Reason with Scott Leffler

Music Friday, and Scott's last one-hour show. Reason expands to two hours next Monday!

Good Morning Buffalo: Calleri at the Movies

Movie critic Michael Calleri discusses this week's releases and the Oscar picks.

Hometown News: Amanda's Parents Pursue CO Law

Just days after their daughter's funeral, the parents of a West Seneca teen who died in a carbon monoxide accident are asking that CO detectors be made mandatory in New York State. Ken and Kim Hansen have been in touch with Assemblyman Mark Schroeder, who is in preliminary stages of crafting Amanda's Law.

HTN: Another Casino Challenge Looming

Citizens Against Casino Gambling in Erie County are gearing up to challenge two rulings from federal agencies supporting the Seneca Nation of Indians' rights to operate the downtown Buffalo casino. The group will ask Judge William Skretny to overturn the decisions of the National Indian Gaming Commission and the U.S. Department of the Interior. Those rulings reaffirm the rights of Seneca Gaming to operate the casino.

HTN: NT Connection to Caylee Case

A North Tonawanda website operator has a connection to the murder investigation of two-year-old Caylee Anthony near Orlando, Florida. Sean Krause began writing about the Anthony case last year and became friends with Caylee's grandmother, Cindy Anthony, through phone calls, e-mails and text messages. Krause was interviewed Thursday night on the Fox News Channel by Greta Van Susteren, and police on Florida interviewed him last year.

Breaking News: Paterson's Choice is Downstate Congresswoman

Standing in front of a large group of state dignitaries, Governor David Paterson announced his selection to replace Hillary Clinton in the US Senate. Paterson also announced that Kirsten Gillebrand's appointment is on an interim basis. Gillibrand was selected ahead of State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Congressman Brian Higgins, and several other candidates. She was the first woman elected to represent the 20th District, which spans Eastern New York from Dutchess to Essex Counties.

Reason with Scott Leffler

Scott talks about President Obama, Caroline Kennedy, and your issues....

Good Morning Buffalo: Salmonella Scare

Fox News Radio's Jeff Monosso speaks with Loraine and Tom about the nationwide peanut butter recalls.

Good Morning Buffalo: DC March for Life

Fox News Radio's Todd Starnes checks in from Washington with Loraine and Tom

Hometown News: Rape Report in Amherst

Amherst police are searching for a rape suspect. A 17-year-old girl said she was attacked late Tuesday night in the area of Hopkins and Klein. The victim says she was jogging about 10 p.m. when she was hit with an object, then forced behind a building where the sexual assault took place. Anyone with information is urged to call Amherst Police.

HTN: Former Canisius High Head Dies Suddenly

A former president of Canisius High School has died suddenly. Reverend James Higgins is believed to have suffered a heart attack at a hospital in Syracuse. Higgins was President of Canisius from 2001 until last year, when he stepped down to take a year-long sabbatical. Higgins was a Jesuit priest for 23 years. He was 54 years old.

HTN: Residents Protest Landfill Changes

At a public hearing at Lewiston-Porter High School yesterday afternoon, the operators of the Northeast's only commercial hazardous waste landfill were the subjects of much criticism. Fourteen people spoke, drilling CWM Chemical Services and the state Department of Environmental Conservation about a proposal to redesign the cap on its active landfill. CWM officials are seeking the state's permission to install a thinner cap on the Town of Porter landfill. The proposal allows CWM to bury an extra two-and-a-half-feet of waste in the open portions of the active 47-acre landfill, while not rising above the current height restriction. According to CWM, the change provides better environmental protection and is technologically superior.

HTN: Jamaican Arrested at Peace Bridge

A Jamaican national and convicted felon who had been deported from the U.S. a decade ago was arrested Monday when he tried to reenter the country at the Peace Bridge. Forty-six-year-old Winston Anthony Cargill presented a passport baring the name Alfonso Dickerson. Cargill has been charged with making a false citizenship claim, attempting to illegally reenter after deportation and misuse of a passport. He was deported back in March of 1999 after authorities arrested him in a Virginia drug case in 1996. He is being held at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia.

HTN: UB Students Help at Tax Time

Tax time is just around the corner. To help residents prepare the forms, accounting students at the University of Buffalo are providing their services free of charge. Residents and students who earn less than 42-thousand dollars are eligible to take advantage of the free tax prep. The accounting students are all certified by the IRS and will be available for ten weeks beginning on February 7th.

HTN: Sidewalk Safety

Local business leaders say the cold is no excuse to overlook sidewalk safety. A city ordinance states businesses must have snow cleared by 9 a.m. after a snowfall. A warning is generally issued after a first offence, but multiple offenses can result in fines between 53 and 150 dollars.

Reason with Scott Leffler

Scott's back from the Inauguration, taking your calls.

Good Morning Buffalo: Inauguration Fashions

Tabloid Tuesday contributor Lisa Ludwig dishes on what they wore at the Inaugural Balls.

Good Morning Buffalo: Inauguration Analysis

Loraine and Tom talk with Fox News radio political analyst Jeff Birnbaum.

Hometown News: Clark Campaign Gets Punishment

Former West Seneca Supervisor and County Executive candidate Paul Clark faced sentencing yesterday. His lawyer spoke in Buffalo City Court. Clark and campaign supporter Roger Peck had pleaded guilty in December to misdemeanor election law violations. Clark must pay a 750-dollar fine, while Peck will pay 550 dollars. Neither man will serve jail time, instead receiving a year's probation each.

