LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 10:50pm on November 26th after reports of a hostage situation on Elmwood in Buffalo. A male on a payphone stated that he is holding 5 people hostage and that he has a glock 17. The male continued, stating that an accomplice has a machine gun. A massive police presence responded to the scene. The result of the call is unknown. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Man on Payphone Tells Police He's Holding 5 People Hostage, Has Machine Gun

Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti announces the arrest of 32 year-old Ryan Zachary, an inmate at the Niagara County Correctional Facility. On November 25, 2025, NCSO corrections officers were attempting to get Zachary to exit his cell so that the cell could be cleaned and inspected. As Zachary approached the cell door, he lunged at one of the officers and struck the officer in the head with a closed fist. As a result, the officer sustained physical injuries. The officer received treatment at a local medical facility and has since been released. Zachary is charged with one count of Assault in the 2nd Degree (Assault of a Correctional Officer, a Class D Felony). Zachary was scheduled to appear at Niagara County CAP Court on 11/26/2025. Promotional Content Niagara County Corrections Officer Hospitalized After Being Punched in the Face by Inmate

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 9:15pm on November 21st after reports of a domestic incident and possible assault on 8th Avenue in North Tonawanda. Police audio referred to it as a "physical domestic." Dispatch stated that a female could be heard screaming on the 911 call. She then reported that the aggressor was chasing her on foot attempting to attack her. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male party was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Woman Runs for Safety as Domestic Incident Turns Violent in North Tonawanda

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 9:45pm on November 23rd after reports of a medical emergency on the 600 block of 38th Street in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller stated that a 3-year-old was unresponsive. His condition was unchanged as first responders arrived at the scene. Niagara Falls Police, Fire and medical responded to the scene. The child's condition is unknown. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Emergency Response for 3-year-old Found Unresponsive in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 11:50pm on November 23rd after reports of a hit-and-run incident on Lockport Olcott Road in Newfane, Niagara County. The 911 caller stated that a female and young child was struck / run over by a vehicle that fled the scene. The call was deemed ALS priority. EMS and rescue was requested. Mercy was also contacted to see if they could respond due to weather in the area. The current condition of both the woman and young child are unknown. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Woman and Young Child Run Over and Left for Dead in Niagara County

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 6:45pm on November 23rd after reports of an emergency situation at the Niagara Falls State Park Welcome Center. The 911 caller stated that there was a man barricaded in the welcome center with a firearm. A massive police presence responded to the scene. The result of the call is unknown. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Massive Police Presence Responds to Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park for Barricaded Man with Firearm

Niagara Falls Police were on routine patrol around 4:30pm on November 14th on the 2000 block of Walnut Avenue when they observed a maroon Chevrolet Malibu traveling westbound. Officers ran the vehicle through Ejustice and it showed an expired inspection as of 9/30/2024. Officers performed a traffic stop at 16th and Walnut Avenue. The driver informed officers his name was Dominic Primerano. However, this was a lie as he was later identified as Anthony Primerano. Primerano continued to change his date of birth and name to impersonate another person due to his knowledge of there being two active warrants out of the City of Niagara Falls. Dispatch advised that there were two active bench warrants. Primerano admitted to lying about his name and date of birth with intent to conceal his identity. He was placed under arrest and put in the rear of a patrol vehicle. Primerano was written three uniform traffic tickets in addition to being charged with criminal impersonation 2nd. He was transported to police headquarters for booking and processing. No further information is available at this time. Promotional Content Anthony Primerano of Niagara Falls Arrested for Criminal Impersonation

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 10:10am on November 21st after reports of a check the welfare on 10th Street in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller - an aunt of 9-year-old [name omitted] - stated that he is at the apartment with his father who is doing drugs. The child is being forced to be in a room. The father has been identified as Arriel Pettigrew. Police responded to the scene. The result of the call is unknown. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content 9-year-old Reports Being Forced in Room so Father Can Use Drugs

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 12:05am on November 22nd after reports of an assault on Michigan Avenue in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller, who is also the victim, stated that her ex-boyfriend punched her in the face. She was in excruciating pain and believed her jaw was broken. The ex-boyfriend was identified as Darius Stephens. Police and medical responded to the scene. It is unknown if he was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Victim Says Ex-boyfriend Broke her Jaw During Bloody Domestic Incident in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 11:45am on November 21st after reports of an assault on the 2700 block Falls Street in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller stated that she was attacked by a male known as R. Williams whom she has a full stay away order of protection against. The attack happened at her home. She further told police that the Williams came to her home with a shotgun. At the time of the call, she was locked in her room and was able to take the shotgun away from him. Police could hear Williams banging on her bedroom door. Police responded to the scene. It is likely Williams was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Man Showed Up With Shotgun to Kill Woman Who Had Protective Order Against Him

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 7:50pm on November 21st after reports of a medical emergency at the Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller stated that near the event center there was an unresponsive party - likely an overdose who was unresponsive after being administered narcan twice. Police, medical and others responded to the scene. It is unknown if the individual survived. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Individual Overdoses and Remains Unresponsive After Two Doses of Narcan

