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The 845 area code has long been a hallmark of Hudson Valley pride and identity. But as of this week, there's a new number in town: 329. And as Alexandra Zissu reported recently, many people have big feelings about the addition of a second area code for the region. On this episode of "The Eagle," we'll sort through those feelings, and why many peopl…

It has been 20 years, but the Big Dance is back in New York’s Capital City. Games in the first two rounds of the men’s NCAA Division I basketball championships are set to play at the MVP Arena, a spectacle that will draw thousands to downtown Albany. On this episode of “The Eagle,” Times Union editor Casey Seller talks about the tournament and the …

It has been an unusually warm winter in Eastern New York, with record high temperatures set in January and February. On this episode of "The Eagle," contributing editor Alexandra Zissu discusses the consequences of this unseasonable weather, from the early emergence of ticks to the spreading of harmful algae blooms. Also on this episode, dining cri…

Police confirmed this week that a body pulled from the Mohawk River at the end of February was Samantha Humphrey, a teen who had been missing for three months. Her case dominated headlines since the end of November. This week marks 25 years since 19-year-old Suzanne Lyall disappeared from the University at Albany campus. Her mother is now publishin…

In the year since Russia invaded Ukraine, journalist Valerii Garmash has worked around the clock to keep news flowing to his community. When last we spoke to the editor of the Slavyansk-based news website Maye Sense in the spring of 2022, he and his team of 14 journalists were determined to perservere, sometimes in situations where pay and their sa…

Restraint and seclusion are controversial methods that schools across the country use to respond to students in crisis. Education officials say they're meant to be a last resort to ensure the safety of students and faculty, but a yearlong Times Union investigation of data on reported incidents found that they're used frequently in nonemergency situ…

Crooner Sam Cooke's unique blend of gospel and pop styles in the 1950s and early 1960s gave rise to a new genre of music: Soul. It was born alongside the Civil Rights movement, and became in many ways anthemic. On this episode of "The Eagle," we talk to singer Bradd Marquis, who is paying homage to Cooke and his legacy — both in music and in social…

Starbuck Island, a land mass that lies on the Hudson River between Troy and Green Island, was the chosen spot for many years for thousands of crows to roost before their migration south. But now that the island has been taken over by a luxury apartment development, a "murder" of about 10,500 crows were left looking for a new spot. They chose Troy, …

Actor and performer Mandy Patinkin is traveling the country performing a lineup of Broadway and American tunes that he says make him feel alive, after three dark years of a pandemic. The Tony- and Emmy-winner joins us on this episode of "The Eagle" to talk about work, social media success and his show, coming to Proctors Theater in Schenectady in F…

Two years ago, the Times Union set up a team of reporters to tackle trending topics, like why it was hard to find a Christmas tree this year, or why mechanics dread ice storms. Our readers devoured these quick-hit stories, and they swiftly became some of our most popular content. The reporter behind much of this team's success was Pete DeMola. On t…

Police ramped up their search this week for a 14-year-old girl who went missing more than 6 weeks ago from a park in Schenectady. The warmer weather made it possible for divers to enter the nearby Mohawk river to search for the teen, whom police believe may have been the victim of foul play. On this episode of "The Eagle," reporter Paul Nelson goes…

Retiring editorial eage editor Jay Jochnowitz has seen and done a lot during his 35-year career at the Times Union. From his days as the City Hall beat reporter to his tenure as Capital Bureau Chief, he has told some of the region's most important stories. Then, he found his stride as Editorial Page Editor, when he wrote one of the paper's most gro…

A nationwide "tridemic" is causing a shortage of over-the-counter medications for children. High rates of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 are behind the scarcity that has left shelves empty in grocery stores and pharmacies, and left many parents desperate for ways to bring their kids' fevers down. On this episode of "The Eagle," Kristi Gustafson Barlet…

In early December, a 59-year-old man was found dead in the room he rented at a house in Rock Hill, New York. The police and emergency responders who arrived on the scene after a 911 call from his housemate found no evidence of foul play. But there was something unsual about this case. The dead man had no identification, save a few pieces of mail am…

Do you think you're bad at math? Or wonder why you didn't do very well in physics class? The reason might be that you didn't get a chance to develop a teachable set of skills called spatial reasoning. On this episode of "The Eagle," we'll talk about an effort by a team at Siena College to incorporate spatial reasoning into STEM classes. Also on thi…

There's a small but growing movement in New York pushing to legalize psilocybin, the hallucinogenic component of the recreational drug commonly referred to as magic mushrooms. The psychedelic fungi are illegal in most states, but research is starting to show there may be some mental and physical health benefits to taking them in a prescribed way. O…

