WBFO Brief

In today’s WBFO Brief, hear what people at yesterday’s Bills games are saying about a vaccine mandate in place for anyone who goes to the games.Also a look at un-vaccinated health care workers that could face a 30-day layoff today and possible firing as a result of state mandates at hospitals and health care facilities. But Kaleida Health reports a 94 percent vaccination level and Catholic Health System is at 90 percent.And from across the state, learn the latest on fire at the Susan B. Anthony house in Rochester over the weekend, and hear the latest on an eventual end to the sale of gasoline-powered cars in NYS.

In today’s WBFO Brief, the gavel is banging and the legislators are yelling. Hear WBFO’s Tom Dinki report on an Erie County Legislature debate over the proposed new Buffalo Bills stadium. Also if it’s Friday, it’s Theater Talk. Today, Anthony Chase and Peter Hall talk of the problems at the African American Cultural Center, what it could mean for the Paul Robeson Theater there, and what the alarm bells mean for other non-profit groupsAlso hear from two surviving members of the Buffalo Five after they both served almost 30 years in jail on a murder charge, but now have their charges dismissed. And, Albany correspondent Karen DeWitt reports on the resignation of former Gov. Cuomo’s Health Commissioner Howard Zucker.

In today’s WBFO Brief, a deadline looms for hospitals and nursing homes to have their staff fully vaccinated. And with the second-lowest vaccination rate in the state at area nursing homes, WBFO’s Tom Dinki looks at the staffing crunch that many are predicting. And Ontario correspondent Dan Karpenchuk looks at the rollout of a vaccine passport system.Also this morning, from Investigative Post, we have an election season look at the Mayor’s role in education as Incumbent Byron Brown mounts his write-in challenge against endorsed Democrat Byron Brown.And the pandemic caused so many job losses that the state’s comptroller is warning of a possible 9 percent increase in the fees that businesses pay into the state unemployment insurance fund, and Albany correspondent Karen DeWitt reports he’s looking for state or federal help.

Does hunting lead to gun violence? In today’s WBFO Brief, hear from those who are both for and against Erie County’s plans to allow younger hunters. Also, a new survey shows that while most parents want in-person learning, there is a growing group that would like remote school to still be an option. And worries about the demolition of the old Voelker’s Lanes buildings on Elmwood Avenue, a new statewide air quality testing program to target disadvantaged neighborhoods, like the stretch of the West Side near the Peace Bridge, where asthma rates are among the state’s highest.

In today’s WBFO Brief, the slow and steady push to try and get the U.S.-Canadian border open gets a setback. Hear Cong. Brian Higgins talk of the ways he thinks the White House is going against CDC guidelines and “needs to get their act together”. Also, WBFO's Tom Dinki goes behind the scenes as the latest major motion picture to shoot in Buffalo wraps up it’s 2-month run.The African American Cultural Center on Masten Avenue’s future is murky, and their current executive director lead a protest outside the organization’s board meeting last night. WBFO’s Mike Desmond reports. And Albany correspondent Karen DeWitt has the latest buzz on a pesticide ban being discussed in New York State.

In today’s WBFO Brief, hear about the latest reforms in Albany, changing the threshold for parole violations. And a discussion of why it is voting day in Canada today with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau putting his support on the line. Also digging deep to try and find more about the Underground Railroad, around the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church in Buffalo. And hear about how driver shortages and COVID concerns have made for several changes in area schools—with Buffalo seeing more parents driving their kids.

On today’s WBFO Brief, more culture than your average container of yogurt. Join Jay Moran for a visit to Knox Farm State Park where they are preparing for this weekend’s Borderlands music fest. And if it’s Friday, it’s Theater Talk—this week Anthony Chase and Peter Hall talk of almost magical stagecraft in “Frozen” at Shea’s, and about Anthony’s turn on stage in Alleyway Theater’s run of “White Rabbit, Red Rabbit”. Also hear the latest on Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown’s unsuccessful attempts to get on the November ballot, and forgo his write-in candidacy, and Albany’s early efforts to hear about how the lack of direct care workers is hurting the disabled community. And hear protests against the possibility of a drone command center that might have targeted Afghanistan from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

In today’s WBFO brief, Jay Moran chats again with Dr. Nancy Nielsen MD on COVID- with a look at the costs of treating unvaccinated individuals. We also hear from Albany Correspondent Karen DeWitt on a court challenge for Gov. Hochul’s mask mandates. Meanwhile, Cattaraugus County officials are wrapping up a deal for a major cheese factory in Franklinville, and Jay previews the annual Humanities Festival, this year contemplating various visions of utopia at Silo City.With the untitled movie about Mother Cabrini wrapping up its filming in Buffalo, WBFO’s Tom Dinki talks with Cristiana Dell'Anna-- star of the HBO Max crime series Gomorrah-- and others involved in the shoot. Also, Emyle Watkins peels back the curtain on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, with a look at the challenges faced by a local student. And “Ruthie’s Law”, Erie County’s rules on inspection and supervision of nursing homes which has been tossed out by a state supreme court.

In today's WBFO Brief, Erie County and Pegula Sports & Entertainment announce vaccination requirements for people planning to attend Bills and Sabres games, and other events at Highmark Stadium and KeyBank Center; a federal judge temporarily blocks a vaccine mandate for medical workers in New York State; Governor Hochul proposes allowing National Guard members access to the same benefits as veterans; Congressman Higgins proposes making the Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan permanent.Also, People Inc. and Evergreen cut the ribbon on a new facility; a Siena College poll measures New Yorkers' attitudes toward mask mandates; State Comptroller DiNapoli releases his report on broadband access across the state; and we hear from North Country Public Radio on how employers are navigating state and federal COVID-related rules and requirements.

In today's WBFO Brief, a proposed Outer Harbor concert venue is one step closer to construction; federal funds are heading to the City of Tonawanda to update aging firefighting equipment; anti-vaccination and vaccination passport activists protest outside Ontario hospitals, while back on this side of the border Chautauqua County anticipates federal funds to begin distributing third COVID shots.Also, Tom Dinki explains how Buffalo Public Schools are preparing to take in anticipated Afghan refugees who recently fled their homeland upon the Taliban's takeover, and Governor Kathy Hochul vows to affirm New York State as a safe haven for abortion rights and access.