Current News

The Kenan Center will present the ninth annual Niagara Wine & Beer Tasting Fest, brought to the community by Niagara's Choice Federal Credit Union, from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Kenan Center Arena. Proceeds from the event support arts, educational and recreational programs at the Kenan Center.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an additional $2 billion in energy-efficiency and building electrification initiatives to combat climate change. The New York State Public Service Commission has approved an ambitious set of energy-efficiency and electric heat pump targets to dramatically reduce energy consumption in New York.

Junior goalkeeper Brian Wilson of the Niagara University men's hockey team has been nominated for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey.

Lewiston author, actor and community advocate Sophia Smith will participate in a book-signing event inside the Lewiston Public Library, 305 S. Eighth St. She will autograph copies of "Swinging From the Chandeliers" from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1.

Republican Assemblyman Angelo Morinello has been appointed as the ranking minority member for the Assembly's standing committee on codes for the 2020 legislative session. Morinello has an extensive background in the criminal justice system, including serving as the Niagara Falls City Court judge from 2001-15.

The Niagara Falls City Council will host a series of community meetings at various locations throughout the city.

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced the lineup for its fourth annual "Rockin' the Downs" concert series, which take place outside on the racetrack on eight Friday dates, starting in June and running into August.

Printmaker and educator Katy Sloan of Buffalo will demonstrate silkscreen techniques, methods and uses at the next Niagara Arts Guild meeting. Sloan studied at SUNY New Paltz and demonstrates printmaking at the Book Arts Center and Starpoint Intermediate School.

The Dale Association will host the Center for Elder Law & Justice Mobile Legal Unit from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 33 Ontario St., Lockport. The team of experienced attorneys and paralegals travels throughout WNY to provide free "done in a day" legal assistance for older adults.

When the cold weather hits, so do a variety of winter weather challenges. Whether it's heavy snow and ice or below-zero temperatures, these conditions can impact your daily drive. To help stay safe on the road, Allstate offers tips on how to brush up on winter car driving know-hows.

WellNow Urgent Care - one of New York's fastest-growing urgent care providers - has been named the "Official Urgent Care Partner of the Buffalo Sabres" for the 2020-22 seasons. The three-year partnership encapsulates a one-of-a-kind partnership to help connect Buffalo Sabres fans with timely urgent care services.

Congressman Brian Higgins announced Buffalo State's Patricia H. and Richard E. Garman Art Conservation Department will receive a $350,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for preservation education and training. The three-year grant extends from 2020-22.

The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning will host public hearings for the draft 2020-24 Consolidated Plan for Community Development and the 2020 Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG"), Home Investment Partnership Grant ("HOME"), and Emergency Solutions Grant ("HESG") during the week of Jan. 20 in three communities across Erie County.

HBO Max has ordered eight episodes of "The Event," an unscripted documentary series. Viewers will be given an unprecedented look behind the scenes of the extraordinary events created by Wolfgang Puck Catering and legendary restaurateur Wolfgang Puck. From Renegade 83, each one-hour episode will follow various members of Puck's team as they strive to amaze clients and surpass even the highest expectations. With events such as the Academy Awards Oscars party to the 10,000-guest Adobe MAXBash under their belts, the sky's the limit for this team.

HBO Max, on Wednesday at its WarnerMedia Television Critics Association day, announced a greenlight for a three-part animated miniseries, "Aquaman: King of Atlantis," which will be executive produced by James Wan ("Aquaman" and the upcoming "Malignant") through his Atomic Monster production company.

HBO Max, the upcoming direct-to-consumer offering from WarnerMedia set to launch in the spring, announced Wednesday that Sundance award-winning director Chinonye Chukwu ("Clemency") will direct the first two episodes of its limited drama "Americanah."

TNT's post-apocalyptic sci-fi series "Snowpiercer" will premiere Sunday, May 31 (9 p.m. ET). Based on the critically acclaimed graphic novel series and the film from Golden Globe Award winner Bong Joon Ho ("Parasite"), the new series stars Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly ("A Beautiful Mind") and Tony Award winner Daveed Diggs.

NBC will televise "The Road to F9: Fast & Furious Fan Fest" at 9 p.m. ET Friday, Jan. 31. The hourlong special will celebrate Universal Pictures' upcoming ninth chapter in the "Fast & Furious" series. It will feature the world premiere of the film's much-awaited trailer.

"Shrek The Musical," produced by the Wilson Music Parents Association, will be staged in the William H. O'Connor Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Jan. 23-25 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 26.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency on Wednesday announced its Consolidated Funding Application for the Microenterprise Grant Program has been approved by New York, with $200,000 in funds being made available. The program will provide resources to support and foster the development of local microbusinesses.

