ALBANY COUNTY — As COVID-19 cases spike in the Midwest, Governor Andrew Cuomo joined with Michigan’s governor, Gretchen Esther Whitmer — both Democrats — to call on Congress to conduct an oversight investigation into the Republican Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Nationwide, COVID-19 deaths passed the 200,000 mark on Tuesday. The autumn surge that many had feared appeared to be materializing as schools reopened and more activities took place indoors with colder weather. Statewide, the comptroller released a report showing decreases in tax receipts, and local and state officials as well as Congressman Paul Tonko continued to call for federal aid to state and local governments.

Voters must apply for a general-election absentee ballot no later than seven days — Tuesday, Oct. 27 — before the election. However, they may apply in-person up to the day before the election: Monday, Nov. 2.

Voters may apply for an absentee ballot:

These local students were named to the dean’s list from their college or university for the spring 2020 semester:

— Justin Cohen of Slingerlands, at Union College with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher;

— Steven Low of Voorheesville, at St. Lawrence University with a grade point average of 3.6 or higher;

William “Bill”  Beardslee of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, formerly of Voorheesville, died on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, at his home.

He was the son of the late Will and Jackie Beardslee of Voorheesville.

The Guilderland schools superintendent, Marie Wiles, emailed a letter to the school community Friday when the first case of COVID-19 at Altamont Elementary School was announced and then again Saturday after the second case, in a different household, had been announced on Friday evening.

A number of new voting reforms signed into law in August will make it easier for New Yorkers to cast ballots come November. 

ALBANY COUNTY — Jacob “Jake” Houck, with the Onesquethaw Volunteer Fire Company, and Gerald E. Paris Jr., Albany County’s fire coordinator, were each recently honored as Firefighter of the Year by the Albany County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association.