Good morning, Schenectady.

Local residents rallied around a Minden family after a fire destroyed their home, pets, and belongings on Pickle Hill Road Wednesday (Dec.

17) night, with donation centers in Minden and Fort Plain collecting household essentials and cash to help the family recover ahead of Christmas.

The annual Melodies of Christmas event began Thursday evening at Proctors in Schenectady — proceeds support the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Albany Med, which serves about 1,500 children a year.

Local nonprofit Bethesda House is facing a challenging Code Blue season amid SNAP benefit gaps and rising food insecurity, and a donor has pledged a $100k match to help fund expanded services including meal programs, shelters, and medical respite at its State Street and Van Vranken sites.

Union College professors have shared their favorite winter reading selections.

Sohini Chattopadhyay recommends Grief is for the People (a study of loss and friendship), Roger Hoerl suggests Dark Data, Jen Mitchell picks Killers of a Certain Age, and Ashok Ramasubramanian highlights Quiet for its take on introvert strengths.

Linda Garrigan, a second-grade teacher at Keane Elementary, was named Teacher of the Year on Thursday, Dec.

18 — an honor awarded by Superintendent Carlos Cotto in Schenectady.

In Schenectady, Judge Vincent Versaci dismissed the jury Thursday in the damages phase of the St. Clare’s pension trial after more than 1,100 former employees won a $54.2M verdict last Friday and bankruptcy filings by two defendants paused proceedings; further updates are expected.

New Year's Eve Celebration at Rivers Casino

9 p.m. — Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady — Price varies — Celebrate the arrival of 2026 with live music, dinner, and a chance to win exciting prizes.