I just released a new episode of my podcast, Albany County Direct! This week's guest is Albany County Mental Health Commissioner Stephen Giordano to discuss suicide prevention and awareness. Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3T9… Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Youtube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL…

#ICYMI - We recently announced a new partnership with GKNY Mentor Program, Inc. to deliver the Youth Safety and Leadership Pathways Initiative, an eight-week program for up to 30 Albany County youth, ages 9 to 15. This program offers a variety of activities that will help young people learn how to communicate, work through disagreements, manage their emotions, and take responsibility for their decisions. youtube.com/watch?v=VGYF_8kG…

The Homeless and Travelers Aid Society is calling a Code Blue alert for tonight, Friday 10/23/26 and Saturday 10/24/26, with real feel temps reaching the low 30s. What is Code Blue? Code Blue (CB) is a low-demand, humanitarian cold weather program designed to reduce barriers for homeless people seeking shelter. It is called when the RealFeel temperature is expected to be 32 degrees or less, including wind chill. Homeless residents of Albany County in need of shelter can go to: • Capital City Rescue Mission at 259 South Pearl Street • Safe Haven Drop-in Center at 26 South Swan Street People in need of shelter can also call the HATAS Homeless Hotline at 518-463-2124. Joseph’s House Outreach Services offers emergency provisions and shelter navigation for unsheltered residents during Code Blue. Call 518-495-0663 if you or someone you know is in need.

What a great turnout for Trunk or Treat on Monday! Thank you to the Albany County Department for Children, Youth & Families and all the volunteers who helped make the day special. Always nice seeing so many families come together and enjoy some Halloween fun!

Secrets out: there’s something special happening at Switzkill Farm! 🌿 I recently took the Altamont Enterprise on a tour of the property to talk about our plans for its future. With beautiful trails, waterfalls and plenty of room to grow, we see a real opportunity to make Switzkill Farm a destination for arts, recreation and community events. We have work ahead of us but I’m excited about what’s ahead and look forward to seeing it become a destination for people across Albany County and beyond. altamontenterprise.com/10212…

When we talk about violence prevention, we have to look at the whole picture. We know that gun violence, chronic truancy, and youth involvement in the justice system are serious challenges. There isn't one solution that will address all of them, but reaching kids early and giving them the right support can make a difference. This morning we announced a new partnership with GKNY Mentor Program, Inc. to deliver the Youth Safety and Leadership Pathways Initiative, an eight-week program for up to 30 Albany County youth, ages 9 to 15. This program offers a variety of activities that will help young people learn how to communicate, work through disagreements, manage their emotions, and take responsibility for their decisions. The program will run from October 19 through December 11, with sessions on Mondays and Fridays from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free food will also be provided. Parents and guardians can register their children by visiting: albanycountyny.gov/recreatio… or calling 518-655-7948.

Today, I held a swearing in ceremony for Albany County Department of General Services Commissioner Scott Allardice. His experience, dedication, and commitment make him the right person to lead the department. Congratulations, Commissioner Allardice. I look forward to continuing our work together to serve the residents of Albany County.

The Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival is much more than a culinary celebration. It is an opportunity to showcase the incredible talent, diversity, and creativity that make our region special. This morning at a press conference it was announced that seven local arts organizations were selected as beneficiaries of the 2027 Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival. By supporting Albany Wine & Dine for the Arts, attendees help strengthen the organizations that keep arts and culture accessible, engaging and thriving throughout our community. To learn more visit: albanywinefest.com/

Albany County is home to an important part of New York’s semiconductor research and innovation infrastructure, including the Albany Nanotech Complex operated by NY Creates. Last night we welcomed a delegation of representatives from Singapore’s semiconductor industry to New York. There is so much we can learn from one another as we work together to strengthen our respective industries.

Our goal is to make Albany County a place where businesses feel confident investing, and where those investments translate into real opportunities for the people who live here. Today, we broke ground on a major expansion of Belgium-based Aprojects’ U.S. operations at the Port of Coeymans. This new 75,000-square-foot logistics and staging facility will expand the company’s capacity to handle large-scale equipment and cargo moving through the Port of Coeymans. It is expected to create 12 construction jobs during development and 18 permanent jobs upon completion. Partnerships between industry, local government, and the Advance Albany County Alliance are driving meaningful economic growth, expanding opportunity and showing the world what we can achieve together!

It was great to see the community come together for the Village of Colonie’s 2026 Veteran Stand Down. Veterans were able to access a range of services, from medical screenings and employment assistance to meals, clothing and other essentials. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, donated and helped make the event a success.

#ICYMI - On Monday, I released my executive budget for 2027. youtube.com/watch?v=JEpTSt-4…

Yesterday, members of my staff attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Delmar to celebrate the reopening of the newly remodeled Dunkin'. On behalf of Albany County, we wish the Delmar Dunkin' team continued success!

Next week, the New York State Bar Association is hosting Hidden in Plain Sight: The Intersection of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking, a training for judges, court attorneys, and practitioners. • Date and time: Thursday, October 22, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. • Location: New York State Bar Association, One Elk Street, Albany, with a simultaneous virtual option • CLE credit: 4.5 credit hours in Areas of Professional Practice, appropriate for newly admitted and experienced attorneys Registration is available at: nysba.org/events/hidden-in-p…

This November, Albany County voters will decide on Local Law N, a proposed charter change to replace the County’s four-coroner system with a Medical Examiner’s Office within the Department of Health. Medical examiners are licensed physicians with specialized training in forensic pathology who can provide expert oversight of death investigations, determine medical causes of death, and interpret forensic and toxicology results. The new office would improve coordination, strengthen oversight, and reduce reliance on outside contractors. Albany County is the most populated county in New York still operating under a coroner system. This proposal is an opportunity to modernize a critical public service while maintaining 24/7 response and compassionate support for families during some of their most difficult moments.

We all share the road, and we all have a responsibility to make sure the people working on it can do their jobs safely. I joined with Commissioner Dominguez, Director Hoare, Acting Commissioner Jackstadt and Superintendent James for National Move Over Day. New York’s Move Over Law is straightforward. When you approach an authorized vehicle stopped along the road, move over when it’s safe to do so and slow down. It sounds simple, but it can save a life. A few seconds of patience behind the wheel can make all the difference for someone trying to help another person.

My counsel, Sia Zois Googas, attended a community celebration of White Cane Safety Day on my behalf. Today we honor the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and celebrate the white cane as a powerful symbol of independence.

Last night, I attended the 2026 American Planning Association's Upstate NY Chapter Annual Conference. It was a pleasure to welcome planners, local government leaders, and professionals from across the state. Good planning is essential to strong communities. The decisions we make today about housing, transportation, economic development, and conservation will shape our communities for generations. This conference was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and learn from one another.

Chief Communications Officer Mary Rozak attended the Regional Food Bank’s Thanksgiving Distribution announcement this morning. Thanks to the continued support of donors, volunteers, and community organizations this has become the largest single day Thanksgiving food distribution in America. We are proud to have the Regional Food Bank here in Albany County and will continue to partner with them to support our neighbors in need.

Thanks to Paul Vandenburgh for having me on this morning to talk about what’s happening in Albany County. Paul had some pretty generous things to say during our conversation, calling me “a great example of how to run county government” and even saying, “Dan McCoy should take over all towns, villages and cities.” I appreciate the kind words and always enjoy the chance to talk about the work we’re doing across Albany County. We’ve made a lot of progress, but there’s always more to do, and I’ll keep working hard for the people who call this county home. @TALK1300