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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

A deep freeze grips Rochester today, giving way this week to a mix of snow, wind and fluctuating daytime highs that could challenge travel and outdoor plans. Brief warm-up brings snow After a frigid Monday topping out at 23 °F, the region warms slightly on Tuesday — to a high near 32 °F — but that comes with a burst of early snowfall. Forecasts call for 3 to 6 centimeters of accumulation, enough to dust roads and sidewalks. Unsettled midweek: snow, rain mix By Wednesday, temp

Rapper Toosii, a Syracuse native, Announced He Will Join Syracuse University Football Program Syracuse native and platinum-selling rapper Toosii is returning to his roots — not on stage, but on the field. The 24-year-old artist, known for hits like “Love Cycle” and “Favorite Song,” is set to join the Syracuse University football program, the school confirmed Monday. Toosii, born Nau’Jour Grainger, will enroll as a non-traditional student-athlete and participate as a walk-on

NEW YORK — New York Attorney General Letitia James on Tuesday secured a federal court order preventing the U.S. government from cutting off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, a move she said would have jeopardized health care access for millions of low-income patients nationwide. The ruling, issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, grants a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of a provision in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The prov

Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart is demanding the release of all county records related to Airbnb’s lobbying efforts as lawmakers prepare to vote on whether the county will opt out of New York’s new statewide short-term rental registry — a system designed to track Airbnb and other vacation rentals, standardize tax collection, and enforce safety and licensing rules across the state. Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart The registry, approved by lawmakers earlier th