Year in Review: Our most popular stories of 2024

Happy New Year’s Eve, Capital District! Today, we’re looking back at some of the most popular stories from our inaugural year publishing your favorite local newsletter.

Tonight, we’ll hoist a toast to you, dear reader 🍾 🥳 Here’s to another year of bringing the best of the region to your inbox! (Read on to find out where we’ll be for tonight’s celebration!)

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Year in Review: The stories that got y’all clicking in 2024

It’s amazing to think that we only started publishing The 518 in May of this year. Our very first issue included stories about the Albany Tulip Festival and Alexa Kropf, the UAlbany freshman who was severely injured by an illegally driven dirt bike. Eight months later, Alexa has made a remarkable recovery and our little newsletter is becoming everything we dreamed of. It’s been a good year, indeed.

Here’s a look at our most popular stories from 2024, plus some personal faves:

Our story on why folks are leaving New York State in droves got a lot of attention. NYS residents aren’t the only ones disappearing. So are firefly populations throughout the state, a story that also drew a lot of eyeballs.

A lot of you were curious about why the City of Albany needed to redesign the municipal flag (spoiler alert: it just kind of sucks and doesn’t accurately reflect the diversity of Albany). In fact, some of you even wanted to join the city’s task force to select a new flag. Tell us if you actually did!

Stories about making money always click. Many of you wanted to know about the wealthiest ZIP codes in the Capital Region, what rich people in the suburbs do for a living, and the new 6-figure jobs in the Albany area. Did you know that making more than $117K per year as a single person puts you in the top 10% of earners in the Capital District?

Y’all love news about restaurants openings and closings, so we’re planning to do more “Taste The 518” food reviews in 2025. Our most popular food review: Albany’s Mystic Momo, which does these incredibly homey and delicious Nepalese dumplings. We also did reviews on Tacos Diablo, Bol, Meat & Company, and Blu Pizza at City Beer Hall.

Our top-clicking link for all of 2024? A very debatable roundup of the best burgers in the Capital Region.

Our Home of the Week is consistently one of our most popular features. In 2024, the top clicker was this 1846 charmer of a home at 201 Elm Street, near Albany’s desirable Center Square neighborhood. The asking price was $279K; it sold for $293K in July after fielding multiple offers. The last time it sold? In 2002—for a mere $65,000 🤯 

Lastly, here are some of our personal favorites from this year:

• Is Albany getting trashier?

• Can Albany be the Venice of the Northeast?

• The hidden gems of the Capital District food scene

• People & Places You Should Know: Historic Albany Parts Warehouse

• Albany native tries to crack the cocktail market

Did we miss something cool this year? Let us know! [email protected]

❄️ WEATHER WATCH

A word from our sponsor

Is your local business or nonprofit thinking ahead to 2025? Start the year right with a refreshed website, more compelling content, and engaging social media marketing. StoryCraft, a boutique brand storytelling agency in the heart of Albany, can help. Get in touch with us today!

 🐐❤️🌲 Consider donating your Christmas tree to the hungry goats at City Goat Farm in Charlton. The delighted herd of rescue animals can’t get enough of this holiday treat. Just remember to completely remove any glitter, sparkles, tinsel, ornaments or ornament hooks that may hurt their bellies. [News10].

🇺🇲 Farewell, Mr. President. Upon Jimmy Carter’s death at age 100, Schenectady City Historian Chris Leonard reflects on the late president’s connection to the Capital Region. The longest living POTUS spent 1953 studying nuclear physics at Union College while working on an atomic submarine program. He later campaigned extensively in the region. Listen to the conversation at WAMC.

🥾 Start 2025 on the right foot with the 14th annual First Day Hike, supported by the Department of Environmental Conservation and the NYS Office of Parks. There are hikes planned across the state, from self-guided treks to staff and volunteer-led adventures. Check out photos from last year on the DEC Flickr page, then choose a hike from the DEC’s handy map.

This charming Colonial faces the the lovely Emma Willard campus in Troy. An inviting wrap-around porch and light-filled vestibule opens into a bright and spacious living room with gleaming hardwood floors that run throughout the home. Original details include French doors, built-in window seat, and sweeping staircase. The kitchen needs work, but boasts updated stainless-steel appliances. Upstairs are four airy, generous bedrooms and an office. The house has recently been insulated for cozy energy savings. Don’t miss the private and substantial yard with a matching workshop/one car garage, and a garden of mature fruit trees, peonies, rhododendron and berry bushes.

The deets: 4 bd, 2 ba, 2116 sf. Asking: $350,000. Days on market: 13. See the full listing here.

🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING

Note: Our full weekend roundup publishes on Thursday! Keep an eye on your inbox.

🍾 Tonight’s the big night. Take a look at our New Year’s Eve party roundup if you haven’t already made your plans—Where to Party Like It’s 2025. 

🪩 Personally, you’ll find us at the Larkin Hi-Fi’s New Year’s Eve For the People party—no cover and no reservations!

🦄 Find the gayest NYE party in Albany (plus a midnight buffet!) at Waterworks Pub.

🧒 Looking for family-friendly places to ring in the New Year? Check out this list. The NYE Family Show & Ball Drop at Mopco in Schenectady is also a great choice.

🏃‍♂️ Saratoga Springs embraces the “New Year, New You” spirit with a two day NYE celebration beginning with the Saratoga First Night Glow Run 5K at 4pm, fireworks and entertainment throughout the evening and ending on a healthy note tomorrow with the Saratoga First Day 5K.

🏀 The MVP Arena hosts games by the Siena Saints and Albany Firewolves this week.

👑 On Saturday, Schuyler Mansion in Albany and Crailo State Historic Site in Rensselaer are putting on a concurrent Twelfth Night (or Feast of the Epiphany) celebration with live music, 17th century inspired refreshments, and caroling around the bonfire.

👰 Looking to get hitched in 2025? Get to the free Wedding Expo at the Albany Marriott Hotel on Sunday.

⛸️ The Empire State Plaza Skating Rink is open every day (except Mondays). Saturdays are free skate rental days!

🖼️ Note: First Friday Albany, which normally takes place on the first Friday of every month, is on hiatus for January and will return better than ever in February! 

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