Nearly thirty years after the killing of 17-year-old Mandy Steingasser, a state appellate court has affirmed the conviction of Joseph Belstadt, the North Tonawanda man found guilty in one of Niagara County’s longest-running homicide investigations. A five-judge panel of the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, Fourth Department, issued a unanimous decision Friday rejecting Belstadt’s appeal and upholding his conviction for second-degree murder. The ruling was delivered less than a month after oral arguments. Belstadt, now 50 and serving 25 years to life at Attica Correctional Facility, claimed prosecutors failed to present sufficient evidence and that his constitutional rights had been violated. The appellate panel rejected each of those claims and left his conviction and sentence unchanged. He will not be eligible for parole until November 2046. Belstadt has consistently insisted he is innocent. Steingasser disappeared early on September 19th, 1993, after spending the night with friends in North Tonawanda. Witnesses reported seeing her get into Belstadt’s black Pontiac 6000 near Oliver Street and Fifth Avenue shortly before she vanished. Her disappearance triggered a massive search effort and media coverage. More than a month later, on October 25th, 1993, her body was found by fishermen in a ravine near Myers Lake. Investigators later determined she had been strangled and a bra strap was discovered tied around her neck. For decades, the case remained unsolved but active. Police identified Belstadt as a person of interest early in the investigation but lacked enough evidence to charge him. In the years that followed, the case was revisited multiple times, including in the late 2010s as forensic technology advanced. Additional testing and reinvestigation eventually led to Belstadt’s indictment in 2018 and his trial in 2022 where jurors convicted him of second-degree murder. He was represented by attorney Michele Bergevin who suffered the most high-profile loss of her career. The appellate court’s decision, which was less than four pages, addressed Belstadt’s argument that the verdict was unsupported by the evidence. The judges rejected that point, writing, “We conclude [that] the evidence is legally sufficient to support the conviction of murder in the second-degree.” They added, “After viewing the evidence in light of the elements of the crime as charged to the jury, the verdict is not against the weight of the evidence.” Belstadt’s lawyers also argued that the trial judge improperly allowed testimony from a forensic pathologist who did not conduct the original 1993 autopsy. The appellate judges upheld the decision, noting that “an expert may offer opinions related to the cause and manner of death if the expert 'has used their independent analysis of the primary data' including autopsy photographs, video recordings and anatomical measurements.” Another major issue raised by the defense was the nearly quarter-century delay between the crime and charges. Belstadt’s attorney on appeal, Thomas Eoannou, argued during oral arguments that the delay violated his client’s constitutional right to a speedy trial. Prosecutors countered that the delay was justified and that the investigation never stopped. Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman told the court, “We always had an assistant district attorney and a detective assigned to work on this.” He added that investigators worked continuously through each evolution of forensic science. The appellate judges sided with prosecutors. Although they agreed that the delay may have caused “some degree of prejudice” to Belstadt, the state demonstrated good cause for the time it took to file charges. If Belstadt chooses to pursue further appeals, it would be to petition the New York Court of Appeals. Promotional Content Appellate Court Upholds Joseph Belstadt’s Murder Conviction in 1993 Killing of Mandy Steingasser

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 12:30am on November 21st after reports of a check the welfare - a medical emergency - on Grant Street in North Tonawanda. The 911 caller stated that a 30-year-old female was unresponsive in an apartment after ingesting an unknown amount of marijuana gummies. It is unknown from the audio if she was breathing. The incident was deemed an overdose and an EMS priority response was requested. The result of the call is unknown. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Woman Found Unresponsive After Overdosing on Marijuana Gummies in North Tonawanda

A new Siena College poll released Tuesday claims Governor Kathy Hochul holds a 20-point advantage over Congresswoman Elise Stefanik in a potential 2026 matchup, placing Hochul at 52–32% among roughly 800 likely voters. The numbers show Hochul’s favorability has dropped five points since September. The poll has prompted renewed criticism from Republicans who argue Siena’s surveys consistently lean toward Democrats and fail to capture right-leaning voter enthusiasm. The critiques have grown as recent polling from other firms have shown Stefanik ahead of Hochul, casting doubt on Siena’s depiction of the race and those they have chose to use as participants. The results are in stark contrast to those of a Manhattan Institute Poll from October that showed Stefanik with a 43-42 lead over Hochul. The poll also portrays Hochul dominating a potential Democratic primary, leading Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado 56–16%. Pollster Steven Greenberg noted that Hochul maintains a 78–9% advantage among Democratic voters while Stefanik has grown her support on the Republican side to 79–11%. Independents remain far more competitive with Hochul’s margin shrinking to 40–36%, which is down significantly from 43–25% two months ago. Regional results show the same pattern Siena has traditionally produced: Hochul holding an overwhelming 42-point lead in New York City along with a narrower nine-point edge in the downstate suburbs and an even slimmer three-point lead upstate. Republicans have repeatedly criticized Siena’s regional weighting, arguing it overrepresents New York City and reliably overstates Democratic strength in statewide polling. Stefanik entered the governor’s race two weeks ago and has quickly escalated her criticism of Hochul. She has successfully tied the governor to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s progressive agenda, in large part due to Hochul's own embracing of Mamdani. Promotional Content Despite Siena Showing Hochul Up 20, GOP Calls Poll Skewed as New Surveys Show Stefanik Leading

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 11:55pm on November 19th after reports of a check the welfare for a male who made suicidal threats and was currently in the area of 20th and Pine Avenue in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller stated that the male left his home on Weston Avenue making threats to harm himself. He said he was going to "end it." The caller further stated a family member recently committed suicide. There is also an officer safety issue for this subject as he has made comments in the past that he wishes to die by cop, which occurred two years ago. Police responded to the scene. The result of the call is unknown. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Family Worried for Niagara Falls Man Who Wants to Die by Cop

Former New York state trooper Christopher Baldner was acquitted Thursday of second-degree murder and reckless endangerment in a 2020 crash that killed 11-year-old Monica Goods. However, the trial didn't end there. Moments after the jury delivered its partial verdict, the judge instructed them to return to the deliberation room and continue considering the still-pending manslaughter charge. The tragic incident happened nearly four years ago. Prosecutors accused Baldner of deliberately ramming his patrol vehicle into the Goods family’s SUV during a chase on the State Thruway in December 2020, causing the vehicle to overturn. Monica, who was riding in the back seat, died as a result. Baldner had pulled over a Dodge Journey driven by Tristan Goods, who was traveling with his wife and two daughters. Prosecutors said Goods drove off from the traffic stop which prompted Baldner to pursue the SUV for about a mile at speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour. During the pursuit, prosecutors alleged Baldner struck the rear of the vehicle twice. They argued the second impact forced the SUV off the road where it rolled over twice. The crash partially ejecting Monica, resulting in her death. Jurors started deliberations earlier in the week and on Thursday sent a series of notes to the judge asking for clarification on previous testimony, New York State Police pursuit policies, and the definitions of both manslaughter and reasonable doubt. Later in the afternoon, the jury returned to the courtroom with its partial verdict acquitting Baldner of the murder charge and the reckless endangerment counts. They were then ordered to continue deliberating the unresolved manslaughter charge. The case has bounced through multiple courts over the last few years. Baldner was first indicted in the fall of 2021, but in February 2023 Ulster County Court Judge Bryan Rounds dismissed the murder charge and reduced the reckless endangerment counts. In his ruling, Rounds said the evidence did not support a finding that Baldner acted with depraved indifference and pointed to what he described as evidence showing Baldner attempted to brake before the second impact. That decision was overturned in September 2024 when the New York Supreme Court’s Appellate Division reinstated the murder and first-degree reckless endangerment charges. The ruling came after an appeal filed by State Attorney General Letitia James. Only the manslaughter charge is left unresolved. Promotional Content Jury Acquits Former New York State Trooper of Murdering 11-year-old Girl

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 10:30am on November 19th after reports of a medical emergency at Lockport High School in Niagara County. The 911 caller stated that a 14-year-old student arrived at school having ingested 63 aspirin pills at home. At the time of the call, she was without symptoms in the nurses office. Police and emergency medical personnel responded to the school. It is unknown if the student was hospitalized. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: 14-year-old Ingests Over 60 Aspirin Pills and Goes to School in Niagara County

Rep. Elise Stefanik is blasting Governor Kathy Hochul after word got out that she plans to shut down additional state correctional facilities, including Bare Hill Correctional Facility and parts of Collins Correctional Facility. The announcement comes as Hochul works to raise money for her reelection effort, weeks before the holiday season, and shortly after hitching her wagon to democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani. Stefanik said she and other lawmakers have already been contacted by correctional officers worried about their futures. In a statement, she accused Hochul of blindsiding families relying on prison employment. “We have heard from correctional officers that Kathy Hochul will be announcing more prison closures this morning. Once again, Hochul does this heartlessly right before the holidays, ripping the rug out from under our correctional officers and their families,” Stefanik stated. According to Stefanik, Hochul’s move is part of a pattern. She said the governor has repeatedly “turned her back” on correctional staff and dismissed their warnings, adding that these decisions have placed officers “in harm's way.” Stefanik repeated her criticism, calling the timing “another heartless announcement just before the holiday season.” Hochul is expected to defend the closures by pointing to widespread staffing shortages across state facilities. Earlier this year, those conditions gave rise to a three-week walkout involving thousands of correctional officers. The strike centered on unsafe working conditions, mandatory overtime, and the lack of staffing needed to keep violent inmates under control. In the aftermath, Governor Hochul showed her disdain for the corrections officers who participated, at one point decreeing that they could not get another state job. The situation worsened after the 2021 HALT Act, which sharply restricted solitary confinement and introduced rehabilitation-centered programs for inmates with violent histories. Liberals/progressives called it progress while officers called it dangerous. Multiple officials, including Assemblyman David DiPietro, warned that the law would encourage inmate violence. “There were 1,760 attacks [on staff] in 2024 alone,” DiPietro said, adding that inmate-on-staff assaults increased 76% and inmate-on-inmate violence jumped 169% after HALT took effect. He added, “Even inmates themselves have admitted in letters that the system is out of control,” arguing that “the warning signs have been evident for years, yet nothing has been done to protect our correctional officers.” State data backs up those concerns. In the years before HALT, assaults against staff ranged between 1,043 and 1,117 annually. By 2022, after the law was signed into law, that number spiked to 1,473 and rose again to 1,671 in 2023. Violence between inmates went up as well, reaching 2,107 in 2023. Hochul’s handling of the crisis has angered correctional workers and their families, especially after her administration fired roughly 2,000 participants from the April strike. Promotional Content Stefanik Slams Hochul for 'Heartlessly' Closing Prisons Ahead of Holidays

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 8:15pm on November 18th after reports of harassment on the 1000 block of 13th Street in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller stated that her upstairs neighbor threw bleach all over her. The extent of the caller's injuries, if any, are unknown. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the tenant in the upper apartment was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: Woman Pours Bleach on Downstairs Tenant's Head in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 10pm on November 18th after reports of a hostage situation on Hyde Park Boulevard in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller - a third party - stated that a mother and her young daughter are being held hostage at knifepoint a male. A heavy police presence responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male was apprehended. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Mother and Daughter Held Hostage at Knifepoint in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 10:50pm on November 18th after reports of menacing with a weapon / check the welfare along 56th Street near Niagara Falls Boulevard in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller stated that there is a naked male running up and down the street with a large knife. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the man was arrested, or if he put clothes on. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Man Runs Up and Down Niagara Falls Street Naked and Holding a Knife

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 8pm on November 18th after reports of a medical emergency on Tuscarora Street. The 911 caller stated that a 14-year-old male intentionally overdosed on pills. At the time medical was requested to the scene, the child was conscious. The incident was deemed ALS priority. Police, medical and fire personnel responded to the scene per audio. The child is believed to have been taken to a hospital for treatment. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: Child Overdoses on Pills in Niagara County

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 6pm on November 17th after reports of a welfare check on Williams Street in North Tonawanda. The 911 caller - who had previously called regarding the same concern - stated that she believes there are three individuals trapped in the basement there. She further told police she could hear them yelling. Police responded to the scene. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content 911 Caller Claims People Yelling, Being Held Against Their Will or Trapped in Basement

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call round 11:30pm on November 17th reporting an abduction on Kenmore Avenue in Buffalo. The 911 caller stated that she witnessed a female being pulled into a black truck from behind. The truck had no visible license plate. Police responded to the scene. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content 911 Caller Reports Witnessing Abduction of Woman by Men in Truck

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 10:40am on November 17th after reports of disorderly conduct and an assault at Crumble Cookie in the Wegmans Plaza in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller stated that a former female employee who was fired a month ago refused to leave the store. The female then attacked the 911 caller. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the former employee was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: Fired Employee Refuses to Leave Store and Attacks Another Worker

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 12:15pm on November 16th after reports of a medical emergency in the area of 29th Street in Niagara Falls. The 911 - an Amazon driver - reported severe difficulty breathing while running her route. The driver further stated that she did not experience any relief after using her inhaler. Medical responded to the scene. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: Amazon Driver Suffers Medical Emergency While Delivering Packages

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 8am on November 16th after reports of menacing with a weapon at Burger King on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller stated a customer and employee are arguing over a breakfast sandwich. The complainant states that the customer is circling the parking lot in a BMW screaming repeatedly that she is going to stab the worker. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the woman was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: Woman Threatens to Stab Burger King Employee Over Breakfast Sandwich

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 8am on November 16th after reports of an unresponsive student who appeared to have overdosed. The 911 caller stated that they believed the female student overdosed on alcohol at some point during the night and was still unconscious. Police and emergency medical response was requested. The female was taken to a hospital for treatment. Her current condition is unknown. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: Student at SUNY Niagara Overdoses on Alcohol, Found Unconscious and Unresponsive

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 6:20pm on November 15th after reports of a domestic disturbance on the 2400 block of Niagara Road in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller - the subject Eric Weisman's sibling - stated that his brother threatened to kill call the caller. He also stated that there is an order of protection in favor of their parents. However, it was unclear from the call whether the parents were protected from Eric or the caller. There was a concern for officer safety on the subject Eric who is known to do meth. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if Eric was transported to a local hospital for mental health treatment. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: Methhead Threatens to Kill 911 Caller During Unhinged Episode

The Erie County District Attorney's Office announced that a Buffalo man is facing a homicide charge tied to the death of his stepdaughter last summer. Prosecutors say 38-year-old Peter D. Brown was formally arraigned Friday morning on a single count of second-degree murder. Investigators say Brown strangled 20-year-old Kayshawnna Jordan on August 4th, 2024, at a residence on the 400 block of East Ferry Street. Brown fled New York after the killing and was taken into custody in Randolph County, Alabama, in a few months later in October. He was transported back to Erie County after prosecutors secured a governor’s warrant for his return. Brown faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted. He remains held without bail. Promotional Content Man Strangles 20-year-old Stepdaughter to Death

A sad and heartbreaking incident at Milton J. Fletcher Elementary School on Monday morning claimed the life of a 4-year-old girl according to Jamestown Police. Officers were called to the school shortly after 8am after reports that a child was struck by a school bus. Police say they immediately began providing first aid when they arrived. The child was transported to UPMC Chautauqua but did not survive. The Panama Central School District confirmed that the victim was enrolled in the Jamestown City School District. Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Whitaker addressed the incident, saying, “We are heartbroken by this devastating news, and our thoughts are with the student’s family and friends. This is an unimaginable loss for the Fletcher community and for all of Jamestown Public Schools.” Authorities noted that the investigation is still underway and that no charges have been filed. However, that is subject to change. It has become standard for there to be cameras inside school buses, which will shine a light on what was occurring when the incident took place. Promotional Content 4-year-old Girl Killed After Being Hit by School Bus

