“Two-thirds of studied species showed declines of more than 10 percent,” wrote Science editor Bianca Lopez in a summary of the study. “Many insects have the potential for rapid population growth and recovery, but habitat restoration, species-specific interventions, and reducing pesticide use are all likely needed to curb population declines.”

The state is encouraging residents in affected counties, particularly those dependent on private groundwater wells, to conserve water whenever possible during the coming weeks.

Hochul said that 11 wildfires were burning of varying degrees of size and dangerousness.

Guilderland Supervisor Peter Barber wrote in a recent memo to the town’s Industrial Development Agency that, “The cause of this flooding is the tremendous amounts of stormwaters from a wide area (about 860 acres) that flow into the Town-owned McKownville Reservoir between Route 20 and Stuyvesant Plaza.” 

ALBANY COUNTY — Snow is expected to fall in Albany County on Monday night, continuing through Tuesday morning, tapering off in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

“Hot and humid conditions are expected to continue across some areas on Thursday where another heat advisory will likely be needed,” said the National Weather Service on Tuesday evening. “In addition, there is a chance of thunderstorms Thursday through Sunday, mainly during the afternoon and early evening hours.”

ALBANY COUNTY — By Friday afternoon the air quality in Albany County had reached the “unhealthy” level with an index number of 158 because of particulate matter in the air caused by the wildfires in Canada.

Wildfire smoke downwind affects not just health but also wealth and mortality, according to new research from Cornell University, Nanjing University, and the University of Houston, published earlier this month.

On Thursday evening, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a release about expected rainfall in the next few days. 

ALBANY COUNTY — The Albany area on Thursday, June 15, along with part of the Adirondacks had “moderate” as opposed to “good” air quality, according to AirNow.gov, a website run in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency.