Albany County jobs program offers a ticket to society

McCoy said to those who “did time in jail” or who “just didn’t like education” — “we’ve got you covered. We have you. We have you … You’ve just got to be willing to take the first step.” We second those words — take the first step; there’s no telling where the journey may lead you.

E pluribus unum

The health-care professionals made it clear that we all will suffer with these federal cuts. Fewer people will be vaccinated, spreading disease to everyone. More people will go to emergency rooms for conditions that could have been prevented thereby increasing premiums and hospital fees for everyone.

How to find a lifeline when you need it

What have we learned from Donna’s story? What are the lessons that apply to people who haven’t had a mastectomy?

Let’s level the playing field so all kids have a shot at success

While we were thrilled to report on the good that comes with these volunteer efforts to shape not just winning players but confident, capable, and caring human beings, we also looked at the larger picture — beyond Bethlehem and Guilderland — and found some troubling trends. Baseball for youth, like many sports, is increasingly being privatized for profit.

July is followed by December

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

 One lesson to take from the tragic loss of life during the July 4 floods in Texas hill country is that people in remote areas were not alerted to the danger in time. We urge Albany County to work with its municipalities including Guilderland, but especially in the Helderberg Hilltowns, which suffered so with Irene and where internet communication is often spotty, to come up with a workable system to inform residents of impending dangers.

Discerning truth is essential for maintaining democracy

“In many ways, the power of journalism and its critical roles as monitor and watchdog sustain us and motivate us, wherever we are. We draw upon those common struggles and challenges, and the persistence to endure, to connect with our colleagues around the world.”

Planting history

This was not a re-enactment of the shot heard round the world, marking the start of the American Revolutionary War. Rather, this was a re-enactment of a simple task that no doubt happened in our midst in 1775, if not on April 19 surely on days before and after.