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Council approves $94M in capital improvements for Buffalo The budget includes plans to upgrade parks, community centers, city pools and libraries citywide.

The budget includes plans to upgrade parks, community centers, city pools and libraries.

Erie County launches tool to help residents track winter storm impacts The new winter storm scale website details snow impact levels by location, as well as snow totals by exit along the Thruway system in the area.

The new winter storm scale website details snow impact levels by location, as well as snow totals by exit along the Thruway system in the area.

Bill proposing term limits for Erie County elected officials hits dead end Erie County Legislator John Bargnesi (D) introduced a bill back in June 2024 that would limit the offices of county executive, legislators, county clerk, district attorney, comptroller and Sheriff, to serve a maximum of three four-year term...

Erie County Legislator John Bargnesi, a Democrat, introduced a bill back in June 2024 that would limit the offices of county executive, legislators, county clerk, district attorney, comptroller and sheriff, to serve a maximum of three four-year terms.

Guns removed from home of UB student who allegedly threatened school shooting Firearms have been removed from the home of a University at Buffalo student who allegedly threatened to "shoot up the school," according to the university and state court filings.

Firearms have been confiscated from a University at Buffalo student's home after a peer reported hearing alleged threats to "shoot up the school."

Ahead of taking office, Ryan seeks state help for Buffalo’s budget woes With the city having to raid emergency funds to plug last year's budget deficit, Ryan said he'd met with state leaders Monday to raise "a red flag" and ask for help over Buffalo's finances.

With the City having to raid emergency funds to plug last year's budget deficit, Ryan said he'd met with state leaders Monday to "raise a red flag" and ask for help over Buffalo's finances.

ICE arrests draw protest outside Elmwood restaurant Protestors said four individuals who work at Aguacates, a Mexican restaurant on Elmwood Ave., were detained by Homeland Security agents around 10 a.m. Thursday. BTPM has two sources who confirm this information.

Here's everything we know so far about the ICE arrests in the Elmwood Village, Thursday.

Scanlon proposes $94M capital budget for Buffalo ahead of leadership change Before he hands over the reins to the incoming administration, Buffalo Acting Mayor Christopher Scanlon has submitted a capital budget proposal to the Buffalo Common Council.

Before he hands over the reins to the incoming administration, Buffalo Acting Mayor Christopher Scanlon has submitted a capital budget proposal to the Buffalo Common Council.

'Overwhelming' response as Ryan team draws hundreds of applications for City Hall jobs Buffalo's Mayor-Elect Sean Ryan says his transition team has received 500 job applications in as many days.

Buffalo Mayor-Elect Sean Ryan says his transition team has received 500 job applications after just a few days.

Bill aims to give deployed National Guard members a boost on civil service exams Under the bill drafted by State Minority Leader Robert Ortt (R) and Amherst Town Supervisor-elect Shawn Lavin (D), National Guard troops who are deployed for 60 days or more on state orders would receive extra credit in civil service examin...

Under the bill drafted by State Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt (R) and Amherst Town Supervisor-elect Shawn Lavin (D), National Guard troops who are deployed for 60 days or more on state orders would receive extra credit in civil service examinations.

Stefanik launches bid for New York governor, sparking early ad war with Hochul After months of speculation, Republican Elise Stefanik officially announced her candidacy for New York governor Friday against incumbent and Democrat, Kathy Hochul.

It’s a battle of the attack ads as Republican Elise Stefanik officially announced her bid for New York governor Friday in a video slamming Hochul. Hochul clapped back with an attack ad of her own.

Overhaul in City Hall: dozens of jobs now open as Ryan builds new administration Buffalo Mayor-Elect Sean Ryan announced his transition team Thursday. The team of more than 65 local leaders are tasked with leading the search to fill more than 70 appointed positions in City Hall.

Less than 48 hours after winning the Buffalo mayoral election, Sean Ryan took his first major step to build his new administration Thursday as mayor-appointed jobs are now open and advertised online.

Carney pitches federal budget aimed at countering U.S. tariff impacts In promoting his roughly $580 billion budget, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney said its aim is to address the uncertainty of global trade and the effects of U.S. tariffs on the Canadian economy.

The massive budget focuses its spending on defense, housing and infrastructure designed to boost trade.

Judge orders White House to use American Sign Language interpreters at briefings The National Association of the Deaf is celebrating a legal victory against the White House. A judge ordered ASL for briefings conducted by the press secretary or President Trump.

The White House stopped using live ASL interpreters at briefings and other public events when President Trump began his second term in January.

Air traffic controllers warn of 'tipping point' as U.S. government shutdown drags on The government shutdown is taking a growing toll on air traffic controllers who are working without pay. Staffing shortages led to big delays over the weekend, raising concerns about travel chaos.

