Buffalo Toronto Public Media

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.

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.

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.

5 days ago | btpm.org | Alex Simone

Buffalo Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon and the city's police are starting a new walking patrol initiative to get officers out in the community. While it's starting on a trial run, the goal is to have the walking patrol become a permanent fixture, Scanlon said. "This initiative is only as strong as the partners we have engaged in it. And to everyone listening, residents, I want you to know this, that this initiative is not about changing uniforms," he said.

6 days ago | btpm.org | Heather Hare

Public Media veteran honored at PBS Annual MeetingKathryn Larsen, VP of Content Distribution at Buffalo Toronto Public Media, was named Programmer of the Year at the PBS Annual Meeting in May. Larsen has been working in public media for almost four decades, including time at WNET (Thirteen) in NYC, Rhode Island PBS, and American Public Television (APT).