WBFO Brief

Residents of Buffalo's McCarley Gardens are unhappy with renovations to their living space and a federal judge has ruled that counts of a sexual lawsuit against trustees of Canisius College can proceed.

Governor Kathy Hochul has several key budget priorities rejected and the Kensington Expressway reconstruction gets a boost from the federal government.

It's Friday on WBFO, so it's Theater Talk. Anthony Chase and Peter Hall talk about the Buffalo Quickies, and walk you through the openings this week on the theater scene.

Theaters in WNY are struggling; WBFO's Jay Moran is looking at how they continue to recover from COVID quarantines. Also, expanded relief for financial losses from the Christmas blizzard have been announced, the state senate is puting forth a proposal to increase money for childcare

The investigation into that Main Street fire where firefighter Jason Arno died, is over- and the results go to the District Attorney for possible criminal charges. Albany correspondent Karen DeWitt looks at the re-election of Ed Cox as chair of the NYS Republican Party, out of office since 2019, but back now. And Dan Karpenchuk reports on a Volkswagen electric vehicle battery plant coming to St. Thomas, south of London, Ontario

Hear Gov. Kathy Hochul say, "Pharmacies have become the new battleground", in abortion rights in NYS. Also Ontario will miss some health care goals, and it's making for backlash against Premier Doug Ford. Also, hear from District Attorney John Flynn on the lack of charges in a stabbing death at the University at Buffalo, and two more candidates want to run for Buffalo Common Council in the Ellicott District.

If it's Friday, it's Theater Talk- today with Anthony and Peter talking about several comedies on local stages. Hundreds assemble outside UB's Center for The Arts, as controversial commentator Michael Knowles delivers an address at UB. A change in the hours at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library's Central building downtown, after too many fights and other incidents there. Also, a look at the wake for firefighter Jason Arno Thursday, and his funeral downtown today, with thousands of firefighters expected to line Buffalo streets.

Young Americans for Freedom is e hosting Michael Knowles for a speech Thursday night at UB, but there are many who have heard his calls to eradicate "transgenderism from public life" and are speaking out against it, saying he condones hates speech. A look at the new restrictions on evictions. And Preparations for the funeral of firefighter Jason Arno and tributes are coming in from Albany legislator.

Inside the city's Masten District, with Zeneta Everhart, one of the candidates running for that district's city council seat. Also , our Woman Wednesday interview, and a look at the fallout of Michael Knowle's upcoming visit to UB, after his controversial remarks about "eradicating trangenderism from public life." And to try and find what caused the Main St. fire that took the life of Jason Arno, the ATF has conducted over 100 interviews and is creating a computerized model of the blaze.

The family of Tyler Lewis is asking for more action into the investigation of his stabbing death on the UB Campus in October 2022. Also, the latest on the four-alarm fire that took the life of Firefighter Jason Arno. and from Albany, correspondent Karen DeWitt looks at Gov. Hochul's plans to expand charter schools in NYS.