Good Morning Buffalo: Calleri at the Movies

This weekend's premieres, with movie critic Michael Calleri.

GMB: Kittinger Furniture

Loraine and Tom talk with Ray Bialkowski from local manufacturer Kittinger Furniture.

Reason with Scott Leffler

Scott's Music Friday - with Kevin McCarthy

Sports: Connolly back for Rangers Game

The Sabres will try to match their longest winning streak of the season when they welcome the struggling New York Rangers for
this evening's matchup at HSBC Arena. Buffalo has won three straight and can match a streak that came with victories in the first four games of the season. Forward Tim Connolly is back after missing 24 games with a broken rib. Buffalo is undefeated since the calendar changed to 2009, as the club's last loss came on December 30 against visiting Washington.

Hometown News: Dead Body Found at East Side Church

Buffalo Police discovered a body this morning that may be connected to a missing person case. The dead white female was found in a garbage tote on the grounds of the New Covenant United Church of Christ on Buffalo's East Side. A woman had been reported missing on December 7th, and officers got a tip about the tote, according to Chief Dennis Richards. Police do not know whether the body is indeed that of the missing woman; they did take a person of interest into custody at William and Nash Streets.

HTN: Pyramid Scheme in Amherst

Local investigators say they've turned up a pyramid scheme in Amherst. The US Attorney's office says that 82-year-old Richard Piccoli took in more than 17-million dollars, targeting local churches and priests. Investigators say that Piccoli advertised in Catholic publications, promising high returns. But instead of investing the money, he's accused of simply rolling over new contributions to pay previous investors.

HTN: Mayor Gets Senate Questionnaire

Mayor Brown has joined Congressman Higgins on the apparent short list to replace Hillary Clinton in the US Senate. He has received a questionnaire from Gov. Paterson, who will make the appointment.

HTN: Mayor Gets Senate Questionnaire

Mayor Brown has joined Congressman Higgins an the apparent short list to replace Hilary Clinton in the US Senate. He has received a questionnaire from Gov. Paterson, who will make the appointment.

HTN: Buffalo Leads Cancer Research Again

A Buffalo researcher has determined the structure of a biochemical substance that leads to a large majority of breast cancer tumors. Debashis Ghosh and his colleagues at the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute have figured out what the key enzyme, aromatase, looks like. That could allow researchers to create drugs to target it, ultimately preventing breast cancer.

Hometown News: Higgins Reported on Senate Short List

The Buffalo News is reporting that Congressman Brian Higgins is among those the governor has asked to fill out a background check questionnaire for the upcoming U.S. Senate appointment. Paterson said there are "10 to 15 good candidates," for the successor to Hillary Clinton.

Reason with Scott Leffler

Scott was live in Cheektowaga today with Buffalo Beast publisher Paul Fallon.

Hometown News: Reaction to Paterson Speech

Governor David Paterson pulled no punches in his state of the state address, saying the condition of New York is "perilous," and that now is "a time for leadership, not partisanship." Paterson was cheered by mostly Republicans in the state Assembly when he called for enactment of a property tax cap. He then joked, "Maybe I should switched parties." Paterson spent a lot of time talking about providing health care coverage to the uninsured, fighting childhood obesity, and establishing clean air and clean energy initiatives.

Many state lawmakers are expressing their views on Governor Paterson's State of the State Address. Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco called the speech "a missed opportunity," and criticized the Governor for proposing dozens of fee increases in his budget. Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos says while Paterson wants to expand access to health care, the Governor's proposal to tax health insurance premiums will have the opposite effect.

HTN: Kemp has Cancer

Former WNY Congressman and Buffalo Bills quarterback Jack Kemp is battling cancer. A spokesman for Kemp says tests are continuing to determine what type of cancer he is dealing with. Kemp served nine terms as Congressman from Hamburg, followed by a stint as secretary of Housing and Urban development under the first George Bush and was Bob Dole's vice-presidential running mate in the 1996 presidential campaign. He's 73 years old.

HTN: UB Report Cites Contribution to Economy

UB says it's boosting the state's economy, especially in Western New York. Nearly 28-thousand students and thousands of faculty and staff have contributed about one-point-seven-billion dollars. The school says many faculty members come from out of state, and even out of country, The school says that it's UB 2020 initiative, aimed at doubling its size and community impact, is on its way to giving the economy a three-point-six-billion-dollar boost by the 2023-24 school year. UB generates around 70-percent of its own revenues outside of state aid.

HTN: Classic TV off Local Channel

A dispute between the former and current owners of Retro Television Network [[ RTN ]] knocked a bunch of classic TV shows off local affiliate WNGS-TV. Instead of running the classic TV shows, it's running movies. Equity Media Holding Corporation, the former owner of RTN, is no longer allowed to air RTN programs on its. Equity's contract to distribute the RTN network was extended a week past the original December 24th expiration date. The 24th was the deadline for Equity to opt to buy back RTN from Luken Communications, the current owner. Luken bought RTN back in June for 25-million dollars. Luken is a large shareholder in Equity Media. Equity filed bankruptcy papers in Little Rock, Arkansas last month.

Breaking News: Senator Suspended

It didn't take long for the NHL to act: Ottawa's Jarkko Ruutu has been suspended for two games after last night's biting incident involving Sabre Andrew Peters. Peters got the penalty on the play. The Sabres won 4-2.

Reason with Scott Leffler

With guest Tim Schmidt on the Sabres-Senators biting incident.

Buffalo Irish Radio: 1/4/09

Hosted by Tom Callahan.

Ask the Pro: Financial Hour

Mike Gimlin and Todd Miller keep you up-to-date on the economic climate, and take your phone calls.

Breaking News: Jack Kemp has Cancer

Former Western New York congressman and Bills quarterback Jack Kemp has been diagnosed with cancer. The Politico broke the story this morning, and Kemp's office released a statement that said he has been undergoing tests to determine options for continued treatment. Kemp plans to remain involved in his business, charitable and political activities. He was the running mate of Bob Dole in the 1996 Presidential election, and also served as HUD Secretary under George H.W. Bush.

Hometown News: Weather Alert

A winter weather advisory is in effect now through 5 a.m. Thursday for all of Western New York. Freezing rain this morning will change to rain back to snow later in the day, with snow accumulations tonight between two and five inches. Look for a high in the mid 30s. A high in the upper 20s Thursday will bring with it the possibility of lake effect snow Thursday into Thursday night.

HTN: Paterson to Address Crisis in Speech

Governor David Paterson will deliver his first State of the State address this afternoon from the state Legislature in Albany. The focus of the speech is expected to hone in on New York's ailing economy and its 15-billion-dollar budget deficit. Governor Paterson unveiled his fiscal plan last month to state lawmakers, which came five weeks ahead of schedule in an effort to narrow the state's budget gap. The State of the State address is traditionally delivered before the governor rolls out his priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

A group of state workers and others unhappy with Governor Paterson's budget proposal plan to make a lot of noise outside of the State Capitol during his state of the state speech. Organizers from CSEA, PEF, and other unions will gather for "The March For Main Street", walk to the State Capitol and rally outside in protest of reductions to school aid and tax and fee increases in Paterson's budget. The groups say the proposed budget will disproportionally impact middle class and low income New Yorkers. The state of the state address is scheduled for 1p.m.

HTN: State Jobless Systems Crashed Yesterday

The state's unemployment claims systems are back up and running, after they crashed Monday from the sheer volume of jobless New Yorkers trying to call or log in at once ahead of this week's filing deadline. As many as ten-thousand people per hour were trying to log into the system. The unemployed can file an on-line claim at labor.ny.gov or toll-free at (888) 209-8124.

HTN: Metro Hikes Mean Higher School Costs

The Buffalo School District is getting hit with an additional half-million-dollar in bussing fees because of the fare hikes on Metro Bus and Rails. That added expense wasn't provided for in the current budget, so school officials have worked out a deal with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to pay the money next year. The city relies on public busses to transport more than eleven-thousand kids to school each day. Over the course of a full school year the fare hikes will cost the school district more than one-million dollars per year.

HTN: Zoo Starts Winter Hours

For the rest of this month and February, the Buffalo Zoo will be closed both Mondays and Tuesdays. Wednesday through Sunday, the zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The seven-day-a-week schedule will return sometime in March. More information is available by calling 995-6129.

BuffaloStyle: From 1/03/09

Christina Abt talks with four intelligent, ingenious, and highly intriguing women from Western New York.

GMB: Michael Calleri at the Movies

Loraine and Tom talk with Michael Calleri about the first movie releases of the new year.

Reason with Scott Leffler

Scott talks about the cable rate rise and a bunch of other topics....

Ask the Pro: Financial Hour

Year-end special with Mike Gimlin and Todd Miller.

GMB: Brad Riter on UB Bowl Game

Loraine and Tom talked to WECK's Brad Riter about UB's appearance in the International Bowl game in Toronto.

Good Morning Buffalo: Cable Charges Rising

Loraine and Tom spoke with Robin Wolfgang from Time-Warner Cable

HTN: Empire Games Funding Cuts to Affect Buffalo 2010

After a reduction of state spending on the Empire State Games this summer, some sports could be eliminated. One thing to go by the wayside may be regional trials for some of the sports, since organizers won't be able to afford trial venues without state funding. Room and board for adult athletes may be also be out. And a 300-dollar fee for scholastic athletes could be added to cover their expenses. The city of Buffalo is planning to host the 2010 Empire State Summer Games, from July 21st through 25th next year.

HTN: Senecas to Open Catskills Casino

Could the Seneca Nation's plans for a Catskills casino further stall the completion of the downtown Buffalo facility? The Senecas are partnering with a Michigan developer to build a resort downstate, but officials say that does not spell trouble for the Buffalo Creek Casino. Erie County Executive Chris Collins and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown say the tribe's decision in favor of a Monticello casino doesn't cast a shadow onto the facility in downtown Buffalo. Plans for the permanent site have been put on hold because of economic concerns and a legal battles. The Senecas laid off 210 employees in December because of the weak economy, but the plan to build a new casino with Rotate Black Gaming Inc. in Monticello was announced Saturday. The project could potentially create 160-million dollars in direct payments to the state of New York. The Catskills location also gives the Senecas access to the New York City area and New Jersey.

HTN: US Attorney Leaving Buffalo Office

U.S. Attorney Terrance Flynn is stepping down, just as the man who appointed him, President George W. Bush, leaves office. Flynn will depart on Jan. 16 to become a partner in the Harris Beach law firm. Several prominent local attorneys are being mentioned as possible successors, with President-elect Obama expected to make a new appointment after he takes office.

Hometown News: Cable Rates Rising

Get ready to pay more for cable. Time Warner has announced that starting on February first, programming packages will cost between one and four dollars more per month. Services which include combinations of television, internet and phone will go up by six dollars per month. Time Warner says customers can avoid the price hikes by locking in their rates for 12 months, with a two year commitment. The company blames increasing programming costs including the recent negotiations with the owners of MTV and Comedy Central.