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First Responders Freedom Fest is live today from noon to four PM at Quick Response’s Round Lake location—complete with live music, free BBQ, beer tent, and lawn games. It’s a big thank-you party for the heroes who risk everything daily, letting them and their families unwind, celebrate, and be appreciated. RSVP online to help them plan the perfect day of gratitude and fun. Listen in comfort: Get a...

Albany police made five arrests Thursday morning after executing search warrants at two homes, uncovering loaded firearms and high-capacity magazines. Officers detained Danesha Graham, Dumyarre Yarbrough, and a 15-year-old at one location, and Lakeeshia Leno and a 14-year-old at another—all facing charges as authorities ramp up efforts to crack down on illegal weapons in the city. Listen in comfor...

Rabies alert on Lake George: A dead beaver near Turtle Island tested positive, and officials suspect it may be the same one that bit people earlier this month. The advisory remains in effect through July 14th — swimmers, boaters, and campers are urged to stay out of the water and avoid any beavers, alive or dead. Never approach or feed wildlife. If you spot a beaver acting strangely, call NYSDEC D...

The New York Times is suing the EEOC, calling its lawsuit political retaliation for critical reporting on the Trump administration, including a story suggesting the agency was pressured to take cases involving white men. The EEOC filed the suit over a promotion denial for a white male editor, alleging racial and gender discrimination in favor of a multiracial woman without real estate experience....

As Crystal Peoples-Stokes prepares to step down, New York’s Assembly races to find her successor—raising big questions about upstate representation, gender balance, and who can earn Speaker Carl Heastie’s trust. With Peoples-Stokes’ emotional legacy and her watchful eye on the next leader, names like upstate’s John McDonald are in the spotlight, though no rule mandates geographic origin. Experts s...

New York is cracking down on underage cannabis access as youth exposure climbs amid a booming legal market, with officials scrambling to balance regulation, safety, and enforcement — from locked dispensary shelves to social media crackdowns, all while kids still find ways to get high through unregulated channels and digital influence. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://soli...

Albany police charge 44-year-old Vance Mims with murder in the July 5th shooting death of 39-year-old Iris Vasquez, who was killed while sitting in her car near Washington Avenue — a tragedy rooted in a deadly family feud that erupted after Mims’ son was killed just days earlier, July 4th, 2025, with a suspect in that killing linked to Vasquez’s family. Authorities warn of a dangerous cycle of ret...

West Nile virus has been spotted in Pittsfield’s mosquitoes—near the cemetery—but no human cases have been reported yet. While anyone can get sick, seniors over 50 are at higher risk for serious complications. Stay safe by using repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants during dawn and dusk, eliminating standing water, and checking window screens. Local and state teams are also stepping up with la...

A 50-year-old man got arrested for abandoning two cats at a New York shelter—caught on camera leaving them outside without a word. The cats are safe now, but the incident highlights how irresponsible pet drop-offs can be. Harris faces two charges and must appear in court on July 20th. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertis...

Jefferson School Holds Vigil for Davin Yap | Albany News

A former Afghan general and high-ranking politician, Abdul Zahir Qadeer, has been extradited from Kenya to face serious U.S. charges including conspiracy to import heroin and meth, plus weapons offenses. Once a top military and political figure in Afghanistan, Qadeer is now accused of orchestrating massive drug and arms trafficking operations, even testing the DEA with a two-kilogram “poison” ship...

This Saturday, July 18th, Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont hosts the Farming Man Festival — a vibrant celebration of New York agriculture featuring craft beer, cider, live music, and local food. Started as a brewers’ gathering, it’s now a full-day public event showcasing top NY farms and makers, including Brooklyn Cider House and Paradox Brewery. Don’t miss their exclusive new German-style lager, “...

No lifeguards this summer at Onota Lake in Pittsfield—second straight year due to nationwide staffing shortages. Signs will warn swimmers it’s at their own risk; officials urge no solo swimming and strict supervision for kids or non-swimmers. The lake’s open, but safety’s entirely on you. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: adve...

