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
Brian
Popular Spray Pad in Upstate NY Built by Mega Millions Winner!
Tonight's Mega Millions jackpot is up over a BILLION dollars leaving many of us to wonder what we would possibly do with all that money.
"The new water park was built without using any taxpayer dollars and replaced the old spray pool that was in existence in the park since the 1940’s." Vil...
Bigfoot-Like Creature Terrorized a Family in Upstate NY? They Say Yes!
There are a lot of urban legends from area residents with claims about monsters terrorizing small towns and communities throughout Upstate NY.
With endless acres of dark woods, lakes, and streams, the Capital Region has had its fair share of paranormal, alien, Lochness Monster, and bigfoot sightings throughout the years, but an urban legend emanating from the Catskill area of New York State is one
‘Deceitful’ Pet Zone in Upstate forced to Reimburse Vet Bills from 2014
If you bought an animal from Pet Zone anytime after 2014, you may be entitled to a full reimbursement of vet bills as a result of the company's misleading and deceptive business practices.
New York Attorney General Letitia James didn't hold back on social media today when an agreement was reached on Monday with Bell Pet Company, which does business as The Pet Zone...
Chocoholics Unite! A Big Choco-Fest is Coming to Saratoga County
If you or someone you know loves chocolate, get on board - this festival is a chocolate-lover's dream and for the 8th consecutive year, it's coming back to the Capital Region this February.
Merriam-Webster defines a chocoholic as "a person who craves or compulsively consumes chocolate" which may describe all of us at some point in our lives.
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Remember Albany Bear? Sadly, He was found 140 Miles from Release Point
How awful is this? I can't lie - it bummed me out when I read about it on Saturday morning.
Remember that bear in Albany - seen by many in late May making its way around Washington Park? He set up shop high in a tree a few hundred yards from my house, and I was one of the many who spent a few hours watching and waiting for him to come down.
Am...
Police: Man Stole 7 Snow Blowers from HD and Lowes in Clifton Park
7 Snow Blowers...20 Warrants...and a Partridge in a Pear Tree!
The Schenectady PD is all too familiar with a man arrested recently and accused of stealing as many as seven snowblowers from Home Depot and Lowes during a month-long spree.
According to a report from News 10 ABC, police say that 35-year-old Bryan Pallone did his dirty work over a one-month period of time beginning on November 12th and
If Ever a City ‘Deserved’ to Win a Super Bowl, It’s You Buffalo!
I texted my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew after Thursday's promising update on Damar Hamlin. They’re all big Bills fans and I thought the news was timely and might brighten up their day.
It was me and three Bills fans going back and forth on this text chain about how much the city is going through and how they need some good news.
...
4 from Saratoga County Called Heroes after Witnessing Avalanche in the Alps
4 young men from Saratoga County are being hailed as heroes when, in a split second, a Christmas ski vacation to Austria turned catastrophic and they were there to help save lives!
This incredible story was detailed in a report from Newschannel 13's Kumi Tucker who not only caught up with the young men but also shared a harrowing video of the moment an avalanche swept up skiers on the mountain.
Report Shows Less NY Growth as More are Haulin’ It South!
Is everyone moving out of New York State?
Well, not everyone. But how many times have you heard people state their desire to live outside of New York? Especially in the midst of the pandemic - and for a variety of reasons - it seemed like 1 out of every 10 people I knew either wanted to or did move down south when New York was on lock.
Place...
One of the World’s Tiniest Diner’s in Upstate NY Turned 100!
Big menus, good food, fast service, convenient hours, and fair prices. Morning, noon, or night - nothing beats a quality Diner - and thankfully we have many to choose from here in the Capital Region.
Some diners are known for their massive breakfasts, meaty triple-decker sandwiches, or pancakes the size of your head; maybe even all three. But they...
Soups On! Popular Upstate NY Foodie Event is Set for January!
When it comes to soup, what's your fave?
Are you all about the classics like a creamy clam chowder, or piping hot chicken noodle soup, or perhaps a meaty chili? Maybe you're looking for something a little more exotic like a bisque?
All of these- plus a few you may have never tried - will be served up for all to enjoy in Schenectady at the end of the month at the Schenectady Soup Stroll!
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Wildlife Experts Say Rare Upstate NY Sighting was 1 in a Million!
Keep your eyes on the road, you never what you might see. But even though New York is made up of over 18 million acres of forest, you'll probably never experience something like this!
Interesting wildlife encounters on roads throughout Upstate New York may not be too unusual, but an animal an Upstate New York man and his wife recently saw, sure was...
This Is Officially Reason #2976 You Know You’re in Upstate NY!
This may be the ultimate "You Know You're from Upstate New When", but I need somebody to explain this like I'm NOT from Upstate.
I've lived in the Capital Region my whole life and I've seen a lot of interesting, baffling, bizarre, and truly unique things - but this was a new one...
The Magical Ice Castles are Starting to Take Form on Lake George!
Love the Ice Castles? So do we!
See Stunning Pics from High Above Lake George in a Photo Gallery from our friends at Adirondack Drone and click this link to find out how you can get tickets for their upcoming 2022-2023 season which starts on Jan 27th.
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911 Call from Kid Leads to Moms Arrest in Saratoga Springs
Police in Saratoga County arrested a mother of three young kids just two days before Christmas after she allegedly left them home alone for hours - and one of them called 911.
"The investigation discovered three children under the age of 12 had been knowingly left alone by Sheehy at the home for hours. She...
