Category: PostNews

The New York State budget legislation enacted in 2021 included an expansion of the Excelsior Jobs Incentives Program. The Excelsior Jobs Incentives Program provides job creation and investment incentives for businesses in targeted industries in the form of refundable tax credits that can be claimed over a benefit period of up to 10 years, if the eligible business meets and maintains established job and investment thresholds.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The man who’s currently serving 64 years to life in prison for killing a woman and her grandchild has admitted to another fatal shooting that happened more than a year earlier.

Kenyatta Austin, 29, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of 24-year-old Luis Flores. In March 2017, Flores was shot on E. Ferry Street near Bissell Avenue, dying a short time later.

In July of the following year, Austin killed Yvette Johnson, 54, and her 17-month-old grandson Kyrie Johnson. It happened outside a home on Grape Street.

Two other people were shot during that incident, but they lived.

For the killing of Flores, Austin could be sentenced to 25 years in prison. He’ll be back in court on May 9.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — March 7-11 is National School Breakfast Week, and the Buffalo Public Schools’ Food Service Department is making sure all students have access to a healthy breakfast every day. Part of that initiative comes in the form of their “Farm to You to School Food Truck.”

The colorful, mobile meal option brings hot breakfast and lunch to students throughout the district.
The Buffalo Public School’s Food Service Department provides healthy breakfast to over 70 schools throughout Buffalo.

On Thursday, March 10, the truck will be at the Occupational Training Center. On Friday, March 11, they will be at the Math, Science, Technology Prep School.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — From a now-deleted Twitter account, attorney Todd Aldinger announced that he will not be running for office.

After previously sharing his interest in filling the seat for the newly re-mapped NY-24 in Congress, the Republican says it’s no longer in his plans.

Attorney Todd Aldinger intends to run for Congress if NY is re-mapped

“I needed much more support than I have received to stay and fight in New York,” Aldinger wrote.

In fact, Aldinger’s not only giving up his potential run for Congress, he’s not even planning to stay in the state.

“I will no longer be around to take your legal cases. I will be looking to move out of state ASAP,” he wrote.

Instead, Aldinger has thrown his support behind Andrew McCarthy, who’s also running for New York’s 24th Congressional District.

“Thanks to everyone who supported me,” Aldinger concluded. “But now is not the right time for me.”

Aldinger first announced his intention to run for office at the end of January pending New York’s re-mapping, which was made official by Gov. Kathy Hochul days later.

Gov. Hochul signs new State and Congressional redistricting maps into law

“If I am fortunate enough to be elected to Congress, my first bill will be to abolish the CDC. Some of its responsibilities can be delegated to the states, others (like bioterrorism preparedness) will need a new home in the federal government,” a message posted to the Todd Aldinger for Congress, NY-24 Facebook page read. “But that agency has demonstrated too much incompetency during this pandemic to be salvaged in anything resembling its current form.”

As an attorney, Aldinger has been known for standing with people in opposition to COVID-related protocols.

Last year, he represented clients in a lawsuit against the Williamsville Central School District. Ultimately, in May, the Williamsville and Orchard Park school districts were required to offer options for learning in-person five days a week.

The attorney also worked alongside Ralph Lorigo in an attempt to convince Moog to join a group of employees in litigation against a federal vaccine mandate.

One of Aldinger’s clients, Robby Dinero, has been the subject of controversy over the course of the pandemic. Dinero, who owns Athletes Unleashed in Orchard Park, was arrested in December after police there say he “reportedly has had previous violations of the Orchard Park Central School District’s Code of Conduct.”

Here are some of the cases Aldinger was involved with:

Orchard Park police say gym owner who entered high school was charged with criminal trespassingMoog will not join group of employees in litigation opposing federal vaccine mandateLawsuits filed against Williamsville, Clarence Central School Districts by parents demanding a return to 5-day week schoolingOrchard Park Gym Athletes Unleased granted injunction against New York State

Aldinger has not been the only person interested in representing the new 24th District come election time. Chris Jacobs, who currently represents NY-27, is looking to keep a seat in the House of Representatives.

On the same day Aldinger announced his intentions to run for NY-24 if it was re-mapped, Jacobs shared his plans to do the same. According to Jacobs, more than 400,000 of the people currently represented by his district will be in the new 24th District.

