The state’s workforce rebounded in the second half of the last decade before dropping significantly with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report released this week by the state’s comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli.

Jay Alan Longshore, a teacher, died after a brief illness in Thailand on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. He was 61.

He graduated from Guilderland High School in 1980, from Haverford College in 1984, and from Temple University in 1990.

Interest in farming saw a resurgence during the pandemic, and, according to Knox farmer and chairman of the town’s agricultural committee Gary Kleppel, a new generation is finding that the oldest profession lines up perfectly with their modern values. They just need a little help getting started.

The DEC directive became controversial in Guilderland in 2020 when Pyramid, owner of Crossgates Mall, cut trees to make way for a Costco, citing the need to do so to beat the deadline meant to protect the northern long-eared bats while advocates from Save the Pine Bush said the land had not been properly surveyed for the bats.

Elaine Doremus, Albany

Stephanie Klein, Northern Rivers Family of Services

The new redistricting plan will follow the Albany County Legislature’s recommendation that the county concentrate minority voting power in five dense majority-minority districts rather than up to seven, which is what the original plan, rejected by the legislature, would have done. 

ALBANY COUNTY — Numbers for Albany County are headed in the right direction this week — with infection and hospitalizations rates going down and sales-tax revenues and jobs going up.

Stephen H. Burt, who graduated from Guilderland High School in 1962, was a proud Vietnam War veteran who was generous with his family.

A resident of Poughkeepsie, he died on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. He was 78. 

ALBANY COUNTY — Close-to-home agritourism got a boost on Monday night when the county legislature unanimously passed a measure to create a countywide beverage trail, featuring local breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries.