Latest news with #WIVBNews4
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WNY Jewish, Muslim communities react to conflict between Israel and Iran
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — As the conflict continues to escalate and unfold between Israel and Iran, the Jewish and Muslim communities in Western New York are praying for their family and friends overseas. The lives of the citizens from both countries seemingly changed overnight as Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran. Whether it's to see family, friends, or just to visit, the Jewish Community of Western New York has close ties to Israel and travels there often. Rabbi Mendy Labkowski, director of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life of Buffalo, tells WIVB News 4 that, in light of the renewed conflict, travel to the country has now been brought to a halt. 'Throughout the year, when you look at our congregation, there's at least one congregant at all times that are in Israel,' Labkowski said. 'Currently, right now, the entire Israeli airspace is closed. There are so many events that were planned over the next few weeks and, ultimately, all those flights are canceled. Whoever is in Israel is in Israel, and whoever is out of Israel is out of Israel.' Labkowski was born in Israel and has many family members that call the country the preemptive strike, he spoke to some of his family, including his uncle, who he says has already been called up from the reserves to join the army. 'My mother's entire family lives in Israel, and last night when this went on, just about before 10 o' clock, I called my uncle who is in reserves and he was called out, I was watching live on WhatsApp, as he was called out to go leave his family and go be called up for the army,' Labkowski said. 'That's a very, very tough thing.' Earlier this year, Labkowski was in Israel visiting his aunt. While there, he tells WIVB News 4 he got the opportunity to see their bunker where they're now sheltered in light of the conflict. 'My aunt just gave birth about three weeks ago, and watching her, calling her, they're sitting in the bunker,' Labkowski said. 'I was in Israel a few months ago and we slept near there, to actually see it in use, see her with her now four little children and husband, sitting in the bunker, is beyond freaky.' The fear of where this conflict could lead extends to the Iranian people as well. Dr. Khalid Qazi, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Western New York, says that it's been hard for many in the Muslim community to reach their loved ones in the Islamic Republic. 'There are many members in the community that have family and friends in Iran,' Qazi said. 'They haven't been able to reach out to them in a timely manner at this time.' Now, with no end to the conflict in sight, Qazi says fear is mounting. 'Initially, there was a tremendous amount of shock,' Qazi said. 'But, now, there is more fear as to where it is going, what sort of escalations will take place.' Rob Petree is an anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of his work by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
2 teens charged for allegedly stealing nun's car in Amherst
AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) — Two teens are facing charges for allegedly shoving a nun to the ground and stealing her car. Police said the alleged carjacking happened as the nun was arriving for school in Amherst. The incident happened just before 9 a.m. on April 10 at the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart on Main Street, where the nun teaches. According to police, the teens approached her, asked for help and then grabbed her keys, shoved her and stole the vehicle. Police said the two teens have since been charged with robbery and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. WIVB News 4 obtained the letter sent to parents after the incident happened. The letter informs parents that 'the teacher received minor injuries from being pushed out of the way.' The letter also tells parents that the school will be reviewing security measures 'to see if anything further is needed to support student and faculty safety.' Car thefts involving teens has risen in recent years both locally and across the nation. Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane is warning teens of how dangerous the trend is. 'These kids are putting themselves in danger. They really are. If you're being chased by the police, or even just the owner of the vehicle,' he said. 'We see cases involving very serious injuries and death because someone thought it would be fun to steal a car and they should be mindful of that because it happens so quickly. Next thing you know is, people's lives are destroyed.' The two teens are being tried in family court because of their ages. Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Political analysts weigh in on Buffalo mayoral debate