A bold red paint job on Grand Boulevard in Niskayuna has ignited a local firestorm—intended to slow traffic and define lanes, it’s now sparking outrage among neighbors who call it obnoxious and out of place in their historic neighborhood. The county claims the color was a direct response to community concerns about speeding, but the town supervisor says they weren’t consulted—and the town doesn’t...

Two men facing murder charges for a deadly shooting at a Albany barbershop in May 2023 have pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, sparing themselves from trial but bringing closure to a tragic case that left one man dead and two children injured. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated...

Rabies is on the rise in Washington County — three new cases confirmed, including raccoons and a bat. Stay alert: wild animals acting strangely, like being overly friendly or aggressive, could be infected. Keep pets vaccinated, avoid contact with wildlife, and report any suspicious animals to authorities. If bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately and seek medical help. If a bat enters you...

Former Albany Rural Cemetery manager David Eslinger is heading to prison after embezzling tens of thousands of dollars, failing to repay the required $20K within his probation window, missing court, and ultimately being arrested. Despite promising to pay if he stayed free, the judge called his words hollow — the theft crippled the cemetery’s finances, staff, and board members’ credit. He’ll now se...

New York’s tourism boom is paying off big, with $94 billion poured into the state this year—thanks largely to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which has pumped $10 million into communities like Oswego over the past decade. Once a fading city, Oswego’s transformation is a standout success story, fueled by DRI funding and now thriving on tourism-driven tax revenue. Mayor Robert Corradino, who...

France is on a dominant run toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, having secured their semifinal spot with a flawless group stage and three clean sheets in knockout play, powered by stars like Mbappe and Dembele. With manager Deschamps preparing to retire after this tournament, the pressure’s on to cap his legendary career with another title. The semifinals loom on July 14-15, with Spain-Belgium a...

A former general manager at Albany Rural Cemetery, David Eslinger, got a prison sentence after swiping $42,229 — paying himself extra paychecks and charging personal trips to Vegas and Disney World on cemetery credit cards. He skipped court, paid back only $12K of the $20K demanded, and now faces 2-6 years in state prison plus full repayment upon release — a stark lesson in betrayal at a place mea...

Joe Whelan, a top-ranked marathoner and Olympic trials hopeful, is chasing his third shot at the Games while preparing for the sold-out Boilermaker 15k — a race he calls a “big celebration” with beer tents and pure adrenaline. Starting running at ten and earning a Syracuse scholarship, he’s now fully immersed in the sport, using it to build friendships and connect across cultures. Though last year...

A federal judge ruled that police withheld key evidence in Jeremy Skeen’s 2020 manslaughter case — a violation of the Brady rule — but shielded officers from personal liability via qualified immunity. Skeen, who claims he acted in self-defense, argues the withheld statement from a witness’s interview directly influenced his indictment, which was later dropped. Though the judge acknowledged the mis...

Celebrate 250 years of American history at Washington County’s free History Festival this weekend—where reenactments, demos, and deep roots come alive at the historic fairgrounds. Once stretching to Canada, this land shaped early trade, hosted revolutionary heroes, and birthed icons like Solomon Northup and Lemuel Haynes, the first Black ordained minister. Discover how the Hebron Beauty potato hel...

Cars are vanishing at an alarming rate—every 48 seconds across the U.S. In New York, Governor Hochul’s team is sounding the alarm during Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, highlighting that over 140 stolen vehicles—worth more than $4 million—have already been recovered in just the first half of the year, along with valuable auto parts. With your car often your biggest asset, losing it can wreck your...

Albany police arrest 44-year-old Vance Mims in connection with the fatal July 5 shooting of 39-year-old Iris Vazquez, who was struck while sitting in her car at the intersection of Washington Ave and Sprague Place. The killing is tied to an ongoing feud linked to the July 4 death of Mims’ son — a case Vazquez had no involvement in. Mims fled after the shooting but was captured with help from U.S....