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Malik D. Evans opened the New Year with a message of unity, perseverance, and action during his inaugural address on Jan. 1, 2026, at the Eastman School of Music. Mayor Malik Evans gets sworn in for his second term by his wife Shawanda and his son Cameron. Photo by Rev. Julius Jackson Emceed by Narada Campbell, the ceremony brought together local leaders, community members, and residents to mark the start of Mayor Evans’ new term. Adam Bello, Monroe County executive, thanked

A Rochester woman has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of her 16-year-old son, authorities said Tuesday. Ca'hry Gibson and his father Christopher Gibson Police say the incident unfolded on the morning of Oct. 10 on Breck Street on Rochester’s east side after an argument between 38-year-old Aneka Connor and her son, Ca’hry Gibson, over a cellphone. According to Rochester Police Department reports, Gibson ran out of the house and climbed onto the hood

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is an American businesswoman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 20th congressional district since 2022. U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has denied allegations that she and several co-defendants stole millions of dollars in federal disaster relief funds and used some of the money to support her 2021 congressional campaign, calling the case unjust and vowing to fight the charges in court. Cherfilus-McCormick was indic

The body of missing Rochester woman Carolyn “Danny” Siplin, 33, was found late last week, and authorities have confirmed her identity, Rochester Police announced Sunday. Siplin had been reported missing on Dec. 23, just two days before Christmas, after family members lost contact with her. Her disappearance prompted a citywide search that included public alerts and extensive outreach from law enforcement. Officers located a body Friday near the east side of the Genesee River

Workers in Monroe County will see their minimum wage rise to $16.00 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2026, as New York State implements the latest step in a multi-year plan to increase wages and protect workers from rising living costs. The increase represents a 50-cent per hour raise from 2025 rates and applies to Monroe County and the rest of upstate New York. Higher minimum wage rates will also take effect downstate, with workers in New York City, Westchester County and Long Isl

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed legislation strengthening the state’s legal protections for reproductive health care and gender-affirming care, expanding safeguards against out-of-state investigations and penalties aimed at patients and providers. Assemblymember Harry Bronson The measure, known as Shield Law 2.0, builds on New York’s 2023 Trans Safe Haven Act and was sponsored by Assemblymember Harry Bronson, a Democrat representing Rochester. The law is designed to clo

UPDATED (Dec. 22, 2025): This story has been updated to include the identification of the suspect, additional details about officer injuries, and information released by police regarding prior threats and an active arrest warrant. Three Rochester police officers were shot and wounded, and a suspect with a history of domestic violence threats was killed after a domestic disturbance call escalated into gunfire late Friday night, police said. The suspect was identified Monday a

State Senator Samra G. Brouk (D-55) and Assemblywoman Sarah Clark (D-136) issued a joint statement Thursday criticizing Governor Kathy Hochul’s veto of their bipartisan childcare ratio bill (A.4003/S.4929), calling the decision a setback in the fight to address New York’s ongoing childcare crisis. State Senator Samra G. Brouk (D-55) and Assemblywoman Sarah Clark (D-136) The legislation — approved by both legislative chambers earlier this year — would have standardized caregiv

Authorities confirmed that the suspect believed responsible for a deadly mass shooting at Brown University has been found dead, ending a multi-day nationwide manhunt that also linked him to another fatal shooting in Massachusetts, officials said Friday. The mass shooting occurred about 4:05 p.m. Saturday inside the Barus and Holley Engineering Building, where students were attending a final exam review session. A gunman opened fire in a classroom, killing two Brown University

Rep. Joe Morelle said Wednesday he voted in favor of bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening small businesses and expanding investment opportunities, a bill that has now passed the U.S. House of Representatives and awaits consideration in the Senate. Congressman Joe Morelle The measure, known as the Incentivizing New Ventures and Economic Strength Through Capital Formation Act, or INVEST Act, cleared the House on a bipartisan vote and is designed to modernize federal ca

Rochester City Council President Miguel A. Meléndez, Jr. is urging the Trump administration to immediately restore federal homelessness funding after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) abruptly paused its Continuum of Care (CoC) grant program, a primary funding source for local housing stability efforts. Rochester City Council President Miguel A. Meléndez, Jr. The pause, which stems from HUD’s withdrawal of its notice of funding opportunity earlier thi

Gov. Kathy Hochul has issued her fourth veto of the Grieving Families Act, a bill that would overhaul New York’s wrongful death statute and allow families to seek damages for emotional suffering, expanding what is currently one of the nation’s most restrictive laws. Hochul rejected the legislation late Monday, arguing that the broad expansion of eligible claims and the lack of clear financial guardrails would significantly drive up insurance and liability costs for municipali