News

School budgets passed in most small city and suburban school districts Tuesday. In the most contentious budget vote, Clarence voters rejected a budget that would have increased property taxes by 9.8 percent. Voter turnout in Clarence set a record. Lines of voters were extensive throughout the day. Budgets were also rejected in Niagara-Wheatfield, Lewiston-Porter, Alden, Wilson and Bemus Point. The margin of defeat in Niagara-Wheatfield was by a mere three votes.

A Western New York trucker is accused of taking children on trips across the state with the intent to engage in sexual activity with them.

Western New York is bracing for the possibility of severe thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening.

The U.S. Coast Guard was called on to perform two rescues on local waterways over a 12-hour period Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Members of the Erie County Legislature's Minority Caucus are calling for a full investigation into the improper disposal of confidential Social Services documents.

Voters across Western New York are heading to the polls Tuesday to decide on school budgets and candidates in a number of districts. WBFO's Eileen Buckley has more on budget votes in the City of Niagara Falls and Clarence.

Each month, local criminal defense lawyer James Harrington travels on a long flight to Guantanamo Bay too meet with his client. Harrington meets at a military prison housing the tribunals handling alleged terrorism cases. WBFO's Mike Desmond sat down with the Buffalo attorney for an interview about his work.

Erie County's Republican party chairman says democratic State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should go in the wake of the burgeoning sex scandal in his legislative house.

The small Southern Tier city of Corning has quietly become a top tourist destination. "We see nearly a half-million of visitors a year for tourism," said Mike Melaro, director of marketing and communications for Corning's Gaffer District. Thousands of those visitors are expected this weekend for the fourth annual GlassFest.

Western New York Assemblyman Michael Kearns says he is quitting his Democratic conference based on the way Speaker Sheldon Silver handled the scandal involving disgraced Assemblyman Vito Lopez.

The privacy of hundreds of Erie County residents has been breached, according to the county's top fiscal watchdog.

A Kenmore tavern owner was found murdered in his home Sunday morning. Police say 62-year-old Vincent "Jim" Cottone was discovered in his home around 11 a.m. Sunday at 21 Landers Road.

A group of Western New York high school students toured the Gates Vascular Institute in Buffalo to learn about medical science.

A sorority that serves thousands of African-American college women is celebrating its centennial. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded in 1913 at Howard University. WBFO's Eileen Buckley recently met some of the oldest past presidents of the Buffalo chapter and current leaders at UB's Amherst campus.

The crowds are pulling into Niagara-on-the-Lake as the Shaw Festival begins its summer season. Behind the scenes, the theater festival is watching every dime, both coming in and going out.

The Erie County IDA will be voting on a development project that could decide the future of a decaying downtown industrial facility. Jim Fink of Business First believes the project is important because of its visibility.

The scandal enveloping Brooklyn State Assemblyman Vito Lopez could have wider implications.  Lopez is resigning from the Assembly Monday in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal.  But as WBFO's Mark Scott reports, there are growing calls for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to step down.

A New York Assemblyman accused of sexually harassing women staffers for years says he will resign before he's expelled from the legislature.

It will be a very emotional day for current students and alumni of Holy Angels Academy today.

An effort to ensure that local drivers are using their seat belts will soon get underway.

Crossing the border into the US is something thousands of people a day take for granted.

Officials cut the ribbon Friday on a dock extension along the Buffalo waterfront.

An earthquake in Southeastern Canada this morning rattled buildings and nerves across Ontario, Quebec, and Western New York.

Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts made an appearance in Western New York Friday. The Buffalo native spoke at the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown. 

The Aloma D. Johnson Fruit Belt Community Charter School is moving into North Buffalo.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says the state's campaign finance system needs to be completely replaced, including ending pensions for state officials who are convicted for corruption.

Holy Angels Academy in North Buffalo will shut down at the end of this school year as first announced last month.

Theater Talk's Jim Santella and Anthony Chase preview the Ujima Company's production of Breath, Boom, opening Friday.   The curtain also rises on BUA's The Normal Heart.

Chief Justice John Roberts was born in Buffalo in 1955.  He returns to his Western New York  roots Friday with a visit to the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown.

After more than a year of delays, a new high-tech splash pad will be ready to open for the summer season at Martin Luther King Park on Buffalo's East Side.