The map change was the result of population loss in New York, causing the state to lose a seat in Congress.

According to FiveThirtyEight, the new map includes 20 Democratic-leaning seats, four Republican-leaning seats and two seats that don’t strongly lean one way or the other. They say it would give Democrats more of an advantage in Congressional representation.

MORE | New York lawmakers unveil map that would boost number of Democratic seats

The next election to determine members of Congress will take place in November.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says Ukrainian refugees are welcome in the Queen City.

According to Brown, the federal government is planning to work with local refugee groups to give people a safe place to stay.

“We feel horrible about this terrible, senseless attack on a sovereign nation,” Brown said. “People are really suffering in Ukraine and anything that we can do to support the people of Ukraine at this time, including taking refugees, we will do that in the City of Buffalo.”

It’s not clear if any Ukrainian refugees are on their way to western New York yet.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — We’re about two years into this pandemic, which has had a huge impact on the housing market.

Fred Corsi, President of the Western New York region of Howard Hanna stopped by Wakeup! to share some tips to navigate Buffalo’s sizzling housing market.

Right now inventory is at a major low and it’s causing bidding wars like some local agents have never seen before. Prices on homes went up 17% in 2021, according to Howard Hanna.

Fred Corsi says the low inventory comes from homeowners not selling due to financial uncertainty during the pandemic. Supply chain issues also posed a problem for builders.

This all led to a sellers market, with homes going on average, for much more than the listing price. He says to get the home, you’ll need to beef up your offer and make it as attractive as possible.

“I’m seeing everything from buyers waiving inspection fees, buyers allowing the seller to stay in the home longer after closing, to making cahs offers without mortgage contingencies,” said Corsi. “It’s all what is in your comfort range as a buyer.”

While many are hoping for the housing market to reach normalcy, Corsi expects that won’t happen until next Spring.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Tuesday night at the Buffalo Museum of Science, people living near Martin Luther King Jr. Park shared their thoughts on potential improvements to their neighborhood.

“Envision MLK Park” was put together with the goals of residents in mind.

Buffalo’s Director of Planning and Zoning, Crystal Middleton, says “Our community residents are the experts in this community. They live here. They work here. They play here, and obviously, we come to them for direction first. We don’t want to have that top-down approach. We really want to be at the ground level, understanding what their needs are.”

Two more meetings are planned. The next will take place next Tuesday at the Broadway Market.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — More records are being broken as gas prices continue to surge upward.

“March 8 prices have all surpassed the highest prices previously set during the recession in July of 2008,” AAA said.

You’re now paying more for gas than ever before

And now, they’re even higher. The national average is $4.25 per gallon, while New York’s is $4.43. Each average went up by less than a dime this time, but that’s still not good news for drivers.

It’s especially dispiriting when you compare last year’s prices at this time, where the U.S. average was $2.80 and New York’s was $2.85.

Buffalo, Batavia and Rochester are all under the state average.

Batavia – $4.35 (up 6 cents from yesterday)Buffalo – $4.37 (up 7 cents from yesterday)Ithaca – $4.38 (up 3 cents from yesterday)Rochester – $4.38 (up 5 cents from yesterday)Rome – $4.41 (up 6 cents from yesterday)Syracuse – $4.39 (up 5 cents from yesterday)Watertown – $4.40 (up 5 cents from yesterday)

Oil prices remain more than $120 per barrel, AAA says.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — It’s called Cyber Impact 2022, and in partnerships with M&T Bank, KeyBank Center, Highmark Stadium, and more, the goal is to bring nationwide awareness and safety.

For three days from March 8th through March 10th, the training will focus on tightening up security through intensive training that hones in on a different area each day. It’s hosted by Task Force 46 and partners with local agencies like the Buffalo Fire and Police Departments benefitting both civilians and military alike.

“We’ve been working on this for a couple of years.” said Colonel Chris McKinney. “We did a virtual event last year because of COVID and we get an opportunity to come together face to face so we’re pretty excited about it.”

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center is easing its guidelines for visiting patients.

Visitors no longer need proof of a COVID vaccination, but masks are still required. Those who have had COVID have to be symptom-free for at least 24 hours, as well as being 10 days past the initial diagnosis.

Hospital patients with COVID-19 still cannot have visitors.