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 5:42pm on November 15th after reports of a welfare check on 23rd Street in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller stated that a woman was breaking things in the house, dancing around the house, and hitting herself. The caller also mentioned that there was a used needle in the sink. Police responded to the scene. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Woman Dances Around House Breaking Things and Hitting Herself in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 8:45pm on November 15th after reports of a domestic incident and assault on the 2400 block of Pierce Avenue in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller - a young child - stated that his mother was repeatedly being hit by "Nigel Eison" (spelling may be incorrect). Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content Child Calls 911 Screaming that his Mother is Being Beaten in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 2:15pm on November 15th after reports of a domestic disturbance on Pierce Avenue in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller and victim stated that her boyfriend and child's father assaulted her. She further stated that he tried to hurt their 3-month-old child that is still in the house with him. The woman ran out of the house and was hiding after the boyfriend said that he was going to kill her. It is unknown what started the physical confrontation. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the boyfriend was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: Man Assaults Girlfriend and Tries to Seriously Injure 3-Month-Old in Niagara Falls

New York’s financial condition continues to deteriorate as more residents exit the state, taking their spending power and taxable income with them. According to a new Unleash Prosperity report, NYS has lost $517.5 billion in resident income between 2013 and 2022. New Jersey saw $170.1 billion vanish in the same timeframe, but New York’s losses far exceed every other state. Things have only gotten worse since then under Governor Hochul. The study, which analyzes IRS and Census data, highlights how migration patterns directly drain a state’s economy. When individuals leave, they don’t just relocate, they take their earnings, investments, home values, property tax contributions, and consumer activity with them. That financial vacuum puts immediate pressure on those who remain and forces the state to stretch reduced revenue across school budgets, infrastructure needs, and social services. Despite this, Albany continues to downplay the crisis and increase spending. For Unleash Prosperity co-founder Steve Moore, the numbers speak for themselves. “This has been one of the greatest wealth losses for one region in American history. New Jersey and New York are being bled to death by low-tax states in the South,” he said. States like Florida and Texas continue to welcome New Yorkers fleeing high costs. The trend shows no sign of slowing down. U-Haul’s 2025 Midyear Migration Trends report reinforce the extent of the problem. Boston now ranks No. 1 for inbound moves from New York with Philadelphia close behind at No. 2. Baltimore and Pittsburgh tied for No. 4 while Cleveland and Miami ranked at No. 5. Other major draws include Washington, D.C. (No. 6), Orlando (No. 8), and Charlotte (No. 9), showing that New Yorkers are moving in every direction in search of lower costs of living. Even Detroit and Los Angeles, tied at No. 10, are seeing a surprising uptick in former New York residents. Their growing appeal underscores how dire the situation has become. Despite the exodus, Governor Hochul says that no problem exists. Promotional Content New York Loses Billions of Dollars as Residents Flee Under Hochul’s Watch

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing renewed political pressure after her former deputy chief of staff, Linda Sun, was charged with secretly operating as an agent of the Chinese government while serving in senior roles under both Hochul and former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, are now at the center of a federal case where prosecutors say both operated to aid the Communist Party of China. According to federal filings, Sun is accused of using her access to New York’s highest offices to advance Beijing’s interests. Prosecutors say she promoted China's agenda inside New York State government, steering officials away from Taiwan. The indictment states that Sun wrote, “I very much value my relationship with the consulate and have done many things to make the relationship between the state and the consulate flourish during my tenure with (Politician-1).” The reference to “Politician-1” is believed to be Andrew Cuomo. Sun also allegedly messaged a Chinese official saying, “You are the most important hub connecting us with (Politician-1) and his team.” Prosecutors claim Sun received gifts such as Nanjing-style salted ducks, Carnegie Hall tickets, and ballets at Lincoln Center. She also helped Chinese officials shape state-level political messaging. The indictment accuses her of removing references to Uyghur persecution from an official Lunar New Year message and interfering with interactions between Taiwanese diplomats and New York representatives. Federal authorities say the couple laundered millions of dollars and spent money on luxury cars and real estate. Hu is also charged with accepting multimillion-dollar kickbacks from a COVID-19 PPE vendor. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that “Sun is alleged to have acted on behalf of the government of the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party.” Both Sun and Hu have pleaded not guilty. While the trial will unfold in Brooklyn federal court, the political consequences are already spreading in Albany as Sun worked closely with Hochul before rising to Cuomo’s inner circle. Hochul has not commented publicly on the case. Promotional Content Hochul Under Scrutiny as Former Top Aide Accused of Acting as Chinese Agent

