Capital Region News

The University at Albany is joining a number of college campuses across the country in becoming tobacco free.

Bethlehem, New York Supervisor David VanLuven gave his State of the Town address Wednesday night.

More than two dozen College of St. Rose graduates are pledging to halt donations to the school over media restrictions, they're urging fellow alumni to join them.

Albany County District Attorney David Soares has kicked off his re-election campaign.

As Martin Luther King's life and legacy are celebrated across the country today, a Siena Poll indicates New Yorkers’ views of race relations have soured compared to a decade ago.

The Albany Police Department is tweaking the operations of its Neighborhood Engagement Unit. Beat zones were combined and community policing was affected as the number of beat officers was reduced.  A "Team Policing" policy is emerging.

As New York state Democrats wrestle with bail and discovery reforms, the Rensselaer County Legislature is weighing in.

Update: Workers at two financially struggling care facilities in Albany County say they are delaying a strike. 1199SEIU said Jan. 17 that the prospective buyer of Good Samaritan Nursing Home and Kenwood Manor in Delmar has requested an extension in bankruptcy court and will bargain with the union. The Lutheran Care Network is in the process of declaring bankruptcy and selling the facilities. Fearing the loss of wages and benefits, workers had planned a three-day strike starting January 24. About sixty union members work at the facilities.

In mid-December, a national report heard on this station showed Albany has some of the biggest inequities among children living in different neighborhoods. WAMC's Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas garnered reactions from local officials.

Schenectady, New York Mayor Gary McCarthy gave his State of The City address Monday night at City Hall.

New York lawmakers are set to return to Albany Wednesday for the start of the new legislative session. 109th District Assemblywoman Pat Fahy sat down this morning with WAMC's Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas for a preview of what’s ahead. The Democrat says she anticipates "a lot of challenges on a host of issues."

After months of planning and debate, the Albany County Board of Elections has moved into its new home.

Environmentalists gathered outside the Albany County Courthouse New Year's Day to raise awareness about their efforts to stop an Albany County cement plant from burning tires for fuel.

District attorneys and police chiefs across New York have voiced their opposition to new criminal justice reforms but a longtime Albany activist says "people should be considered innocent until they are proven guilty."

The city of Watervliet, New York has a new mayor. Democrat Charles Patricelli, a former city councilman, ran unopposed in November when Mayor Michael Manning did not seek a fourth term. WAMC’s Jim Levulis spoke with Patricelli about his priorities for the Albany County city of about 10,000.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan hosted a New Year's Day ceremony at City Hall to swear in three new leaders.

Kamal Johnson is set to be sworn in as mayor of Hudson, New York on New Year’s Day. The Democratic Alderman beat incumbent Rick Rector in June’s pivotal primary, and made it official in November. WAMC's Jim Levulis spoke with Johnson about what he’s done to prepare for the office in the Columbia County city of about 6,000.

Bill Keeler is scheduled to be sworn in as the mayor of Cohoes, New York on New Year’s Day. The former New York State Police major will take over a city hall that has seen plenty of change over the past year. 

Political scandal and personal turmoil that toppled Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse. An ongoing battle over declaring Troy a Sanctuary City. And the retirement of longtime Albany County Comptroller Mike Conners. WAMC's Dave Lucas takes a look back at the news stories that dominated Capital Region headlines in 2019.

The death of longtime Rensselaer Mayor Dan Dwyer set the stage for a change of power in the Hudson River city.

This week, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles office in Rensselaer County began processing all applications that come through the door. WAMC's Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas has an update on the local approach to the new Green Light law.

Employees at a nursing home in Albany County are getting a reprieve after having been notified their health care benefits would be terminated.

More than a week after a federal judge dismissed the Rensselaer County Clerk’s legal challenge to New York State’s Green Light Law, Frank Merola says his office will process all applications.

Outgoing Albany County Comptroller Mike Conners has revealed details surrounding his office's investigation alleging theft of time by county employees.

The city of Albany has a complicated history with building neighborhoods. In the latest in our special series on housing, WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports on how today’s housing trends are playing out on a city that dates back more than four centuries.

A new report says Capital Region employers are bullish on hiring for 2020.

More than 2,000 nurses at Albany Medical Center have been negotiating a contract since April 2018, when they voted for union representation. They held a rally and vigil Sunday on the steps of City Hall.

Environmentalists are doubling down on their efforts to prevent an Albany County cement plant from burning tires for fuel. 

After a fourth shooting death this year outside a corner store in the city, Albany officials are taking steps to close the business.