Current News

"Tune My Heart...Songs of Rest & Reflection" (Lucid Artists/MA'M Recordings), a soundtrack for personal moments of peaceful worship from Andrew Greer & Friends, is now available at Parable Christian Stores nationwide, as well as via Apple Music and other major digital platforms.

In light of the success of "Miracles," his first new single in over three years, Colton Dixon will release his self-titled EP with Atlantic Records/Hear It Loud later this spring/summer. Available for pre-order today along with the Instant Grat track "Devil is a Liar," Dixon premiered the lyric video for the instant grat on his YouTube. At 4pm EST, via Skillet's Channel, Dixon will be joined by Skillet's John and Korey Cooper for an Instagram Live, to catch up in general and of course discuss their collaboration with Dixon on his new music.

Provident Label Group announced the release of Rhett Walker's latest album. Titled "Good to Me," the 10-song project is now available and features the top 5 radio hit "Believer," Walker's most successful radio single of his career.

Congressman Brian Higgins announced the House of Representatives approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the third emergency package approved by Congress to address public health and economic needs related to COVID-19.

Taylor Leonhardt and Jess Ray, the creative duo known as Mission House, announce the aptly timed deluxe release of their Easter anthem, "Behold." Available now courtesy of Integrity Music, the single is available in both a studio and acoustic version, the latter which features Sarah McMillan ("King Of My Heart"). "Behold" is the latest new music to release from the duo since its debut self-titled project released last November.

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a number of steps her office is taking to make state government services more accessible to New Yorkers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health crisis. In an effort to address disruptions happening across New York and specifically in the office of the attorney general, James issued guidance that will limit the need to mail many physical submissions to her office.

Earlier this week, Assemblyman Angelo Morinello said, "I would like to thank the governor for his leadership during this difficult time, however, I would implore him to not use this as a motive to pursue a budget filled with policy that's harmful to New Yorkers. During these trying times of uncertainty, the budget should focus on the recovery of business, management of the economy, and the health care of communities across this state.

On Thursday, Destination Niagara USA released the "Destination of Hope" video across all @NiagaraFallsUSA social media channels.

Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski on Friday said the Department of Homeland Security has delayed implementation of the REAL ID requirements for domestic flights until Oct. 1, 2021. The requirements were set to take place this October.

The Avangrid Foundation and AVANGRID Inc. recently announced a $2 million commitment to support national and local organizations that support vulnerable communities as they deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

New York Congressmembers of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Brian Higgins, Tom Reed and Tom Suozzi led a letter to President Donald Trump calling for immediate authorization of extended unemployment benefits for New York workers.

Beginning this week, the City of North Tonawanda has commenced the downtown placemaking project. It is funded through Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Smart Growth Community Fund, administered by Empire State Development. NT officials said it will have a transformative impact on downtown North Tonawanda.

The Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Board of Directors confirmed its 2020 slate of officers, re-elected five incumbent board members and elected a new member to the board at its annual meeting on Monday.

The USA Niagara Development Corp. board of directors met Wednesday and approved items to advance key development projects in downtown Niagara Falls.

During these very challenging times, we so appreciate the tireless work of our partners - elected officials, our peers in health and human services, vendors and supporters. Above all, I'm incredibly thankful for and proud of the 4,000 staff members of People Inc. Their dedication and talent are evident on a "typical" day, and in times like this, are even more vivid and extraordinary. We wanted to share some of the proactive measures we have taken within People Inc. to prepare and deal with this crisis.

The chairman of the Public Service Commission on Wednesday approved an order that will allow New York American Water (NYAW) to delay implementing the previously approved rate increase scheduled to take effect April 1 under its existing four-year rate plan.

AARP Community Connections, a new online platform launched by AARP Innovation Labs, allows users to organize and find local volunteer groups to help pick up groceries, provide financial assistance or lend emotional support to neighbors, friends and loved ones. Across the country, these informal online groups - also called "mutual aid" groups - help communities stay connected at a time when people must practice social distancing to stay safe.

In 1996, titans of Buffalo's preservation community, including John Conlin, Edward J. Patton, and Paul Redding, were commissioned by then Common Council President George K. Arthur to identify structures in the City of Buffalo built prior to 1860. The resulting list included approximately 215 buildings, with the oldest from 1818.

