Current News

Empire State Development on Thursday announced more than $1 million in federal and state funding to help connect New York businesses to exporting opportunities abroad. The federal funding, which is provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration, is used for the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), which offers grants to qualifying small and medium-sized businesses to increase the number of businesses entering the export market, and to increase the number of small businesses exploring new trade opportunities.

The nation's first opioid intervention court (OIC) was established in Buffalo in 2017 after - in a single week - three traditional drug-treatment court defendants fatally overdosed on opioids before their second court appearance.

Actor and producer Will Arnett will host new unscripted competition series "LEGO Masters," premiering Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 (9 p.m. ET/PT), on FOX. The series will feature pairs of LEGO enthusiasts facing off in unbelievable brick-building challenges.

NBC will celebrate man's best friend in the 18th anniversary edition of the family-favorite holiday special "The National Dog Show Presented by Purina," airing Thanksgiving Day (noon-2 p.m. in all time zones), Nov. 28, following the telecast of NBC's "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."

Tom Brady and the undefeated New England Patriots (8-0) visit the first-place Baltimore Ravens (5-2) on NBC's "Sunday Night Football" this week in the first-ever meeting between Brady and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBC, followed by kickoff at 8:20 p.m. from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

The Little Free Pantry is a nationwide movement that addresses immediate and local hunger issues, an epidemic prevalent in the City of North Tonawanda. The concept entails small, independent, handmade food pantries placed in popular areas where people can take what they need and give what they can.

Superstar Carrie Underwood will join Ryan Seacrest as guest co-host for the first time on the nationally syndicated morning talk show "Live with Kelly and Ryan" on Friday, Nov. 8. Underwood and Seacrest are longtime friends, having met on "American Idol" in 2005 when Underwood won season four of the hit series.

WarnerMedia on Tuesday unveiled significant new details about its HBO Max direct-to-consumer strategy on the company's iconic Warner Bros. lot, revealing a comprehensive offering of programming options for every audience, product features and functionality, and its go-to-market plans.

dick clark productions and ABC announced global superstar Taylor Swift will be honored with the coveted Artist of the Decade award at the 2019 American Music Awards. She will deliver what they're calling "an unprecedented performance," celebrating the biggest hits of her career.

The 53rd Annual CMA Awards has announced a series of performances and collaborations for the show, which airs live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 13 (8 p.m. EST), on ABC. Carrie Underwood will host "Country Music's Biggest Night" with special guest hosts Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton,

ABC's hit fall series "mixed-ish" and "Stumptown" have been given full-season orders, while "The Rookie" received a spring season pickup, Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment, announced earlier this week.

A mother's warmth and acceptance toward her teenagers may help prevent those children from being in an abusive relationship later in life, even if her own marriage is contentious, according to a new University at Buffalo study.

The Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation is looking for people to staff its gift-wrap booth located at the Fashion Outlets Niagara Falls USA mall. Volunteers are needed for various shifts during mall hours Saturday, Nov. 30, through Tuesday, Dec. 24.

The Pine Avenue Redevelopment Project, LiveNF and the Aquarium of Niagara are hosting an awards ceremony and "cash mob" to recognize the ongoing commitment of Niagara Falls business owners and community members to the continued revitalization of Niagara Falls.

Awesome Buffalo isn't like most organizations that hand out money around the Queen City. The Buffalo chapter of the Awesome Foundation, launched in 2017, funds projects of any scope, so long as they're a good idea that make the Buffalo region better.

The Lewiston Garden Club and Village of Lewiston Beautification officially unveiled "Best Friends" at a ceremony Tuesday inside Seneca Park, next to the Lewiston Public Library.

The nation's largest medical school announced Tuesday it is making a 10-year commitment to expand new physician education and training opportunities at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns was joined by Erie County Legislator John Mills, New York State Assemblyman David DiPietro, Evans Town Supervisor Mary Hosler, and representatives from the Western New York Law Center to announce the start of "ZOMBIES Property Awareness Week" in Erie County during a press conference Monday morning at a vacant and abandoned property in the Town of Evans.

NYS OASAS today announced a name change from the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services to the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), which, along with other notable changes, will address the replacement of stigmatizing language in the system of addiction care in New York. The name change is effective immediately.

Smaller purveyors of produce such as mobile and farmers markets are the cream of the crop when it comes to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in low-income communities. Opening new supermarkets, however, has not been shown to have much of an impact in that regard, according to new research from the University at Buffalo.