A private dinner inside the White House turned into a strategy session this week as some of the most influential figures in American finance met with President Donald Trump to discuss one issue dominating the room: how to blunt incoming New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s economic plans. According to The Telegraph, the Wednesday night gathering brought together a long list of billionaire CEOs - many of whom rarely appear in the same room - because of rising concerns that Mamdani’s policy agenda could reshape the city’s economy in ways they see as deeply destabilizing. Executives from Blackstone, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Nasdaq, BlackRock, KKR and Intercontinental Exchange reportedly spent much of the night discussing how Mamdani’s proposals would affect New York. The agenda he ran on calls for steep tax increases on the wealthy, corporate tax hikes, and large-scale borrowing to fund free buses, expanded childcare programs, rent freezes and vast new public spending. Unfortunately for Mamdani, none of the proposals are sitting well with Wall Street’s elite. The discussions centered on what they believe is an impending fiscal crisis. New York City is already staring down significant deficits, worsened by federal cuts passed in last summer’s Republican tax package, and the city cannot enact most of Mamdani’s tax proposals without approval from Albany. However, as Governor Hochul gears up for her own 2026 re-election race it is unknown how far she will go to appease Mamdani's base. Several attendees floated the idea of backing Rep. Elise Stefanik in the 2026 governor’s race, seeing her as the most viable way to check Mamdani from Albany— many of whom would not normally support a republican. Stephen Schwarzman, David Solomon, Henry Kravis, Jamie Dimon, Adena Friedman, Larry Fink, and Jeffrey Sprecher were among those present, according to the report. While no commitments were made, their interest mirrors rising anxiety among business leaders about the direction New York is headed. Even outside the meeting, high-profile executives echoed the sentiment. Billionaire John Catsimatidis told reporters, “I’m following President Trump’s motto. We’re not surrendering New York, we’re going to fight, fight, fight,” adding that Hochul “has absolute power over the mayor” and must ensure he “does the job right.” Budget analyses show corporate tax revenue has already climbed in recent years, from $3.4 billion in 2019 to $7.5 billion in 2024. If Mamdani’s preferred 11.5% corporate rate had been in place, revenues might have reached $11.9 billion, a theoretical increase of $4.4 billion. President Trump has already signaled he may withhold major federal funding from New York because of Mamdani’s victory. Promotional Content Wall Street Titans Plot Strategy With Trump to Stop Mamdani’s Agenda, Supporting Stefanik for Governor

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 10:45pm on November 14th after reports of menacing on Oliver Street in North Tonawanda. The 911 caller stated that their 17-year-old daughter is threatening to cut up her parents with a knife. At the time of the call, she had fled from the apartment and was running down an alleyway. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the daughter was arrested or taken for mental health treatment. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: 17-year-old Threatens to Cut Up Parents During Domestic in North Tonawanda

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 2:30am on November 15th after reports of women possibly being held against their will on Whitney Avenue in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller - a third party - stated that three females at an AirBnB were hanging out a window screaming for someone to call police because "boys were keeping them against their will." Police responded to the scene. The resolution of the call is unknown. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: Teen Daughter Punches Mother in the Face

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Police audio captured a statement from a male on November 14th around 12:20pm discussing an explosion that happened the previous day. According to the caller, he said that there was an IED set off a block over from where he works and that the police department wanted to get into their cameras. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: Improvised Explosive Devise Detonated Near Residential Area

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 1:5pm on November 14th after reports of a medical emergency on Saunders Settlement Road in Lewiston. The 911 caller stated that a 72-year-old man was found unconscious, unresponsive and not breathing in the driveway. Emergency medical responded to the scene along with police. Upon their arrival, officers notified dispatch that the male was deceased, stating that the call required "confirmation only." No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: 72-year-old Man Found Dead in Driveway

YMCA Buffalo Niagara’s William-Emslie branch is holding its annual “Day of Giving” on Saturday, November 15 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. As part of the event, the branch will be distributing free turkeys to support families during the holidays. Other offerings include an on-site job fair, winter wear and emergency food kits. This event is designed to directly address the needs of Y members and the Buffalo community during a challenging time marked by layoffs, inflation, and economic uncertainty. The Y’s goal is to create both relief and opportunity, ensuring families leave with not only resources but also hope and connection. This is in partnership with East Side Stewards, Buffalo Fashion Runway, D’Youville University, Legislator Taisha St. Jean-Tard, and the Phi Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. For more information, please visit YMCABN.org  or call Paul Stockman at (678) 232-5919. Promotional Content William-Emslie YMCA to Offer Turkey Giveaway Saturday in Buffalo

Niagara Falls Police responded to the 1100 block of Cleveland Avenue around 1:20am on November 8th after reports of criminal mischief where a subject was reported to be armed with a knife. Dispatch advised officers that a black female was holding a black male by the neck with a large knife. Upon arrival, officers observed a black male and a black female standing outside the residence engaged in conversation. Both individuals were detained for officer safely. The female suspect was identified as Ivori McGrigg of Niagara Falls. Both parties were separated and searched. However, no knife was initially found. Officers then searched the immediate area, during which time they found a large kitchen knife with a black handle lying in the grass. Officers asked both individuals about the incident but neither provided details beyond stating there was an argument. A short time later, the male displayed a video on his cell phone showing McGrigg holding the same knife that had been recovered from the grass. In the video, she could clearly be seen stabbing the tires on his mother’s vehicle. McGriff was taken into custody and transported to police headquarters for booking and processing. Promotional Content Ivori McGrigg Holds Knife to Man's Throat During Argument in Niagara Falls

