Brian

Hey there! It's me, Brian. Since you're here, let me tell you a little about myself. I was born and raised in Albany and currently live there with my girlfriend Samantha and our two cute little doggies named Biggie and Tiny. Adding to the nuthouse is my son Brody who is growing up incredibly fast, but getting more and more talented, funny, and handsome by the day. I feel very lucky to be able to spend time with you in the morning making you laugh, making you think, and sometimes even making you a little angry. But man, it's a privilege to do the show each and every day with Chrissy. I enjoy writing and talking about all things sports, wildlife, Capital Region nostalgia, interesting local people, and any and all of the quirky things I observe while living in the 518. E-Mail: brian@wgna.com

Police Say Fake $100 Bills Could be Circulating in Fulton County

Can you tell the difference? I guess it depends on how closely you're paying attention. Authorities in Fulton County are warning businesses and residents that fake $100 bills might be circulating throughout the community, and to be aware. An...

Is She Above the Law? Albany Restaurant Posts Video of Maskless Senator

The "Wear a Mask" signs are posted everywhere as you walk into the restaurant, but US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand didn't seem to pay them any mind. Watch the video posted below... It's common knowledge for all New Yorkers that you must wear a mask inside restaurants for the safety of the staff and everyone around you, but in this instance, the rules don't seem to apply. "The proble

Back when it was announced that they'd be closing hundreds of stores nationwide, Capital Region and Upstate New York residents figured it would probably be only a matter of time before we lost one, perhaps more

Looking for a ‘Mafia-Friendly’ Bar in Upstate to Watch Bills/Pats? The Best are Right Here!

The NFL Playoffs kick-off this weekend, and these next two weeks are my favorite of the entire season; it's like March Madness for the NFL. We have games on Saturday, Sunday, and even Monday night this weekend. For many in the Capital Region, and throughout New York state, all eyes will be on the Bills versus Patriots clash on Saturday night in primetime, 8:15 pm on ESPN. It...

Amazon Driver Makes Plea to Albany Residents Ahead of Big Snow Storm

Clean your sidewalk, driveway, and porch stairs, or NO packages for you! An Amazon driver recently pleaded with Capital Region residents to make sure there's a clear pathway leading up to their porch or else they won't be getting their packages...

Upstate Woman Shares Joyful Video of a Surfing Bald Eagle!

See the video below of a Bald Eagle, joyfully surfing on a stick in the river, and then taking it into the air using it like a hoverboard. The Bald Eagle we see in the video below isn't fully grown, we know that because its head isn't completely white. Ou...

Want to Meet a WWE Legend? Mick Foley is Coming to Albany!

WWE Superstar Mick Foley is coming to Albany to promote his new autobiography, tell some incredible stories and meet fans- perhaps even you! Find out how below... 35 years ago, Mick Foley joined the world of sports entertainment as an "interesting" character who went by the name of "Mankind". ...

The end is near for a popular Stewart's Shop location on of the most high-traffic roads in the Capital Region. Currently, there are over 335 Stewart's Shops spread out over parts of New York and Vermont, but in a week, that number will contain one fewer as it was announced that a store on Central Avenue in Albany is closing...

Growing Herd of Majestic White Deer Live in Upstate NY. But Where?

There's a growing herd of very rare, white deer that are not only surviving in Upstate New York, but they're flourishing as well. It defies all laws of nature, considering that these majestic-looking creatures could be an easy meal for hungry predators. In ...

Who Did This? Vagrant in Saratoga County Stole a War Hero Medal and US Flags

Who would do this? See what vandals did in a gallery below. Who would do this? That's what residents in Saratoga County want to know as it was reported that a local Town Hall was broken into and vandalized, the thief or thieves stealing American Flags and a Purple Heart Medal. Accor...

Heroic Upstate Police Officer Risks Own Life to Save a Dog in Icy Lake

Bodycam video shows a police officer in Upstate New York sprinting to save a dog trapped in an icy lake. Watch how he navigated the thin ice to return the pup safely to its owners. I'm sure if you asked police officer John Smith if he's a hero, he'd probably (very humbly I might add) just tell you that he was doing his job. Bu...

40 Years Ago, Kohls Plaza in Albany Was A Popular Hangout. Any Guesses?

From 1946-1986, something else brought thousands to this area and if it were still around, it would be one of a few that remain in the Capital Region. What was it? The Kohls Plaza located at 1814 Central Avenue in Albany has been a growing strip mall in the Capital Region for decades. In...

Woman in Albany County Wins $1M Dollars from Holiday Scratch-Off

New Year, new you? Maybe not for all of us, but there's at least one person in the Capital Region who is off to a good start in 2022. A woman in Albany County is $1 million dollars richer as we head into the new year after it was learned that she scratched off an instant game ticket from the NY Lottery and won the grand prize. ...

Upstate NY Residents Say Super Loud ‘Booms!’ Rattled Windows. What Was It?

What caused a series of loud, window-rattling BOOMS heard throughout the Capital Region on Thursday? There are some pretty interesting theories... Many residents throughout the Capital Region took to hyper-local apps and websites on Thursday wondering if others also heard the series of loud, unexpected "Booms!" sh...