October is widely recognized as "Disability Awareness Month," but at Niagara University, the work in this field continues all year long.

The University at Buffalo School of Social Work is embarking on a new strategic focus on translational research with the creation of a behavioral health clinic to be run by two internationally recognized researchers on addictions.

Boy Scout Troop 829 welcomes voters and passersby to its baked good sales from 5 to 9 p.m. Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, happening in two locations close to the polls: in Lewiston by the entrance to St. Peter R.C. school, and in Youngstown at the firehall.

The Historic Palace Theatre will host its "Palace Cash Raffle" as a grand reopening event after being closed for renovation the past three months. The evening will feature behind-the-scenes tours of the new renovations, cuisine from 80 Main, a basket raffle, a Mills Jewelers diamond raffle, and the chance to win $2,500, $1,000 or $500.

On behalf of Lewiston Council on the Arts, I want to thank our faithful and dedicated volunteer actors who sacrifice every Saturday night in September and October to perform in the "Marble Orchard Ghost Walks." The Marble Orchard Players are a polished and talented cast that braves the rain and cold to provide audiences with an enjoyable and entertaining experience.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined Tuesday by Legislature Chair April Baskin (2nd District), Legislator Howard Johnson (1st District), Social Services Commissioner Marie Cannon, Personnel Commissioner Timothy Hogues, and staff from the Schiller Park senior center at Schiller Park to unveil the new Live Well Erie mobile services unit.

Eight celebrity and pro-dancer couples returned to the ballroom to celebrate Halloween and compete for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" on Monday.

The Niagara University Family Business Center will hold its next breakfast forum Tuesday, Nov. 5, at Giancarlo's Italian Steakhouse, 5110 Main St., Williamsville. Breakfast and networking will take place from 7:30-8:15 a.m., with the presentation from 8:15-9:30 a.m.

Actor Wes Studi, Portugal. The Man, Debora Iyall of Romeo Void, WWE Superstar Mickie James and youth groups The Niijii Singers and Ogiichidaa Singers will be among the special honorees at the sold-out 19th Annual Awards ceremony this Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls.

It only took 30 seconds for the Niagara Falls High School Performing Arts Center to know this presentation of "Jesus Christ Superstar" was divinely inspired.

Capitol Cleaners seeks gently used coats, hats, scarves and gloves for less-fortunate children and adults. The full-service dry-cleaning company will prep and distribute product from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 9 and Dec. 7, at its downtown Niagara Falls site, 1227 Main St.

Congressman Brian Higgins is calling for answers and action in response to nationwide pediatric cancer drug shortages that are resulting in the rationing of doses and in some cases delayed treatment for our youngest cancer warriors.

In celebration of "Bohemian Rhapsody" becoming the first pre-1990s video to reach 1 billion views on YouTube, Queen and YouTube Music worked together with Universal Music Group and Hollywood Records to enlist the bands loyal fans from around the world to help create brand-new, user generated fan music videos for three of the band's most recognizable tracks: "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Don't Stop Me Now," and "A Kind Of Magic" as part of the "You Are The Champions" initiative.

"Disney On Ice presents Celebrate Memories" is coming to KeyBank Center from Jan. 23-26, 2020, for seven performances.

Seneca Gaming Corporation operates Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca, and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in downtown Buffalo, on behalf of the Seneca Nation of Indians.

Pegula Sports & Entertainment, the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres and ADPRO Sports are now presenting limited-edition One Buffalo charity bags to benefit the team foundations. Each bag is filled with a collection of Bills and Sabres merchandise that provides fans with an opportunity to own exclusive and unique items while supporting the Western New York community in the process.

Today's national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.60, down 5 cents since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.82. The New York state average is $2.69 - no change from last week. A year ago, the state average was $2.96.

New York drivers need to buck up this fall and watch for deer. AAA analyzed New York crash data and found that October, November and December are, by far, the peak months for deer crashes in the Empire State.

Lewiston resident M. Jacquie Lodico has published her first book, titled "Anna, Blanche, Then Me." A press release noted, "The book contains sadness and humor, local history, exciting travel adventures and many interesting relationships."

A limited-edition commemorative stamp has been released that features the new Veterans of Foreign Wars Downriver Post 7487 "Circle of Honor," which will be dedicated during a nighttime ceremony at 6:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11. The memorial is located at Academy Park in Lewiston.