New York’s move toward an all-electric future has been abruptly put on hold after Governor Kathy Hochul agreed to delay the rollout of the state’s landmark building-electrification mandate. The reversal undermines her own climate promises on legislation she supported. The law, passed in 2023 and billed as a cornerstone of the state’s emissions-reduction strategy, was supposed to take effect January 1st. It would have required most newly constructed residential buildings under seven stories to use electric heating and appliances, with larger buildings joining the mandate in 2029. Existing buildings were exempt and carve-outs existed for facilities such as hospitals and restaurants. But on Wednesday, attorneys for the state informed the court that the law would be suspended while an appeals case proceeds. A coalition of unions and trade groups are challenging the measure after losing an initial ruling in July. Instead of defending the law’s timeline, the Hochul administration agreed to pause implementation until the lawsuit is resolved. Environmental organizations, already angered by the state's recent approval of the Williams-Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) gas pipeline, condemned Hochul’s decision as another retreat from climate commitments. The pipeline, which will run under New York Harbor, had been rejected multiple times over environmental concerns before being revived. Eric Weltman of Food & Water Watch blasted the move, warning that, “New Yorkers will pay a terrible price for Hochul's betrayal of our needs and interests: higher energy bills, dirty water, polluted air and a more dangerous climate. Hochul's betrayal further locks New York into a costly reliance on dirty fossil fuels, promoting fracking, while threatening our health, our communities, and our environment.” New York City Comptroller Brad Lander warned that the state’s decision sends the wrong message about its climate priorities. He said Hochul appears to be signaling that environmental commitments are the first to be sacrificed, calling the decision*“deeply disappointing.” The governor’s office defended the move as a temporary procedural step. Senior communications advisor Ken Lovett stated that Hochul is still committed to the policy, arguing the pause will “reduce regulatory uncertainty” while the appeal plays out. He said, “The governor remains committed to the all-electric-buildings law and believes this action will help the state defend it... Governor Hochul remains resolved to providing more affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for New Yorkers.” Still, even members of Hochul’s own party expressed concern that the delay would embolden opponents of New York’s climate goals and slow critical transitions away from fossil fuels. Meanwhile, Hochul’s political rivals seized on the announcement. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who recently launched a campaign for governor, accused Hochul of election-year maneuvering, stating that the delay is nothing more than “a cynical political 'pause' so she can screw New Yorkers with higher prices after the election.” Stefanik said New Yorkers have seen this strategy before, comparing the move to Hochul’s pre-election messaging on congestion pricing, declaring she “thinks New Yorkers are stupid and won't notice this desperate political ploy.” Promotional Content Hochul Plays Politics and Flip-flops on All Electric Mandate to Appease Voters

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is already making waves, and not in ways that reassure those worried about the city’s economy. Instead of focusing on the financial and public-safety crises facing New York, Mamdani has turned his attention to Starbucks, calling on New Yorkers to stop buying from the coffee chain while baristas remain on strike. On Thursday evening, Mamdani announced on X that he would not support the company during the labor dispute, writing, “Starbucks workers across the country are on an Unfair Labor Practices strike, fighting for a fair contract. While workers are on strike, I won't be buying any Starbucks, and I'm asking you to join us.” His push for a boycott comes as Starbucks employees launch an open-ended work stoppage timed to coincide with Red Cup Day, one of the company’s biggest sales events of the year. Historically, the event is responsible for massive customer turnout and record-breaking revenue. According to the union, about 1,000 workers at 65 stores walked off the job when the strike began Thursday with the possibility of ballooning to more than 500 locations if negotiations remain stalled. Starbucks’ latest earnings report lists 16,864 U.S. stores, meaning the strike affects only a small fraction of operations. Unionized locations represent roughly 4% of Starbucks’ retail workforce – about 9,500 baristas – a Starbucks spokesperson noted. Contract talks have been frozen for months and the strike comes shortly after the company announced a restructuring that resulted in the closure of more than 600 U.S. stores. Despite the disruption, Starbucks says the walkout didn’t dent business. A spokesperson told Business Insider that “more than 99% of our coffeehouses remain open” and added that Red Cup Day broke company records once again: "our partners delivered the strongest Reusable Red Cup Day in company history … the biggest sales day ever for the company.” Mamdani’s public alignment with the strike marks one of his earliest signals about how he plans to use his platform once in power. Rather than prioritizing concerns such as affordability, crime, or New York’s looming budget shortfall, he appears eager to take national stances on private-sector disputes. The incoming mayor, a Democratic socialist and longtime labor activist, ended his message with a slogan aimed at rallying supporters: “No contract, no coffee.” Promotional Content Mamdani Urges Starbucks Boycott as Workers Strike