Albany County Stewart’s Sells Winning Piece of $632 Million Powerball Jackpot

A Stewart's Shops in Slingerlands sold a sizable piece of last night's massive Powerball jackpot! Last night's Powerball jackpot was worth a whopping $632 million dollars, making it the seventh-highest payout in the history of the ultra-lucrative game of bouncing ping pong balls...

POSTPONED: One of Saratoga Counties Most Popular Foodie and Family Events

An event that foodies throughout the Capital Region enjoy every year has been postponed until a later, safer time, according to organizers in Saratoga County. Saratoga's annual Chowderfest, originally scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 5th has been postponed until March due to recent Covid spikes in the county, and throughout New York...

State Police in Upstate NY Have Spent 6 Months Searching for 3 Teens

State Police Wanted them in July, see why in the video below Back in July, officials from the New York State Police asked for the public's help in identifying three teenage-looking kids who were allegedly caught on video surveillance breaking in and then stealing from multiple campsites in upstate New York...

NYS DEC Drops Step-By-Step Video On Properly Pooping in the Woods

We're pretty lucky. Nature lovers in Upstate New York are surrounded by thousands of acres of pristine beauty that can't be found anywhere else in the country. And whether you hunt in the Adirondacks, camp in the Berkshires, or hike in the Catskills, the NYS DEC wants you to know there's a proper way to "handle your business" when nature calls. I know I w...

East of Buffalo, Here are the 5 Best ‘Bills Backers’ Bars in Upstate New York

We did a poll on our WGNA Facebook to try and find the best sports bar in the Capital Region where the game is always on, and Bills fans can feel welcome. It turns out, there are quite a few places including Albany, Clifton Park, Troy, Colonie, Malta, Saratoga, and Hudson Falls and we think we have found the 5 best Bills Backers Bars west of Buffalo. ...

‘To All a Good Night’ – One Final Time Through Albany’s Lights in the Park

Driving through the park a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but notice the last display you see on the way out of Capital Holiday Lights in the Park. It says, "And to all a good night!" That stuck with me. There are many reasons why I don't want Washington Park in Albany to lose Capital Holiday Lights in the Park. But none greater than the sentimental value it holds, not just for me, b

When Can New Yorkers Finally Bet Sports on an App? Reports Say Soon

We keep hearing that New Yorkers will be able to bet on sports using an App. But when? We've been hearing the commercials - heck I've even voiced some of the ads for the DraftKings Sportsbook App on WGNA, telling New Yorkers to get ready, soon you will be able to legally bet on sports in New York using an app. But wh...

Big Box Store in Albany County Announces Their Last Day in 2022

Were Shunned Sailors Banished to a ‘Red Seat’ Aboard the USS Slater in Albany?

A vital and historic piece of World War II history sits in her glory, restored and anchored in the waters of Albany's Hudson River. The USS Slater DE 766 in fact, is the only ship of its kind to remain afloat in the entire USA. But until recently, nobody talked about why one of the seats inside the ship is painted red, yet all others are painted black. What's the seedy story behind the "re

Not a Deer? Albany Woman Perplexed After Seeing Silly-Looking Animal

It's cute, albeit silly-looking, and it's definitely a deer...right? Okay so maybe the answer is obvious - maybe it's not. But either way, this derpy-looking animal that was recently photographed by an Albany County woman has perplexed enough people that it's worthy of a post. If...

Rare 2009 Photos Show Angelina Jolie During Making of ‘Salt’ in Albany

Check out the rare photos, behind-the-scenes of Angelina Jolie in the making of "Salt" in Albany NY below!! Last month we took you back to the filming of Salt in the Capital Region in May of 2009. That's when Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie, along with a stunt-double, shot that infamous high-speed chase on portions of 787 in Albany. T...

Upstate Woman Tried to Sneak on Plane with Knives Inside Cute Kids Toy

An Upstate New York woman - traveling with her young son - was stopped inside an airport on Monday after alarms triggered because of a child's toy she was attempting to sneak past TSA. I don't know about you, but every time I go through airport TSA, a massive wave of anxiety comes over me, and even though I have nothing to hide, I freak out a little at the notion of my stuff being X-Rayed... Read

Why was Alleged Animal Abuser from ‘Tiger King’ Arrested in Upstate NY?

Who knew that the star of Tiger King 2 was popped right here in the Capital Region? While this isn't necessarily "new" news, many people in the Capital Region (myself included) may have zero about this, and it might come in handy if you plan on binge-watching Tiger King 2 on Netflix over the holiday weekend. This ...

The 11 Most Wanted Fugitives Who Could be Hiding Somewhere in Upstate

A few weeks back, we wrote about Eugene Palmer, one of America's most sought-after fugitives. This alleged cold-blooded killer has been on the run for nearly a decade, disappearing shortly after the murder of his daughter-in-law Tammy back in 2012...

Prime in Saratoga Unveils Brand New ‘Village’ for Patio Dining at its Finest!

See what the new heated village at Prime Saratoga National looks like in the gallery below! Since 2008, Prime at Saratoga National Golf Club has been widely regarded as one of the area's very best for great food, atmosphere, special occasions, and more...

How Does Santa Do It? Old History Says with Help From Man in Albany!

Historians, parents, and children alike have often debated the merits of one Santa Claus and his uncanny ability to span the globe on Christmas Eve so efficiently, every child on the planet gets to wake the next morning to the delight of gifts under the tree...