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — As Tuesday night's mayoral debate unfolded, WIVB News 4 sat down with political analysts Carl Calabrese and Len Lenihan to dissect the evening's most impactful exchanges and see which candidates made the strongest impression. According to Calabrese and Lenihan, the defining moments of the night came from State Senator Sean Ryan and Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon. Ryan emphasized a vision for revitalizing Buffalo, while Scanlon laid out his plan to address the city's budget crisis. 'Scanlon's strongest moment was trying to put forth a plan that, yes, we have a fiscal deficit, but he said, 'I've got a plan to do something about it,'' Lenihan said. 'Ryan's primary objective was to present a vision for change.' Both analysts agreed that Ryan and Scanlon emerged as the front-runners in the debate, as they exchanged pointed jabs early on. One of the most contentious moments came when Ryan linked Scanlon to controversial Republican figure Carl Paladino. 'Chris Scanlon has received tens of thousands of dollars from Carl Paladino,' Ryan claimed. 'And Carl Paladino has received tens of millions of dollars from the City of Buffalo. That ratio, Chris — I'd say you're a cheap date on this one.' Scanlon quickly pushed back. 'That didn't take long. I thought that would come up soon tonight,' he said. 'I have not received $1 in this campaign from Carl Paladino. Who is fueling and funding my campaign are the 1,700 donors in Buffalo and Western New York.' Calabrese noted Ryan's aggressive approach throughout the debate. 'He started off with the Paladino issue, ended with the MAGA issue, and went after Scanlon for being chairman of the Budget Committee,' Calabrese said. 'Scanlon, though, landed some strong counterpunches.' While Calabrese and Lenihan said no one really took the edge Tuesday, one candidate that stood out to them was Rasheed Wyatt. 'The guy that surprised me was Rasheed Wyatt,' Calabrese said. 'He looked really good tonight. Not only did he have a command of the issues, but his personality came through.' Lenihan agreed, highlighting Wyatt's stance on the city's fiscal missteps. 'I think his strongest argument was, 'Hey, these budgets that ran up the deficit — I didn't vote for them.'' However, Calabrese believed Scanlon missed opportunities to go on the offensive, particularly regarding public safety and bail reform. 'If you recall, Senator Ryan supported India Walton for mayor over Byron Brown. India Walton ran on a campaign of cutting 100 police officers and millions from the police budget,' Calabrese said. 'I would have been all over that if I were Scanlon. When the issue of public safety came up, and on bail reform, Scanlon could have cited real examples of crimes committed by individuals released under reforms that Ryan supported.' As the race heads into its final three weeks, both analysts emphasized that this race is very much in the voters' hands. 'I think who is going to win this election is going to be the person who puts forth the strongest vision for change in the coming weeks,' Lenihan said. 'There's still time — three weeks in politics is a lifetime.' 'Overall, Scanlon looked like he could be mayor,' Calabrese said. 'Ryan looked like he could be mayor and I think Rasheed Wyatt elevated himself up to that level.' Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In case you missed it: Big takeaways from News 4's Democratic mayoral debate
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo will decide its next mayor this November and the Democratic primary is coming up fast. Five candidates took to the stage Tuesday night with WIVB News 4 and D'Youville University to debate topics on the minds of Buffalonians. Here's what Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon, State Senator Sean Ryan, Councilman Rasheed N.C. Wyatt, former Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield, and Buffalo native Anthony Tyson-Thompson had to say. The city budget was approved late last month, which includes a hotel bed tax and the sale of the city's parking ramps in order to address a $70 million structural deficit. Scanlon described the budget as 'an opportunity,' while Wyatt, one of two councilmembers who voted no to pass it, said leadership in the city continues to make the same mistakes that fall back on taxpayers. Ryan claimed that Scanlon has received money from 'MAGA' Carl Paladino, but Scanlon refuted the claims. Selling the city's parking ramps would only solve this year's problems, Ryan speculated. Parkways have been proposed for both the Kensington and the I-198 for large amounts of federal funding. Both projects are on pause. WIVB News 4's coverage on the Kensington Expressway In regards to making progress or getting the money back, Scanlon said a full environmental study must be done. Whitfield claimed he was the only one on the stage in support of the restoration of Humboldt Parkway. Multiple restaurants downtown have closed in the past year. In order to