WBFO Brief

Today in the podcast, Congressman Tom Reed announces he won’t run again for Congress or Governor- after admitting alcoholism and sexual harassment. 

Also, some striking new numbers on COVID deaths in nursing homes and more municipalities across NYS are working on police reform and racism.

In today's WBFO Brief, restrictions on sports team travel and spectators in sports stadiums are being eased across New York State. And as legislation on recreational marijuana nears a vote, Erie County District Attorney voices his concerns over public safety. Chautauqua County is having growing success in dealing with COVID-19.

WBFO Reporter Tom Dinki reports on the push to reopen adult daycare centers, meanwhile, Albany Correspondent Karen DeWitt reports on the criticism of the Assembly's choice of impeachment firm. And of course, Theater Talk! All of that and more in today's WBFO Brief.

There’s light at the end of the tunnel for Buffalo’s Public Schools after a week of fallout from a ransomware attack.

Deyanna Davis, the woman accused of running over a New York State Trooper during a protest, faces up to 25 years in jail. The Erie County District Attorney discusses her case.

The Buffalo Sabres will hit the ice with new leadership behind the bench tonight after Head Coach Ralph Kruger was fired following a 12-game losing streak. WBFO’s Nick Lippa talks with Sabres Analyst Bill Hoppe about what brought the team to this point.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo forged ahead with a normal schedule Wednesday, including a campaign-style rally and getting the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Albany Correspondent Karen DeWitt reports Cuomo’s actions come amid stronger statements from President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi about his political future, and a sexual harassment scandal.

What is herd immunity and how close is the U.S. to achieving it? WBFO Morning Edition Host Jay Moran and Dr. Nancy Nielsen take up the topic and other concerns with COVID-19.

All this and more in today’s WBFO Brief.

On today's podcast, the Erie County Health Dept. is getting complaints about unsafe COVID conditions in the workplace. GOP members of the Erie County Legislature are calling for the removal of Mark Poloncarz's emergency COVID powers. Meanwhile, WNY tourism is working to make a comeback.

It's Sunshine Week, and an NYS assembly member from the Hudson Valley has introduced two bills to amend the Open Meetings Law and the Freedom of Information Law. Albany Correspondent Karen Dewitt reintroduces us to Kathy Hochul, and a settlement brings discharge upgrades for soldiers with PTSD. All this more on today's WBFO Brief.

More details are coming forward in the sexual harassment allegations against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as accusers speak to investigators, and some state leaders are questioning the ethics behind calls to county executives by a former Cuomo aide-turned-vaccine czar. But despite it all, a poll finds at least half of New York voters are in favor of Cuomo remaining in office as inquiries into his behavior play out.

It’s another day without classroom instruction for students in the Buffalo Public Schools after last week’s cyberattack. As the BPS pivots to remote learning, school officials are trying to get meals distributed to students who rely on them.

The long-time president of the WNY Labor Federation is choosing not to run for another term after a decade in the roll.

On today’s podcast, we take a look back at a year of COVID-19 in Western New York, and a look ahead in business, nursing homes, the arts, racial equity, health, women’s issues, and education. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Public Schools continue dealing with the effects of a cyberattack, including another day of schools being closed. And the pandemic may have shut down most group activities, but it didn’t stop the all-volunteer group Girls on the Run from lacing up their sneakers. All that and more on today’s WBFO Brief.

On Today’s podcast- in-depth with Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein, MD, in advance of Monday’s first anniversary of Erie County’s COVID state of emergency. Also- the latest from Albany with the state assembly launching an investigation that could lead to an impeachment of Gov. Cuomo, a conversation on homelessness in Buffalo, and Theater Talk!

In the wake of this summer’s Black Lives Matter protests, every police department in New York State has to file a police reform plan with the state. On today’s podcast, we hear from several that are not readily addressing racism as part of that review.   Also Jay Moran’s weekly talk with former AMA Pres. Dr. Nancy Nielsen MD from the UB Medical School, and how an Erie County internet backbone could really help the Akron Central School District where only 10 percent of the students have access.

On the podcast today: there are fresh concerns over an uptick in COVID-19 cases in area schools, Congress is moving closer to a stimulus plan with individual checks for 600 thousand WNY households, and there are makeover plans for Grant Street. Also just after Thomas O’Neil-White’s series on parole reform, a new think tank study looks at the financial impacts of the current system. And another day in Albany means reporter Karen DeWitt has more on the growing sexual harassment accusations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Today’s WBFO Brief includes our usual collection of top stories- and today that means hearing from Niagara County officials about their vaccine distribution, Town of Amherst officials about the former Westwood Country Club re-development plans, and from GOP leaders who want to impeach Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Albany reporter Karen DeWitt has the latest on the Attorney General investigation of Cuomo.