Opinion

A democracy cannot flourish without a well-informed citizenry

The most important — indeed essential — service that a library or a newspaper provides is access to information. Without a well-informed citizenry, a democracy — a government of the people, by the people, for the people, as Abraham Lincoln phrased it — cannot flourish.

Guilderland

Burger King sues Guilderland

The six-month drive-thru closure resulted in a $400,000 revenue loss, the company claims, while repair of the pipe and pumping of the accumulating stormwater cost over $1 million.

Sports

Photos: Bitter Cold Doesn’t Slow Eagles

Last Wednesday, April 16, the Bethlehem softball team hosted Mohonasen in a non-league matchup at home during spring break. The cold temps and windy conditions didn’t hamper the Eagles as they smacked the ball around in their 16-to-1 victory.

Regional

Governor Hochul signs three gun-safety bills into law

According to data graphed by the state’s Division of Criminal Justice Services, shooting incidents involving injury in Albany County peaked in 2020 at over 120; similarly, the number of shooting victims hit peaked at 100 in 2020 while the number of people killed by guns in Albany County peaked in 2021 at nearly 20. By 2024, those numbers for Albany County had declined to about 60 people injured or hit and fewer than 10 people killed.

Hilltowns

BKW mulls $25.3M budget: ‘Tremendous’ increase in operational expenses

Berne-Knox-Westerlo is looking at a roughly $700,000 shortfall in its 2025-26 budget despite a 3.3 percent property-tax hike, due to widespread cost increases and decreases in state aid. The gap will have to be closed through “creative” reductions, Superintendent Bonnie Kane said.