Good morning, Albany.

Mohonasen's Draper Middle School welcomed back students for the new school year on Wednesday, Sept.

9 as part of a regional return to class. Photos captured the excitement of student arrivals.

UAlbany PhD student Alejandro Mundo spent the past two summers at the Amazon’s Boiling River as an inaugural teacher fellow with the Explorers Club.

He gathered data with scientists, educators and local indigenous community members to create curriculum connecting rainforest lessons with urban classrooms + addressing deforestation.

The Shenendehowa Board of Education approved Mustangs as the new mascot for its public schools (it beat Sentinels and 146ers) during its latest meeting.

Rensselaer County voted Tuesday night to ban kratom sales and distribution while Menands will enforce Albany County's ban.

The move is part of a growing regional effort to limit the product's availability.

Albany International Airport closed its cell phone lot for an expansion project on Tuesday, Sept.

9 that will boost spaces from 32 to 67. Drivers are redirected to a temporary lot at Heritage Lane and Albany Shaker Road until the lot reopens in early November.

Darren Tracy returned Sept.

9 to offer home repair advice on WAMC streaming, hosted by Ray Graf. Tracy (a licensed engineer, master plumber, and certified building analyst) aims to help locals tackle maintenance issues.