Attorney General Letitia James announced over $8 million in grant awards as part of the Cities for Responsible Investment and Strategic Enforcement ("Cities RISE"). Cities will use these grants to launch innovative programs related to housing and strategic code enforcement. The program aims to innovatively address and transform blighted, vacant or poorly maintained problem properties through the use of housing and community data from various state agencies.

Today, international sports and lifestyle brand New Era Cap Co. Inc. commemorates 100 years of being "the true authentic cap on and off the field." From creating fashionable Gatsby-style hats in the 1920s, to the invention of the New Era 59FIFTY fitted cap in the 1950s, to the crowning of a next generation of professional athletes in the 1990s, caps have been worn by those who achieved greatness and changed history.

Looking forward to spring, warmer weather, and a little green? Then join the Youngstown Garden Club at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, for "An Evening of Wintergreen" and garden-themed auction at First Presbyterian Church, 100 Church St.

IRS-certified accounting students from the University at Buffalo School of Management will again provide free tax preparation services to individuals and families with annual incomes below $56,000.

The eighth annual "Magic of Storytelling" campaign kicked off this week, during which Disney will celebrate its 75 millionth book donation to First Book, a nonprofit that provides new, free and affordable books to educators and organizations serving children in need. The "Magic of Storytelling" campaign aims to inspire families' imaginations, cultivate a lifelong love of reading in kids, and bring new books to underserved communities across the country.

Atlantic Records/Hear It Loud have signed Colton Dixon to an exclusive label deal. The award-winning American Idol fan favorite and finalist will debut his first single in nearly three years, "Miracles," on Jan. 24.

Niagara University's online programs in education were ranked among the Top 5 in New York state by U.S. News & World Report, a global authority in education rankings. In addition, Niagara was the only institution of higher education from Western New York to appear on the list.

WarnerMedia today announced an expanded relationship with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the groundbreaking new wrestling league that has already redefined wrestling with resounding success after only a few months. WarnerMedia has extended its deal for "AEW: Dynamite," a Top 20 new cable unscripted series, through 2023. In addition, the parties have agreed to launch another night of AEW action, offering more of the fans' favorite wrestlers, with a second show straight-to-series.

With a "Final Jeopardy!" category titled "Shakespeare's Tragedies" during match four, Ken Jennings was the only contestant to answer correctly: "Who is Iago"? With the winning answer, Jennings was crowned the champion of ABC's "Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time" Tuesday on ABC.

The Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, in conjunction with WNY PRISM, the Cornell University Cooperative Extension, and the NYS Hemlock Initiative is presenting a free public event focusing on the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive aphid-like forest pest that is currently spreading in Western New York forests. The spread of HWA threatens the Eastern Hemlock, an important tree species that is a critical part of forest ecosystems, provides stream habitat for trout species and creates habitat for numerous other plant and animal species.

The History Center of Niagara will host a trivia program - reminiscing about old TV shows and movies - at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at 215 Niagara St., Lockport.

A University at Buffalo neuroimaging researcher has developed a computer model of the human brain that more realistically simulates actual patterns of brain impairment than existing methods. The novel advancement represents the union of two established approaches to create a digital simulation environment that could help stroke victims and patients with other brain injuries by serving as a testing ground for hypotheses about specific neurological damage.

Catholic Charities today announced the launch of Appeal 2020, setting a goal of $10 million. This year's theme is "Think of Me."

The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team's Road Crew will make two stops during its annual tour. The first stop will be on Feb. 27 in Las Vegas prior to the team's game against the Golden Knights on Feb. 28. That will be followed by a second stop in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Monday, March 16, one day before the Sabres' game against the Hurricanes on March 17. Tickets are $15 each for each event, with all proceeds benefiting the Buffalo Sabres Foundation.

The Christian Sands High Wire Trio, led by Grammy-winning pianist Sands, will kick off the new "Art of Jazz at the Philharmonic" series at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, in the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall. The trio will perform a special tribute to the legendary jazz pianist Erroll Garner - beloved for "Concert By the Sea," one of the top-selling albums in jazz history - and his classic ballad "Misty."

Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello (R-C-I-Ref-Niagara Falls) today announced he'll run for reelection to the New York State Assembly in 2020.

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo scholarship application process for the 2020-21 academic year is now open. Applications are due by May 1 and must be submitted online.

The Niagara Falls Umpire Association is seeking men and women ages 16 and older to join as umpires. Members work high school baseball for the Niagara Frontier League, as well as many summer leagues in the Niagara County and Grand Island areas.

PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly, in partnership with TNT, will host the official live, red carpet streaming pre-show in celebration of the Screen Actors Guild Awards at 5:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Jan. 19.

Stand-up comedian and actor Sebastian Maniscalco, American rock band Styx, and heavy metal, hard rock singer-songwriter Alice Cooper announce March performance dates at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort.