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Local
5:00 am
Thu June 20, 2013

Casino revenue to be used for multiple initiatives in Niagara Falls

Credit Ashley Hassett / WBFO News
City of Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster

The City of Niagara Falls is set to receive a lump sum of $89 million after the settlement of a long-standing dispute between New York State and the Seneca Nation over gambling revenues.

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Local
5:47 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

Cuomo Achieves Partial Win on Agenda; casinos & tax free zones

Deals have been reached between Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders on siting new casinos and creating tax free zones at college campuses. But a bill on abortion rights was struggling, and reform measures appear dead for the session.

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Local
2:57 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

Dyster wants to use casino cash to re-pave city streets

Credit WBFO file photo
Mayor Paul Dyster wants to use casino revenue to re-pave city streets.

You could say streets in Niagara Falls are being paved with casino money.  Mayor Paul Dyster says he will ask the City Council to approve a second round of street re-paving projects now that a deal has been reached between the state and the Seneca Nation of Indians over the operation of the tribe's three Western New York casinos. 

The agreement announced last week means $89-million in slot machine revenue for Niagara Falls. 

Dyster says the city has been forced to limit road projects in recent years because of a lack of casino money.

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Business
2:48 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

GEICO Exceeds Hiring Goal

Credit Chris Caya WBFO News
Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett speaking to GEICO's employees in Amherst.

The so called "Oracle of Omaha" was in Amherst today marking a milestone at one of his companies. Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, which owns GEICO, was on hand to celebrate the insurance company reaching its hiring goal of 2500 employees two years ahead of schedule. Buffett says the local labor force is key to the company's growth and success.
     "We measure each office - we have 10 or so service centers - and we know productivity measures. And if you get good people - that's number one."

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Local
9:20 am
Wed June 19, 2013

Voters pass revised Clarence school budget

Credit WBFO News photo
Clarence Central School District Webpage

Faced with the same budget that was rejected just weeks ago, voters in Wilson turned down their school budget on Tuesday. Meanwhile, five other districts, including Clarence, gained voter approval of their spending plans for the approaching school year.

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Local
9:01 am
Wed June 19, 2013

Serving the most vulnerable in the Buffalo community

Credit WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley
People Inc. Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, inside the adult daycare program.

The New York State Legislature has restored 90-million dollars in proposed cuts to the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities in the state budget. People Incorporated is among the many agencies in this region that provide vital services. WBFO'S Eileen Buckley toured their site on Delaware Avenue in North Buffalo to learn first hand who is receiving and caring for the developmental disabled. 

WBFO'S Eileen Buckley reports on the services provided by People Incorporated.


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Local
8:02 am
Wed June 19, 2013

Albany protesters arrested

Credit Karen Dewitt
New York State NOW President Zenaida Mendez, being arrested at a sit in outside Sen Klein's offices Tuesday afternoon

There were several arrests at the state Capitol Tuesday. Advocates took out their anger and frustration on Cuomo and leaders of the State Senate, after it became clear that a progressive agenda that includes abortion rights and public campaign financing are likely dead for the legislative session.

Credit WBFO News photo provided by Karen DeWittNew york State NOW President Zenaida Mendez, being arrested at a sit in outside Sen Klein's offices Tuesday afternoonEdit | Remove

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Science/Technology
6:00 am
Wed June 19, 2013

International organization empowers women to code

Credit Ashley Hassett / WBFO News
Chapter leader of Girl Develop It in Buffalo Elena Moiseeva

An international non-profit organization Girl Develop It or GDI works to help empower women through technology particularly by training them to write their own software. WBFO’s Ashley Hassett recently spent time with a couple of upstate women coders.

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Education
2:36 pm
Tue June 18, 2013

Superintendent expects graduation rate will improve

Credit Chris Caya/WBFO News
Buffalo Superintendent Pamela Brown responding to the district's decreasing graduation rate.

A review is underway to determine why the Buffalo Public Schools graduation rate is now among the lowest in the state.

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Education
10:01 am
Tue June 18, 2013

Revote on school budgets underway

Credit WBFO News file photo
Recently formed Clarence Coalition

Voters in six regional school districts will be taking re-votes Tuesdays on revised school budgets.  

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Local
9:56 am
Tue June 18, 2013

Unleashed casino revenue to replenish city coffers

Credit File photo
The Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino will generate around $5 million in revenues annually for the city.

While the City of Niagara Falls received much of the attention when the casino revenue sharing deal was announced last week, the City of Buffalo will also benefit.

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Education
9:31 am
Tue June 18, 2013

Buffalo's high school graduation rate falls to 47%

Credit WBFO News file photo
Inside a Buffalo School

The Buffalo Public Schools District has once again experienced a drop in its graduation rate.

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Politics
9:06 am
Tue June 18, 2013

Cuomo's agenda in danger as session wanes

Credit WBFO News file photo
Governor Andrew Cuomo

There’s three days left in the legislative session, and chances are dimming for a settlement on an abortion rights provision in a women’s equality act, and for reform of campaign financing and other anti-corruption measures. 

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Legal
5:30 am
Tue June 18, 2013

Supreme Court declines hearing Kopp appeal

Credit File photo

James Kopp has lost what is likely his last legal appeal to have his murder conviction overturned in the shooting death of Amherst physician Dr. Barnett Slepian in October 1998.

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Art/Theater
5:00 am
Tue June 18, 2013

Second Generation Theatre stages 'Into the Woods'

A brand new theater group in Buffalo has been staging an ambitious performance at the New Phoenix Theatre.  Second Generation Theatre Company, formed by a group of young women, has mounted a production of Into the Woods. 

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Politics
4:15 pm
Mon June 17, 2013

Cuomo's poll numbers hit new lows

Credit File photo

The recent spate of legislative scandals in Albany appear to be taking a toll on Governor Cuomo. A new poll from Siena College find Cuomo's ratings among registered voters are at their lowest level since he took office.

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Local
2:59 pm
Mon June 17, 2013

City investing $2.3 million in East Side neighborhoods

Credit Chris Caya/WBFO News

Streetscape improvements are on the way for Buffalo's Lovejoy and Kaisertown neighborhoods.

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Politics
10:12 am
Mon June 17, 2013

Cuomo says talks with Canadian officials continue

Credit WBFO News file photo
Peace Briddge

Governor Andrew Cuomo is pushing for major changes at the Peace Bridge Authority, but won't commit to signing a bill to take over the New York side of the bridge.

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Business
10:11 am
Mon June 17, 2013

Business 'localists' argue public policy slanted toward large corporations

Credit Ashley Hassett / WBFO News
Stacey Mitchell

Buffalo hosted the 11th annual Business Alliance for Local Living Economies or the BALLE business conference this year. The event brought together over 600 self-described “localists” from around the continent who all share the idea that local businesses are key to solving community problems.

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Politics
10:11 am
Mon June 17, 2013

NYS legislative session nearing its end

Credit WBFO News photo
State Assembyman Sean Ryan

The 2013 legislative session in Albany is supposed to come to an end later this week, but there's no guarantee.

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Education
10:10 am
Mon June 17, 2013

Summer reading fun programs

Credit Photo from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
Summer reading

Summer is always great time for children to stay on track by reading and last week, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System kicked off "Dig into Reading," the Library's Summer Reading initiative geared toward school-age children and their families. Programs are planned throughout the next couple of months across the area and later this week you are asked to "Hug your Library".

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Cultural
9:56 am
Mon June 17, 2013

Large crowds flock to Buffalo's Juneteenth, 3rd largest in world

Credit WBFO News by photo Mike Desmond
Buffalo's Juneteenth at MLK Park

Sunday's weather started out poor, but it finished well, leading to large crowds at Buffalo's annual Juneteenth Festival in Martin Luther King Park.

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Cultural
9:30 am
Mon June 17, 2013

Catching up with the Goo Goo Dolls' Robby Takac

Credit WBFO News photos by Eileen Buckley
Goo Goo Dolls bassist Robby Takac at Delaware Park in Buffalo.

Buffalo's own Goo Goo Dolls are gearing up for a three month tour that begins next week on the heels of recently releasing their new album --Magnetic. 

WBFO'S Eileen Buckley caught up with Goo Goo Dolls bassist Robby Takac at Delaware Park.

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Press Pass
5:00 am
Mon June 17, 2013

Press Pass: Buffalo Spree's LGBT cover story

Credit Photo by Nancy Parisi / Courtesy of Buffalo Spree
Drag Diva Anita Waistline adds some humor to Buffalo Spree's June cover story on LGBTQ life in Western New York.

June is the month when Gay Pride is celebrated across Western New York and the nation. In this week's Press Pass, WBFO's Mark Scott talks with Buffalo Spree Editor Elizabeth Licata about Buffalo's gay community.

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Attorney Harry Forrest weighs in
11:12 am
Sun June 16, 2013

You and the Law; Social Security Disability

This week's edition of You and the Law deals with Social Security Disability, a program to help those of working age who can no longer work. Mike Desmond spoke with attorney Harry Forrest.

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Provision quietly added to bill
10:53 am
Sun June 16, 2013

Casino bill found to add video slot sites

Credit WBFO File Photo / WBFO News

A reported change to New York's casino expansion bill could lead to more gambling sites even if voters reject the effort.

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Victim treated and released from hospital
10:44 am
Sun June 16, 2013

Mystery motorist saves drowning man

A dangerous rescue from the rushing waters of Tonawanda Creek near Batavia was performed by a good samaritan on Saturday morning.

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Shut down will cost 61 jobs
10:34 am
Sun June 16, 2013

Kodak cutting acetate production

Credit WBFO File Photo / WBFO News
City Of Rochester, home of Eastman Kodak

The Eastman Kodak Company is announcing another cut in its manufacturing operations.

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Public comments will be heard later this month
11:10 am
Sat June 15, 2013

State plans for altering Scajaquada draw criticism

Credit WBFO File Photo / WBFO News
Scajaquada Expressway

State and local elected leaders are critical of State Department of Transportation Department plans for improving the Scajaquada Expressway.

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Victim of daytime shooting still unidentified
10:36 am
Sat June 15, 2013

Police continue investigating Friday shooting

Credit WBFO File Photo / WBFO News

Buffalo Police are still investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Buffalo's East side Friday afternoon.

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