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

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 11:25am on November 13th after reports of reckless endangerment on the 2600 block of Porter Road in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller stated that a male known to her (unknown relationship) - referred to as Paul Demunda on the audio - drove into her car with his grey Lexus, which has front-end damage to it. The male then threw a bottle of tequila and a bat at her. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown if Demunda 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 Unhinged Male Intentionally Drives Into Woman's Car, Throws Bottle of Tequila at Her

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 5:20pm on November 13th after reports of a medical emergency on Lower Mountain Road in Sanborn, Niagara County. The 911 caller stated that a 16-year-old male had several cords of wood collapse on him. His breathing status was unknown at the time of the call, although there was a note that no breathing was reported. Police and emergency medical responded to the scene. The 16-year-old's status 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: Advanced Life Support Requested for 16-year-old Trapped Under Wood Pile in Niagara County

An 18-year-old Venezuelan woman who worked as a custodian at Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium remains in federal custody following an unexpected arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Yusgleidy Villa Alvarez had been legally residing in the United States with special immigrant juvenile status, a designation that allowed her to pursue a green card and work authorization. In February, she was granted a work permit valid through mid-2028. However, according to a federal lawsuit filed in October, her status was abruptly revoked the same day she completed her first shift cleaning the stadium on September 19th, just hours before she was detained by ICE agents. For more than a month, Villa Alvarez was held at the Niagara County Jail, which contracts with ICE to detain migrants before being transferred to another out-of-state facility. Her lawyers from the Erie County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project argue her detention is unconstitutional and that immigration authorities applied a recent policy change to her case retroactively. Court documents state that Villa Alvarez entered the United States in August 2023 after losing both parents - her mother to brain cancer earlier that year - and later received federal protection meant to prevent deportation and detention. Her lawyers contend that the Department of Homeland Security did not have a warrant for her arrest and that terminating her protected status without notice violated her constitutional rights. The lawsuit also highlights the financial incentive tied to her detention as the Niagara County Jail earns $148 per day per detainee under its ICE contract. Holding Villa Alvarez for more than a month reportedly generated over $6,000 in revenue. Federal officials have since moved to dismiss the case. District Judge Elizabeth Wolford has yet to issue a ruling. If successful, the case could set a precedent on how immigration policy changes are applied to minors previously granted special protections under federal law. Promotional Content 18-year-old Woman Previously Granted Special Protection Detained by ICE After Shift at Highmark Stadium

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 10:30pm on November 12th after reports of a domestic dispute on Meadow Drive in North Tonawanda. The 911 caller and wife stated that her husband was threatening to commit suicide while intoxicated. She further stated that he has a plan to put a shotgun in his mouth and pull the trigger. He keeps the gun underneath his bed. Police responded to the scene. It is unknown whether the husband was taken for mental health treatment or 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: Husband Threatens to Shoot Himself with Shotgun He Keeps Under the Bed

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 3pm on November 12th after reports of a medical emergency near James Drive. The 911 caller - the teenage daughter's mother - stated that her 17-year-old daughter was upset and wouldn't stop yelling. The mother found pills and a suicide note. Police responded to the scene and medical. It is unknown if the daughter was transported to a facility 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: Mother Finds 17-year-old Daughter's Pills and Suicide Note

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 1:40am on November 13th after reports of a medical emergency. The 911 caller - the child's mother - stated that her 4-year-old son had a fever and difficulty breathing after getting a vaccine earlier in the day. Police and 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: 911 Called for 4-year-old Experiencing Complications After Receiving Vaccine

