Category: PostNews

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — In less than six days, voters in New York’s 26th congressional district will cast their ballots to fill the unexpired term of congressman Brian Higgins.

The two candidates, Republican Gary Dickson and Democrat Tim Kennedy appeared on News 4 Wednesday for this race’s only debate.

The clear winner in the debate was the voters at home as both Kennedy and Dickson had a chance to defend their campaigns as we get closer to the special election.

Democratic state senator Tim Kennedy has been in his current role since January of 2011. Republican Gary Dickson has been West Seneca’s town supervisor since 2019.

The race for the vacated congressional seat comes after congressman Brian Higgins departure in February.

Both candidates say they can fill his shoes and lead Western New York to prosperity.

“My expectation of myself is to go and to continue the momentum that’s been created by him and his legacy,” said Kennedy.

“Including housing, including the economy are very complicated [in our area] and it’s not going to ever be solved by continuing to do what we’ve been doing for a long time. We need some new thinking,” Dickson stated.

One of the voters’ biggest concerns on the ballot is the response to the migrant crisis in Western NY and at the southern border.

“If the president says he is doing all that he can to keep people from coming in illegally on the border and then comes to Congress, I will support additional resources for them,” Dickson continued.

“The bottom line is there is a solution. It has been made in a bipartisan fashion by the United States Senate. It will secure the border,” Kennedy stated in response.

News 4 concluded the debate by sitting down with political analysts on what they thought went well for the candidates on Wednesday.

“Senator Kennedy’s answer was very strong on immigration. I thought he talked about Border patrol. He spoke to securing our borders. He really put the blame at the Senate Republicans feet for ransacking the bipartisan deal,” stated political analyst Jess Schuster.

“Gary talked specifics. Gary talked about the Maryville school district that is underfunded by like $400,000 because of the migrant crisis,” added political analyst Matt Braun.

Abortion was another hot topic on the debate floor Wednesday along with the ballot. Each candidate attacking the issue from opposite directions.

“We need to codify a woman’s right to choose into law at the federal level,” said Kennedy.

Dickson responded by saying, “I personally do not think it should be a federal issue, it should be done at the state level. Let the voters vote.”

“The highest court in our land said that this is a state’s rights decision. Gary was spot on the nose where he’s talking about other states who are doing referendums. Let the voters decide,” Braun added.

“Senator Kennedy went right in on the abortion issue, which has been so strong for Democratic voters and is a mobilizing tool across the country that we’ve seen since the Dobbs decision,” continued Schuster.

News 4 asked each candidate what they think their party’s biggest weakness is and how they will help overcome them.

“Both parties have what we might what I will colloquially call crazies. So, we need to solve these problems by working with other people and not demonizing them,” concluded Dickson.

“I think if there’s any weakness in this moment, it’s that we are the minority party. The people of this great country deserve a functional government that is more reflective of the people that live here. That’s not what they have right now under Republican control,” closed Kennedy.

Early voting has already begun in preparation for the special election on Tuesday.

The general election for the seat will take place on Nov. 5, with the winner earning a two-year term beginning in January.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A former employee of Russell Salvatore has filed a lawsuit, accusing the restauranteur of sexual assault, harassment, discrimination and wrongful termination.

The suit, filed on Wednesday in New York State Supreme Court, alleges that Salvatore sexually assaulted her on several occasions throughout her employment, which began in 2015. She claims she was wrongfully terminated in December 2023.

The suit was brought against Salvatore, his business, Russell’s Steaks, Chops & More, as well as one of Salvatore’s associates.

It also claims that Salvatore garnished her tips while she worked as a bartender and was fired when she voiced her concerns. On one occasion, the woman claims that Salvatore told her to “never” cut off a customer from alcohol.

In a statement, Salvatore called the lawsuit “an attempt to extort me.”

The full lawsuit can be viewed here.

Salvatore’s full statement can be seen below:

Recently I was shocked, saddened, and disappointed to learn that an employee who had been with me for over 9 years has decided to file a lawsuit against me. I believe the lawsuit is in retaliation for a policy change that was implemented involving her and associate bartenders that she didn’t agree with. The letter I received from her and her attorney was, in my opinion, an attempt to extort me for $1.5 million dollars. I felt that their message was clear – pay up or they will make the allegations public – and by doing so try to ruin my reputation.

My answer is equally clear – Go right ahead!

I have seen what has been going on in this world, and after being around for 91 years, it is really a shame. I cannot believe that someone can, after working 9 years making full-time money for part-time work, quit a great job and then come back two months later and make such allegations against her employer. The lawyers know the buzz words to get a reaction, and thus their inflated complaints cover just about everything under the sun. Her co-workers have expressed the same disbelief in her actions.

So here I am, mortified to even have my name associated with such nonsense. However, I will not just buckle to threats.

I have been here for this City for many years and in many different ways, and will continue to do so for as long as I live. I will get through this. Thank you for your time, your support and your continued patronage.

Russell Salvatore

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Millions of drivers across the country — and it seems like dozens every week here in Western New York — are falling victim to the Kia Challenge on social media. Now they’re deciding whether they want to be part of a class action lawsuit.

One Buffalo man — who’s been a victim of the challenge — is being told he’s not eligible for any financial compensation.

Dan Greenway is not a big fan of the nationwide settlement that Kia and Hyundai have reached for $145 million. Dan’s had his car broken into twice.

He has a 2022 Kia Sportage. There is video of one of those attempts to steal his car. News 4 first told you about Dan’s story last summer as police were dealing with a huge increase in Kia’s and Hyundai’s being stolen.

Dan’s car insurance has gone up because of the attempted thefts. He went to: KiaTheftSettlement.com, that’s the site to submit a claim using his VIN. He puts his information in, but it comes up that he’s not eligible.

“If they’re giving 6,000 I think is the rough ballpark figure to other people I was just as much victimized as everybody else was and I’m just looking to see if they can compensate for that,” Greenway said, “The fact that Kia is not willing to even look at this I think it’s just not equitable.”

Dan followed up with Kia, which says he’s being denied because his car is a “push start” ignition and that these cars are typically manufactured with an engine immobilizer.

More Calls 4 Action

A class action lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai was filed in California. The lawsuit claims that certain models were not equipped with an engine immobilizer, allowing Kia and Hyundai cars from being stolen more easily. A settlement has been reached in the civil case, paying drivers $145 million. But at this point, Dan won’t see any of that.

Some of the benefits under the settlement include a free software upgrade, a reimbursement for installing an anti-theft system or a financial reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs.

The deadline to file a claim is in January 2025.

Dan hopes that federal lawmakers or perhaps, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration take up this issue.

“If we’re allowing vehicles like this to be sold that are basically an attraction to kids I don’t know if it’s the right way to say it an attractive nuisance is what its become it make you a little paranoid about whether it’s going to happen again,” Dan said.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — As students get ready to step into the future, D’Youville University is giving them a taste of tomorrow with its commencement speaker — an artificial intelligence robot named Sophia.

The school announced Wednesday that this year’s speaker, a “social humanoid robot” created by a Dallas robotics company, will engage in an “interview-style discussion” with Student Government Association president John Rizk.

“I use AI every day, multiple times a day,” Rizk said. “I am much more productive and organized having AI in my pocket to help me with daily tasks. A.I. to me is what the calculator was to my parents. I’m excited to interview Sophia and help affirm AI is not going away, and that my generation needs to figure out how to appropriately deal with it.”

D’Youville has been working to spread awareness of virtual reality and A.I. after launching its MetaReady program in 2022. This offers every first-year student a Meta Oculus “for delivering asynchronous developmental and academic programming through,” according to a news release.

Other efforts at promoting A.I. and virtual reality include the D’Youville Health Professions HUB’s simulation center and a recent staff competition to apply A.I. into daily work.

“Our students will be the future of healthcare delivery,” said Dr. Lorrie Clemo, university president. “As we move to put our lives in their hands, D’Youville University hopes to ensure all students understand technology and can think critically about the future they build for us.”

D’Youville’s commencement ceremony will take place May 11 at the LECOM Harborcenter.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Just before 7:15 a.m., a fire broke out at a residence on Haven Street in Buffalo.

According to officials, the fire started on the first floor of the occupied building, causing an estimated $240,000 in damage.

The 83 Haven Street address is near the end of the dead-end street, which intersects with Genesee near Bailey Avenue.

Six people are receiving help from the Red Cross as crews continue to investigate the fire.

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Snowplow drivers from all over the country are putting their talents to the test during the Buffalo Niagara International Airport’s seventh annual Snow Plow Rodeo.

“We used to do it amongst ourselves here with our folks, and we decided to take it to the next level,” said Dave Berghorn, the airfield operations supervisor of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, “It’s a camaraderie, so we all show our skills and talents.”

Plow drivers will be using plow trucks with 22-inch plows, and they will maneuver through an obstacle course of cones. For each cone knocked over, 15 seconds will be lost.

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“Basically, the Snow Plow Rodeo is just a way to thank all the boots on the ground, the people who are hard at work, who are out here every day clearing out the snow, when we have those extreme weather events,” said Kelly Khatib, public information officer with the NFTA. “Just a nice way to give them some fun and give them some bragging rights throughout the year.”

The Rodeo is part of the 55th Annual Snow Symposium, which brings in hundreds of airport professionals from all over the world.

“It’s just a way to share best practices; there are lots of things that go into running an airport,” said Khatib. “We always have everyone come together, share those best practices and it can be everything from how to read weather alerts so people will be able to know that first thing, to what kind of de-icing fluid works best and how much you should have on hand.”

The Snowplow Rodeo is from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24th, and is free for the public to attend. Anyone interested in viewing the event can visit the Buffalo Niagara International Airport Fire Department, located at 120 Amherst Villa Road.