Voters face illusion of choice in WNY elections, vast majority of elections are uncontested Many elections in the 2025 election cycle in Western New York are uncontested, revealing a concerning lack of voter choice and engagement.

ICYMI: Nearly 80% of races in WNY this election are uncontested.

Election Day is supposed to allow voters the choice to elect the best candidate for their community. But in WNY, that choice is more of an illusion. www.wgrz.com/mobile/artic...

NEW:

Limited production resumes at Great Lakes Cheese in Franklinville, as the company is now sending waste to nearby manure lagoons on farms.

More details coming on WGRZ @ 6pm.

Borrello cites infrastructure failures in Great Lakes Cheese fish kill incident Great Lakes Cheese has violated its wastewater discharge permit 20 times since opening in November 2024, sources say.

NEW: Systemic infrastructure failures at Great Lakes Cheese led to repeated violations and fish-kill incident in Ischua Creek:

www.wgrz.com/article/tech...

Residents protest Great Lakes Cheese over Ischua Creek fish die-off Dozens of Franklinville residents stood along Route 16 demanding action after toxic runoff wiped out local wildlife. One company is at the center of it all.

ICYMI: Protesters demand accountability for Ischua Creek wildlife devastation. www.wgrz.com/mobile/artic...

Niagara Co DA expresses frustration with lack of cooperation in Granville case Erie Narcotics Chief D.J. Granville pleads guilty to reckless driving after crash. Receives $550 fine, community service. DA criticizes lack of cooperation with BPD.

ICYMI: The Niagara Co. District Attorney says he didn't get any cooperation from the officers that responded to the crash involving ECSO Narcotics Chief D.J. Granville. www.wgrz.com/mobile/artic...

Chris Scanlon focused on finishing terms as acting mayor and Common Council member Speculation has swirled about Scanlon’s next move since the Democratic primary. Here’s what he told 2 On Your Side.

ICYMI: Chris Scanlon says he's focused on finishing his term as acting Mayor AND remaining 2 years on the Common Council.

Essentially dispelling rumors of positions outside city hall.

But I've watched enough wrestling to know "never say never." @wgrztv.bsky.social
www.wgrz.com/article/news...

NYSDOT updates public on Kensington Expressway project NYSDOT provides an update on the $1.5B Kensington Expressway project

NYSDOT seeks 'common ground' between groups split on plans for Kensington Expressway. www.wgrz.com/mobile/artic...

Happening now:

A community meeting focused on the Kensington Expressway is underway at Mt. Olive Baptist Chuch.

Reps from @NYSDOT are here to, hopefully, provide an update on where things stand. @wgrztv.bsky.social

Residents fight for lost Humboldt Parkway Humboldt Parkway advocates appeal to reclaim green space, challenging past neglect and demanding restoration of the public area obliterated in 1957.

ICYMI:

Community group to NYSDOT: "Give us back our park!"

The East Side Parkways Coalition and residents of the Humboldt Parkway are appealing one of the Kensington Expressway cases that was dismissed earlier this year. www.wgrz.com/mobile/artic...

North Aud Block plans gain crucial approval Buffalo's Planning Board backs plans for a $160M North Aud Block redevelopment, aiming for October groundbreaking despite public concern over historic aesthetics.

ICYMI:

Just in time for the 16th birthday of the Pit at the site of Memorial Auditorium being, the Buffalo Planning Board backs the plan for the North Aud Block redevelopment. @wgrztv.bsky.social

www.wgrz.com/mobile/artic...

DEVELOPING: There is a 5-way tie in the Buffalo Democratic Mayoral Primary.

A few #Buffalo primary numbers as of this afternoon:

Campaign rhetoric ramps up; state lawmakers make Buffalo mayor endorsements Two Buffalo mayoral candidates just picked up key endorsements — with early voting already underway. Here’s who’s backing them ⬇️

ICYMI: Campaign rhetoric ramps up as state lawmakers make Buffalo mayor endorsements. www.wgrz.com/mobile/artic...

Tonight on @wgrztv.bsky.social + we sit down with each Democratic primary candidate for Buffalo Mayor and learn about their plan to fix city finances, vacant lots, quality of life matter, housing and more.

Tonight at 8p on WGRZ+!

Bills reduce available PSLs by 3,725 to accommodate NFL holds, sponsorships 📉 3,725 seats just quietly disappeared from the Bills’ PSL inventory. Why? The reason isn’t what most fans would expect. Here’s what we found out.

Also new from me on @wgrztv.bsky.social:

New data shows that the number of PSL's available at the new @buffalobillsnfl.bsky.social stadium has been reduced by 3,725, a reduction of just over 6%. #BillsMafia

www.wgrz.com/article/spor...

New Bills stadium won't be completed until December 2026, a state report says 🏟️ "We have no choice but to be open in July." The new Highmark Stadium will be open to fans next summer, but it won’t be finished until much later.

New from me:

The new @buffalobillsnfl.bsky.social stadium construction won't be completed until December 2026, according to a report filed with the state.
@wgrztv.bsky.social

#BillsMafia, that doesn't mean what you immediately think it does.

Full story: www.wgrz.com/article/spor...

A spokesperson for Buffalo Public Schools says they have no additional comment at this time.

I've heard conflicting reports about the nature of what caused the teacher to be placed on leave.

I'm still waiting on additional details from Buffalo Police.
@wgrztv.bsky.social

BREAKING: Buffalo Public Schools
confirms that a teacher at West Hertel Academy was placed on paid administrative leave on May 12.

BTF President Rich Nigro tells me that they "cannot comment on an active police investigation" but they will "cooperate in any way."
@wgrztv.bsky.social

8% property tax hike in Scanlon’s budget, but fees stay flat As the city faces a steep budget deficit, acting Mayor Scanlon is proposing an 8% property tax increase to help stop the financial bleeding.

ICYMI:

Later today, acting Mayor Chris Scanlon will announce an 8% property tax increase for the city of Buffalo when he releases his budget proposal. @wgrztv.bsky.social

www.wgrz.com/mobile/artic...

DEVELOPING:
Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon will be proposing an 8% property tax increase when the budget is unveiled tomorrow.

Here's what we know so far: www.wgrz.com/article/news...

Man arrested at Olean Common Council meeting last week has now been arrested by ICE Carlos Andre was arrested during an Olean Common Council meeting last week for trying to speak during the meeting. Now ICE has arrested him.

BREAKING:

43-year-old Carlos Andres, who was arrested last week for trying to speak twice during the Olean Common Council meeting, has now been detained by Salamanca Police on behalf of ICE in Buffalo. @wgrztv.bsky.social
Here is what we know so far:
www.wgrz.com/article/news...

Ryan and Scanlon campaigns trade accusations of unethical actions; mayoral race intensifies The campaign for acting mayor Chris Scanlon is alleging that Sean Ryan improperly transferred funds from his senate accounts to "evade contribution limits."

Now that I've had time to blink, a substantial update to the news tonight, where acting Mayor Chris Scanlon and @seanryanforbuffalo.bsky.social have been having a war of words all day, and tossing around accusations of unethical actions.
wgrz.com/article/news...

Live from New York, taxpayers are fueling the film industry.

New from me, for @wgrztv.bsky.social

www.wgrz.com/article/mone...

HAPPENING NOW:

The East Side Parkways Coalition is providing an update on their legal fight with the @NYSDOT over the Kensington Expressway project. @wgrztv.bsky.social

HAPPENING NOW:

A mayoral forum is underway at the Merriweather Library.

9 candidates for mayor, Democrats and Republicans, are on hand selling their vision of Buffalo.

BREAKING:

The NYS Court of Appeals refused to hear an appeal by Cobblestone District building owner Darryl Carr, meaning a previous ruling stands.

The buildings can’t be torn down, and the city can continue its eminent domain proceedings to take control of them.

New:

Mayoral candidate Garnell Whitfield Jr. is calling on Attorney General James and/or State Comptroller DiNapoli to conduct a “bonafide investigation” into the way the city of Buffalo administered American Rescue Plan funds.

New:
In a text exchange with me moments ago, developer Carl Paladino confirms that he's endorsing acting Mayor Chris Scanlon in the race for #Buffalo Mayor.

"He's a very capable man with the vision as well as management skill that the position requires," Paladino says.

Whitfield makes 'Kensington removal' a marquee issue in campaign for mayor and comes out against $1.5B cap and tunnel plan Former Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield Jr. said he wants the Kensington Expressway completely removed during a campaign event on Monday.

ICYMI:

Garnell Whitfield Jr. makes 'Kensington removal' a marquee issue in campaign for mayor and comes out against $1.5B cap and tunnel plan. www.wgrz.com/mobile/artic...

City seeks state funding to rehab former Hostel Buffalo building on Main Street The Common Council will be voting on a resolution to support the city's application seeking state funds to rehab the former Hostel Buffalo building on Main Street.

ICYMI: City seeks state funding to rehab former Hostel Buffalo building on Main Street.

The Common Council will be voting on a resolution to support the city's application seeking state funds to rehab the former Hostel building on Main Street.

www.wgrz.com/mobile/artic...