On paper, it looks like garbage: a murky slurry of fryer grease and crumbs left over from Friday fish fries and late-night wings. But in 2025, used cooking oil is no longer waste—it’s feedstock for the booming biofuels industry. That transformation has turned the back alleys behind New York’s restaurants into the front lines of a quiet, profitable crime wave. In Western New York alone, Buffalo Biodiesel Inc. (BBD), a regional leader in collecting and recycling used cooking oil, says it has logged over 12,000 thefts and break-ins involving its equipment and oil since 2022. Tanks have been drained overnight. Locks and security seals have been cut. For BBD, this isn’t petty nuisance, but millions of dollars of product disappearing into the shadows. As it turns out, the disappearances might not be so random. Court records, federal affidavits, and industry documents show that stolen used cooking oil doesn’t just vanish; it is pumped into unmarked box trucks, pooled in anonymous warehouses, laundered through shell companies, and then sold back into the same biofuel supply chain that is supposed to reward “sustainable” recycling. By the time it reaches a refinery, it can be almost impossible to distinguish from legitimately collected oil. One case based in the Rochester region exposes the mechanics of this organized theft network. In United States v. Guodeng Chen, et al., federal prosecutors in the Western District of New York charged six defendants with conspiring to steal and sell massive quantities of used cooking oil across state lines. These defendants are alleged to have used commercial trucks, warehouse space in Rochester’s Commerce Drive industrial corridor, and a web of small companies to move the product into interstate commerce. The defendants – Guodeng “Andy” Chen, Didi Huang, Fangfang Yan, Ruimao Yang, Yan Han, and Wen Xiao Zhang – are accused of running part of what investigators describe as an organized theft ring targeting restaurant grease bins across Monroe County and beyond. The allegations reach far beyond a handful of late-night heists. According to federal filings, investigators seized more than 12,000 gallons of used cooking oil, over $140,000 in cash, and an unregistered 9mm handgun tied to the operation. They traced truck routes, bank transfers, and bills of lading ( i.e.: a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper that serves as a receipt for goods) from Rochester restaurant parking lots to an out-of-state refinery. They even documented a sale of oil to a buyer whose name, investigators were told, began with “D-A-R”—a significant detail as it points to Darling Ingredients, one of the world’s largest players in the rendering and used oil business.   Yet more than two and a half years after the arrests, the case remains unresolved. Federal charges are pending, but state-level prosecution never materialized, not even for the illegal firearm found in a warehouse bedroom. Behind the scenes, according to sources, federal prosecutors have alluded to receiving pressure to dismiss the charges. The promising lead toward a potential corporate buyer (D-A-R) was never seriously pursued and Monroe County’s then–district attorney, Sandra Doorley, whose office declined to bring state charges in the case, has since been engulfed by her own legal and ethical scandals that ultimately drove her from office. This article examines what happened in that Rochester grease-theft case from start to finish: how the alleged ring operated, what federal agents say they found, who profited, and why – despite a detailed federal affidavit and a paper trail of oil and money – the case has stalled. It also places the story in a broader context: a national surge in used-cooking-oil theft and the apparent reluctance of some local prosecutors to aggressively confront organized theft tied to migrant labor and transnational networks. And at the center of it all is a 40-page document that reads like a roadmap to the underground grease economy, an affidavit sworn by Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Adam P. Tyrna. Tyrna describes an organized operation that quietly siphoned thousands of gallons of used cooking oil from Western New York restaurants, moved it through shell companies and warehouses, and pushed it into the global biofuels supply chain. All six defendants were charged with conspiracy and interstate transportation and sale of stolen goods under 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 2314 and 2315. The scheme, as laid out by Tyrna, is simple in concept and sophisticated in execution: steal high-value used cooking oil from restaurant tanks in Monroe County, funnel it through warehouses in Rochester, and sell it into interstate commerce as a legitimate commodity.   Why Does Used Cooking Oil Attracts Thieves? Tyrna’s affidavit starts by explaining the economics. Restaurants typically sign contracts with rendering or recycling companies to collect their used fryer oil. Those companies pay about $0.25 to $0.60 per gallon for used oil and then transport it to refineries where the liquid is cleaned and converted into biodiesel, which can sell for $4 to $5 per gallon. It’s a huge profit margin, which makes the waste product surprisingly lucrative. Nationally, kitchens in hotels and restaurants generate roughly 3 billion pounds of used cooking oil every year, according to environmental and industry estimates. As biodiesel and renewable diesel have become more attractive, thieves have followed. The National Renderers Association has estimated that tens of millions of dollars’ worth of used grease is stolen annually in the United States. BBD’s President, Sumit Majumdar, has previously told reporters from other news outlets that grease thefts have cost his company up to $300,000 per week in some regions and about $15 million per year, roughly a third of its revenue. A Pattern of Nighttime Thefts By the time federal agents became involved, Monroe County authorities were already seeing a pattern: late-night box trucks, unmarked for any legitimate grease collection company, appearing behind restaurants between about 11pm and 6am. Tyrna summarized the pattern, stating, “Over the past year, there have been several thefts of used cooking oil from restaurant parking lots within and around Monroe County. These thefts typically take place overnight, when the restaurants are closed and there is little to no foot traffic. Criminals drive trucks to restaurants in the middle of the night and pump the used cooking oil out of their storage tanks.” In Monroe County and elsewhere, restaurants that contract with used cooking oil collection companies typically have padlocked metal or plastic tanks clearly labeled with the name of the contracted company and fitted with tamper-resistant seals. Under those contracts, once the restaurant pours its waste oil into the tank, legal ownership transfers to the collector, not the restaurant.  That detail matters because from the moment thieves pump the oil out, they’re taking property of the collection company, not “abandoned waste.”   