Good morning, Albany.

An 11-year-old Albany baker turned her dessert sale into the Emma Kacani Ever Upward Scholarship at Excelsior University after raising $1,000 from the Capital Region Albanian Fest held in July at Cook Park (Colonie).

The fund supports first-generation college students with financial need.

On Thursday, students returned to Rensselaer City School District schools as a $29 million capital project brought temporary changes to the campus, such as a reallocated dismissal area and a partnered team space for seventh graders (with Doane Stuart School), while families experienced some noise and adjustments this fall.

Siena University welcomed more than 900 new students on Thursday, Sept.

3. New chief experience officer Darren Conine said support programs will help freshmen and other students feel they belong as classes begin next Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Albany County banned kratom on Monday after families raised alarm over deaths linked to the supplement.

Rensselaer County lawmakers will discuss a proposal for a full ban next week & community voices urge swift action.

On Thursday, Bethlehem issued an emergency order to vacate the Albany Center for Independent Living in Delmar after building code violations threatened safety; the NYS Department of Health is relocating 45 residents while town officials work with partners (including police and senior services) to pursue legal action.

A local mother urged Rensselaer County lawmakers to ban kratom in East Greenbush Wednesday night after her son died from raw leaf addiction — she noted that Albany County already banned the substance to help prevent further deaths.

CTG UAlbany researcher Seulki Lee-Geiller explained how digital technologies and AI are reshaping citizen engagement and government services in an interview on Sept.

3. Drawing on international experience, her work examines ways to design accessible, transparent digital platforms (improving public trust) that bridge research and practice.

The UAlbany football team lost 21-17 to Buffalo at Broadview Stadium in Amherst after a nearly three-hour delay due to weather on Thursday night.

The Great Danes will travel to face the LIU Sharks on Saturday, Sept. 12.

University at Albany cross country and track and field programs announced 21 newcomer student-athletes for the upcoming 2026-27 season, including local, transfer, and international recruits.

The UAlbany women’s soccer team beat Stonehill 2-1 at Casey Stadium on Thursday night as Angie McLoughlin scored her first goal and Oluchi Njoku opened the scoring.

The Great Danes will host Le Moyne (Sept. 6 at 2:00 p.m.) in their next home match.

Manny Franco & John Velazquez were suspended for one day after riding crop violations during the Travers meeting, where they rode Napoleon Solo on Leading Change; officials confirmed the disciplinary action.

On September 2, UAlbany honored Campbell Robinson, who posted a .360 hitting rate with 23 kills and 11 blocks in volleyball at the Black Knight Invitational, and Joey Koch, who rushed 144 yards and a touchdown in football.