Regional

“Mosquitoes, once a nuisance, are now a threat,” said Commissioner James McDonald. “I urge all New Yorkers to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing and removing free-standing water near their homes. Fall is officially here, but mosquitoes will be around until we see multiple nights of below freezing temperatures.”

The New York State Union of Teachers convened experts and educators for a discussion about how phones and social media are influencing children’s lives both at home and at school as Governor Kathy Hochul, who kicked off the event, is fighting to ban phones in classrooms statewide. 

The number of overdose deaths in Albany County dropped at a similar rate that overdose deaths have decreased nationwide last year. However, unlike the national trend, which saw fewer deaths from fentanyl and other opiates, Albany County saw a higher density of fentanyl-involved deaths in 2023.