Justin Sondel

Sabres COO Pete Guelli: Buffalo targeting 2029, 2030 to host NFL draft Sabres and Bills COO Pete Guelli confirms that the Bills are targeting 2029 and 2030 to host the NFL draft at the new Highmark Stadium.

Bills-Sabres COO Pete Guelli: Buffalo targeting 2029, 2030 to host NFL draft buffalonews.com/sports/profe...

UB got $3.5 million to boost rural mental health. The Trump administration cut the funding The University at Buffalo received notice from the U.S. Department of Education that informed the school that a fellowship program to support mental health at rural schools no longer aligned with "cur...

Trump administration rescinding of Education Department grants likely to end UB program that provides mental health counseling to students in rural WNY districts.
by Jon Harris
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...

Hochul welcomes first new tenants at Perry Homes The first new buildings – consisting of two- and three-story buildings with either flats or two-level apartments – have been completed, with 30 units ready for occupancy.

The first tenants are moving into new apartments at the Commodore Perry Homes, part of the massive overhaul of the BMHA-run housing complex.
by Jonathon Epstein
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...

New York City Democrats chose a Democratic Socialist candidate. India Walton was watching Walton said part of the narrative around her campaign, and now Zohran Mamdani’s, that she felt was missing was the idea that her candidacy came from nowhere.

New York City Democrats chose a Democratic Socialist candidate. India Walton was watching
via @justinsondel.bsky.social @buffalonews.com
buffalonews.com/news/local/g...

School turnaround artist looks back on changed lives, looks forward to not worrying about water mains David Hills, a principal in three Buffalo Schools, always had an itch for a new challenge, especially when it came to building a positive culture. "It was as if you were speaking to your funny uncle,"...

From @tsuj10.bsky.social: a profile of David Hills and his career as the 30-year Buffalo Public Schools veteran rides off into the sunset. buffalonews.com/news/local/e...

‘There’s more of a hunker-down mentality’: WNY farms worry about ICE raids The Trump administration’s intensified immigration raids and arrests have shaken the local agricultural community, which is dependent on migrant labor. “No farm would survive without them," said a Wes...

ICYMI: Amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown many Western New York farmers fear for their workers. Excellent reporting from @chessabond.bsky.social and @robertgavinbn.bsky.social .
buffalonews.com/news/local/a...

Why does the public know anything about the Granville case? Blame the media It's not that local officials have said nothing about the case of an Erie County Sheriff's official who is the subject of three investigations involving multiple, late-night car crashes last spring. T...

Here's part 2 of @sandratan.bsky.social's great reporting on transparency - or lack thereof - from law enforcement agencies when one of their own runs afoul of the law. buffalonews.com/news/local/a...

Ruling on proposed toxic landfill cheered by opponents, but it's not over yet After more than 20 years of debate, a decision could come this year on whether a toxic landfill could expand in Niagara County.

I covered efforts from CWM to open a second toxic waste site while at the Niagara Gazette more than 10 years ago. Crazy to see the decision is just now coming to a head. Great reporting from Mackenzie Shuman: buffalonews.com/news/local/a...

A representative from the Erie County Board of Elections has confirmed to me that Acting Mayor Christopher Scanlon has submitted paperwork to remove his independent Good Neighbors line from the general election ballot. Story incoming.

From Fruit Belt to Buffalo's top cop: Community policing at the center of Al Wright's rise Buffalo Police Commissioner and Fruit Belt native Alphonso Wright said he wants his officers to engage with the community, and get to know the people in their neighborhoods.

From Fruit Belt to Buffalo's top cop: Community policing at the center of Al Wright's rise
via @justinsondel.bsky.social & me.
@buffalonews.com
buffalonews.com/news/local/c...

The story has been updated with quotes from Whitfield.

Judge's temporary restraining order allows Sylvia's House shelter to stay open – for now "We are hoping that the City of Buffalo will do what we have been asking for years and help us find a permanent location," said Diana Proske, a Neighborhood Legal Services attorney.

Judge issues temporary restraining order on Sylvia's House shelter shutdown, as the not-for-profit sues the city of Buffalo with the help of Neighborhood Legal services.
by @tsuj10.bsky.social
buffalonews.com/news/local/a...

Garnell Whitfield is knocked off ballot in race for Buffalo mayor; has till Friday to appeal During a Wednesday hearing, the Erie County Board of Elections upheld enough of the objections to disqualify Whitfield’s independent line.

Garnell Whitfield Jr. has been knocked off his independent line in the general election for mayor of Buffalo through challenges to his nominating petitions. My latest: buffalonews.com/news/local/g...

City to shut down homeless shelter for permit and inspections violations The move leaves dozens of people with no place to go if the shelter operators, city officials, the county and advocates cannot find a resolution.

Sylvia's House, a shelter operating out of a Bailey Avenue Church, has been issued a cease operations order by the city for operating without proper permits, city officials confirmed to me last night. It is unclear where the ~ 60 people staying there will stay. buffalonews.com/news/local/g...

Buffalo's mayoral candidates go on the offensive as primary day nears While candidates have criticized the policies and plans of one another throughout the crowded primary race, the volume has been cranked up.

As the primary nears, candidates for mayor are ramping up their attacks on one another. My latest: buffalonews.com/news/local/g...

Very interesting stuff from @journo-holly.bsky.social and the BPTM team.

Shakenya Griffin, right, weeps in the embrace of loved ones during a celebration for the life of her son, Ramone “Red” Luckie Carter, two weeks after his death on what would have been his fourth birthday, at Griffin’s home in Buffalo, July 6, 2024. (Libby March/Buffalo News)

Ja’miya, daughter of Shakenya Griffin, stands for a portrait holding a baby photo of her little brother Ramone “Red” Luckie Carter in Buffalo, Jan. 23, 2025. Ja'miya and Ramone were playing outside with other children on June 21, 2024 when they were struck by gunfire. Ja'miya survived her injuries, but Ramone did not. (Libby March/Buffalo News)

Shakenya Griffin displays a customized necklace with a photo of her son, Ramone “Red” Luckie Carter, during a celebration for Ramone’s life on what would have been his fourth birthday, at her home in Buffalo, July 6, 2024. (Libby March/Buffalo News)

Wearing T-shirts memorializing Ramone “Red” Luckie Carter, children stand on the steps of Shakenya Griffin’s home, the site where her son Ramone and his older sister Ja'miya were struck by gunfire, during a celebration for the life of Ramone on what would have been his fourth birthday, at his mother’s home in Buffalo, July 6, 2024. Ja'miya survived her injuries, but Ramone was pronounced dead at Erie County Medical Center the night the two children were shot. (Libby March/Buffalo News)

1) Reminders are everywhere for Shakenya Griffin, her children, and their loved ones who lost 3-year-old Ramone "Red" Carter in a shooting in Buffalo last year.

Read from @justinsondel.bsky.social on the loss of Red and the ripple effects of gun violence:

tinyurl.com/3b8twved

#gunviolence

Please private message me if you would like to help and I can put you in touch with Shakenya.

I still need:
A dj
Custom t-shirts for the family for the event
Tables and chairs
Hamburger and hotdog buns
Hot dogs and hamburgers
Paper plates, Silverware, cups
Coolers
Ice
Waters
Pops
If anyone wants too make dish

Shakenya is planning a celebration of Red’s life on the anniversary of his death, June 21. She has already received donations to help throw the party, but asked me share the below list of things she still needs.

Thank you to my editors for giving me the time and space to tell this important story and especially to @libbymarch.bsky.social for her incredible talent, empathy and patience in producing the powerful images and video for the piece.

Red Carter's mother searches for peace, but reminders of toddler's death are everywhere Last June, 3-year-old Ramone “Red” Carter was shot and killed near his home, an inadvertent victim of a shooting targeting someone else. Now, a year later, his mother remains in the house as reminders...

ICYMI: This Sunday we ran a story that I have been working on for nearly a year on the struggles that Shakenya Griffin, who lost her 3-year-old son Red Carter in a shooting last June, continues to go through as she tries to find peace. buffalonews.com/news/local/a...

Join us Thursday evening, with a panel including Deidre Williams, Elizabeth Licata and me.

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado officially challenging Hochul for governor Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado just made it official: He wants to unseat Gov. Kathy Hochul, his former ally, in a Democratic primary next year.

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado just made it official: He wants to unseat Gov. Kathy Hochul, his former ally, in a Democratic primary next year.

Trump’s Air Force One deal with Qatar not final, despite U.S. claims The delay reflects lingering concerns over legal liabilities stemming from a White House maneuver to transform a sale between the U.S. and Qatar into a “gift.”

🚨Everything Trump has said about the Qatar plane is a LIE.

Amazing story in the Post.

- Qatar did NOT offer it, Trump requested it
- Qatar expected a sale, not a “gift”
- US Air Force says it’s in poor condition
- $1.5 billion to make it useable
- $500 million ADDITIONAL cost for Trump to keep it.

Scanlon, Ryan continue to outraise other Buffalo mayoral candidates Mayor Christopher Scanlon and State Sen. Sean Ryan continue to bring in big money in the race to become Buffalo’s next mayor, far outpacing other candidates as the June primary for the Democratic line...

Mayor Christopher Scanlon and State Sen. Sean Ryan continue to bring in big money in the race to become Buffalo’s next mayor, far outpacing other candidates as the June primary for the Democratic line approaches.
buffalonews.com/news/local/g...

Potential candidates for the Nov. 4 general include: Democratic primary winner; WFP primary winner; Scanlon, Whitfield and Gainer on independent lines; James Gardner on the Republican line.

Three Buffalo mayoral candidates qualify for independent party lines Mayor Christopher Scanlon, former fire commissioner Garnell Whitfield Jr. and activist and business owner Michael Gainer have all submitted signatures in significant excess of the 1,500 required to qu...

Assuming these three candidates survive any potential challenges or lawsuits to their petitions, at least four and as many as six candidates will be on the general election ballot for mayor. buffalonews.com/news/local/g...

Sure thing.