Defendants’ Cover: Rong Cheng Packaging Supply and De Sheng Inc. The investigation broke open in the early morning hours of April 1st, 2022, when officers in Henrietta, New York, were dispatched to The Distillery restaurant. Around 4:17am, officers saw a yellow 2007 Ford Econoline box truck coming out from behind the building. The truck bore New York plate 85949NB and was registered not to a grease collector but to Rong Cheng Packaging Supply Inc. at 300 Commerce Drive, Rochester, NY. The two occupants were later identified as Ruimao Yang and Wen Xiao Zhang. They voluntarily opened the back of the truck. Inside, officers saw two large plastic holding tanks, a “dirty water” pump, and spilled cooking oil on the bumper. There were no placards or company markings indicating authorized UCO transport. Three days later, on April 4th, officers again stopped the same truck, again with Yang and Zhang inside, this time coming from behind a Dunn Tire in Greece, NY. The men told police they were “looking for cooking oil,” produced a four-page list of restaurants across Monroe and Ontario Counties, and gave officers the address of the house they were renting at 23 Eagan Boulevard in Henrietta. These encounters led Monroe County investigators to seek court-authorized GPS tracking warrants for the two box trucks (a yellow “Box Truck 1” and a white “Box Truck 2”). Both were originally registered to Rong Cheng and then re-registered to a new entity, De Sheng Inc., with sequential plate numbers 48747NC and 48748NC. Once the trackers were attached, the pattern became unmistakable. Over a seven-hour overnight period in mid-April, Box Truck 1 made approximately 20 stops at restaurants and plazas around Rochester. When officers retraced the route the next day: -Nearly every stop featured a grease collection tank. -Many tanks were empty and missing the security seals or locks that victim companies typically use. -Most were marked “Victim Company 1,” “Victim Company 2,” or “Victim Company 3.”   Victim Companies Confirm the Oil Was Stolen Over the following weeks, investigators went to the companies that owned those tanks. Representatives for Victim Company 1, 2 and 3 each signed sworn depositions stating: -Only their employees are authorized to remove oil from their tanks. -Tanks always carry tamper-resistant tags. -Neither Yang, Zhang, or the trucks had any affiliation with their companies. Where the Stolen Oil Went Tracking data showed that Box Truck 1 repeatedly returned to a warehouse at 350 Commerce Drive, Rochester, typically in the afternoon, after nights spent hitting restaurant parking lots. On April 21st, 2022, officers watched the truck parked outside 350 Commerce Drive, pumping oil through a hose into the building for about 67 minutes. The investigation then widened to the adjacent warehouse at 300 Commerce Drive, the trucks’ registration address. A representative of “Victim Company 3” told investigators that a friend in the trucking business – referred to in the Complaint as Witness 1 – had been contacted to haul oil from 300 Commerce Drive to refineries in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Witness 1 handed over bills of lading and invoices documenting two April 2022 shipments of roughly 45,000 pounds of used cooking oil each from “Supplier” at 300 Commerce Drive to a refinery in Erie, Pennsylvania. Later interviews with that refinery and an intermediate “Supplier” confirmed that these April shipments – originating from the Rochester warehouses under the name 2C Wholesale LLC, with a business address of 300 Commerce Drive – had been brokered into the interstate biofuels supply chain. Bank records showed: -On April 11th, 2022, 2C Wholesale’s account received a $29,433.60 deposit from the Supplier. Four days later, a $10,000 check was written from that account to Fangfang Yan. -On April 30th, 2022, the account received another $30,618 deposit from the Supplier. On May 2nd, $7,500 was withdrawn in cash and $3,684 was paid to De Sheng Inc.. According to a later DOJ press release, investigators ultimately traced 95,320 pounds of stolen oil shipped from the Rochester warehouses to the Erie refinery, with the defendants receiving $60,051 in payments for those two loads.   The May 6th, 2022 Raids: Guns, Cash and 12,461 Gallons of Oil With the pattern established, Monroe County prosecutors obtained five search warrants for: -The residence at 23 Eagan Boulevard -The warehouses at 300 and 350 Commerce Drive -Box Truck 1 -Box Truck 2 On May 6th, 2022, officers watched as Box Truck 1 left 23 Eagan Boulevard and pulled up to 350 Commerce Drive. They noticed the truck now bore the new De Sheng license plate, 48747NC. Moments later, they executed the warrants. When officers entered 350 Commerce Drive, they recorded three of the defendants actively working with the stolen oil: Didi Huang, Ruimao Yang, and Yan Han were captured on video unloading oil from Box Truck 1 into large storage tanks inside the warehouse. Huang opened the warehouse door and later told officers that opening the building was his responsibility. As officers moved in, Guodeng Chen was seen near the collection tanks being filled. According to the affidavit, Chen grabbed cash from a nearby desk and stuffed it into the pockets of co-defendant Fangfang Yan who was in the office area. Officers recovered the money and put it in Yan’s purse, which also contained her identification. Chen told officers that he leased the warehouse space at both 300 and 350 Commerce Drive, including the portion housing the oil storage tanks. What investigators seized inside and around 350 Commerce Drive highlighted the operation’s scale: -9,806 gallons of used cooking oil in tanks inside the warehouse. -Another 525 gallons in Box Truck 1 parked outside. -Business and banking records, multiple cell phones and computers. -Cash on multiple defendants’ persons, including $4,510 in U.S. currency and $710 in Canadian currency in Yan’s purse, $33,130 in U.S. currency on Yan Han, and $1,818 in U.S. currency on Didi Huang. All told, authorities seized about 12,461 gallons of used cooking oil, which industry representatives at the time valued at more than $73,000. The searches next door at 300 Commerce Drive uncovered additional incriminatory evidence. At an apparent cover business, workers told officers they were manufacturing and packaging cleaning products for a company called Everclean Eastern Inc.. They said a woman came to the building about every five days and “the big boss” visited once a month. In an office near the front of the building, officers found an unregistered 9mm handgun stored in a box with a full magazine not inserted into the weapon. Officers also found a backpack containing $107,428 cash in a locked room. Box Truck 2, parked at 23 Eagan Boulevard, yielded another 500 gallons of used cooking oil, bringing the total seizure to 12,461 gallons.    “We Don’t Ask Where It Comes From”: Inside the Operation After her arrest, Fangfang Yan agreed to speak with agents, with the help of a Mandarin interpreter. She waived her Miranda rights and described the business structure she believed she worked for. According to the affidavit, Yan said she worked for two companies:   Everclean Eastern LLC at 300 Commerce and Geely Box Inc. at 350 Commerce. She said she spent most of her time at 300 Commerce, and that De Sheng was a newly formed company that had only recently started operations. Yan described Guodeng “Andy” Chen as her boss, someone she saw every day, and said she had been married to co-defendant Didi Huang for about one year at that point. The couple lived with Chen. Yan’s described the oil collection business to investigators, saying that the large tanks at 350 Commerce stored used cooking oil delivered by the truck drivers. She described Yang and Zhang (the truck operators) as selling oil to “my company.” They would call Huang when they were on their way, pump the oil into the warehouse containers, and Huang would handle storage. When asked where the oil came from, Yan said they deliberately did not ask. She claimed they only purchased oil two or three times and had “not been at the 350 Commerce warehouse long.” “They just bought the oil and did not ask questions about