"What you're seeing is a lot of people who are truly having to call in sick to go earn money elsewhere," said one air traffic controller.

Worsening listeria outbreak tied to pasta products kills 6, hospitalizes 25 Certain prepared pasta dishes were recalled from retailers like Trader Joe's, Kroger and Walmart between June and October. Health officials urge customers to dispose of them and clean their fridges.

As of late October, the outbreak has killed six people and sickened 27.

NY officials seek to address the risk of problem gambling Some are looking at how neighboring New Jersey plans to address the challenge.

Officials in New York are looking at how neighboring New Jersey plans to address the growing risk of problem gambling after the onset of mobile wagering.

Sean Ryan wins Buffalo mayoral election Sean Ryan took more than 71% of the vote according to the Erie County Board of Elections, making him Buffalo's first newly elected mayor in 20 years.

The victory makes Ryan the city’s first newly elected mayor in 20 years after Byron Brown stepped down in October 2024.

Hardwick declares victory for Erie County Comptroller. Get live election updates by listening to BTPM NPR on 88.7 FM, or join us on BTPM.org.

Live updates: Election Night 2025 Join BTPM NPR for live WNY election analysis, on-the-ground reporting and results starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Hardwick declares victory in Erie County Comptroller race. Tap link for more election updates.

Live updates: Election Night 2025 Join BTPM NPR for live WNY election analysis, on-the-ground reporting and results starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Join BTPM NPR for live WNY election analysis, on-the-ground reporting and results starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

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Concerns raised over even-year voting cycle changes A state law to make all New York elections take place on even years is being challenged in federal court.m One local expert says moving election cycles feels like a mistake.

A push to make all New York elections even years is being challenged in federal court after the state court system upheld the recent law.

Survey shows fewer Canadians plan to head south to the U.S. for the winter It’s about this time of year that thousands of Canadian pensioners, or ‘snowbirds,’ go south for the winter. A new survey suggests more are deciding to stay home or fly elsewhere, anywhere but the U.S.

Canadian survey respondents say they’re worried about higher travel costs, political tensions over tariffs, exchange rates and safety.

Public workers could be denied loan forgiveness if cities defy Trump, lawsuit alleges A new lawsuit argues the latest changes to Public Service Loan Forgiveness could exclude public servants whose organizations have resisted President Trump's policies.

The cities of Albuquerque, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco are suing the Trump administration over changes it plans to make to the popular Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, or PSLF.

NY lawmakers call on Gov. Hochul to cover SNAP food benefits with surplus funds The state is expected to have an additional $2.6 billion in tax revenue thanks largely to a better-than-expected year on Wall Street.

SNAP benefits for nearly 3 million New Yorkers expired Saturday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it wouldn’t refill recipients' benefit cards.

'The People Decide' - What you need to know about BTPM NPR's Election Night Coverage BTPM NPR will provide four hours of live coverage on Election Night 2025. Here's a quick preview of what we're planning.

Join BTPM NPR for live WNY election analysis, on-the-ground reporting and results starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
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Scientists thought this fossil was a teen T. rex. Turns out it's a new tyrannosaur A new look at the "Dueling Dinosaurs" fossil reveals that Tyrannosaurus rex was not the only tyrannosaur roaming the land.

Plot Twist: Scientists thought it was a juvenile T. Rex. It's a brand new, fully-grown species. Meet the Nanotyrannus.

The American dream feels impossible for many young voters, who see no political fix We asked readers whether young Americans today can still have a better life than their parents. They responded with stories of economic hardship and growing disillusionment with leaders in Washington.

Gen Z and millennial voters are confronting a financial reality of rising costs, mounting debt and minimal wage growth. But how is this changing their political views?

What has 11 questions and makes you feel smart? Our news quiz! From monsters to politics and (maybe) everything in between, it's the weekly news quiz.

How closely are you following the headlines? Test your news knowledge with this week's NPR news quiz.

Ortt pushes legislation to repeal early release from parole supervision State Senator Rob Ortt wants to repeal existing legislation that allows for the early release from parole supervision before a term expires. The North Tonawanda Republican suggests without early release, a Buffalo woman might still be alive...

State Senator Robert Ortt is pushing legislation that would end early releases from parole supervision, noting that the man charged with murdering a Buffalo woman earlier this year was granted early release, despite a previous murder conviction and history of violence.

Senecas accuse Salamanca police chief, Cattaraugus DA of considering violation of Nation sovereignty The Seneca Nation is accusing the Salamanca Police Chief and Cattaraugus County District Attorney of discussing possible law enforcement actions that, they say, would violate their sovereignty.

The Seneca Nation accuses the Salamanca Police Chief and Cattaraugus County District Attorney of discussing possible law enforcement actions that would violate their sovereignty. The DA says the email conversation in question is taken out of context, and it's a matter of criminal jurisdiction.