Good morning, Albany.

Today, Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA will host a family-friendly Paw Picnic at Locust Hill Barn at 5 Stockport Road — offering fun, food, and games to support the shelter's mission.

The event runs from noon to 4:00 p.m.

Shares of Plug Power surged after good news from its green hydrogen manufacturing plant in Georgia led to rising stock prices, with shares climbing from about $1.50 to nearly $2.40 and briefly reaching $3.10 during a Tuesday tour by Oppenheimer — the company employs hundreds in the Capital Region and reported record production last month.

Local 10-year-old Lulu Grey debuted their first album 'Dreaming In Grey' at Lark Hall in Albany Friday.

They performed at WAMC’s studios before the release—explaining that the seven-song work reflects their lived experience and opened with 'Running Next to you.'

Minita Sanghvi, an Assistant Professor at Skidmore College and Saratoga Springs Finance Commissioner, published her first novel 'Happy Endings' in 2022—this is the first lesbian romance novel published in India.

WAMC’s Maryam Ahmad interviewed her today ahead of her panel at the Albany Book Festival.

Dead Man’s Hand Tattoo Expo will take place at Albany Capital Center from October 24 to October 26, featuring over 200 tattoo artists, daily contests, and a head-to-head invitational for a championship belt and future booth benefits.

Visitors can register online to enter contests or buy passes for entry — the event promises a unique blend of horror and permanent body art.

Data released Wednesday by the New York Equity Coalition shows that teachers of color make up only 20% of educators compared to 60% of students, with gaps as high as 47 points in urban districts—state education officials are launching programs to boost teacher diversity and retention.

Today, the DEC and food programs announced that more than 63 million pounds of food have been donated to feed hungry New Yorkers and keep waste out of landfills—this marks a significant jump from last year’s 32 million pounds.

Price Chopper/Market 32 contributed 5.5 million pounds through its Fresh Recovery Program and local groups are working to cut trips to landfills and lower harmful gas emissions.

The Hillcrest Volunteer Fire Department in the Halfmoon Fire District received two FEMA grants — totaling over $700,000 — on Friday to update its protective gear and increase training, retention and recruitment efforts.

New York State began mailing its first inflation refund checks to 8.2 million households on Friday with payments of up to $400—eligible residents who filed a 2023 tax return and met income thresholds will receive them automatically.

The New York State Tax Department will continue sending refunds through November.

Today the Capital Region will hold the 'Out of The Darkness' suicide prevention walk — hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — with check-in at noon at Schenectady Central Park, and tomorrow the event will begin at Saratoga Spa State Park with check-in at 9:00 a.m.

Yesterday, Food Friday focused on bread baking as host Ray Graf took calls from Grayling Bauer, Wilson Keenan, and Amy Halloran—Bauer of Sparrowbush Bakery in Livingston supplies 1500 artisan loaves weekly while Keenan of Bakery Suzanne shares sourdough expertise.

Tara VanDerveer, a Hall of Fame basketball coach from Schenectady who grew up near Albany, recalled riding in a Delta 88—an experience that sparked her love for the game and led her to play pickup games with boys and learn from her teacher Barb Palm.

Her story, which follows her path from local courts to coaching at Stanford, is featured in an upcoming biography by sports columnist Joyce Bassett.

The University at Albany women’s basketball program led by head coach Colleen Mullen announced the full 2025-26 schedule with non-conference games starting November 4 and key matchups against Syracuse and Rhode Island—set to prepare the team for a competitive season.

Season tickets are now on sale starting at $75 with payments due by Tuesday, October 28, and can be purchased online or by phone.

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.

Nate's Playlist Live Performance

6-8 p.m. — The Eleven — Free entry — Experience the debut performance of Nate's Playlist in an inviting local venue.