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4 days ago | 
btpm.org | Ryan Zunner
The New York State Conference of Mayors has a new president, and it’s Olean Mayor William Aiello. The organization advocates on behalf of municipalities around the state, ranging from funding goals to legislative priorities. Aiello said advocacy over shared issues is important for communities big and small, regardless of partisanship. “It's not one political party versus the other political party," said Aiello.
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4 days ago | 
btpm.org | Ryan Zunner
Data from the University at Buffalo reports around 93% of homes in Buffalo likely contain lead hazards from deteriorating paint. The common council in 2020 adopted a local law to create proactive inspections of rental properties for lead and other hazards, but the program has historically struggled. BTPM NPR’s Ryan Zunner reports that now, the City of Buffalo has had to give back more than $1 million in unspent lead-related funding.
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5 days ago | 
btpm.org | Ryan Zunner
Executive members of the Erie County Democratic Committee are once again jumping into the fray of Buffalo’s upcoming mayoral primary. Between accusations towards Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon and having to answer questions about the committee’s own endorsement process. “We're finding that there are some people running in this race that are pursuing it, you know, as honorable people, but there are other people that have already gone back on their words,” said New York State Assemblyman Jon Rivera.
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5 days ago | 
wamc.org | Ryan Zunner
MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. (AP) — U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, on a visit to Massapequa High School on Long Island, said an investigation by her agency has determined that state education officials violated Title VI of the federal civil rights law by banning the use of Native American mascots and logos statewide.
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1 week ago | 
btpm.org | Ryan Zunner
Despite the June 24 primary still being weeks away, the general election field for Buffalo mayor is already taking shape. Erie County Board of Elections filings confirm Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon, former Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield and Michael Gainer have all turned in enough petitions to create independent ballot lines in the November general election.
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1 week ago | 
btpm.org | Ryan Zunner
General Motors is making its largest single investment for an engine plant, and it's happening right in the Town of Tonawanda. The automaker announced $888 million into new machinery and equipment at its Tonawanda Engine Plant to facilitate production of a next-generation V8 small-block engine. The engines will be used in GM’s line of trucks and SUV’s. GM CEO Mary Barra said the investment into the WNY plant is key in providing an American base of production and workforce.
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1 week ago | 
wamc.org | Ryan Zunner |Jim Fink
General Motors is making its largest single investment for an engine plant, and it's happening right in the Town of Tonawanda. The automaker announced $888 million into new machinery and equipment at its Tonawanda Propulsion Plant to facilitate production of a next-generation V8 small-block engine. The engines will be used in GM’s line of trucks and SUV’s. GM CEO Mary Barra said the investment into the WNY plant is key in providing an American base of production and workforce.
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1 week ago | 
btpm.org | Ryan Zunner
Events honoring the sacrifice made by service men and women have taken place throughout Western New York. On this Memorial Day, the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park honored those who gave their lives in uniform, and veterans who lost their lives to the mental health battle at home. It was a solemn day at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, honoring the over 650,000 Americans who died in combat over the course of the nation’s history.
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2 weeks ago | 
btpm.org | Ryan Zunner
The University at Buffalo and nearly a dozen local police agencies are facing a civil rights lawsuit from ten people arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest on the North Campus last year. What’s at the heart of the legal filing.? On May 1, 2024, several police agencies from as far as Evans and Orchard Park converged on UB’s North Campus to disperse pro-Palestinian demonstrators the university said were violating college curfew and rules about encampments.
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2 weeks ago | 
btpm.org | Ryan Zunner
Canisius University has announced its eliminating their public safety department, in favor of a private security firm. It comes with at least short-term layoffs, and the loss of state-sworn peace officers. The in-house Canisius Public Safety Department will be no more, with Alaska-based NANA Management Services taking over as a private security contractor. The move has been seen at other universities and institutions nationwide. Why might an organization make this kind of decision?
