“While millions of people have already safely received COVID-19 vaccines, we recognize that for some, the FDA approval of a vaccine may now instill additional confidence to get vaccinated,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, in a release announcing the approval.

ALBANY COUNTY — At 10 a.m. Sunday, as Tropical Storm Henri was an hour from its predicted time to hit Long Island, Governor Andrew Cuomo held a press briefing in New York City.

These local students were named to the dean’s list from Purchase College for the spring 2021 semester with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher:

— Ethan Famodu of Schenectady;

— Reed Gordon of Slingerlands;

— Ashley Visker of Schenectady;

— Sean Gordon of Slingerlands; and

These local students were named to the dean’s list from State University of New York Delhi for the spring 2021 semester with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher:

— Anna Clarke of Delma;

— Jeffrey Taylor of Schenectady;

— Marie Julian of Voorheesville;

— Laura Garcia of Slingerlands;

These local students have recently earned diplomas from the University of Rhode Island:

— Emily Barranca of Delmar, earned a master of science in mathematics;

— Andrew Victor Boeri of Schenectady earned a bachelor of science in business administration, major in finance;

These local students were named to the dean’s list from Union College for the spring 2021 semester with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher:

— Michael Connolly of Delmar, a member of the Class of 2022 majoring in biology and chinese;

These local students were named to the spring 2021 dean’s list at Clark University, with a grade-point average of 3.8 or above for first honors or between 3.50 and 3.79 for second honors.

— Maia M. Snyder of Delmar, was named to first honors;

— Celia L. Welton of Delmar, was named to first honors;

These local students were named to the spring 2021 dean’s list at Le Moyne College, with a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher:

— Kathryn Muller of Schenectady, majoring in biology;

— Olivia Poust of Delmar, majoring in communications and English;

These local students were named to the dean’s list or received a similar honor from their college or university for the spring 2021 semester:

— Sophie Glassman of Delmar, at Bryant University Students in Rhode Island with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher; 

On the same day that Menands was awarded federal funds to prevent overdose deaths, the executives for Rensselaer and Albany counties announced measures to help prevent prescription pills from being misused.