HTN: Delivery Truck Robber Sentenced

The mastermind of a DHL delivery heist in Cheektowaga more than two years ago is headed to prison. Forty-four year old Aaron Ruffins, a former DHL supervisor, was sentenced to seven years behind bars. Ruffins is the last of four defendants to be sentenced in the case. Authorities say the group hijacked a truck, then pistol whipped and beat the driver. Three accomplices are serving prison terms ranging from seven to 10 years.

HTN: Metro Ridership Rose Last Year

The NFTA says Metro Bus and Rail ridership was up by more than ten-percent in 2008. Officials say that meant more than two-and-a-half million extra people took to mass transit. The Authority credits the increase to higher gas prices and the tight economy. Fares went up by 25-cents from a dollar-50 to a dollar-75 on New Year's Day.

HTN: Small School Boards Might Merge

The Ripley and Westfield School Boards will take the next steps toward a merger at a joint meeting Thursday night. The two boards will set a February 5th date for a preliminary referendum on consolidation. The "straw vote" could lead to a binding referendum March 18th. If that vote is in favor, the districts would merge formally on July 1st. Westfield serves 824 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Ripley has just 371 students.

HTN: Anniversary of First Ward Flood

50 years ago today, freighters broke loose from their moorings on the Buffalo River and crashed into the Michigan Avenue Bridge, causing a major flood in the Old First Ward. The anniversary will be observed at 1 p.m. this Sunday at the Waterfront Memories & More Museum on 208 Elk at Smith Street.

Breaking News: Ted Kennedy Collapses at Obama Luncheon

Senator Edward Kennedy collapsed near the conclusion of the Congressional lunch for President Obama. He was taken away by ambulance after reportedly suffering convulsions during the event.

HTN: Paterson Preparing Choice

Governor David Paterson says we should know sometime this week who will replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate. Paterson says he's now reviewing financial statements from the candidates. The governor says he has narrowed the pool of candidates and that a decision should be out by the weekend.

Hometown News: Local Companies Contribute to Inauguration

Two hometown companies are involved with today' festivities: Buffalo-based Kittinger Furniture Co. built two fireside chairs for today's ceremony which mirror six Kittinger made for the 2005 inauguration of George W. Bush. All eight chairs were on the podium. And a line of commemorative presidential inauguration baseball caps produced by Buffalo-based New Era Cap Co. are hot sellers. There are seven different styles of caps that honor the new President.

Good Morning Buffalo: Inauguration Security

Security expert Kelly Martin talked with Loraine and Tom about measures being taken in Washington.

GMB: Fox News' Todd Starnes from Inauguration

WECK's Inauguration coverage continues with Fox's Todd Stearns and a funny take on the weeks' events.

Good Morning Buffalo: Scott Leffler Headed to Inauguration

WECK's "Reason" host spoke with Loraine and Tom on his way to D.C.

BuffaloStyle: 01/17/09

Christina Abt talks with some of the most prominent "foodies" in Western New York.

Hometown News: Fatal Fire Called Suspicious

Two people are dead after a house fire in Buffalo early Sunday. Police say male and female bodies were found, too badly burned to be identified, inside 39 Dartmouth. Neighbors reported that two small children lived in the house, but there was no sign that anyone else was inside at the time of the fire. Buffalo Police Spokesman Mike DeGeorge says autopsies for both victims are planned today. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but is being considered suspicious.

HTN: CO Tragedy in West Seneca

A West Seneca teenager will be laid to rest this week after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning over the weekend. Police say 16-year-old Amanda Hansen was found dead at a friend's sleepover party early Saturday morning. Investigators say the two girls decided to sleep in the basement, and were both found unconscious the next morning. Hansen could not be saved by paramedics. Three other family members in the house were also sickened. Authorities say a basement boiler was malfunctioning, which leaked carbon monoxide into the basement. Hansen's wake will be tomorrow. The funeral is set for Wednesday.

HTN: WECK in Washington

Hundreds of Western New York residents have arrived, are now enroute, or plan to leave today to see what they feel may be the most historic event of their lives in Washington, D.C. WECK's own Scott Leffler will be filing reports all day Monday and Tuesday from the big event.

HTN: Layoffs Looming at GM Powertrain

GM is confirming layoffs at the Powertrain Plant in Tonawanda. Between 200 and 400 workers will be furloughed because of reductions in productions volume. The staff reductions will take effect next Monday, January 26th. Two engine lines will be reduced from two shifts to one.

HTN: Perry's & Wegman's Issue Peanut Butter Recall

Wegman's and Perry's have issued a voluntary joint recall of all ice cream flavors containing peanut butter because of a salmonella outbreak. Health officials are discouraging people from eating foods containing peanut butter, including cookies, cakes, and ice cream. until an exact source for the salmonella is determined. Jars of peanut butter have been ruled safe. Kellogg's and Little Debbie peanut butter crackers are also on a voluntary recall. Wegman's spokesperson Anne McCarthy is directing shoppers to the grocer's website to see the list of affected products.

HTN: Struggling to Pay for College

Thousands of students and families could struggle to pay for college once the state's budget cuts kick in. In addition to a $600 tuition increase at SUNY schools, the state Tuition Assistance Program will be cut and requirements will be toughened. Governor Paterson is trying to ease some of the burden with a plan to help students get stat loans with lowered interest rates. "Given the current credit squeeze, the governor’s proposal will help students," said Blair Horner, legislative director for the New York Public Interest Research Group.

HTN: Bills Football Will Cost the County More in '09

While county government wrestles with budget cuts, one line on the budget will be going up. Buffalo Bills games at Ralph Wilson Stadium will cost taxpayers nearly 7 and a half million dollars next season, up from 5 and a half million in 2008. The county pays for operating expenses, stadium upgrades, and Sheriffs patrols on game days. The current stadium lease expires in 2012.