Good morning, Schenectady.

After a hard year, photographer Brian Purcell and his fiancée Samantha received a free wedding gift at Brooke Ledge thanks to local donations & a winning contest entry; they are set to marry in July or August as the community comes together to help them celebrate.

Proctors Collaborative — celebrating its 100th year — will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Schenectady County Holiday Parade on Nov.

21.

WRGB launched its 11th Backpack Heroes campaign on Wednesday by supplying nearly 50 schools in the Capital Region with 25,000 pounds of food that make 21,000 meals to help fight childhood hunger.

The effort in partnership with William Mattar Law Offices will continue through mid-October.

The Center for Economic Growth launched its Semiconductor Growth Access Program in mid-July to offer free technical support to seven Capital Region small businesses tapping into New York's $124B chip boom (with plans to assist up to 30 companies with legal, accounting, and financial advice).

Maria College and Hometown Health Centers have partnered on a two-year agreement (offering training and clinical experience for healthcare workers) following the recent opening of a dental facility in Schenectady.

A public hearing is scheduled today at 5:00 p.m. in Rensselaer County to discuss a proposed kratom ban.

Schenectady business owner Tracey Hudson and health experts are debating the safety of natural kratom leaf versus synthetic 7-OH products.