it,” said Tyrna in his affidavit . Yan further told investigators that they had already sold one batch of oil. They “prepared the oil and then looked for a client,” ultimately selling it to “a company that begins with the letters D-A-R.” The complaint does not identify that buyer by name. However, in the used cooking oil industry, one of the largest players is Darling Ingredients Inc., which operates restaurant-services and rendering operations under its DAR PRO Solutions brand. DAR PRO collects used cooking oil from hundreds of thousands of restaurants and ships it to facilities where it is converted into renewable diesel and other products. One law enforcement source contends that the unnamed “D-A-R” buyer was Darling Ingredients, a direct competitor of BBD, and that the lead was never fully explored by either state or federal investigators. Of note, neither the complaint nor subsequent DOJ press releases name Darling or accuse it of wrongdoing. Darling emphasize that the company invests in anti-theft technology and even runs a “Grease Police” investigative unit to help law enforcement combat grease theft, not facilitate it. The Federal Case: Interstate Theft and Sale of Stolen Goods Based on Tyrna’s affidavit, prosecutors charged the six defendants with: -Conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 371 alleging they agreed together to commit federal offenses. -Transportation of stolen goods in interstate commerce under 18 U.S.C. § 2314, for moving stolen oil worth at least $5,000 across state lines from New York to Pennsylvania knowing it was stolen. -Sale of stolen goods in interstate commerce under 18 U.S.C. § 2315 for selling stolen oil worth at least $5,000 that had crossed a state boundary. As in any criminal case, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. More than two and a half years after the arrests, the federal case remains pending with pre-trial proceedings ongoing. There is no public record yet of a trial verdict. Missing State Charges and the Monroe County District Attorney One of the most contentious aspects of this case is what did not happen after the 2022 raids: Despite the discovery of an unregistered 9mm handgun and more than $107,000 in cash at 300 Commerce Drive, Monroe County did not pursue parallel state charges for firearms or other offenses arising from the search. According to a source involved with the federal prosecution, an Assistant U.S. Attorney disclosed that the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office – then headed by District Attorney Sandra Doorley – declined to charge the defendants with any state crimes, including gun-related felonies. Niagara Action further learned that there has been “pressure” on federal prosecutors to resolve or dismiss the case. Why and by whom will be further investigated in another story. The source who confirmed Doorley’s refusal to bring any state crimes said that the defendants’ status as migrants influenced her decision—alleging an office-level reluctance to prosecute migrant-related crime. The District Attorney’s office has not publicly stated that immigration status played any role in this or any other prosecution and there is no independent documentation that confirms this as a motivating factor. There is, however, no dispute that Doorley herself has faced significant public scrutiny and formal discipline in recent years, eventually resulting in her stepping down as Monroe County District Attorney.   Doorley’s Own Legal and Ethical Troubles On April 22nd, 2024, Doorley was clocked driving 20 miles per hour over the speed limit in Webster, New York. Rather than pulling over, she drove home while the patrol car followed with lights and siren activated. Body-camera footage later released to the public shows the district attorney  displayed her badge and emphasizing her position, refused multiple commands from the officer, called the Webster police chief during the stop, used profanity and told the officer “I understand the law better than you” and “I don’t really care.” The incident generated local and national headlines. New York Governor Kathy Hochul referred the matter to the State Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct and local ethics bodies opened their own investigations. The subsequent findings were harsh, albeit deserved. The Monroe County Office of Public Integrity found her conduct was “rude at best, and more accurately described as abusive,” that her driving of a county vehicle and attempt to “secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions” violated county ethics codes, and referred the matter to the County Board of Ethics. The Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct issued a 13-page report in 2025 recommending that Doorley be publicly censured, concluding that her behavior during the stop undermined public confidence in the justice system. Doorley paid the speeding ticket and released a video apology, saying she took “full responsibility” for her actions and would undergo ethics training, but initially vowed not to resign. By mid-2025, however, facing censure, she told the Commission it was “time for a new DA” and announced she would step down effective August 31, 2025, ending a 13-year tenure as Monroe County’s top prosecutor.   A Crime That Thrives in the Shadows The Rochester case is not an isolated incident. Across the country, renderers and used cooking oil collectors report that “midnight pumping” operations now siphon off an estimated 8% of the U.S. used-oil supply, costing legitimate firms tens of millions a year. A 2019 federal indictment in the South alleged that 21 defendants stole $3.9 million worth of used cooking oil from restaurants across three states. In Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, local District Attorneys offices have noted that grease theft has “caught the eye of organized crime,” with multi-state investigations looking at how recurring heists across the region might be linked. According to a quick Google search, BBD has pleaded for years for more aggressive enforcement, telling other news outlets that thefts now hit roughly 30% of some regional customer bases at least once a year, and that the rate of theft has doubled in certain markets. Altogether, these facts suggest a shadow market where small crews in box trucks, often out of state, roam restaurant parking lots at night. They drain tanks belonging to legitimate collectors such as BBD and sell the stolen oil into a chain of small, often opaque intermediaries. The product is ultimately aggregated, rendered, and sold into the global fuels system, making it indistinguishable from legitimately collected oil.   An Open Case and Unanswered Questions Despite the detailed paper trail – GPS tracker data, surveillance video, victim depositions, bank records, seized cash, and a loaded handgun – the case has not yet produced a public trial verdict. The Rochester cooking-oil case is about far more than a few vats of waste grease. It’s about how a supposedly low-value waste stream has become a multimillion-dollar target for organized theft, how that theft ripples through local businesses like BBD, and how gaps in enforcement can allow sophisticated criminal activity to flourish in the shadows. Whether the federal case against Chen, Huang, Yan, Yang, Han, and Zhang ultimately ends in convictions, dismissals, or quiet plea bargains, it has already pulled back the curtain on a largely hidden economy, and raised uncomfortable questions about who, exactly, is willing to confront it. Promotional Content Federal Investigation Exposes Hidden Network Behind Cooking Oil Thefts Linked to Migrant Group

