Good morning, Albany.

This week's Book Picks feature recommendations by Cheryl Mckeon from The Book House/Marketblock Books in Albany + Cassidy Washburn from Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs and Manchester, with selections including Moss'd in Space by Rebecca Thorne and Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman.

Thousands of students in the Shenendehowa Central School District returned to class today as 9,000 students in 12 schools resumed in-person learning amid a new AI policy and continued cell phone rules, while 630 kindergarteners began full-day classes at the new Atrea Early Learning Center (donated by DCG Development).

UAlbany earned national and global recognition this summer (Money, Princeton Review, TIME, Niche, ShanghaiRanking) for its academic quality, student support, and research strength.

The university will welcome its largest first-year class this fall and has launched an international partnership with RISM.

UAlbany launched a new graduate certificate in Information Science that offers an 18-credit program for working professionals to build tech skills.

The course is available online (and on campus) with four concentrations and is accepting applications for upcoming semesters.

Saxbys cafe opened on Sept.

3 in the Massry School of Business, where UAlbany students now run a full-service cafe as part of the Saxbys Experiential Learning Platform. Student CEO Theo Rhynie heads a team that includes vice president Arianna D’Silva in daily operations and marketing efforts.

Students returned to their classrooms at Gordon Creek Elementary School + Warren St. Elementary School + Glendaal Elementary School today as Capital Region schools kick off the new school year.

Senator Schumer supported plans to bring the Winter Olympics back to New York at a recent visit to the Mount Van Hoevenburg Olympic Sports Complex in Lake Placid; he said the 2042 games would showcase the state’s world-class winter sports facilities (including alpine and sliding venues) and boost local pride.

J&J is converting the former Legends on Pearl building into housing and turning a nearby cafe space near Palace Theatre into apartments.

The project will add new homes downtown + boost local residential options.

UAlbany men's soccer defeated Siena 2-1 Tuesday night at Bob Ford Field at Tom and Mary Casey Stadium in Albany.

Ivar Gissurarson scored twice and the team will host No. 16 Princeton Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6:00 p.m.