WBFO Brief

Black Americans have been hard hit by COVID-19, but polls say many are also hesitant to get a COVID vaccine shot. What problems are the front-line health care workers around Buffalo experiencing? What kind of education and distribution efforts are underway—and why are they necessary?

WBFO Reporter Thomas O’Neil-White hosted an online discussion with Dr. Kenyani Davis MD, MPH, Medical Director at the Community Health Center of Buffalo, and Dr. Raul Vazquez MD of Urban Family Practice/GBAUHN.

The event is part of the WBFO Racial Equity project, supported by The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. 

Today we celebrate the WBFO Brief’s first birthday with an in-depth look at Governor Cuomo and the latest cover-up allegations about nursing home deaths. 

You’ll also hear about the new electric boats at the Maid of The Mist and a concert series at Buffalo’s Outer Harbor. 

Also, today’s Theater Talk features Anthony and Peter talking with actor Rick Lattimer on the dystopian Foxfinder at the New Phoenix Theatre.

On the WBFO Brief podcast today, hear Erie County District Attorney say “If it’s a gummi bear, a brownie… we still aren’t going to be able to prove our case” as he discusses troubles with marijuana legalization. Also, rather than make the Scajaquada Expressway a low-speed boulevard, there are early plans to consider removing it completely. Albany reporter Karen DeWitt looks at a change in COVID-related restaurant rules and curfews. And in her weekly conversation with Jay Moran, Dr. Nancy Nielsen, MD talks about a shot and a beer, and other incentives to get a COVID-vaccination.

Today on the WBFO Brief, more on new mask rules, walk-in vaccination clinics, and new “a shot and a chaser" incentive program that gives free beer in exchange for a COVID-19 vaccination at two area craft breweries. Also, get a look at a new program to assess how safe the courts are for domestic violence victims. And hear analysis of Governor Cuomo’s new strategy of holding fewer in-person press events.

In today's podcast, Governor Cuomo in a rare in-person event with reporters denies allegations of sexual harassment. New York State will slip from 27 to 26 Congressional districts after next year’s elections, based on 2020 census figures. Karen DeWitt has that report. And, the Cherry Blossom Festival goes virtual again this week. This and more on the WBFO Brief.

On the WBFO brief today, hear parts of a new podcast that Buffalo-based mental health counselor Karl Shallowhorn’s put together to discuss the links between music and mental health. Also, the crisis in Canada where hospital ICU admissions have topped 800. And our PBS American Portrait spotlights Michael Nguyen, whose family started one of Buffalo’s first Vietnamese groceries.

Today on the WBFO Brief, you have the regular Friday edition of Theater Talk with Anthony Chase and Peter Hall. Scott Behrend from Road Less Travelled Productions is with them with news of a 2021 season opener in the fall. Also, hear Ontario Premier Rob Ford say “We got it wrong. We made a mistake”, and learn who the Republican party in New York State is looking at as possible challengers to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. And hear Buffalo public school students discussing police and race.

Quote of the day on today’s WBFO Brief: “The fight for justice is an ongoing battle.” Hear from those who gathered last night in Niagara Square to support the guilty verdict against ex-police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. Also a look at police reform efforts in Buffalo, new rules on PPE and other health care precautions workplaces in NYS, and what’s on the mind of movie theater operators as they begin to open up.

Today, the WBFO Brief takes an in-depth look at the legislative session in Albany with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Also, the pandemic has meant a 40 percent increase in traffic to Buffalo’s Olmsted Parks- but at the very least that means extra hours of trash pickup each morning. We have a report on area volunteer fire companies beginning their annual recruitment drive during COVID, and one day after Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd, Buffalo’s police oversight committee meets to review local reforms.

Today on the WBFO Brief podcast, a double shot of Albany Correspondent Karen DeWitt. First, she looks at the latest Siena Poll which says except for nursing homes, New Yorkers support the way Governor Cuomo has handled the pandemic, even though his favorability rating is the lowest ever and 52 percent don’t like him. Then hear about the latest investigation into whether he used public workers to help on his personal book deal. Also today, Williamsville elementary schools return children to classes on Monday and increased capacity at movie theaters.