The migration of people to the United States has played an important role in the the country's development over the last 400 years. University at Albany history professor Carl Bon Tempo has co-authored a comprehensive history of immigration to America, and the impact it has had on government, the economy, and culture. On this episode of "The Eagle,…

With inflation up, many of us are looking for ways to save money this holiday season. On this episode of “The Eagle,” we check in with the Times Union Shopportunist Shannon Fromma for a preview of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Also on this episode, we talk to Alliance for Positive Health Executive Director B. Kim Atkins about this year’s Wor…

Election Day was a mixed bag of results in New York, where several key state and Congressional battleground races played out. New York races were among the most hotly contested in the nation, with tighter than expected outcomes that have implications for the balance of power across the country. On this episode of “The Eagle,” we’ll discuss those ra…

UAPs (a.k.a. UFOs) are not just the stuff of science fiction, if you ask University at Albany physics professor Kevin Knuth. He's part of a team of researchers who study these mysterious craft, which have been clocked at impossible speeds and acceleration in the night sky. On this episode of "The Eagle," we talk to Knuth about his research, which i…

From crème brûlée naan paired with a tamarind cocktail to a rhubarb galette matched with a concoction of Hudson Valley Currant Cassis, chilled rosé, orange liqueur and honey simple syrup, drinks and desserts...can go really well together. On this episode of "The Eagle," food critics Steve Barnes and Susie Davidson Powell talk about the perfectly sw…

The remains of a Delmar woman missing for nearly six months were found this week in Western Massachusetts. While the question of Meghan Marohn's whereabouts has finally been answered, the circumstances of her death are still shrouded in mystery. Investigators remain tight-lipped about may have happened to the 42-year-old poet and English teacher wh…

Do you really have to be 21-years-old to buy a canister of whipped cream in New York? A new law barring the sale of nitrous oxide cartridges to minors has created a puzzling situation for grocery and convenient stores across the state. Some have started carding customers for the product, while the lawmaker who wrote the law says it's legal to sell …

The second and third largest hospital systems in New York's Capital Region are in negotiations to merge. One of them is governed by the ethical directives of the Catholic Church. The other is a secular system that operates the region's only inpatient healthcare facility dedicated entirely to women. Critics are fearful that if a merger goes through,…

The Times Union filed a motion this week in U.S. District Court asking the Department of Justice to unseal a search warrant the FBI used to raid former President Donald J. Trump's Mar-A-Lago estate Monday. On Thursday, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland initiated the process, revealing he personally authorized the warrant. On this episode of "Th…

Amtrak resumed service west of Albany this week after debris from the crumbling Central Warehouse fell perilously close to the tracks. Service had been suspended for three days and caused no shortage of logistical challenges for Amtrak workers, passengers, and city and county officials. On this episode of "The Eagle," former Times Union business ed…

Since 2010, New York State employees needed to provide 10 years of service in order to become eligible to collect pension benefits upon retirement. But tucked into the state’s $220 billion budget this April was a little surprise — now it’s only 5 years of service to become fully vested. The change means tens of thousands of current and former state…

Video of a Capital Region news anchor who appeared disheveled and incoherent during a live broadcast went viral last week. CBS6 anchor Heather Kovar blamed exhaustion and sleep-deprivation for her peculiar behavior on air, and the station has suspended her from anchoring pending an investigation. On this episode of "The Eagle," Kristi Gustafson Bar…

The Times Union was ready for its close-up last week when the production of "Mother's Milk," an upcoming film starring Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank, took over the the newsroom for a day of filming. The gritty noir-thriller casts Swank as a Times Union reporter whose life and work are inextricably tied to the worsening opioid epidemic gripping…

More than 400 victims of sexual abuse have filed claims against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany under New York's Child Victims Act. Some of those claims include allegations against the former leader of the diocese, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard. On this episode of "The Eagle," Investigations Editor Brendan Lyons talks about the latest allegations l…

The circumstances surrounding the killing of a Black transgender woman in her Albany apartment last month thus far are shrouded in mystery. Investigators have made very few details public, other than to say 30-year-old Ahsid Hemingway-Powell was murdered. On this episode of "The Eagle," we'll learn more about Hemingway-Powell's life and the investi…

Atypical animal news continues to feed Capital Region headlines, with an alleged mountain lion sighting and a high court ruling denying the “personhood” of an elephant. On this episode of “The Eagle,” we’ll talk about those headlines, and preview the upcoming primary election in New York. Also on this episode, we’ll talk to local BIPOC LGBTQ activi…

Activists released hundreds of cockroaches in an Albany courtroom this week, causing a scene that shuttered proceedings and went viral. That is one of the more unique headlines we've seen in the newsroom and we'll discuss it on this episode of "The Eagle." We'll also hear from Capital Pride Center leader Nathaniel Gray as Pride celebrations commenc…

