Good morning, Albany.

State police seized three Swifty's Restaurant locations in Albany, Delmar and Utica on Thursday, Dec.

4 for back taxes, leading to a temporary closure with the business advising customers to check its social media for re-opening updates.

Albany High School’s Next Gen barbershop program (a hands-on training venue) lets students practice barbering and earn New York State licenses on Thursdays and Fridays.

Secretary of State Walter Mosley visited to endorse the initiative, part of a statewide campaign to boost career pathways.

UAlbany was named a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists on Dec.

4 after earning bronze-level recognition for its safe, bike-friendly campus. The school offers a free bike-share program, miles of trails, and bike amenities for students, staff & visitors.

Experts recommend strategies to boost children's reading, noting that repeated reading, using books during errands, and joining library programs help build vocabulary and comprehension.

Parents are encouraged to praise young readers to nurture a love for books.

UAlbany researcher Fangqun Yu has proposed a method to reduce harmful contrails by adding tiny ice-nucleating particles into aircraft engine exhaust; early simulations show a strong reduction in ice crystals, and further tests will follow to ensure the method lowers aviation’s climate impact.

Kara Sulia of UAlbany’s Atmospheric Sciences Research Center spoke on the final fall episode of The Short Version on Dec.

4, explaining how AI can help people understand weather and what it still cannot do—she noted that computer science is now key to studying our skies.

A state audit found gaps in funeral oversight such as misidentified bodies & late death registrations, leading health agencies to boost inspections and update guidelines to prevent invalid burial permits.

Albany Medical Center named Daniel Pickett as its new president and CEO effective immediately.

He had served as board chair since July and replaced Dennis McKenna, who led the hospital during COVID-19.

Times Union data reveals that New York’s property tax system uses assessments and equalization to set rates that vary with local budgets and property values.

Homeowners learn that differences across villages, towns, cities, and counties can result in tax bills that vary widely, with Albany reporting the state’s highest tax levy.

Sophia Schoonmaker and Pilar Lorenzini earned NFHCA Second Team All-Northeast Region honors after impressive field hockey seasons at UAlbany — Lorenzini scored six goals in three games while Schoonmaker played over 1000 minutes as a team captain.

Their achievement adds to a series of postseason awards announced by the association.

UAlbany’s track and field teams were picked (64 points from 8 first-place votes) as the top preseason favorites in the America East Indoor Track and Field Poll announced Thursday.

The men and women teams, each returning as indoor champions, are set to defend their lead in the conference.

Adoption Clinic at Pet Supplies Plus

11 AM - 12:30 PM — Pet Supplies Plus East Greenbush — Free entry — Find your new furry friend and support local dog rescue efforts.

The Muppet Christmas Carol Screening

7-11 p.m. — Palace Theatre — Free entry — Enjoy a holiday classic with The Muppet Christmas Carol during the M&T Bank Holiday Movie Series.

Secret Star Acoustic Jam

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Palace Theatre Albany — Tickets required — Experience an intimate acoustic performance in a historic setting.

Bored Teachers Comedy Tour

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Palace Theatre — Ticketed event — An evening of laughter exploring the realities of teaching for educators and non-educators alike.

Albany Holiday Princess Ball

12-3:30 p.m. — Crowne Plaza Albany - the Desmond Hotel — Ticket required — Celebrate the holiday season with an enchanting afternoon of princess-themed fun and interactive activities for children.

Elf Movie Screening

7-11 p.m. — Palace Theatre — Free entry — Enjoy a classic holiday film with family-friendly fun at this festive movie night.

Candlelight: 90s Hip-Hop on Strings

8:30 p.m. — The Venue — Tickets available — Experience the magic of 90s hip-hop reimagined with strings under candlelight.

Greg Bell's Halliday Ball

6-8 p.m. — The Eleven — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of captivating music with The Eastern Highs and their unique sound inspired by the Adirondacks.

The Nutcracker Ballet

2-8 p.m. — University at Albany — Enjoy a magical holiday experience with Clara and the Nutcracker Prince.

A Minecraft Movie Screening

1-5 p.m. — Palace Theatre — Free entry — Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with a free screening of the family-friendly Minecraft movie as part of the holiday series.