New York’s already-strained business environment may become even more hostile as Governor Kathy Hochul is now considering raising corporate taxes to deal with a looming budget gap, according to a person familiar with internal discussions. The possibility has alarmed business owners and fiscal analysts who argue that a tax increase would accelerate the ongoing exodus of employers fleeing the state’s high-cost economy. The governor’s office has not announced any formal plan, but the source said Hochul’s team is preparing for major financial uncertainty due to expected federal cuts. “The state is on strong financial footing today but much of the budget outcome at the start of next year is going to be largely dependent on what the federal government does and we're watching that closely and trying to plan accordingly,” the source explained to Reuters. Even so, companies across New York are bracing for the possibility that Hochul could move toward adopting one of the steepest corporate tax increases in modern state history. The source did not specify a target rate, but New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has pushed publicly for raising the top state corporate tax rate from 7.25% to 11.5%, a proposal widely criticized by business groups as economically destructive. The state is staring down a $34.3 billion budget deficit through the 2029 fiscal year. The situation has deteriorated rapidly, with the New York State Comptroller warning that the combined effects of the deficit and federal decisions have pushed New York into conditions “not seen since the 2009 economic crisis.” Despite that, the governor has repeatedly insisted she is not in crisis mode. Her own budget director, Blake Washington, told reporters recently that New York was in “a good spot financially,” adding that a tax increase was “the last thing on my mind.” Yet Hochul met for 90 minutes with Mamdani on Thursday and the readout of the meeting underscored just how volatile the state’s fiscal and political landscape has become. Their discussion included federal threats, budget pressure, and concerns about Washington’s posture toward New York. The readout stated, “The Governor and the Mayor-elect discussed the possibility that the federal government would surge ICE and/or National Guard to New York City.” Hochul and Mamdani also agreed, according to the summary, that such a federal deployment “would not improve public safety.” The readout added that state officials briefed Mamdani on preparedness measures if the federal government targets New York. Adding another layer of unpredictability, President Donald Trump - who endorsed former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo’s run for mayor years earlier - has stated he will likely deny significant federal aid to New York “other than the very minimum as required” following Mamdani’s election. With federal support in question, critics say Hochul is now poised to lean heavily on state businesses to fill the growing financial hole. Although Mamdani campaigned on a sweeping affordability agenda that included raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy, his spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on whether he is actively pushing Hochul to adopt the corporate tax increase. New York already ranks among the least competitive business climates in the nation and employers warn that an additional tax burden would push more companies and jobs out of the state. With population declining, fewer taxpayers, and rising operating costs, economists say the state may be approaching a breaking point—all under Hochul's leadership. Promotional Content Hochul Wants Tax Hike that Will Drive Even More Businesses Out of New York

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 11:45am on November 14th from school officials at Henrietta G. Lewis Campus School in Lockport after reports of an overdose. A 15-year-old male was found unconscious. His lips were turning blue but he was breathing. It was stated during the call that he did regain partial consciousness. Emergency medical was requested and transported the 15-year-old to ECMC. There were also three other students being questioned by the principal. The principal wanted all three of them evaluated for suspected drug usage. All students were becoming aggressive and uncooperative, refusing to engage with any medical testing. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: 15-year-old Student Found Unconscious After Overdose at Niagara County School

A Buffalo man who severely injured a small dog earlier this year is now awaiting sentencing after entering a guilty plea in Erie County Court. Deandre Rogers, 30, stood before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek on Thursday and admitted guilt to one count of attempted aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class A misdemeanor under New York State Law. The charge stems from a disturbing case that left a 9-year-old Chihuahua with life-threatening injuries. The attack occurred on May 10th when Rogers intentionally struck the dog - an older female Chihuahua named Bella - inside a residence on the 200 block of Geary Street. Authorities confirmed the injuries were severe. Bella was rushed to BluePearl Pet Hospital in Cheektowaga where veterinarians treated her for skull fractures and other significant trauma before she was transferred to the SPCA Serving Erie County for continued rehabilitation. Following her recovery, Bella was adopted by a new owner. Rogers, who remains free on his own recognizance while he awaits sentencing, could receive up to 364 days in jail when he returns to court on January 23rd, 2026. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office said it will push for the maximum sentence as well as a lifetime “securing order” preventing Rogers from possessing or caring for animals. A temporary order is already in place. District Attorney Michael J. Keane praised the efforts of the SPCA Serving Erie County and the officers who handled the case, noting the contributions of SPCA Chief Officer Lindsey Wood along with Officers Meghan Giles and Tyler Robertson. Promotional Content Man Admits to Violent and Evil Attack on Chihuahua, Faces a Year Behind Bars

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 10am on November 13th after reports of a welfare check at the Falls View Motel on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller - a care coordinator - stated that a male was sending her unusual messages, including about a missing 16-year-old female Arianna Miller. The male was also texting her about having weapons on him. She is aware from previous involvement with him that he has several boxes that have tactical tools written on them. He also has a bulletproof vest. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male was arrested or brought to a mental health facility for treatment. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: Police Respond After Reports Male has Weapons, Bullet Proof Vest and Possibly a Missing Teen

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 2:10am on November 14th after reports of a burglary on the 1200 block of Military Road in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller - a male - stated that his ex-fiance entered his home while he was gone and stole several items. He has everything on camera. The ex- fiancé proceeded to threaten him with physical harm. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if the ex- fiancé was arrested. No further information is available at this time. These are merely allegations based on police audio and should not be taken as fact. LISTEN TO FULL AUDIO HERE: Promotional Content AUDIO: Ex-fiancé Breaks Into Home and Steals Several Items, Becomes Violent