Tamara Starr

After the holidays, many may have been gifted the latest VR headsets . But now health experts are warning that spending too much time on these devices can cause a child to lose touch with reality.

Tamara Tries: Disc Gulf at ADK Discs in Johnstown Video Player is loading. This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color Transparency Background Color Transparency Window Color Transparency Font Size Text Edge Style Font Family End of dialog window. A comprehensive look at local, statewide and national news events is provided by the NewsChannel 13 Team, along with updates on sports and the weather forecast. Disc Gulf has existed since the 1970s, but now there are more parks and even leagues around New York. Andrew Chamberlaine owns ADK Discs in Johnstown , one of the only stores that specialize in selling gear for the sport. Chamberlaine said what makes this sport appealing is that it can be played almost everywhere, and there are even schools that incorporate the sport in their gym classes. However, those with a competitive edge can connect with Disc Gulf clubs like DisCapNY . Since 2009, these clubs have been able to teach the sport and help create more Disc Gulf courses in public parks. The club is also very involved in entering tournaments across the region, with several tournaments happening all month long.

Disc Gulf has existed since the 1970s, but now there are more parks and even leagues around New York. Andrew Chamberlaine owns ADK Discs in Johnstown, one of the only stores that specialize in selling gear for the sport. Chamberlaine said what makes this sport appealing is that it can be played almost everywhere, and there are even schools that incorporate the sport in their gym classes. However, those with a competitive edge can connect with Disc Gulf clubs like DisCapNY. Since 2009, these clubs have been able to teach the sport and help create more Disc Gulf courses in […]

New York Legislators propose $1.7 billion plan to include boosting economy for Albany On Monday, some Capital Region legislators will introduce a bill requiring New York state to dedicate seven acres of the Wadsworth lab project on the Harriman State Office Campus in Albany for residential and retail development. The $1.7 billion was originally budgeted to complete the creation of a new state-of-the-art public health laboratory, which aims to enhance the State's readiness to respond effectively to future public health crises and retain top-tier scientists. However, Sen. Pat Fahy said she wants to “move beyond the design mistakes of the 1960s” by increasing the area's walkability. Fahy will be introducing legislation with state Assemblymembers Gabriella Romero and John McDonald on Monday at 12:30 p.m. at the Harriman State Office Campus. The $1.7 billion was originally budgeted to complete the creation of a new state-of-the-art public health laboratory, which aims to enhance the State's readiness to respond effectively to future public health crises and retain top-tier scientists. The Wadsworth Center currently operates across five facilities. The new laboratory, to be constructed on the Harriman Office Campus Complex in Albany by 2030, will seek to consolidate the facilities. In April 2022, an initial $1.9 million design contract was jointly awarded to Gilbane Inc. and Turner Construction Co. in association with the design firm HOK. The budget funding is an increase of $967 million from the original $750 million approved in the 2018 budget. However, due to the pandemic and inflation, development was split into two phases.

Project Bread seeks applicants for 2025 Council of Experts to help fight hunger Project Bread is a food safety organization that has been creating programs to help end hunger in Massachusetts for years. The organization is always looking for volunteers and is also accepting applications for a paid position on its Council of Experts The organization has also been involved with the Walk for Hunger fundraiser, increasing awareness of summer hunger programs with the child nutrition outreach program, and meeting with legislators to steward the launch of the statewide Make Hunger History coalition. Kelly Russel, a member of the Inaugural Project Bread Council, has lived through this experience. She says that food insecurity is often misunderstood as something that can happen to anyone. “Project Bread does a lot of work across the state, providing resources through its food help hotline. Individuals can call and get local resources where they can go to various pantries, soup kitchens, and places where they can pick up other foods,” Russell said. “During the summer, they have the Summer Eats Program, where any kid up to the age of 18 can go, and they can get a free lunch every day.” For the second year, the organization is inviting individuals who have experienced food insecurity to help drive lasting change in Massachusetts. Project Bread also tries to ensure that each person never feels ashamed for using these resources because they need help with food. Experts who will serve on the council from February 2025 to November 2025 will commit 10 paid hours per month. They will also collaborate with Project Bread's teams on key programs while learning how to become community and civic leaders who can drive change within communities across the Commonwealth. “Food insecurity is at an all-time high, and it's affecting people across socio-economic backgrounds, across geographical locations. Project Bread does amazing work here in Massachusetts to make sure that everybody has access to the food that they want and need,” Russell said. “And so the council brings together people who have lived experience with hunger and food insecurity- together with people who are making policy and who are making the changes. So, those two worlds can come together to create the most inclusive policies for everyone who needs them.” If you need help with food, you can call Project Bread's toll-free food source hotline at 1-800-645-8333. The food source hotline connects you to SNAP, free meals for kids and more. Whether you're a college student, a senior, or a family in need, trained counselors are available to help in over 180 languages. All phone calls are free and confidential.

