Good morning, Albany.

Yesterday the Roundtable Panel featured a discussion of issues in the news and beyond — publisher emeritus Ira Fusfeld, grants analyst Emily Honen, Legal Aid Society director Nic Rangel and sociology professor Catherine Tan, who researches health and wellness, shared insights on funding and local policy impacts.

The first-ever New York State Canine Expo will take place this weekend at the Schoharie County Sunshine Fairgrounds on September 27th and 28th with 21 areas offering free lectures, competitions, and vendors.

Lois Goblet, who helped start the Expo, said it aims to educate dog owners and address concerns raised by recent animal cruelty cases — a reminder that better pet care resources are needed.

This weekend, the Capital Region will host a range of live shows and festivals—today brings music and theater at local venues while Saturday and Sunday offer rock concerts, pumpkin festivals, and family events in Hudson and Saratoga.

The events provide a variety of choices for residents to enjoy community arts, food, and fun during the break.

The Gazette News Group completed its acquisition of Spotlight News—its three weekly papers—on Wednesday after publisher John McIntyre finalized the deal with John DeAugustine.

The purchase expands local coverage into Albany County and will allow for technology upgrades that improve both digital and print news delivery.

Essendant (owned by Sycamore Partners) will lay off 68 workers at its Greene County Coxsackie distribution center by the end of the year (the 258,000-square-foot facility is being sold) as part of a broader plan to downsize operations.

The NYS Writers Institute will host the 8th Annual Albany Book Festival on Saturday, Sept.

27 at the University at Albany campus from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.—a daylong event that will include panel discussions, award-winning authors, and over 100 local exhibitors supporting community literacy programs.

A new UAlbany study led by Assistant Professor Xuecong Lu showed that multitasking made people more likely to fall for phishing scams—experiments with nearly 1,000 participants found that heavy memory tasks made it hard to spot warning signs.

Roger Ramsammy, the former president of Hudson Valley Community College, filed a 61-page lawsuit Tuesday and claims his 2024 firing was unfair and did not follow proper process.

He alleges that the board acted with bias after a sexual harassment investigation and now seeks monetary damages—his lawyer says key video evidence was ignored.

Protesters gathered outside Nexstar’s WTEN Channel 10 studios in Albany Wednesday night to protest the decision to not air the reinstated 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Local officials and community leaders spoke about protecting free speech—another rally will take place outside WRGB studios in Niskayuna on Monday night.

A giant sign outside the former Saint Rose campus urges neighbors to join a meeting tonight from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Lally School of Education building—organizers state the Albany County Pine Hills Land Authority is gathering input on a master plan that may include housing, green space, public use or business development. City leaders expect a final report in November—community voices will shape the site's long-term future.

Garbage and chest-high weeds filled the planter boxes along Everett Road near Interstate 90 and left visitors with a poor first impression of Albany—city officials said they recently planted flowers and are now installing fall mums while state DOT confirmed no replacement project for the bridge is underway.

Imelda Muller from Copake Falls, a Taconic Hills High School graduate with a medical degree, was chosen as one of 10 candidates in NASA’s newest astronaut class and began nearly two years of training for missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon and Mars — with over 8,000 applicants vying for the program.

The Albany County Health Department confirmed that one individual at Guilderland Elementary School has typhoid fever and is receiving care while staying out of school until cleared by doctors.

Officials said the overall risk is low—no other cases have been found and parents should watch for fever, headaches, or stomach pain.

Oktoberfest 5k Albany

10:00 AM — Jennings Landing — Race fee required — Celebrate Oktoberfest in style while supporting local charities.

Albany Job Fair

9 AM – 4 PM — Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Latham — Free admission — Explore opportunities with 90+ companies hiring in Albany.

NORTHEAST Regional Campus Activities Conference 2025

Oct 3-5 — Hilton Albany — Membership and Delegate Pass required — Engage in educational sessions and showcases for student and professional development.

Albany Skelly Run

12:00 AM — 123 S Main Ave, Albany, NY — Tickets on sale now — Get ready for a spooky fun run filled with Halloween surprises and an after-party extravaganza.

Sir Chloe Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — Empire Live — Ticket pricing available — Experience the energetic pop sounds of Sir Chloe live in Albany.

TV Doctors Live at Lark Hall

6-9 p.m. — Lark Hall — Free entry — Experience a psychedelic jazz trio blending funk, reggae, and contemporary jazz with improvisational flair.

Albany Midnight Mile Vampire Run

10 PM – 3 AM — Albany, NY — Tickets on sale now — Experience a thrilling vampire-themed fun run under the moonlight.

Psychedelic Furs Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Palace Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Catch the iconic Psychedelic Furs live in a great local venue.

The EBlock Featuring Glass Pony and Victory Soul Orchestra

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Lark Hall — Ticket info not provided — Experience an electrifying night of soul, funk, and rock with some of Albany's best local bands.

Drake White Concert

8-9:30 p.m. — Empire Live — Tickets from $39 — Experience the energetic performance of Drake White at a local favorite venue.