. — MVP Arena — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of laughter with the iconic comedian Adam Sandler.

Nurse Blake Live Show

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Palace Theatre — Last-minute tickets available — Enjoy a night of comedy with Nurse Blake in Albany.

Auto Recyclers NorthEast Convention & TraceShow

Sep 18-20 — Hilton Albany — Check official website for entry fees — A premier gathering for automotive recycling professionals to network and explore new technologies.