Viktoria Hallikäär

Buffalo

Reporter at Spectrum News Buffalo

Proud @VanderbiltU alum, plant-based foodie, and Emmy-nominated/Murrow-winning reporter at @SPECNews1BUF 🇪🇪🇲🇽🇺🇸

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Articles

N.Y. leaders concerned with Trump plan to 'phase out' FEMA

2 weeks ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Viktoria Hallikäär

Emergencies are expensive. Whether the COVID-19 pandemic, influxes in asylum seekers or weather-related disasters, communities can rally for clean-up and recovery. At the end of the day, that’s all needs to be paid for. “[Federal Emergency Management Agency] not only provides disaster assistance, they also importantly support preparedness, making sure that we are ready to mitigate the emergencies that come our way,” said Syracuse City Auditor Alexander Marion.
Concerns about international student population in N.Y. amid visa pauses

3 weeks ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Viktoria Hallikäär

They contributed $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. “U.S. research universities rank very highly, and that matters,” said Nathan Daun-Barnett, an associate professor of higher education at the University at Buffalo.
National Fuel: No gas leaks, service issues in fatal Hamburg house explosion

1 month ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Brianne Roesser |Viktoria Hallikäär

National Fuel says no leaks or service issues in their gas facilities played a role in Monday night's Hamburg house explosion. According to Hamburg Police, Joene Pease, 78, was killed, and John Pease, 78, remains at Erie County Medical Center as a result of the blast. Police say the incident prompted multiple calls that came in just before 9 p.m. More than 200 emergency responders from 20 agencies worked to put out flames and search the debris.
Chief Justice Roberts: Judicial independence is key check on Congress, president

1 month ago | spectrumnews1.com | Viktoria Hallikäär

BUFFALO — Amid attacks on federal judges who have slowed President Donald Trump's agenda, Chief Justice John Roberts on Wednesday defended judicial independence as necessary to “check the excesses of the Congress or the executive.”“Judicial independence is crucial,” Roberts, the leader of the Supreme Court and the entire federal judiciary, said at a gathering of judges and lawyers in his hometown. The 70-year-old chief justice largely repeated things he has said previously.
Chief Justice Roberts: Judicial independence is key check on Congress, president

1 month ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Viktoria Hallikäär

BUFFALO — Amid attacks on federal judges who have slowed President Donald Trump's agenda, Chief Justice John Roberts on Wednesday defended judicial independence as necessary to “check the excesses of the Congress or the executive.”“Judicial independence is crucial,” Roberts, the leader of the Supreme Court and the entire federal judiciary, said at a gathering of judges and lawyers in his hometown. The 70-year-old chief justice largely repeated things he has said previously.
N.Y. refugee organizations look to fill funding gaps after executive order

1 month ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Viktoria Hallikäär

BUFFALO, N.Y. — When President Donald Trump entered office on Jan. 20, he signed an executive order stopping the United States Refugee Admissions Program until further notice, saying the U.S. lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants. “The majority of the people that we work with here at this organization or that people might see in our community have all come through approved pipelines or pathways," said Pam Kefi, CEO of Journey’s End Refugee Services.
Wave of holiday movies pick WNY as backdrop, offer roles to locals

2 months ago | mynews13.com | Viktoria Hallikäär

When it comes to lights, camera, action, the guys behind Casting Buffalo have seen a lot more move outside the five boroughs. “Buffalo is a booming town,” said Kyle Mecca, an owner and casting director for Casting Buffalo. “You can drive five minutes on the road and it looks like you're back in the early 1900s, to the '60s to the modern times.”Western New York has seen some action this year. "Newport Christmas" and "A Christmas Spark" already filmed here this year.
Tariffs putting a strain on relationships between American, Canadian citizens

2 months ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Viktoria Hallikäär

The back and forth over tariffs continues to seemingly put Canada, one of the United States’ closest allies, on edge and with “elbows up.”“It's not good to fight with your neighbors,” said Prashant Ghorpade, a resident of Hamilton, Ontario. Conversations over tariffs aren’t just happening in the U.S.“Canada has always been standing with the United States," Ghorpade said.
'Made in Ireland' could come with a steep cost amid tariffs

2 months ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Viktoria Hallikäär

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Experiencing a little bit of economic pain for more industries to come back to the U.S. is the reasoning for many who support tariffs, but for some American businesses, "Made in America" just isn’t possible. About 70% of the items at Tara Gift Shoppe in Buffalo come directly from Ireland. Their customer base doesn't want those items made stateside. They want that authentic connection to Ireland. “Kind of a mini-Ireland,” said owner Thomas Heneghan.
Recommendations on buying stocks amid post-tariff volatility

2 months ago | mynews13.com | Viktoria Hallikäär

New Yorkers are joining millions around the world checking and re-checking their phones as the stock market takes center stage. It comes after what some analysts called a "manic Monday" that saw indexes plunge, soar and sink again, some of which was tied back to a rumor that the White House has since debunked about President Donald Trump considering pausing his tariff policies. The market volatility has people seeing a lot of red in their stock portfolios, 401(k)s, etc.