Community Concerns

17Nov

By Grace ThompsonNo Comments

Community Concerns

Man in Critical Condition Following Apparent Suicide Attempt Off Syracuse Bridge

(WNY News Now) – A young man is fighting for his life after reportedly jumping from a Syracuse bridge in an apparent suicide attempt, prompting an urgent response from police, firefighters, and paramedics.SYRACUSE, NY – On Saturday, November 16, 2024, emergency responders rushed to the service road beneath the Thompson Road overpass on I-690 Westbound following a report of a man who had jumped from the bridge in an apparent suicide attempt.Syracuse Police and Fire Department personnel arrived around 2:18 p.m. to find an unconscious man in his 20s lying on the service road with severe injuries. Responders immediately assisted EMS personnel in providing critical medical care before the victim was transported by American Medical Response to University Hospital. Authorities confirmed that the ...

State of Emergency: Governor Hochul Implements Burn Ban as Wildfires Rage Across New York

14Nov

By Grace ThompsonNo Comments

Community Concerns

State of Emergency: Governor Hochul Implements Burn Ban as Wildfires Rage Across New York

(WNY News Now) – Governor Kathy Hochul announced a statewide burn ban and provided an update on the devastating wildfires impacting New York, including the largest wildfire since 2008, as drought conditions exacerbate fire risk.Governor Kathy Hochul provided an update on wildfires burning across New York State and has deployed a multi-agency response to fires in Orange and Ulster counties in close coordination with local fire departments and first responders. Aerial investigation shows the Jennings Creek/Sterling State Park wildfire, which is in both New York and New Jersey, now encompasses 5,000 acres, half of which is in New York, and is 10 percent contained in both states. The fire in the Town of Denning, Ulster County is 95 percent contained within 630 acres. Governor Hochul also annou...

Attorney General James Warns of Health Insurance Scams Amid Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment

14Nov

By Grace ThompsonNo Comments

Community Concerns

Attorney General James Warns of Health Insurance Scams Amid Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment

(WNY News Now) – New Yorkers are urged to be vigilant as scams targeting health insurance applicants rise during the open enrollment period for Affordable Care Act plans, warns Attorney General Letitia James.NEW YORK — With open enrollment for New York’s Affordable Care Act marketplace now underway, Attorney General Letitia James is cautioning residents about an increase in health insurance scams. As consumers seek coverage for 2025, scammers are exploiting the confusion of open enrollment to steal personal information and money.The open enrollment period runs from November 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025, with the deadline for coverage beginning January 1, 2025, set for December 15, 2024. New Yorkers are urged to be cautious when navigating the process.“New Yorkers must be able to secur...

12Nov

By Grace ThompsonNo Comments

Community Concerns

Tragic Discovery: Deceased Man Found in Onondaga Creek

(WNY News Now) – A chilling discovery in Onondaga Creek has left Syracuse investigators seeking answers in the city’s latest unresolved incident.Syracuse, NY — Early Sunday morning, officers from the Syracuse Police Department responded to a distressing report in the 100 block of Gifford Street. Around 7:35 A.M. on November 10, 2024, authorities arrived at the scene alongside the Syracuse Fire Department, following a report of a potential drowning.Upon reaching Onondaga Creek, first responders found the body of a deceased adult male. The incident has launched a full-scale investigation, with detectives currently working to piece together the circumstances surrounding the man’s death. Syracuse Police have yet to release the identity of the deceased, pending notification of family and furthe...

7Nov

By Grace ThompsonNo Comments

Community Concerns

NY Leaders Vow to Shield Fundamental Rights as Trump Prepares to Take Office

(WNY News Now) – As President-elect Trump’s second term approaches, New York’s Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul are ramping up efforts to safeguard New Yorkers’ freedoms.NEW YORK – Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul updated New Yorkers yesterday on the ongoing work to protect the fundamental freedoms of New Yorkers in preparation for President-Elect Donald Trump’s second term. Attorney General James and Governor Hochul announced a strengthened partnership, including new dedicated staff, to address potential federal legal threats to reproductive freedom, gun safety laws, and other key issues. Governor Hochul also announced the new Empire State Freedom Initiative, which convened prior to Election Day and has already begun developing comprehensive...

$49M Settlement Reached with Drug Makers Over Alleged Price Inflation – Consumers Could Receive Compensation

5Nov

By Grace ThompsonNo Comments

Community Concerns

$49M Settlement Reached with Drug Makers Over Alleged Price Inflation – Consumers Could Receive Compensation

(WNY News Now) – If you bought certain generic prescription drugs between 2010 and 2016, you may be eligible for a refund as part of a $49.1 million settlement with two major pharmaceutical companies.HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry joined a coalition of 50 states and territories in announcing cooperation agreements and settlements with Heritage Pharmaceuticals and Apotex — totaling $49.1 million — regarding the companies’ price inflation and manipulation and other efforts to reduce options for consumers.According to the settlements, the generic prescription drug companies will pay a combined $49.1 million to consumers who purchased their products between 2010 and 2016. The companies will also cooperate in ongoing multistate litigation, led by Connecticut, against 30 corporate ...

Niagara County Joins Statewide Effort to Curb Impaired Driving This Halloween

4Nov

By Grace ThompsonNo Comments

Community Concerns

Niagara County Joins Statewide Effort to Curb Impaired Driving This Halloween

(WNY News Now) – This Halloween, Niagara County law enforcement will join New York State’s High Visibility Engagement Campaign to combat impaired driving and save lives.In an initiative aimed at reducing impaired driving incidents, Niagara County Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti announced that local law enforcement will be participating in New York State’s STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign this Halloween. Law enforcement agencies across Niagara County will intensify their presence on the roads, joining a statewide effort beginning on Thursday, October 31, and extending through Sunday, November 3, 2024. This collaborative campaign is designed to prevent impaired driving-related injuries and fatalities.Sheriff Filicetti emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting that while pa...

30Oct

By Grace ThompsonNo Comments

Community Concerns

$2.25 Million Settlement: Attorney General James Takes Action to Safeguard Patient Data from Cyberattacks

(WNY News Now) – New York Attorney General Letitia James has secured a landmark $2.25 million agreement with Albany ENT & Allergy Services (AENT) following two significant cyberattacks that compromised the medical records of over 200,000 patients.NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today secured $2.25 million from a Capital Region health care provider, Albany ENT & Allergy Services, P.C. (AENT) for failing to protect the private information and medical data of New Yorkers. In 2023, AENT suffered two cyberattacks that compromised the medical records of over 200,000 New York patients. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that AENT did not maintain reasonable safeguards to protect patient data and did not adequately respond to the cyberattacks on its systems. ...