Community Concerns

(WNY News Now) A new age of humane pet adoption in New York will soon begin with the implementation of a historic law that aims to stop the horrific funnel that runs from puppy mills to retail pet stores.NEW YORK Licensed pet dealers with retail locations were informed yesterday by New York Attorney General Letitia James that it will be unlawful to sell dogs, cats, and rabbits in New York as of December 15. The goal of the pet sale ban is to put an end to puppy mills, which are hazardous, large-scale breeding enterprises where animals are frequently abused and have major health problems. The condition of the animals bred by puppy mills is frequently misrepresented, and sick pups are sent to retail establishments, costing families hundreds of dollars in veterinary care. Retail pet shops...

(WNY News Now) The FCC is under pressure from a bipartisan coalition of 46 Attorneys General, including Pennsylvania's Attorney General Michelle Henry, to close a loophole that allows unsanctioned robocalls and spam messages.HARRISBURG In an effort to reduce the daily barrage of robocalls and spam text messages bombarding citizens, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry joined 45 other attorneys throughout the country in pleading with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve the Robocall Mitigation Database.Voice service providers have had to register since the database's launch in 2021. But because suppliers are not held to any real standards, oversight flaws have made it possible for dishonest people to take advantage of the system by supplying information that is...

(WNY News Now) Pennsylvanians are being forewarned by Attorney General Michelle Henry about a growing phishing scam that targets those who have alleged fraudulent activity on their bank accounts. The goal of the fraud is to steal private financial and personal data.HARRISBURG — Pennsylvanians are being warned by Attorney General Michelle Henry about a phishing scam that involves contacting victims over allegations of fraudulent activity on their bank account in order to obtain personal information and data.Frequently, the con artists would provide the victim a phone number to contact or direct the victim to respond to an email or text message.The con artists next ask for account numbers, login details for financial accounts, and other personally identifying data, such your date of birth ...

(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...

(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...

(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 ...