WNED NewsRoom

Police Warn Worshippers of Church Thefts Buffalo (2009-11-20) Church-goers are now being asked to be especially mindful of their personal property while attending services in the wake of a series of thefts at area churches last Sunday.

Giuliani Looking Toward Senate, Away From Albany

Buffalo (2009-11-20) Rudy Giuliani is pointing his political aspirations toward the U.S. Senate. The former New York City Mayor is reportedly leaning away from a gubernatorial challenge, though polls show that he would be favored to beat incumbent David Paterson. Political insiders believe that Giuliani would like to take another run at the Presidency in 2012 and that the platform of a U.S. Senate seat would better assist that effort.

NFTA Officials Monitoring Push for Authority Reform Buffalo (2009-11-20) Officials of the NFTA are watching carefully as Albany mulls much tighter controls on the state's mass of public authorities. The oversight legislation "would slow us down," said NFTA Executive Director Lawrence Meckler, "if we have to go to Albany for approvals." No one is sure but there are 700 or 800 public authorities, said to owe $150 billion, far more than the state owes directly.

New Era to Close U-S Plants

Buffalo (2009-11-19) Buffalo-based New Era Cap Co. is consolidating its U.S. manufacturing operations from three plants into one. The supplier to Major League Baseball says it will shut down its facility in Jackson, Alabama by February. A decision about the company's plant in Derby is expected next year.

Unemployment Rate Drops Slightly

Buffalo (2009-11-19) The State Labor Department says New York's jobless rate climbed to 9 percent in October. That's up from 8.9 percent in September. In the Buffalo-Niagara region, the unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent in October, down from 8.4 percent in September.

Wilson Vows to Revamp Bills

Buffalo (2009-11-19) Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson tells the Associated Press he's prepared to revamp his entire football operation after the season. Wilson said Thursday he'll make a full review and stresses there's a ``lot of work to do.''

Brian Davis Resigns from Common Council

Buffalo (2009-11-19) The Buffalo Common Council now has to fill a vacancy in its ranks after Ellicott Councilmember Brian Davis resigned last night in the wake of his two-misdemeanor guilty pleas to Election Law violations. The former councilmember made the announcement on the steps of City Hall last night. "I can no longer allow my personal situation to be a distraction," said Davis.

Albany Passes Stricter Drunk Driving Law

Buffalo (2009-11-18) The State Senate and Assembly have passed a law making driving drunk with a child in the vehicle a felony. The measure is dubbed "Leandra's Law," for 11-year-old Leandra Rosado who was killed October 11 when a car driven by the mother of one of Leandra's friends crashed in Manhattan.

Niagara County High School Student Dies from Swine Flu Complications Buffalo (2009-11-18) A high school student in Niagara County has died from complications due to the swine flu. It is the second H1N1-related death in the county in the last two weeks. Parents in the district are being notified.

Hamburg Residents Vote to Cut Board by Two Buffalo (2009-11-18) Supporters of shrinking town boards are now five-for-five, as Hamburg voters Tuesday approved cutting their board from five members to three. After all of the ballots were counted, 4,424 voters were in favor of cutting the board while 2,876 were against. The two seats will be eliminated January 1, 2012.

Bills Fire Dick Jauron; Name Perry Fewell Interim Coach

Buffalo (2009-11-17) The Buffalo Bills have fired coach Dick Jauron. Team owner Ralph Wilson made the announcement Tuesday afternoon, just days after the Bills suffered a 41-17 loss to Tennessee. Wilson has named defensive coordinator Perry Fewell interim coach.

Paterson Reports No Progress on Budget Deficit Albany (2009-11-17) Governor David Paterson isn't especially optimistic that state lawmakers will meet his target date today for action on a $3.2 billion deficit. "They (state legislators) may get to see me more than their families if they don't get to work," threatened Paterson, referring to the governor's power to force another "special session." Senate Finance Committee Chairman Carl Kruger says new revenues may be available if the state and the various Indian nations can get together and collect taxes.

Davis Removed from Council Committees

Buffalo (2009-11-17) Buffalo Councilmember Brian Davis' political future remains very unclear, after he was removed from all council committees. "I think it's pretty clear in reading those cases of what Mr. Davis pled guilty of, as he soon he pled guilty, the seat was vacant," said Council President David Franczyk, who wasn't sure if Davis was even "present in the building." WNED News' attempt to reach Davis by phone was unsuccessful.

Hamburg Residents Vote on Downsizing Referendum Buffalo (2009-11-17) Activist Kevin Gaughan's long campaign to shrink the size of local government has finally arrived in his hometown of Hamburg. Hamburg today is the latest municipality to vote on a downsizing plan.

Schumer Pushing for Investment in Downtown Falls

Niagara Falls (2009-11-17) Niagara County Community College wants to expand and re-locate its Culinary Institute. It considers the old Rainbow Centre Mall in downtown Niagara Falls to be an ideal location. "We really believe this kind of program could help jump start downtown," said Senator Charles Schumer during a press gathering in Niagara Falls.

County Clerks Deliver Signatures Opposing New License Plates

Buffalo (2009-11-16) More than 106,000 New Yorkers recently signed online petitions protesting an plan from Albany to raise revenue by forcing New York drivers to purchase new license plates starting next year. That message was received loud and clear, according to county clerks from across the state who gathered in Albany today, one day after Governor Paterson and legislative leaders said they would work to repeal the requirement.

Poll: Paterson Faces Tough Road Toward Election Buffalo (2009-11-16) A new statewide poll conducted by Siena College Research Institute makes one thing clear: Governor Paterson right now is a long shot for election to New York's top-elected post in 2010.

GM's Future Looking Brighter

Buffalo (2009-11-16) General Motors' financial losses were down last quarter and GM says it will start repaying the loans it received from the U.S. government next month, which is four years ahead of schedule. Tonawanda Engine Plant Manager Steve Finch says since GM emerged from bankruptcy over the summer, there has been a growth in confidence in the automaker's new products.

New License Plate Measure May Run Out of Gas

Buffalo (2009-11-13) In an interview Friday with WNED News, Governor David Paterson said he would consider dropping his controversial revenue-enhancement plan to create new license plates. But, Paterson said, legislators would need to find a way to cover the estimated $129 million the new plates would bring to the state treasury. Over the weekend, state lawmakers seemed to have come around to the Governor's way of thinking.

Slaughter Holds Firm on Health Care Reform

Buffalo (2009-11-16) Congresswoman Louise Slaughter claims the Affordable Health Care Act passed by the House last weekend will result in better health care for all Americans, at lower costs, and and with more choices. "That's the best part: 36 million will be insured from now on," said Slaughter, who pointed out that "caring for the uninsured adds about $1,000 to each of our own health insurance plans every year."