Those few hazy, hard-to-breathe days should inform us of the horrors that lie ahead if we don’t end our dependence on fossil fuels.

Using data reported for “respiratory symptoms” on June 8 from Emergency Medical Services response data, which is a timely early-warning source, the health department observed a statewide increase of 17.8 percent in the rates per 100,000 on Wednesday, June 7, as compared to the average of the five-day period of June 1 through 5. At the same time, for the metropolitan New York City region, the increase was 28.4 percent and for the Capital Region, it was 12.4 percent.

ALBANY COUNTY — Speaking from the University at Albany on Wednesday evening, Governor Kathy Hochul said the poor air quality throughout most of the state caused by wildfires in Quebec was “unprecedented.”

BERNE — Lateef Clark says that preparing food has kept him grounded as a human being.

“It evolved me as a person … raised me to be a better human, a better man … just by meeting people of different diverse backgrounds and also just by cooking for people,” he says in this week’s Enterprise podcast.

VOORHEESVILLE — In his work as an attorney, Donald Meacham touched every facet of his community’s life.

He started his long career as a sole practitioner “in beautiful downtown Voorheesville” in 1960, his wife said. “But, really, he would rather have been a farmer than a lawyer.”

Matthew Pinchinat, the district’s director for diversity, equity, and inclusion, presented a chart detailing a “cultural proficiency continuum,” which he said was the “primary tool” used by the district schools to “measure our cultural competence.”

A public hearing is required before the board can vote on whether or not to adopt the tax break. Superintendent Marie Wiles noted that “people scatter” in the summertime and recommended scheduling the hearing for the board’s next meeting, June 13.

A handmade sign said, “No MAGA Default.” Another said, “Debt too high? Tax the wealthy.” A third said, “Thank you, Paul Tonko, for protecting Social Security,” and a fourth said, “Republicans want to de-fund the U.S.”

NEW SCOTLAND — By looking to its past, New Scotland may build a brighter future, Alan Kowlowitz believes.

RENSSELAERVILLE — Tara McCormick-Hostash says she fell in love at age 14.

This was not an ephemeral teenage crush; this was a love that started young and became an all-encompassing passion destined to last a lifetime.