Good evening, Capital Region and Hudson Valley. We're wrapping up the day for you with some of the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.

Your Weather Planner

Look for showers to taper overnight with areas of patchy frost and lows in the low-to-mid 30s. Brisk and cool again Wednesday with clearing skies by the afternoon and highs in the upper 40s to lower 50s.

Tomorrow's Forecast

 
Today's Big Stories

1. New state law expands aid for some library projects in lower-income areas

A new law hopes to make it easier for public libraries in disadvantaged communities to use state aid for building projects, and ups the percentage of a project that can be covered by state aid from to 75 to 90.

2. New York announces $4.25 million for beginning and disadvantaged farmers

The programs will offer funding to people who are less likely to enter or succeed in the industry due to lack of capital, experience and other resources or social and economic discrimination to help with purchasing land, structures, livestock and equipment. The funding can be put toward training staff and creating marketing campaigns. 

3. UAlbany program reduces financial barriers for college students

In an effort to help other students with financial literacy, the University at Albany received a $4 million grant to start the Financial Assistance Coaching & Tools for Success, or FACTS program, which helps with the hiring of financial coaches that certain students can learn from.

4. Rep. Marc Molinaro discusses his reelection effort for NY-19 seat

Molinaro joined Capital Tonight to discuss his candidacy and some of the issues impacting the district that includes portions of the Hudson Valley and Southern Tier. His opponent, Democrat Josh Riley, also appeared on the show.

5. Puppeteer's legacy on display amid continuing cancer battle

"My goal in life is to really make puppetry seen as more of an art form," art teacher and viral puppeteer Adam Kreutinger said in early 2024. It's been a long road and a high bar, but he has taken every blow from life and continued on that journey.

6. 25 and Counting: Chuck Schumer's path to Senate majority leader

This year marks 25 years since Schumer first entered the U.S. Senate. He is now the longest-serving U.S. senator in New York history, and the only New Yorker to serve as majority leader. It’s a role he long sought but is poised to lose if Republicans flip enough Senate seats in November.