keep businesses in and keep people visiting the city, Scanlon said his administration has already enacted a small business grant program. Whitfield lamented the new Bills stadium being built outside of downtown and Wyatt said, 'I would like to point my finger at the Pegulas, but I can't,' instead blaming the city's leadership. Chief of Narcotics D.J. Granville is accused of hitting six vehicles and causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage to seven last year. An investigation remains pending. When asked about Granville donating to Scanlon's campaign, the acting mayor said they were childhood friends and that Granville has donated to his campaign in the past. *** Viewers submitted various questions to WIVB News 4. Here are answers given by candidates during our post-debate town hall. Safety has been a recent concern within Buffalo Public Schools. In response, Scanlon said $55 million has gone to the schools to improve safety as a partnership prevails. 'If we can't keep our kids safe, we can't educate them,' he said. Ryan cited a 'mental health crisis' and said programs must be available for basic needs, such as clothing and counseling, to be met. Buffalo Public Schools adopts resolution to expand scope of investigation into allegations Whitfield said Buffalo needs to do a better job of educating and supporting its children, and that the mayor should be 'intimately involved' in that process. 'If they know that they're supported, right now they don't know that,' he said. 'We see them as the problem, but we're the problem. We're the problem because we have not provided a safe environment for them.' Illegal ATVs swarm the city every year during the warmer months. Riverside resident Terry asked how the candidates will take back the streets and hold drivers accountable. Investigation launched after incident involving Buffalo police vehicle, ATV Scanlon said increasing fines and cameras is a possibility. Both Ryan and Wyatt said laws are necessary to block ATVs from being sold in the city. 'The City of Buffalo operates a kill animal shelter. It is barbaric, it is behind the times and we can do better,' Ryan said when asked about improving the Buffalo Animal Shelter. He claimed the city never applied for state money for the shelter. Scanlon said he could not speak to potential money from the state, but that a new location has been identified and will be announced later this week. When asked about bringing down the cost of rent and affordable housing, Scanlon said the city is building 110 homes, with the vast majority being in the East Side. Tyson-Thompson said initiatives for residents and buildings up to code are a necessity. Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz endorses Sean Ryan for Buffalo mayor
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz endorsed Sean Ryan for Buffalo mayor on Tuesday morning, joining a list of politicians endorsing the state senator. Poloncarz has served as Erie County Executive since 2012. He said he endorsed Ryan due to his belief in Ryan's ability to fix the city's budget issues and develop the city economically. The endorsement comes on the morning of the first mayoral debate, which will be hosted by WIVB News 4 on-air, online, and on the WIVB+ app. Preview: Buffalo mayoral candidates to face off in debate Tuesday night 'I just feel it's that important,' Poloncarz said. 'This is my last term as county executive and as I said, you cannot have a strong county unless you have a strong City of Buffalo.' Poloncarz compared the city's current budget issues to the red-green fiscal crisis of 2005 under then-County Executive Joel Giambra. He also lauded his belief in Ryan to fairly negotiate and do what is best for residents. Poloncarz joined State Senator April Baskin and Assemblyman Jon Rivera as the most notable local politician endorsements for Ryan to become the next mayor. Ryan has also been endorsed by the Erie County Democratic Committee. 'I'm a City of Buffalo resident. Not everybody lives in the City of Buffalo,' Poloncarz said, 'but I think you see the residents who live in the City of Buffalo, the elected officials are making their choice. And there are four other candidates in the race for the Democratic primary. And I just think we need a new leader who's got the proven experience through what he's done.' Ryan added that he does not have the intention of running an independent campaign if he loses the June 24 primary. Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon and former Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield, who are both in the Democratic primary, have filed with the Erie County Board of Elections to run independent campaigns should they lose. The five Democratic primary candidates for Buffalo mayor are set to debate at D'Youville University's Kavinoky Theatre on Tuesday night, hosted by WIVB News 4. To find more information, including how to watch, click here. Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
