Daily Digest: ‘Checks and balances’: All-Democratic Troy City Council gears up for first meeting

Also: Dr. Randy Cale’s Terrific Parenting: Part 2: What Actually Creates Change Why Small, Sustainable Habits Work • Troy firefighters probe fire at Unity House services center on 102nd St.

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Monday, January 5, 2026

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a good weekend and has a great week ahead. Before you head out or enjoy that morning cup of coffee or tea, check out some of the top stories on our website. Be safe and enjoy the day. — Ron Rosner, Senior Editor e-edition                            obituaries ‘Checks and balances’: All-Democratic Troy City Council gears up for first meeting TROY, N.Y. — Troy’s all-Democratic City Council is ready to get to work after officially being sworn in. The new members are prepping to represent their districts and to work with the Republican administration under Mayor Carmella Mantello. For Council President Sue Steele, a Democrat, the election solidified her belief that there are needed changes […] Read more → Dr. Randy Cale's Terrific Parenting: Part 2: What Actually Creates Change Why Small, Sustainable Habits Work Last week, we explored why New Year's resolutions so often fail — not because people lack discipline, but because they try to force change instead of creating the conditions that allow it. This week, the natural question becomes: if trying harder isn't the answer, what actually works? The answer is quieter, gentler and kinder than most people expect. Real, sustained personal change rarely relies upon motivation or intensity. It begins with small, steady habits that respect how the nervous system functions in real life. Why Big Personal Goals Usually Backfire Big goals often sound inspiring, but to a tired or […] Read more → Troy firefighters probe fire at Unity House services center on 102nd St. TROY, N.Y. — City firefighters responded to a massive overnight fire into Sunday morning at Unity House's Kathryn Allen Center for Domestic Services building at 6 102nd Street. Upon arrival, officials said Engine 4 found heavy smoke pushing from the building early this morning and declared a Signal 30. Heavy fire quickly progressed and began […] Read more → What's inside Mexico's Popocatépetl? Scientists obtain first 3D images of the whole volcano Scientists now know where the magma accumulates. Read more → DEC Project FeederWatch Winter offers us a chance to appreciate the backyard birds in our communities. Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada offer Project FeederWatch, an effort that engages people in observing and recording the birds that visit their backyards or community spaces. To participate, visit the How to Participate webpage: https://feederwatch.org/about/how-to-participate/. If you're looking to observe birds virtually, check out the Cornell FeederWatch Cam: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/cornell-lab-feederwatch/. Red-bellied Woodpecker. Read more → SNAPSHOT: St. Peter's Hospital welcomes Capital Region's first baby of 2026 The first baby born in the Capital Region in 2026 was delivered at St. Peter's Hospital at exactly midnight. Joselin Conteron and Henry Villa of Albany welcomed Ryan Sebastian Villa Conteron, weighing 6 lbs,14 oz., and measuring 19 inches. Ryan is the first child for the proud new parents. Read more →

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