As the legislative session ends in Albany, lawmakers made a final push to pass bills on gun restrictions and abortion rights. The former was a focused effort following a mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store, and the latter stemmed from a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. On this episode of "The Eagle" podcast, we talk …

There are few annual traditions more beloved in Albany than the annual blossoming of hundreds of thousands of tulips in Washington Park each May. Tulip blooms are dazzlingly vibrant but short-lived, lasting mere weeks. But they are perennial plants, and there is gardening work to be done once they wilt and fade that will ensure they return next yea…

Last year, 26-year-old Max Ledwidge jumped to his death at the Grand Canyon. His suicide was the climax of a mental unraveling that began as the pandemic took hold. The former software sales executive left his job in Boston and embarked on a cross-country spiritual odyssey that led him to the sleepy college town of Cobleskill, where a little-known …

Early this week, Politico published an alleged draft of a Supreme Court decision written by Justice Samuel Alito that overturns Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. On this episode of "The Eagle," Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and health reporter Rachel Silberstein check in with Albany Law Professor and Consti…

Trigger warning: This episode contains descriptions of events and situations that may be distressing. Please listen with care. The gruesome slaying of a beloved physician assistant in his suburban Albany home has shocked many in the Capital Region. While the man accused of the murder has been charged, the motive for committing such a brutal act is …

The history of beer and brewing is often very much intertwined with that of the human race. For thousands of years, people have been talking politics over a few pints (or similar liquid volume). That is especially true of the Capital Region, where there was nearly as much politicking in pubs as there was in the halls of city and state government in…

When tennis superstar Serena Williams opened up about the harrowing experience of giving birth to her daughter in 2017, it put a spotlight on an alarming disparity: Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die of a pregnancy-related cause than white women. Last year, the White House officially recognized April 11 to 17 as Black Matern…

"The Olympics of Irish Dancing," as it's called by participants, draws hundreds of the world's best Irish dancers annually. It's been three years since the last World Irish Dancing Championship, thanks to the pandemic. The competition is back this year, though — and a handful of talented Capital Region dancers — are in Belfast to compete. On this e…

For five weeks, journalists at Maye Sense, an online news site serving people of Slavyansk in the Donetsk region of Eastern Ukraine, have been working non-stop, largely without pay, and sometimes in situations where their safety is not guaranteed. Two weeks ago, most of them made the difficult decision to decamp to the relative safety of Western Uk…

In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to an optometrist from Delmar, New York. His name was Dr. Tom Little, and he had been murdered along with nine other foreign aid workers in a remote area of Afghanistan while on a medical mission months earlier. This week, a film about his life and the legacy of …

After the pandemic took hold in 2020, the Capital Region saw a significant uptick in violence. More than 30 people were killed in Albany alone in 2020 and 2021. As the community was reeling from these tragedies and local authorities struggled to address the mounting problem, a local DJ and music promoter had an idea to create a safe space and encou…

On April 3, 1981, a farmer found a body in a field in Delmar, New York. Forensics at the time determined it was a male, but his identity remained a mystery to investigators. Four decades later, it became the Capital Region’s first ever unidentified persons case solved using familial DNA and genetic genealogy. On this episode of "The Eagle," Pete De…

Almost a decade ago, Nikita Nakonchnyi spent his summers working as a cook at a resort in Lake George. Three weeks ago, he was a typical 20-something living in Kyiv, Ukraine, and teaching digital marketing. This week, the 27-year-old helped blow up a bridge in a small village outside the city with molotov cocktails and drums of diesel to keep Russi…

In the week since Russia invaded Ukraine, Times Union journalists have been reporting on the impact the conflict is having in New York, which is home to the largest Ukrainian immigrant population in the U.S. On this episode, we connect with Valeriy Garmash, editor of the Slovyansk-based news website 6262.com.ua. Just 100 miles from the Russian bord…

One in three people who have had COVID-19 may experience a wide range of health issues in the weeks or months following infection, according to the CDC. Common long COVID symptoms include headaches, gastrointestinal issues and “brain fog.” Because research on the causes and treatments are far from conclusive, however, many health care providers are…

A child missing for three years was found safe this week in an Ulster County home. Police discovered the 7-year-old girl hidden in a secret compartment under a stairwell. She disappeared in Tioga County in 2019, following a visit with her biological mother, who no longer had custody of the child. Reporter Roger Hannigan Gilson tells the story. Also…

For Omar Edwards, tapping is not a form of dance. It’s a way of communicating and expressing himself that transcends that narrow definition of the performance art. Edwards, whose cousin is tap legend Savion Glover, is currently playing the Tap Griot, an omniscient narrator who reflects the inner turmoil of four Tuskegee Airmen through tap in the st…