Friday, June 26, 2009
Good Morning Buffalo: Michael Jackson
Tom and Loraine talk to Fox News Radio's Alistair Wanklin on the reaction from overseas.
Hometown News: Albany Deal Nearing?
Governor Paterson is calling state Senators back to Albany for a fourth special session this afternoon. Lawmakers met briefly for separate extraordinary sessions. Both Republicans and Democrats gaveled in and out of meetings that lasted no longer than five-minutes. No official business was carried out. Governor Paterson blasts the Senate leaders for a lack of leadership. Meanwhile, both Republican and Democratic state Senators claim a deal is within reach to share power.
HTN: Storms Leave Damage in Niagara County
Storms rolled through Western New York yesterday, especially pounding northern Niagara County. Lightning struck a church chimney at Ransomville Baptist Church and there were several reports of downed utility lines, power failures, traffic signal outages and the like. National Grid reported that seven-thousand Niagara County lost power around the area yesterday. They were mostly restored by 4 p.m.
HTN: DC Train Driver from Buffalo Laid to Rest
The Buffalo native killed in the Washington DC train crash will be laid to rest today. Services will be held in the nation's Capitol for 42-year-old Jeanice McMillan, who was the conductor of the moving train which collided with a stopped one.McMillan grew up in Buffalo and graduated from Turner-Carroll High school. She moved to Virginia and had worked for the Metro rail system since January of 2007. Nine people were killed in Monday's crash. The cause remains under investigation.
HTN: FAA Reviewing Pilot Rules
In the wake of the crash of Flight 3407, the FAA is fast-tracking the review of pilot fatigue rules. The Administration will set up a committee by July 15th to begin the effort to revise the rules governing airline pilots. Recommendations will be made by September first. The FAA is also calling on airlines to review all of a pilot's test records before hiring them. The NTSB says the pilot at the helm of the doomed flight had failed previous test flights and the co-pilot may have been fatigued.
HTN: Vets Convention in Buffalo
Thousands of veterans have arrived for the annual New York state VFW convention. More than three-thousand vets will take part in events at the Hyatt Regency downtown through Sunday. The 90th annual gathering will focus on topics such as health care and other benefits for those who served the country. Throughout A replica of the Vietnam Memorial has been set up in East Aurora's Knox Farm State Park.
HTN: Goodbye, Aud
Tuesday will be the final goodbye to the Memorial Auditorium. Officials will gather next week for a formal send-off as demolition work comes to an end with the tearing-down of the South Wall. The Aud's time capsule from 1939 will be opened.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Hometown News: Another Day, Another Special Session
Governor David Paterson is calling state Senate Democrats back to Albany for another special session this afternoon. The governor is making good on his promise to continue calling special sessions until the power struggle over the Senate is resolved. Deposed majority leader Malcolm Smith had threatened that he and other Democrats were going home after holding a five-minute special session without voting on an issue. Republicans did not attend after issues of legality were raised. Governor Paterson threatened to go to court to keep Democrats in Albany, which did not sit well with state Senator Eric Adams
As of late Wednesday, both Senate Democrats and Republicans say they're planning to attend this afternoon's 3 p.m., session.The governor is also consulting with the state Comptroller's office to dock pay and stipends since the political coup began two-weeks ago.
Paterson insists calling the state Senate back for a special session is within his authority. Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos says Senators are getting down to making a deal.
State Senator Jeff Klein notes the state Constitution allows the governor to recall just state Senators to Albany for a special session. But Klein is not certain if any of the measures approved during Tuesday's special session would stand up to a legal challenge.
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says vital state programs face a 1-billion-dollar risk if the chaos in the state Senate continues. With less than a week left to come up with a solution, DiNapoli is calling for responsible leadership, and urging lawmakers to pass legislation. Without Senate action by June 30th, local governments will be looking at a potential 750-million-dollars in revenue losses. More than 30 counties are facing the loss of up to 25-percent of their sales tax revenues, which would likely lead to drastic cuts in every level of local government across the state.
As of late Wednesday, both Senate Democrats and Republicans say they're planning to attend this afternoon's 3 p.m., session.The governor is also consulting with the state Comptroller's office to dock pay and stipends since the political coup began two-weeks ago.
Paterson insists calling the state Senate back for a special session is within his authority. Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos says Senators are getting down to making a deal.
State Senator Jeff Klein notes the state Constitution allows the governor to recall just state Senators to Albany for a special session. But Klein is not certain if any of the measures approved during Tuesday's special session would stand up to a legal challenge.
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says vital state programs face a 1-billion-dollar risk if the chaos in the state Senate continues. With less than a week left to come up with a solution, DiNapoli is calling for responsible leadership, and urging lawmakers to pass legislation. Without Senate action by June 30th, local governments will be looking at a potential 750-million-dollars in revenue losses. More than 30 counties are facing the loss of up to 25-percent of their sales tax revenues, which would likely lead to drastic cuts in every level of local government across the state.
HTN: FAA Fights Pilot Fatigue
The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered airlines and pilot unions to come to a consensus by September 1st on how to limit pilot fatigue. The command came after the National Transportation Safety Board suspected pilot fatigue in February's fatal crash of Continental Express Flight 3407 in Buffalo and other recent accidents. The board concluded both pilots in the Buffalo crash did not have enough sleep before climbing into the cockpit.
HTN: Convictions in Death of Diplomat from Buffalo
Five Sudanese men have been convicted in connection to the assassination of an American diplomat last year in Sudan. John Granville, who grew up in South Buffalo, was killed on January 1st, 2008 when assassins and shot him and his driver. Abdelbaset Alhaj Alhassan, Abdelraoof Hamza, Mohamed Makawi Ibrahim, and Osman Mohamed Yousif all face the death penalty. Hafev Murad Abdelrahman was convicted of a weapons charge and has been sentenced to two years in prison. The 33-year-old Granville was a former Peace Corps volunteer working as a diplomat with the U.S. Agency for International Development.
HTN: Bridges to Twitter
The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission says it will post delays at the Rainbow Bridge and at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge on the networking site Twitter. Travellers can log on to twitter.com/NiagaraBridges. Officials say when there are delays, tweets will be posted every 30 to 60 minutes and you can find which bridge has the shortest delay.
HTN: Lottery Plans to Install Table Games
The state Lottery is moving forward with plans for electronic gaming machines at racetrack casinos, although the state Assembly ended its session without taking up the bill. However, the Governor's lottery division is advancing its plan to bring electronic versions of 21, roulette and craps to eight racetracks across the state. Opponents question whether the Lottery has the legal authority to install the games. State officials insist they are on sound legal footing.
HTN: Buffalo Near the Top in Real Estate Price Stability
A North Carolina-based real estate forecast company has ranked Buffalo among the top markets for home prices. Local Market Monitor has listed Buffalo as tied for second with four other markets as part of the country's top ten markets for home prices in the next 12 months. Syracuse, Rochester, and five other markets are tied for third. The report shows the top markets, where home values are expected to stay level, are some of the markets that didn't go through a big housing boom. Prices in those markets are generally below the U.S. average, and reflect where the recession has had a generally mild impact so far.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Hometown News: Capital Circus
The theater of the absurd continues inside the Senate chamber in Albany. Democratic and Republican state senators entered the chambers yesterday afternoon and tried to run their own legislative sessions while ignoring the other side. Senators from both sides called for votes on bills, many times talking over each other even though they were mere feet apart inside the chamber. Governor David Paterson is calling for another special session and adding a gay marriage bill to the agenda.
The governor seeking a vote on a same-sex marriage bill has reportedly angered Bronx state Senator Ruben Diaz, Senior. Diaz is reportedly considering siding with colleague, Senator Pedro Espada, in caucusing with Republicans and putting the GOP in control of the Senate. Diaz blasts Governor Paterson's decision to hold a special session.
State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says it's time to put partisan politics aside in Albany. Cuomo says state Senators are needed to vote on important issues that impact the lives of everyday New Yorkers.
His approval in a free-fall for most of 2009, a new survey says David Paterson's standing with voters may have bottomed out. According to a new Quinnipiac University poll, the Governor's disapproval rating of 61 percent is the same that it was in the May 13 poll on the same subject. Just 28 percent of those asked approve of Paterson's job performance. In a potentential 2010 Democratic Primary, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo trounces Paterson 51-20 percent.
The governor seeking a vote on a same-sex marriage bill has reportedly angered Bronx state Senator Ruben Diaz, Senior. Diaz is reportedly considering siding with colleague, Senator Pedro Espada, in caucusing with Republicans and putting the GOP in control of the Senate. Diaz blasts Governor Paterson's decision to hold a special session.
State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says it's time to put partisan politics aside in Albany. Cuomo says state Senators are needed to vote on important issues that impact the lives of everyday New Yorkers.
His approval in a free-fall for most of 2009, a new survey says David Paterson's standing with voters may have bottomed out. According to a new Quinnipiac University poll, the Governor's disapproval rating of 61 percent is the same that it was in the May 13 poll on the same subject. Just 28 percent of those asked approve of Paterson's job performance. In a potentential 2010 Democratic Primary, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo trounces Paterson 51-20 percent.
HTN: Debt Collector Busted
A Buffalo-based collection agency, whose employees allegedly posed as police officers, has been padlocked and the owner arrested. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo accused several agencies run by Tobias Boyland of shady practices. The 43-year-old Boyland, already a convicted felon, was arrested yesterday at his home. Cuomo's office has brought civil suits against Boyland and three of his employees, all of whom have criminal records. The three were just a few of about 30 people operating companies under nine names at four local offices.
HTN: Pat Kane on Cover of NHL '09
South Buffalo native and Chicago Blackhawk Patrick Kane is the cover man for this year's EA Sports NHL video game. The twenty-year-old was drafted first overall two years ago, and is now the youngest player ever chosen for the cover. Kane says that it's exciting to be on the cover of his favorite video game, after only two years of professional play. Kane won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year in 2008, and this last season helped lead the Blackhawks to the Western Conference Finals. He's scored more than 20 goals and registered more than 70 points in each of his first two seasons.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
HTN: Residents Complain About Planes
Some area residents are expressing concern that a small local airstrip is not operating safely. Residents say that small planes leaving Buffalo-Lancaster Airport off Walden Avenue are flying too close together, possibly at unsafe altitudes. Planes generally take off in a westbound direction, but turn south, in order to avoid Buffalo-Niagara International's air space, right over a subdivision along Nichter and Pavement Roads. Airstrip owner Tom Gelles, has applied for government grants to extend his runway 23-hundred feet east.
HTN: Twin-Fatal Crash in LeRoy
State Police say two people are dead following an accident involving three vehicles Tuesday morning in Genesee County. One car was northbound on Rt. 19 in Leroy when a van headed southbound crossed over and struck the car head on. A dump truck trailing behind one of the cars could not stop in time and was also involved. The drivers of the car and van were killed.
Hometown News: Dems Hold Lock-In
About 18 Democratic senators have occupied the State Senate chamber and locked the doors, barring the press and public from the gallery. They say they'll let their Republican foes in before a 3 p-m special session ordered by Gov. David Paterson. GThe governor says he wants votes on 55 time-sensitive measures that are considered non-controversial items.
Earlier, Standing Senate President Pedro Espada Junior had said a deal was in the works to share power. But former majority leader Malcolm Smith said progress has been slow.
Earlier, Standing Senate President Pedro Espada Junior had said a deal was in the works to share power. But former majority leader Malcolm Smith said progress has been slow.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Hometown News: First Erie County Swine Flu Death
A 15-year-old Buffalo boy has become Erie County's first swine flu related death. Matthew Davis was reportedly suffering from pneumonia and MERSA as well as the H1N1 virus. . Davis was an eighth grade student at Harvey Austin School 97. He was taken off life support Saturday.School officials say grief counselors will be available today.
HTN: Paterson to Call Special Session
Although the legislative session is supposed to come to an end today, senators could be staying in Albany a bit longer. Fed up with the partisan bickering, Governor David Paterson is ordering a special session beginning Tuesday that could keep senators in Albany every day, including weekends and the July 4th holiday.
The Senate has been at a standstill for weeks, after Republicans seized control of the chamber and a bitter fight has been raging over leadership positions.Paterson warns Senators that there will be no excuses and no tolerance for not complying with the order. Democrats have refused to enter a session under the Republican control and Republicans have not been willing to enter any power-sharing agreements. Paterson announced that former Lieutenant Governor Stan Lundine and former state Senator John Dunne will act as mediators in the leadership dispute in the state Senate.
The Senate has been at a standstill for weeks, after Republicans seized control of the chamber and a bitter fight has been raging over leadership positions.Paterson warns Senators that there will be no excuses and no tolerance for not complying with the order. Democrats have refused to enter a session under the Republican control and Republicans have not been willing to enter any power-sharing agreements. Paterson announced that former Lieutenant Governor Stan Lundine and former state Senator John Dunne will act as mediators in the leadership dispute in the state Senate.
HTN: Half of Buffalo Flights are Commuter Planes
A new report out of Washington shows thaat regional airlines now account for nearly half of the flights from Buffalo to destinations across the U.S., as well as local routes to major airports like LaGuardia and Reagan National. The report, which concentrated on data from mid-July 2008, showed 46-percent of planes were flown by regional carriers, despite the Continental, Delta, US Airways or United stamped on the ticket. Also, many of the planes being flown along those routes are no longer big jets, but small regional jets and propeller planes, such as the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, the type of plane used in the Colgan Air-operated Continental Connection flight 3407 between Newark and Buffalo which killed 50 people. Colgan also operates US Airways' Buffalo to Albany route.
HTN: Brush-Up Buffalo Postponed
Brush Up Buffalo 2009 was cancelled Saturday because of bad weather. Over 600 volunteers from area businesses and community groups have signed up to participate in the one-day event. This was the first time in the event's 13-year history it has been cancelled because of weather. All the originally-scheduled activities will take place on the new date, this Saturday June 27th. This year, 18 low-income, single-family, owner-occupied homes in the area around the University of Buffalo South Campus are scheduled to get a fresh coat of paint.
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