In a time of worry about youth unwittingly spreading COVID-19, local college leaders share their plans for reopening campuses.

The coronavirus uptick in Albany County continues with 29 new cases announced today and two more deaths.

Crossgates Mall was locked down after reports of gunfire on Wednesday afternoon. No one was injured, police say, and, as of Wednesday evening, no suspects were in custody.

With a recent $10,000 investment from the Guilderland Industrial Development Agency, the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce is planning to launch a community investor program that will ultimately return funds to local small businesses that apply. In a separate initiative, the chamber plans to expand and diversify its board.

RENSSELAERVILLE — The Rensselaerville Historical Society is hosting an art show, starting this weekend, at the Grist Mill on the hamlet’s Main Street.

Twenty-five artists will have their works on display. 

ALBANY COUNTY — The county had just one new case of COVID-19 yesterday after a week of upticks.

Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday said, “You look across the regions of the state, we see good news all across the regions. No warning signs or no trouble spots.”

Seven of today’s 17 new COVID-19 cases in Albany County are linked to a Fourth of July party in several backyards on Hudson Avenue, bringing the total number of positives from that party to 22.

Counties have been running COVID-19 testing facilities, tracing contacts, managing quarantine, “leading a 24/7 emergency response” as well as providing food assistance to families and seniors in need and schoolchildren, said Stephen Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties. At the same time counties are providing these essential, but often not budgeted services, Acquario said, they have “faced an economic quadruple threat.”

Another 13 Albany County residents tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, including four linked to a Fourth of July party in Albany, bringing that total to 15.

Albany County is dealing with a growing cluster of COVID-19 cases from a Fourth of July gathering where party-goers didn’t wear masks and didn’t keep their distance.