Top New York Swimmer Fights for Life After Sudden Liver Failure Diagnosis A 17-year-old North Tonawanda High School swimmer is in critical condition at the University of Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital after being diagnosed with acute liver failure caused by Wilson’s disease, a rare hereditary disorder that leads to toxic copper buildup in the liver. Meredith Roberts’ medical crisis began on Halloween when she noticed dark-colored urine. After multiple hospital visits and extensive testing, doctors confirmed the diagnosis. The disease has already caused significant liver scarring, prompting her addition to the most urgent 1A transplant category—reserved for patients whose only chance of survival is a rapid organ replacement. Her parents, Sara and Mike Roberts, said the illness was the result of a genetic mutation inherited from both sides of the family. Doctors told them that the progression had likely been silently occurring for some time before symptoms appeared. Meredith is described as a top-performing student, musician, and athlete. She has been a standout on the North Tonawanda swim team, ranking as the state’s number one breaststroker and earning a spot to compete at the state level for a fourth consecutive year. She had recently committed to Fairfield University where she planned to continue her swimming career at the Division I level. Now, her family and community are urgently searching for a living liver donor with O positive blood. Friends, classmates, and teammates have flooded social media with prayers, tributes, and offers of support. Her mother said the messages of love have given the family hope amid unimaginable uncertainty. The Roberts family continues to share updates from Pittsburgh as they wait for a donor match. Those wishing to help can apply to become a living liver donor through the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s transplant program: https://livingdonorreg.upmc.com A verified GoFundMe has been created to assist the Roberts family with medical and travel expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-north-tonawanda-teen-in-need-of-liver-donor Supporters can send get-well cards directly to Meredith through the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's online portal: https://ecards.upmc.com Promotional Content North Tonawanda Teen Swimmer Battles for Life Amid Urgent Liver Transplant Search

WATCH BELOW What was meant to be a routine Sunday matchup for Buffalo Bills fans quickly turned chaotic after a fight broke out among supporters during the team’s 30–13 loss to the Miami Dolphins. The incident, captured on video, went viral on social media as Bills Mafia turned on themselves. Footage from the stands shows multiple fans throwing punches as others, including two women in Bills jerseys, tried to intervene. Amid the scuffle, an elderly man could be seen swinging his cane at those fighting while a nearby child watched helplessly. The crowd chaos unfolded in full view of stunned spectators, with a security guard rushing over but struggling to contain the disorder. Witnesses described the melee as relentless, with fans in orange and Bills blue exchanging blows as tempers boiled over. The confrontation came during a frustrating game for Buffalo where the offense stalled until the fourth quarter, scoring their only touchdown on a pass from Josh Allen to Keon Coleman. Fans online expressed disbelief over the viral clip. The video quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from Week 10, overshadowing even the team’s poor on-field performance. Promotional Content VIDEO: Bills Fans’ Wild Stadium Brawl Goes Viral During Dolphins Game

A convicted sex offender from Oklahoma who staged his own disappearance more than ten years ago has been arrested in Upstate New York where investigators say he had been living under a false identity and attending college. Authorities confirmed that Anthony Lennon, 44, once listed among Oklahoma’s Ten Most Wanted, was taken into custody at the end of October following a joint investigation by U.S. Marshals and New York law enforcement. Officials said fingerprint analysis confirmed his true identity after years on the run. According to investigators, Lennon faked a bloody kidnapping scene in 2012 to avoid prosecution on additional child-pornography charges. Before disappearing, he allegedly emptied his bank accounts and left misleading evidence of a violent abduction. The elaborate hoax fooled local authorities for months before investigators determined that the scene had been staged. Court records show Lennon was first convicted in 2010 when police discovered approximately 50 gigabytes of child sexual-abuse material on his computer. In 2012, as investigators uncovered additional evidence, including chat logs, CDs, and other illicit content, he vanished before new charges could be filed. For nearly a decade, Lennon managed to stay under the radar. Investigators traced sporadic activity tied to him, including an Amazon purchase in North Carolina in 2020 and a possible sighting in Dallas in 2022. Federal filings later revealed that Lennon had obtained fraudulent identification and enrolled at SUNY Canton, where he lived under the alias “Justin Phillips,” studying engineering science and living off campus. Officials have not disclosed where Lennon is currently detained as state and federal agencies coordinate his extradition back to Oklahoma. Promotional Content Fugitive Who Faked His Own Kidnapping Captured in Upstate New York

