News
What the government can do to help Americans save money
1+ day, 4+ hour ago (77+ words) Buffalo Toronto Public Media What the government can do to help Americans save money Saving for retirement and emergency expenses while juggling the rising costs of the basics can be tough for many Americans. Labor economist Kathryn Anne Edwards suggests…...
Disabilities Beat: What New York has to say about Dr. Oz's Medicaid fraud allegations
1+ day, 3+ hour ago (1624+ words) The numbers coming out of New York's Medicaid program don't add up," Dr. Oz said in a social media video accusing New York State of Medicaid fraud. Last year, five million Medicaid beneficiaries " that's nearly three out of four Medicaid…...
Local carpenters advocate to raise construction tax fraud awareness
5+ day, 23+ hour ago (293+ words) Just a few days remain until Tax Day, and local carpenters are taking the opportunity to highlight construction tax fraud, part of a national effort by carpenters to raise awareness. Misclassification and under-the-table payments are major costs to workers, but…...
Emminger's early exit jumpstarts Tonawanda supervisor race with party vetting
6+ day, 5+ min ago (618+ words) Candidates are floating their names as a possible replacement for Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joe Emminger, who is retiring from office before his term is up. It's a process that will largely play out within the Democratic Party's local committee....
Mental health advocates press lawmakers on Daniel's Law, adult homes, Medicaid carve-out in late budget
6+ day, 22+ hour ago (564+ words) With the New York State budget now a week overdue, advocates continue to press lawmakers to include funding for legislation important to their causes. BTPM NPR Disability Reporter Emyle Watkins recently spoke with Luke Sikinyi, the vice president for public…...
Buffalo activists accuse Governor Hochul of choosing the rich over working families
6+ day, 19+ hour ago (388+ words) Tax the rich in "26!" That was a chant repeated by more than a dozen representatives of community advocacy groups, who gathered in downtown Buffalo Thursday afternoon to criticize Governor Kathy Hochul for what they say is her unwillingness to increase…...
Peoples-Stokes reflects on 20-plus years in state assembly, looks to future
1+ week, 23+ hour ago (269+ words) After almost 25 years, Crystal Peoples-Stokes is retiring from her post as State Assemblymember. She also has served as Assembly majority leader since 2018. She views environmental efforts among her biggest accomplishments, pointing to the successful cleanup of environmental waste near True…...
Disabilities Beat: New York mental health advocates urge 4% funding boost to address service gaps
1+ week, 1+ day ago (780+ words) You can also hear or read our entire interview with Emma Pratt and her mother here. This is a rush transcript created by a contractor and may be updated over time to be more accurate." Hi, I'm Emyle Watkins, and…...
Ontario proposes new governance legislation
1+ week, 1+ day ago (55+ words) Buffalo Toronto Public Media Ontario proposes new governance legislation In Ontario, major cuts and changes to Niagara region's government were announced by Municipal Affairs Minister Rob Flack. Under the Better Regional Governance Act, the region will cut the number of…...
'Dehumanizing': Ahead of NYS budget, WNY family denounces gaps in rural youth mental health
1+ week, 6+ day ago (1942+ words) Half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14, and 75% by age 24. Still, in New York, many young people with mental health conditions face barriers to accessing care. As New York decides on its next budget, BTPM NPR Disability…...