Berkshire County wants to help trace your roots to the Revolutionary War Next year will be the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Communities across the country want to help communities trace their roots back. Berkshire County wants to examine the people and events that led up to the Revolutionary War. This workshop is great for beginner genealogists or those getting back into family history research. It is all part of Berkshires250, the Road to Revolution program This six-session workshop will begin on the 25th at the Berkshire Athenaeum from 2 – to 3:30 p.m. and will continue via Zoom on five consecutive Saturdays. The workshop will cover topics from getting started and organizing your research… to finding the resources you need to answer your research questions. Lesley Herzberg, Executive Director of Berkshire County Historical Society (BCHS) at Herman Melville's Arrowhead , said community groups have been organizing these events for the last year, especially since many assume Boston was the only area in the commonwealth involved in the Revolutionary War. “We knew that people are already interested in doing genealogy research, and sometimes you need a little bit of a helping hand or a guide to do that,” she said. “So, our ideas were in collaboration with preparations for the 250th, if people have Revolutionary War ancestors and they wanted to research them. Or if they really just wanted to research their ancestors in general. You don't have to have a Revolutionary War ancestor to do this.” The cost for the workshop is $100 for BCHS members and $125 for non-members and tickets can be bought on their website

Fred Astaire Dance Studios (FADS) in Albany and Saratoga Springs will be hosting their annual student showcase, this year-themed “Everybody Dance Now,” taking place on Sunday, January 26, at 12:00 p.m. at the Albany Marriott on Wolf Road. This event celebrates the achievements of FADS students while sharing the joy of dance with the community—and […]

Squid Game Experience in NYC will be open through 2025 Squid Game fans may have to wait for the third season, but they can still experience the games right here in New York. For the rest of the year, fans will be able to face on-screen challenges in person while testing their skills and strategy in heart-pounding games inspired by the series. Memory Steps (inspired by Glass Bridge) You've seen Glass Bridge on screen – The Experience version challenges you to memorize the steps to keep crossing – or be eliminated – along with your whole group. Step lightly. Marbles Find your shape and stand on it. What looks like an innocent day on the playground will turn into a ruthless game of marbles – use your bag of various-sized balls to throw your opponent off of the board. May the best pitch win. Warships (featured on The Challenge and exclusive to NYC experience) Featured on Squid Game: The Challenge, the reality competition show, this game embarks players in a life-sized version of Warships, where you'll face off against another group, using a grid and your instincts to hit the ship on the other side of the wall. Red Light Green Light In the eponymous game from Squid Game the series and The Challenge reality competition, Young-hee is in NYC to catch players in action – and dismiss them from the game for not staying perfectly still as they venture to her side of the room. Finale This one is a secret and exclusive to the NYC experience! Located at the Manhattan Mall in New York City, all players can explore the night market, which features authentic Korean snacks, special vending machines, and a fully stocked bar with squid game-inspired cocktails. Players can also stop by the squid mart to bring home their very own exclusive collectibles, apparel, and games. Tickets start at $29 dollars and can be purchased at squidgameexperience.com

VDO Gaming is now building an in-person gaming community For years, video games have often been associated with isolation and the stereotype of the “lone gamer” in their bedroom. But now, a group of passionate gamers at VDO Gaming & Esports Education is working to shift the narrative by bringing gaming back to its roots… face-to-face. The organization wants to bring gamers back together in real life to bond over shared experiences, learn from each other, and ultimately redefine what it means to be a gamer. Whether through e-sports, stem learning, or just leveling up for a favorite game like Smash Brothers or Fortnite , Michael Crossman, General Manager, said this whole project has been in the making for ten years. The team started by creating video game tournaments for local shops like Game Stop “The journey was crazy because we worked for other entities, kinda doing a DJ service- but for gaming. And we would go to different venues and haul all of this equipment everywhere,” he said. “And it was just about time to stop hauling this equipment everywhere and find a dedicated location where we could build on this. Also, to understand that there are careers in this. People can pursue their dream of gaming. Whether it's creating games, creating music for the games, broadcasting… There are different opportunities, and we want people to know that.” Organizers also want to expand by creating more events and opportunities across the capital region. They plan to host stem-centered summer camps, birthday parties, activities for people with sensory issues, and even team-building activities for companies and organizations. Crossman said they have even been approached by police departments across the capital district that want to set up Call of Duty competitions against other departments. For Crossman, the main mission has always been to create an actual community where gamers can meet in person rather than just online. “You know, gaming had this stigma where you kind of did it alone. Online made it easier to do it alone. Online and playing with other people. But we really wanted to bring back that community feel of being together, playing together, playing the games together, and inspiring each other to make these different career decisions in gaming. And the biggest thing is to get them now in front of these machines and the community.”

During the campaign, President Trump made a big promise of mass deportation against undocumented individuals– and now that plan is underway. 13investigates is investigating the plan’s cost, the challenges ahead, and its implications for the economy.“There are, and it’s an estimate. Because there’s no registry of undocumented people in the United States, but the estimate […]