Governor Kathy Hochul is facing mounting backlash after her administration approved a long-delayed natural gas pipeline through New York Harbor — a project that had been rejected multiple times in previous years over environmental concerns. More than 200 demonstrators gathered outside Hochul’s New York City office on Tuesday to protest the decision, condemning the state’s approval of the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline. The project, spearheaded by energy companies Williams and Transco, includes a 17.4-mile underwater section running through the Raritan and Lower New York bays near Staten Island. The approval marked a major reversal for the project which was previously denied three times under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, a provision designed to regulate pollution and water quality standards. Environmental groups argue that the construction will disturb contaminated sediment on the seabed, potentially releasing toxic materials into nearby waters. Critics say the decision represents a betrayal of New York’s climate commitments. Laura Shindell of Food & Water Watch accused Hochul of “turning her back on New York families to do Donald Trump’s dirty work,” calling the pipeline a threat that will “poison our harbor, drive up energy bills, and keep New York shackled to fossil fuels for decades.” The pipeline’s financing will include a 3.5% rate hike for National Grid customers across New York City and Long Island even though certain regions, including Staten Island, will not receive any direct energy benefit from the project. Meg Metzger, a Brooklyn parent and member of Climate Families NYC, said her family was appalled by the approval, warning that it would raise costs and risk polluting the city’s waterways with lead and arsenic. Environmental advocates pointed to cleaner alternatives, saying New York’s energy needs could be met with solar and renewable sources instead of expanding gas infrastructure. Just hours after New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) granted approval under Section 401, New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection also signed off on both Section 401 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, clearing the project on both sides of the bay. Williams President and CEO Chad Zamarin praised the decision, saying, “We’re proud to move NESE forward and do our part in providing New Yorkers access to clean, reliable and affordable natural gas,” adding that the project would help lower costs and support economic growth. However, many see the move as a sharp reversal from the state’s own environmental regulators. In 2020, the DEC had denied the project saying its construction “would result in significant water quality impacts resulting from the re-suspension of sediments and other contaminants, including mercury and copper,” and would disturb “sensitive habitats, including shellfish beds and other bottom-dwelling marine life.” The agency concluded at the time that New York was “not prepared to sacrifice the state’s water quality for a project that is not only environmentally harmful, but also unnecessary.” The pipeline’s revival is linked to President Donald Trump’s second term, during which his administration reinstated several fossil fuel projects previously blocked under environmental rules. Trump’s energy policy has focused on boosting domestic oil and gas production, rolling back restrictions, and sidelining renewable initiatives. As protests continue, opponents of the NESE pipeline vow to fight on, arguing that the project’s approval marks a major step backward for New York’s climate goals and a betrayal by Hochul. Promotional Content Hundreds Rally Against Hochul After She Greenlights Controversial Pipeline

