Local News

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The pending closure of Durham School Services’ Rochester operations is raising new questions about the future of student transportation in the Rochester City School District, particularly for students with disabilities and families who rely on consistent daily transportation services. According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing with the New York State Department of Labor, Durham School Services — operating locally as Monroe Sch

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — As workers across the country prepare for May Day 2026, labor organizers and community advocates are calling renewed attention to economic inequality, racial disparities, and the role of Black workers in shaping the future of the labor movement—both nationally and in cities like Rochester. This year’s May Day observances come amid a broader national push branded as “Workers Over Billionaires,” a campaign that has galvanized unions, grassroots organizations,

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Community members gathered at Rochester City Hall to protest proposed budget cuts to student support services within the Rochester City School District ahead of a City Council budget hearing. Dozens of people gathered at City Hall Monday, April 27, 2026 to protest proposed RCSD budget cuts. (Photo by Alayna Delice, MRMG) Counselors and social workers support students beyond the classroom, speakers said. They described working with students dealing with serio

The first of seven trial dates has been scheduled in connection with the death of Sam Nordquist, as prosecutors move forward in a case that authorities say involves multiple defendants and serious criminal allegations. Sam Nordquist - FB photo According to court filings, the initial trial is expected to begin in the coming months, with six additional dates reserved to accommodate separate proceedings. The staggered schedule reflects the complexity of the case, including the n

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Malik D. Evans has appointed Erik Frisch as commissioner of the city’s Department of Neighborhood and Business Development, following the retirement of longtime commissioner Dana Miller, city officials announced Wednesday. Dana Miller (L) and Erik Frisch Frisch, who previously served as deputy commissioner of the department, was confirmed by Rochester City Council on Tuesday. Miller retired March 27 after nearly two decades in City Hall leadership roles. Ev

Philanthropist and entrepreneur Tom Golisano announced a $125 million investment in three children’s hospitals, expanding a nationwide network aimed at improving pediatric healthcare access and outcomes. Tom Golisano The funding will support Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio with $50 million, Dayton Children’s Hospital in Ohio with $40 million, and Avera Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with $35 million. The additions bring the total number of hospitals in the Golisano Chi

Six staff members of Rochester Police Accountability Board have been laid off following a court ruling that significantly limits the agency’s authority, officials confirmed. The layoffs, announced Friday by Executive Director Lesli Myers-Small, come in response to a March 20 decision by a New York appellate court that upheld earlier rulings stripping the board of key investigative and disciplinary powers. In a statement, Myers-Small said the decision to reduce staff was drive

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A new national housing analysis shows that for most Americans—including those in upstate New York—the long-standing belief that buying a home is cheaper than renting has largely flipped. According to a report by Construction Coverage, rising home prices and higher mortgage rates have made buying more expensive than renting in the majority of U.S. cities. As of early 2026, the typical monthly mortgage payment is about 20% higher than the median rent nationwid

Tops Friendly Markets customers can now use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to order groceries for delivery through DoorDash, marking a significant expansion in how families access food across upstate New York. The grocery chain announced the new option Wednesday, allowing shoppers to use Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards directly within the DoorDash app to purchase eligible food items. Company officials said the move is aimed at improving acce

Thousands of demonstrators across the United States took to the streets Saturday as part of the nationwide “No Kings” movement, with multiple rallies held in the Rochester area drawing hundreds to several thousand participants in a show of opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies. The protests were part of a coordinated national day of action that included more than 3,000 events across all 50 states, making it one of the largest single-day protest mobilizations in U.S.

A coalition of Rochester-area business leaders is calling on state lawmakers to address disparities in charter school funding, arguing that current formulas leave local students at a disadvantage compared to their peers in other upstate cities. The push comes as New York’s state budget negotiations enter their final stages, with education funding emerging as a key issue. Dozens of business leaders and organizations have signed a letter urging Albany to increase per-pupil fund

State Sen. Samra Brouk says the New York State Senate’s Democratic majority budget proposal includes several investments aimed at strengthening mental health services, supporting working families and increasing funding for Rochester-area programs. NYS Senator Samra Brouk - D, Rochester The Senate approved its “one-house” budget resolution Thursday, outlining the chamber’s priorities as negotiations begin with the Assembly and Gov. Kathy Hochul over the final state spending pl

The New York State Conservative Party is sharply criticizing Democratic leaders in Albany, accusing them of prioritizing their own financial interests while residents struggle with rising costs across the state. Gerard Kassar - NY State Conservative Party Chariman In a statement released this week, Gerard Kassar, chairman of the New York State Conservative Party, blasted Democrats for supporting a potential pay increase for state lawmakers and floated changes to the legislati

From the neighborhoods of Rochester to doctoral halls and district leadership tables, Dr. Shalonda Garfield’s life traces a line many systems were not built to accommodate — yet one she refused to let define her limits. Born and raised in Rochester, Garfield describes her childhood as “interesting” — marked by poverty, yet animated by imagination. As a little girl, she played school with her siblings, already rehearsing a future she could not yet see but somehow sensed. She w

Rochester City Council Vice President LaShay D. Harris hosted the fourth annual Martha L. Hope ROC Senior Estate Planning Summit on Saturday, bringing together older adults, caregivers and community organizations to discuss financial planning, aging resources and strategies to preserve generational wealth. Rochester City Council President Miguel Melendez, Rochester City Council Vice President LaShay D. Harris, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, N

A majority of New York voters support allowing New York City to raise income taxes on residents earning at least $1 million, while Gov. Kathy Hochul maintains a sizable lead over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman in a hypothetical gubernatorial matchup, according to a new Siena College poll released Wednesday. The survey found that 54% of New York voters support giving New York City the authority to raise taxes on millionaires, compared with 29% who oppose the proposal. Su