Oh Deer! Up to 40 Hungry Deer Greet Man Each AM in Upstate NY
It's not uncommon to see large gatherings of deer in rural parts of Upstate New York, but a sight like this is certainly a bit unusual.
Check out the video below of what looks like as many as 40 hungry deer staring down a man in Greene County, waiting patiently to fill their bellies.
Ja...
State Police Use Amazing Tank-Like Vehicle to Move Cars in Buffalo
Our hearts continue to be with our fellow New Yorkers out west as they deal with the aftermath of one of the worst storms in state history, and we'd like to take a moment to thank our first responders. As of this morning, as many as 30 people perished, and more bodies may be recovered.
T...
Dew You Know? Classic 1980s Soda Commercial was Filmed on Lake George!
How many classic 1980s TV commercials do you remember?
We all remember Wendy's "Where's the Beef?"
How about Pepsi's "The Choice of a New Generation," or Miller Lite's "Tastes Great!...Less Filling!"
Decades have passed - and there are far too many to recall - but if you remember anything about TV commercials in the 80s and 90s, the biggest ones in the game were bee
Lowest of the Low! Looter on a Snowmobile Robs Store in Buffalo
Our thoughts are with our fellow New Yorkers in the Buffalo area and all with the first responders sent out that way to help - many of them are from the Capital Region.
While emergency crews from all over New York State have made their way to help the Buffalo community dig out of the catastrophic blizzard, others are taking this as an opportunity to rob, loot, and steal...
Inside the Upstate Farmhouse of a Movie Star Worth Over $150M!
One of Hollywood's biggest stars, Liam Neeson is reportedly worth over $150 million dollars. It shouldn't come as a surprise, considering that the 69-year-old has been in almost 100 films.
Born in Northern Ireland, the leading man with starring roles in films like Schindler's List, Star Wars Episode 1, Batman Begins and the Taken franchises, commands somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 million p
Our Hearts are Full – Donna in Gloversville Blown Away by Xmas Help!
This is an update on Donna in Gloversville. You may remember the super sweet struggling mom with 2 kids who told us just a few weeks ago that Christmas in her house probably wasn't going to happen this year.
Well, we have an update and it's better than anyone could have imagined.
No
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Don’t Like it, Take a Hike! Are these ‘Rules’ of Upstate NY Accurate?
These are not my rules, and to be honest, I'm not sure who created them. But I saw this list trending online recently and it piqued my interest.
Not only did someone take the time to list these 20 very specific things, but at least one person actually believes all of them to be true - that's amazing to me...
Mom of Missing Schenectady Teen Speaks Out – But What did we Learn?
Jaclyn Humphrey, the mother of missing Schenectady teen Samantha Humphrey spoke to News Channel 13 this week, and if you're one of the many people in the Capital Region invested in this case, you should watch the video.
The video (posted below) may or may not clear up some of your preconceived notions about the mom, the family, and the search, now in its fourth week...
Photog Shares Rare, Candid Pics of Angelina Jolie Making ‘Salt’ in Albany!
Check out the rare photos, the behind-the-scenes of Angelina Jolie in the making of "Salt" in Albany NY below!!
13 years ago this week, Salt, the action-thriller starring Angelina Jolie came out on Blu-Ray and DVD and featured added cuts that gave the movie different endings...
Is Shen Growing? Clifton Park School Eyes $20M Building on 11 Acres!
The largest school in the area and one of the biggest in New York State may be growing!
“This donation is a game changer,” says Superintendent Dr. L. Oliver Robinson. “It provides the space to meet so many needs, solving many current issues and providing capacity for years to come.” -Shenendehowa C...
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10 Best Places to Eat while You Visit the Lake George Ice Castles
The Lake George Ice Castles burst onto the scene last winter here in Upstate NY, and they're primed for even more success in year number two when the magical display opens to the public on January 27th.
What's new in year #2?
According to a post in the Glens Falls Chronicle, the Ice Castles will be "expanded and enhanced" in year two, and some of the major additions include, "an ic
Alleged Animal Abuser from Upstate NY Charged after Grisly Find
The animal abuse allegations made against a woman in Troy are disturbing, to say the least - but kudos to our local law enforcement for doing what was necessary to make sure people like this don't ever own an animal again.
According to a release by the Albany Police Department, 27-year-old Elisa Sumner of Troy is accused of intentionally killing a German Shepherd.
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Yule on a School! Principal in Saratoga County Goes All-Out to Surprise Kids!
You gotta love the show of Christmas spirit at a local elementary school - literally, above, and way beyond - but totally worth it! See the photos below.
"It was not a boring Monday here at South Glens Falls. The children of Tanglewood were having a ball; since The Elf on the Shelf brings joy to all. ⛄🌲" Sou...
Hiking in Upstate New York? Know the Line or Get a $250 Fine!
Going hiking in New York? Follow the dress code and more, or pay heavy fines!
I'm not sure how many New Yorkers know this, but this may be useful if you're planning to take a hike in the near future. Most experienced hikers are well aware of the "do's and don'ts" when taking to the ADKs, and that's a good thing. But...
Say What? 17 of the Most Mispronounced Places in the Capital Region
We are lucky to live in the vast, beautiful upstate region of New York, more specifically known to us simply as the "Capital Region."
But the reality is, that's about as simple as it gets.
I've lived in this area my entire life, and the differences in our towns, cities, villages, and hamlets can be astonishing...