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 11:25am on November 11th after reports of a domestic violence incident and possible hostage situation on 19th Street in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller stated that she was physically and violently pushed out of her home half naked. She then told police that her boyfriend was holding her children inside of the house "hostage." 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: Boyfriend Violently Removes Half-naked Girlfriend from Home, Holds Kids 'Hostage'

New York Governor Kathy Hochul could be heading for a bruising re-election battle in 2026 as a new statewide poll shows her Republican challenger, Rep. Elise Stefanik, within striking distance in what has long been considered a safely Democratic state. According to a recent survey conducted by J.L. Partners, Stefanik holds a commanding lead among likely Republican primary voters and is statistically tied with Hochul in a general election matchup. The poll found that 74% of GOP respondents favor Stefanik as their party’s nominee, compared to just 5% for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, with most remaining voters undecided. The primary survey, conducted November 9th–10th among 400 likely Republican voters had a margin of error of 4.9%. J.L. Partners co-founder James Johnson told the New York Post that “Stefanik seems to dominate the Republican vote. It’s a done deal.” The congresswoman’s overwhelming name recognition appears to be driving her early advantage with more than three-quarters of Republican voters viewing her favorably. However, the more troubling numbers for Democrats come from the general election portion of the poll. In a head-to-head contest, Hochul leads Stefanik by just 46% to 43%, well within the poll’s 4.4% margin of error, making the race effectively a dead heat. The general election survey of 500 likely voters, conducted over the same period, also revealed deep voter dissatisfaction with the governor. Only 37% of respondents said they would definitely or likely support Hochul’s re-election, while 55% said “it’s time for someone new.” These results underscore the mounting challenges facing Hochul as she grapples with voter frustration over high living costs, population decline, and controversial criminal justice reforms including cashless bail and parole policies that critics argue have fueled rising crime and public safety concerns. Stefanik, now serving her sixth term in Congress and a member of House Republican leadership, has positioned herself as the voice of those frustrations. She has made affordability, public safety, and opposition to Albany’s progressive policies the core of her campaign message, echoing former President Donald Trump’s criticisms of cashless bail laws. The poll also highlights Stefanik’s growing institutional support within the Republican Party. Twelve GOP state senators, led by Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, have endorsed her bid, calling her “the fighter New York needs.” Nine county executives across the state have joined in, citing what they describe as Hochul’s “failed progressive policies” driving families and businesses out of New York. While Johnson noted that high Democratic turnout could still give Hochul the edge, he warned that GOP momentum, combined with voter anger over Albany politics and frustration with progressive figures like Zohran Mamdani, suggests that New York’s political map could be shifting. J.L. Partners, which accurately projected the outcome of the 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, currently rates the 2026 New York governor’s race as a “coin flip.” If Stefanik maintains her momentum, she could pose the strongest Republican challenge to a sitting Democratic governor in New York in decades. Promotional Content Stefanik Gains Ground as Hochul Faces Tight Re-election Fight, Poll Finds

A federal court has ordered Suffolk County and its sheriff’s office to pay $112 million in damages to hundreds of immigrants unlawfully held in local jails on behalf of federal immigration authorities. According to court documents, 674 people were found to have been detained beyond their lawful release dates in 2017, despite posting bail or resolving their criminal cases. A federal judge ruled that the county’s actions violated their constitutional due process rights under the 14th Amendment.. “This decision brings long-overdue accountability,” said José Pérez, Deputy General Counsel at LatinoJustice PRLDEF, which represented the plaintiffs. “The jury confirmed what we have argued all along, that Suffolk County’s actions trampled the basic due process rights guaranteed under the 14th Amendment.” The case began with a complaint filed by a 34-year-old immigrant from Guatemala, who said he was unlawfully held in a Suffolk County jail for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite meeting his bail conditions. His cousin had paid $1,000 bail expecting his release and appearance in immigration court. However, instead of being freed, the man was transferred first to ICE’s Varick Street Detention Center in Manhattan and later to the Bergen County Jail in New Jersey. The lawsuit alleged that Suffolk County routinely held detainees for ICE after their criminal matters were resolved, effectively turning local jails into unlawful extensions of federal detention. The plaintiff, represented by LatinoJustice, claimed that he was never informed that his bail had been paid and that his detention caused lasting harm. Court records show that the man suffered severe emotional distress, physical and psychological injury, loss of liberty, humiliation, economic hardship, and a loss of enjoyment of life as a result of the unlawful detention. In issuing the ruling, the court determined that Suffolk County’s practice violated federal and constitutional protections, setting a precedent for similar cases involving local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Promotional Content Migrants Unlawfully Detained by ICE in New York Awarded $112 Million in Landmark Ruling

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 2am on November 12th after reports of a domestic violence incident on Niagara Street in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller - a third party - stated that she is on the phone with daughter and the boyfriend attempted to throw the child during a violent domestic altercation. 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 AUDIO: Male Tries to Throw Child During Domestic Dispute in Niagara Falls

LISTEN TO AUDIO BELOW Law enforcement received a call around 11:25pm on November 11th after reports of a medical emergency at the Seneca Niagara Casino Hotel in Niagara Falls. The 911 caller - an unknown third party - stated that a party was found unresponsive male in a hotel room. The person was not breathing and there was no signs of life. During the call, it was noted that first responders were attempting CPR. Niagara Falls Police, Niagara Falls Fire and medical responded to the scene. It is unknown if the male was declared deceased at the hotel. 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: Dead Body Possibly Found at Seneca Niagara Casino Hotel