Emyle Watkins

1 week ago | btpm.org | Emyle Watkins |Ryan Zunner

On Thursday, an emergency shelter on Bailey Avenue was told they would have to cease operations no later than noon on Friday, potentially displacing between 60 and 80 people before a major heatwave. Outdoor plans? Today is the day before oppressive heat begins to build through the weekend, and peaks early next week. There however will be a few thunderstorms to dodge this afternoon and evening across WNY, so keep an eye to the sky.

1 week ago | btpm.org | Emyle Watkins

In an exclusive hour-long interview for the Disabilities Beat, BTPM Disability Reporter Emyle Watkins interviews Willow Baer, the newly-confirmed commissioner for the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Baer, who has served as acting commissioner for almost a year, shares her background, goals for the agency, and recent budget investments in disability services.

1 week ago | btpm.org | Emyle Watkins

On Monday, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited St. Joseph’s Campus, a busy emergency room, hospital and substance use disorder treatment center near Buffalo. Gillibrand spoke out on significant Medicaid cuts that could harm hospitals and medical care for marginalized communities if passed through the Senate. Gillibrand says healthcare workers, including one from a local pediatric hospital, have been writing to her about their fears.

2 weeks ago | btpm.org | Emyle Watkins

Western New York Independent Living hosted its Meet the Candidates event this week – an annual opportunity for disabled people to ask political candidates their most pressing questions. BTPM Disability Reporter Emyle Watkins was there and has an overview. This is a rush transcript and may be updated over time to be more accurate. Emyle Watkins: Traditionally, the Meet the Candidates event has had several races discussed and not every candidate has shown up. Thursday, however, was an exception.

2 weeks ago | btpm.org | Emyle Watkins

On Tuesday, Old Fort Niagara announced it will open a new Native American Education Center in 2026. The center will be designed to replicate Native housing at the fort during the Revolution. Chief Brennen Ferguson of the Tuscarora Nation says this land was a place of refuge for Native people and an important part of their local history. “We know that this was a site of a huge amount of Haudenosaunee diplomacy during the early colonial period.