On Jan. 7, the New York State Thruway Authority announced the launch of its Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, a system‑wide initiative to improve roadway and employee safety, strengthen emergency response and reduce serious injuries and fatalities across the 570-mile Thruway system.

As part of its Respiratory Surveillance Report, the state’s health department maps activity for each county statewide. In Albany County currently, as in the rest of the state, there are more than 40 cases of influenza per 100,000 of population. For COVID-19, Albany County has 20 to 39.9 cases per 100,000 of population. And for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, known as RSV Albany County currently has  0.01 to 7.09 cases per 100,000 of population.

Applications are now being accepted for $67.5 million in capital funding to help municipalities and nonprofit organizations construct, expand, and renovate public playgrounds for all abilities across New York state.

Governor Kathy Hochul said almost 1 percent of adolescents in the United States — “that’s 2 million” — have reported using kratom in the past year. In New York state alone, Hochul said, overdose of kratom was listed as the cause of death for 100 people.

“For more than a decade we have been working to minimize road salt use as much as possible and the results speak for themselves,” said DOT Commissioner Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “Now, it’s time to expand the battle. We encourage everyone to implement judicious salt management practices that minimize salt use while still maintaining safety

The bill needs to be signed into law by Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy, which is likely since in October he signed an executive order setting 21 as the minimum age to buy a flare gun in Albany County, the same age stipulated by the bill.

A winter storm watch will be in effect for most of eastern New York and western New England from 7 a.m. Tuesday until 1 a.m. Wednesday.