Brian

Brian was born and raised in the Capital Region and currently lives in Albany. He’s the co-host of the GNA Morning Rush with Brian and Chrissy. When he’s not watching sports, eating fro-yo, playing poker, or trying to get in a quick nap, he’s hanging out with Brody; his ridiculously talented and handsome son. “Radio is my passion and I’m living out my dream! Every day we get the chance to change someone’s mood, perhaps their perspective, and hopefully make themaugh! What’s better than that?” E-Mail: brian@wgna.com

Cohoes Teen Skyrockets To Final 8 On American Idol
The massive wave of Idol momentum continued Sunday night for 17-year-old Cohoes native Madison VanDenberg.  The pitch-perfect teenager advanced to the final eight on American Idol following a performance of a song that many have said they never heard sung so well.
Dream American Idol Run Continues For Young Cohoes Star
Call it Maddy Mania. Here in the Capital Region, people who haven't watched American Idol in years are tuning in to American Idol to see the 17-year-old Cohoes singing star that everyone is talking about.  For about a month now, Madison VanDenberg has delivered one spectacular perform…
Favorite Late-Night Munchie Spot In Albany Closing
Every hometown has a reliable late-night delivery place that when the urge strikes. you call up in a moments notice for a dozen wings or large pepperoni pie, or both.  A little piece of me died when I heard that one of Albany's classic late-night delivery restaurants was turning off the fr…
Cohoes’ VanDenberg Wows Judges; Earns Spot In Idol Top 20
Madison VanDenBerg has done it again!  The 17-year-old Cohoes native had another near perfect performance on American Idol last night; once again impressing the judges (and viewers) while surviving another cut and advancing to the top 20.
Adam Sandler Announces Upstate NY Show This Summer
Adam Sandler, the comedic-acting genius behind Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, The Waterboy and The Wedding Singer (just to name a few) released a schedule of stand-up comedy tour dates.  While it appears that he'll only be making a handful of appearances in 2019, one stop on his "1…
Latham’s Formica Axed From Idol In Blink Of An Eye
Drama, angst, joy, and heartache. Welcome to the crazy world of Reality Television: Latham, New York edition!  Just one night after Latham's Moriah Formica surprised many of us when she appeared as a contestant during Hollywood Week of American Idol, her short-lived run on the show has end…
7th Grader From Shen Advances To National Spelling Bee
Spelling a bunch of words that I've never heard of, let alone spell, a 7th-grader from the Shenendehowa School District will rep the Capital Region in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.  The local finals were Tuesday night and it featured young spelling virtuosos from all over the Capital …
February’s Hometown Hero: Young Girl Turns Lemons Into The Sweetest Cause
February's Hometown Hero is an amazing young girl named Carly Waters from Schoharie.  When Carly, 9, learned that both of her sisters deal with hearing loss, she decided to turn lemons into the sweetest way to raise money for kids dealing with the same problem.  Carly's mom Marissa wrote in on behal…
Embattled Cohoes Mayor Arrested By The Feds
Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse has been no stranger to our local newspapers since being elected back in 2015. While he's denied the allegations lobbied against during his term as a public official, things reached a boiling point this morning.  It's being reported that the Cohoes mayor was a…
‘American Pickers’ Looking For Local Hidden Gems
The guys from the hit A & E Television Network show American Pickers are coming back to New York, and could possibly be scouring the area looking for unique gems stashed away in your basement, garage, junkyard and barns.
Hometown Hero: Dedicates Life To Coxsackie Community (AUDIO)
This unique woman is the epitome of a Hometown Hero. The Coxsackie native fights fires, spearheads fundraisers for her church, and spends countless hours creating fun activities for local kids. Jennifer Moore-Warren is our December Hometown Hero.
Remarkable Principal Is November Hometown Hero
We've all had teachers and known school officials who've gone above and beyond the call of duty making long-lasting impacts on students.  November's Hometown Hero does all of those things and much, much more.  Her name is Lisa Mickle, and she's the principal of Okte Ele…
Hometown Hero Leaves Area To Pursue FDNY Dream
John Bradke is originally from Niskayuna where he served as a volunteer firefighter for 12 years, but in his heart, he knew he needed to be doing what he loves down in New York City. So 5 years ago he chased his dream of becoming a firefighter in the Bronx, leaving behind a loving girlfriend, family…
Schenectady Mayor: Halloween Ends At 8
While there may not be an official 'last call' for trick-or-treaters on Wednesday night in the city of Schenectady, they did recently announce their proposed Halloween 'hours of operation'.  In fact, Mayor Gary McCcarthy has told residents when they need to turn off the…
State Police Confirm 20 Dead In Horrific Schoharie Crash
Just awful.  My heart breaks for the families, the community, and anybody involved in the horrific crash that happened yesterday in front of the Apple Barrel Country Store + Cafe in the town of Schoharie.  State Police are confirming that 20 are dead but have yet to release the names of th…
September’s Hometown Hero: A Kind Neighbor We Could All Use
Heroes come in all walks of life, lines of duty, and nooks and crannies. They are first responders, mentors, leaders, military personnel, and teachers.  And sometimes, they are simply a kind neighbor. September’s County Waste Hometown Hero is Ashley Carmichael from Potter Hollow…
Local Student Gives Needy Man Shoes Off His Feet
It's this type of kindness the world could use a little more of these days.  A Gloversville High School student wasn't going for Youtube views or social media clicks, he was just being a good human when he gave away the sneakers he was wearing to a homeless man walking down the street…
Hot 99.1 Honors Hometown Hero For The Homeless (Audio)
Renee from Selkirk was nursing a massive migraine when we unexpectedly called her Thursday morning to tell her about her Hometown Hero nomination.  We tried to tell her we were totally cool with calling her back, but Renee wouldn't budge.  Migraine or not,  her desire to spread the word about her ho…
Get Paid $300 To Eat Avocados
A research team out of a California university is looking for subjects to be a part of a study and will pay you $300 to eat avocados.  If you - or perhaps someone you know - is willing to be a participant, the team of researchers is still searching for individuals at three college campuses incl…
Local School Bus Drivers Will Be Randomly Drug Tested
In an effort to crack down on the amount of impaired drivers taking our children to and from school,  Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed off on a bill that will force New York school bus drivers to submit to random drug and alcohol drug testing.
Higher Occurrence Of Hungry Bears Spotted Locally
Next week at this time, I'll be exploring the Grand Tetons as well as the wonders of Yellowstone National Park as I finally take a bucket list trip I've been wanting forever.  But seeing wildlife in a natural environment like the Adirondacks or Yellowstone is one thing. Seeing a bear in your backyar…
Last Blast Of ‘Oppressive’ Heat Headed Our Way
If you love your Summer's to be hot, hazy and warm, you've had nothing to complain about since early June.  If you're the type who can't put away the bathing suits and shorts fast enough for much cooler Fall weather, you're gonna have to way a little bit longer, at least according to the latest weat…

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