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Our Voices Project LLC, in collaboration with Legacy Drama House, presented Being Black in America: Discussion and Collective Action  on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Legacy Drama House, located at 112 Webster Avenue in Rochester, NY. Dr. Mary Tina, the owner of Legacy Drama House, has operated the space for more than eight years. The event was well attended, filling the venue. Our Voices Project Founder, Director, and Co-Producer Jackie McGriff, along with Outreach Facili

AI created image of President Donald Trump When Donald Trump has mused publicly about serving a third term as president, the response from many allies and critics has been familiar: dismiss it as a joke, provocation, or “Trump banter.” Supporters often frame the comments as sarcasm meant to irritate opponents or excite crowds, while even some Republican lawmakers insist the Constitution makes such speculation moot. But Trump’s political history complicates that dismissal. Aga

Margaret “Midge” Thomas, a beloved leader, mentor, and tireless advocate for community empowerment in Rochester, New York, died on Jan. 8, 2026, at Rochester General Hospital. She was 99 years old and had been hospitalized for several weeks with respiratory complications, her goddaughter, Beverly Randall, said. Margaret "Midge" Thomas For more than five decades, Thomas’s life was defined by service, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to lifting others — especially youth a

Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans and County Executive Adam J. Bello recognized the service of local law enforcement officers Friday during a private ceremony marking National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. The event, held at the Public Safety Building, brought together leaders and officers from the Rochester Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Evans and Bello presented a joint proclamation to Todd Baxter, David Smith, and attending officers and deputies

Mayor Malik D. Evans has extended the City of Rochester’s Gun Violence State of Emergency for another 30 days, signaling that city officials believe extraordinary measures are still necessary to address ongoing public safety concerns. The extension, issued Tuesday, continues an emergency proclamation first enacted amid persistent gun violence and renewed regularly by the Evans administration. While the move does not create new laws or restrictions, it carries important legal,

The Rochester Police Department has released additional information as investigators continue to examine a violent incident involving both a stabbing and a shooting at a home on Coventry Street. Police said officers responded to the residence after receiving reports of a disturbance that escalated into serious violence. Upon arrival, officers discovered multiple victims suffering from traumatic injuries, including at least one person with stab wounds and another with gunshot

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

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