Good morning, Schenectady.

Residents of Schenectady are upset that they could not comment on a proposed Starbucks development at a recent zoning meeting—over 150 residents signed an online petition to demand a rehearing.

A mayor's letter reportedly backed the project while some worry that the drive-thru plan will hinder pedestrian spaces and increase traffic.

A Mayfield woman, Alison Martin, faces animal cruelty charges for leaving 23 dogs in unsanitary conditions at her Heartwarming Hounds Dog Rescue.

She will be arraigned on five counts at Mayfield Town Court on Aug. 26 — the additional counts resulted from further investigation — with legal action expected to follow.

Schenectady police investigated a hit and run on State and Elbert Street on August 1 at 2 p.m. where a Sedan hit a U.S. Mail truck—leaving the mail carrier with non-life threatening injuries as officers search for the fleeing driver.

On August 14th, 2025, Schenectady police responded to a home invasion on State Street where two men broke into a home, hit a man on the head and tied his hands before stealing his car—the car was later found parked at Crosstown Plaza after the victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries—and officers are investigating with no arrests made.

National Grid will raise its electric and gas rates after the Public Service Commission approved a three-year plan that spreads increases rather than a one-time jump—many customers will see bills rise roughly $50 a month after three years as the new rates take effect September 1 to help fund system upgrades and add local jobs.

Governor Kathy Hochul visited Schenectady yesterday at 12:30 p.m. to celebrate New York's unemployment insurance debt payoff incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic—she also announced significant reforms to the state's unemployment system under the FY26 enacted budget.

After five years of building, the new $55 million M&T Bank Center at Mohawk Harbor opened on Thursday when Gov. Kathy Hochul and local officials cut the ribbon to welcome Union College hockey.

Union College held a ribbon-cutting on Thursday at the new M&T Bank Center at Mohawk Harbor, which will be the future home for the Division I men’s and women’s hockey teams.

The $55 million arena offers a 2,200-seat rink that expands to 3,600 for other events — the women’s team will play on September 26 while the men’s team starts on October 4.