New York's farmers are among the best in the nation when it comes to supporting people in need through their regional food banks. This week, American Farm Bureau Federation recognized New York Farm Bureau's Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) program for its efforts to donate more than 7.3 million pounds of food to the regional food banks across the state last year. That was the second-highest donation total in the country, behind Florida.

The Salvation Army is changing the way it serves people in need. Unemployment in New York state has skyrocketed in just a few weeks. The state labor department reported that parts of the state are seeing a 1,000% increase in jobless claims, and Salvation Army officers and staff members are continuing to meet human needs without discrimination across New York.

When Tami Maglier headed to work on Saturday, March 21, she didn't expect to have much business.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Thursday announced the state has received significant donations from a number of major corporations, philanthropic organizations and celebrities to help increase the state's supply capacity amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Lewiston's Memorial Day Remembrance Committee (LMDRC) announced that our Memorial Day free town and village community luncheon has been cancelled for 2020. Of course, the reason is the coronavirus. The governor has required that we not gather in large groups, and serving 500-700 people lunch under a huge tent certainly looks like what he was talking about.

On Tuesday, Charter announced it is expanding the eligibility for its 60-day free offer for Spectrum broadband internet and Wi-Fi access to include educators (K-12 teachers and college/university professors) who do not already have a Spectrum account.

Kaleida Health is taking extra precautions to ensure the health and protection of its staff, patients and visitors, with the move to "universal masking."

The New York States Department of Labor on Thursday announced the initial unemployment insurance claims data for New York state for the week ending March 21, 2020 - the first week in which claims were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial unemployment insurance claims last week, increased over the past year by 520% in New York. Overall, more than 80,500 claims were filed last week. Initial claims for UI increased by a minimum of 284% in each of New York's 10 labor market regions.

Six local newsrooms in New York were selected to receive almost $30,000 in funding - CNY Latino, Examiner Media, Niagara Frontier Publications, Spotlight Newspapers, Wallkill Valley Publications Inc., and Watertown Daily Times, with each of these recipients getting $5,000. In this first round, 50 local newsrooms across the U.S. and Canada are receiving $5,000 grants to help cover unexpected costs associated with covering the crisis in their communities. Additional recipients will be announced in the coming weeks.

Catholic Health admitted the first patients to its COVID-19 treatment facility today at St. Joseph Campus located at 2605 Harlem Road in Cheektowaga. Treatment units at the site are being "phased-in" to help alleviate pressure at other Catholic Health hospitals and support the governor's plan to increase surge capacity.

Empire State Development on Thursday announced the launch of the $12 million Buffalo-Niagara Talent Initiative to help cultivate Western New York's tech workforce. This new initiative is designed to train, attract and retain tech talent to fuel the region's continued economic transformation. The ESD board of directors met today and approved a $2 million grant to TechBuffalo, a not-for-profit that will partner with ESD and lead coordination and implementation for the initiative.

What "A Million Little Things" has is two things - and these things showrunner D.J. Nash and his crew do better than any other show on TV. It has stars who are not stars, and a storyline that effortlessly leaves viewers desperate for five more minutes each week.

The Niagara County Department of Public Health released a "heat map" today.

•We have received reports of 31 Erie County residents who are hospitalized as of yesterday due to COVID-19. As of today, at noon, we have had 166 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Erie County residents.

Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch issued the following message to the community. Click the link below for a larger version.

Beginning as early as today, Tops will be rolling our additional safety measures at all of its 162 stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, a press release stated. Those safety measures include installing Plexiglas shields on as many of their frontend registers as possible.

Tune-in to the premiere of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" Wednesday, April 8 (10:01 p.m. EDT), on ABC.

iHeartMedia and FOX announced "FOX Presents The iHeart Living Room Concert for America," a music event to provide entertainment relief and support for Americans to help fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and to celebrate the resilience and strength of the nation during this pandemic.

"Hollywood Week" is in the past for the lucky Top 40 contestants as they say aloha to the "Final Judgment" round at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa on the sands of Ko Olina, Hawaii, Sunday, March 29 (8-10 p.m. EDT), on ABC.

With Gov. Andrew Cuomo's declaration that all gatherings be prohibited until further notice, the BPO has made the "difficult decision" to suspend all performances through April 26. Details on canceled and rescheduled performances are still in development. Check bpo.org for the latest details.

FeedMore WNY was set to hold a supplemental food distribution at Kleinhans Music Hall today to help feed hungry neighbors and meet the increased need for food assistance in the community due to the coronavirus outbreak.