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Today’s edition · Thurs., Nov. 5

Albany Med fires CEO Daniel Pickett; county votes for a medical examiner

Plus, Albany County voters replace coroners with an appointed medical examiner.

The Daily Albany team2 stories15 sources5 min read

Health CareTop story

Albany Med's board fires CEO Daniel Pickett after an independent review

Pickett's tenure ran less than a year

  1. Dec. 2025Albany Med names Pickett president and CEO, effective immediately.
  2. Sept. 30Pickett files a defamation suit after assault claims in a civil complaint.
  3. Oct. 3The board places Pickett on paid leave and retains an outside firm.
  4. Nov. 4The board votes unanimously to fire Pickett.

Sources: Times Union, WRGB

Albany Med's board voted unanimously Wednesday to fire CEO Daniel Pickett III, effective immediately, after an independent review of allegations made by a former girlfriend. He had been on leave since Oct. 3 and has denied the allegations.

Executive Vice President Matthew Jones is acting CEO while the board runs a national search with an outside search firm and input from stakeholders. The board also said it will review and strengthen its governance. State Sen. Pat Fahy, who represents Albany, called the firing “the right call.”

  • Started: Dec. 4, 2025, replacing Dennis McKenna
  • Outside review: Albany Med hired
  • Alleged incident: Manhattan apartment, February 2025

The firing came on the heels of a defamation suit Pickett filed against his ex-girlfriend. He also sued her over allegedly stealing more than $300,000 of property from the apartment. She is suing him in state court.

$1.3 millionPickett is asking for in two Saratoga County suits

That's the combined amount he wants the court to award him across the defamation suit and the property suit.

Source: WAMC Northeast Public Radio

Albany County

Albany County voters approve replacing coroners with a medical examiner

If you've ever wondered who investigates a sudden death in the county, that's changing. More than 60% of voters approved swapping the county's for an appointed , according to unofficial results from the Albany County Board of Elections.

It won't happen overnight. The coroner stays in place until the medical examiner is appointed, and County Health Commissioner Dr. Kristen Navarette said the transition can take up to two months as it passes the final legislative steps.

Albany County voters said yes to a medical examiner

More than 60%
of voters approved, in unofficial results
4
elected, part-time coroners to be replaced
6 years
term for the chief medical examiner

Source: WAMC Northeast Public Radio

  • Chief medical examiner: full-time licensed physician trained in forensic pathology
  • Appointed by the county executive; the Legislature confirms
  • Staff: one medical examiner and several death investigators
  • County is talking about sharing resources with a neighboring county

Cost is the open question. The county first estimated the office would add $935,000 a year, and some legislators worried it could run higher, especially on salaries for the three proposed death investigators.

$935,000a year in added cost, the county's original estimate

That was the County Executive's Office's first estimate of what switching to a would cost.

Source: WAMC Northeast Public Radio

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News Notes

Mechanicville

Mechanicville voters ended the form of government the city has used for 111 years. Albany County voters also eliminated a ' office that dates back even further. Times Union

Girls' soccer

Averill Park beat Schalmont in overtime Tuesday in the Section 2 Class A final, ending Schalmont's run of six consecutive sectional titles. Sophomore Abigail Meissner scored the winner with 3:34 left in the extra period, giving the Golden Knights their first sectional title since 2018. The Daily Gazette

Averill Park and Bethlehem won Section 2 girls' soccer finals

FinalWinnerHow
Class AAverill ParkOvertime goal, 3:34 left
Class AABethlehem4-2 on penalty kicks

Source: The Daily Gazette

Bethlehem

Bethlehem edged Ballston Spa 4-2 in penalty kicks Tuesday in the Section 2 Class AA final. The Eagles play in the regional final Saturday at Stillwater High School, their first trip since 2019. The Daily Gazette

Concert

If you're a rock fan, Breaking Benjamin announced a March 3 show at MVP Arena, with Starset, P.O.D. and Filter along. General tickets go on sale Fri., Nov. 6. The band last played the Capital Region at SPAC on May 23, 2025. Times UnionCNY News

Flu

New York's report for the week ending Oct. 24 shows flu case and hospitalization rates rising across the Capital Region, including Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady and Rensselaer counties. Statewide, there were 4,172 confirmed cases that week, up 13 percent, and hospitalizations jumped 40 percent to 326. CNY News

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Things to Do

Things to Do

Albany, NY

Thursday, Nov. 5

  • 7 p.m.Jason IsbellFive For Fighting with String Quartet at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
  • 7:30 p.m.WickedGE Theatre at Proctors Theatre - Complex, Schenectady · $362.87
  • 7:30 p.m.Wicked (Touring)GE Theater At Proctors, Schenectady
  • 7:30 p.m.Jason Isbell and The 400 UnitTroy Savings Bank Music Hall - Troy, NY
  • 7:30 p.m.Brian ReganGE Theatre at Proctors Theatre - Complex, Schenectady

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I live on quarry dr I have 2 small dogs and unfortunately I had an issue with a neighbor that owns a Rottweiler, that’s not the problem, she is elderly aging with some health issues along with hip replacement etc , her dog has knocked her down

“trying to attack me and my little 4 and 7 lb dogs , we ran like hell and was capable of getting to safety, I don’t want to be mean but I had words we both agreed she would only walk her dog unless muzzled!! Guess what yesterday today I saw her after heart failure and shock literally scared to death she is back out…”

— A neighbor, Albany Shaker

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The Wrap

Albany's dry spell is over. Rain arrives Thursday morning, ending a 19-day dry stretch that NEWS10's meteorologists say was the driest since 1980. Wednesday's lower to middle 70s even set some record highs across the area. Thursday's rain comes with gusts up to 20-25 mph. Welcome back, umbrella.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? DEC asks you to avoid the Berlin wildfire area

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition15 links · 9 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. Times Uniontimesunion.com
  3. WRGBcbs6albany.com
  4. WAMC Northeast Public Radiowamc.org
  5. WNYT.comwnyt.com
  6. WRGBcbs6albany.com
  7. NEWS10 ABCnews10.com
  8. WAMC Northeast Public Radiowamc.org
  9. Times Uniontimesunion.com
  10. The Daily Gazettedailygazette.com
  11. The Daily Gazettedailygazette.com
  12. Times Uniontimesunion.com
  13. CNY Newscnynews.com
  14. CNY Newscnynews.com
  15. Albany events calendardailyalbanynews.com

Past issues

  1. Wed., Nov. 4DEC asks you to avoid the Berlin wildfire area
  2. Tues., Nov. 3New York's unemployment system is down for 9 to 12 days; wildfire closes Rensselaer trails
  3. Mon., Nov. 2Albany County early voting wraps with 37,396 ballots cast, 3,917 on Saturday
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Daily Albanyto me · Thurs., Nov. 56:00 a.m.

Albany Med fires CEO Daniel Pickett; county votes for a medical examiner

Plus, Albany County voters replace coroners with an appointed medical examiner.

The TLDR

  1. Albany Med's board fires CEO Daniel Pickett
  2. Albany County voters replace coroners with a medical examiner
  3. Averill Park ends Schalmont girls' soccer's six-title run
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Daily Albany’s other editions

All the news
Rensselaer CountyDEC asks you to stay out of the Berlin wildfire area while crews finish upIf you hike in Rensselaer County, skip the Berlin forest area for now. The state Department of Environmental Conservation says crews are still working to finish addressing last week's wildfire. The Berlin State Forest and Taconic Ridge State Forest are closed until further notice.Wednesday’s editionRead HealthA child's death in Lewis County is New York's first measles death in more than 30 yearsA child in Lewis County has died from measles. The state Department of Health and Lewis County Public Health called it the first known measles-associated death in New York State in more than 30 years. Gov. Kathy Hochul called the death "a devastating reminder of what's at stake when Washington deliberately erodes decades of progress in protecting Americans from preventable illnesses."Wednesday’s editionRead State ServicesNew York's unemployment system is offline for 9 to 12 days while it's upgradedIf you collect unemployment in New York, the state's system is down right now. The Department of Labor took its online and phone services offline at 5 p.m. Monday for an upgrade. Until it's back, you can't file a new claim, certify for weekly benefits, or access or update your account.Tuesday’s editionRead

Around Albany

From The Daily Gazette, NEWS10 ABC and 3 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

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