Top Stories

Incumbent Letitia James brings nearly eight years running one of the nation's most powerful state attorney general offices. Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy brings an extensive federal prosecution and national-security résumé. Their contest could ultimately become a referendum on what New Yorkers want their attorney general to prioritize. Letitia James, Saritha Komatireddy (Official Photos) As New York Attorney General Letitia James seeks another term, Republican cha

A social media statement by Monroe County Legislator and Rochester City Council candidate Rachel Barnhart following this past weekend's deadly violence generated hundreds of reactions, revealing sharp divisions over what is driving the city's recurring outbreaks of violence—and how leaders should respond. Despite the ban on large crowds issued by Mayor Malik Evans, crowds gathered this weekend post the annual Puerto Rican Festival, leaving two dead and several injured. The vi

Tenants and housing advocates gathered outside Conifer Realty's headquarters on University Avenue Thursday, calling for improved living conditions at several Conifer-managed apartment complexes and urging state and local officials to reconsider awarding public funding to the affordable housing developer until existing maintenance issues are addressed. The demonstration, organized by the Rochester Tenant Union and residents of several Conifer properties, focused largely on con

Betye Saar, the groundbreaking artist whose powerful assemblage works challenged racism, reclaimed Black identity, and transformed everyday objects into symbols of resistance, died Sunday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 99, just days shy of her 100th birthday. Her family confirmed her death on Monday. Betye Saar - Instagram Photo Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures of the Black Arts Movement, Saar spent more than six decades creating works that confront

Thousands of Monroe County residents are losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as new federal work requirements take effect, prompting concerns from local officials and anti-hunger advocates that food insecurity will rise across the Rochester region. The changes primarily affect certain adults between the ages of 18 and 64 who do not have dependent children and do not qualify for an exemption. Under the new federal rules, recipients in this category

Rochester recorded its lowest number of shooting victims in the first half of a year in 15 years, according to new data released Thursday by Mayor Malik D. Evans, who also announced new restrictions on large overnight public gatherings following the city's Fourth of July weekend mass shooting. Mayor Malik Evans announce citywide curfew at press conference Wednesday. City officials reported that 59 people were struck by gunfire during the first six months of 2026, the fewest f

A new Fox News poll suggests that American voters are increasingly dissatisfied with both the nation's economic direction and its political leadership, signaling a potentially volatile environment heading into the 2026 midterm elections. The survey found widespread concern over the economy, declining approval ratings for President Donald Trump, and growing frustration with both major political parties. According to the poll, President Trump's overall job approval remains at 3

Editor's note: This article was updated July 22, 2026 to include information about Alissa Brennan's candidacy for Rochester's East District Council Seat. Brennan announced her candidacy in May. ~ Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart announced Monday that she is running for Rochester City Council's East District seat following Councilmember Mary Lupien's decision not to seek reelection in 2027. Lupien, who has represented the East District since 2020, also endorsed Barnhar

Friday, July 17, 2026, is now known as Octavia Spencer Day in Rochester, N.Y. During a news conference held Friday at the George Eastman Museum's Dryden Theatre, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans read a proclamation honoring Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer. As she received the proclamation recognizing her contributions to the film industry—not only in Rochester but around the world—Spencer did not hold back the joy on her face. Mayor Malik Evans and Actress Octavia Sp

After years of working through a lengthy waiting list of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam-era veterans, Honor Flight Rochester is now encouraging Cold War-era veterans to apply for upcoming missions to Washington, D.C., ensuring a generation of service members often overlooked in public recognition receives the gratitude they have earned. The nonprofit organization is specifically seeking veterans who served during the Cold War period between 1975 and 1989, a time marked

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the Republican Party's most influential and recognizable figures, died Saturday following what his office described as a brief illness. He was 71. U.S. Senator Linsdey Graham, July 9, 1955 - July 11, 2026 (Official photo) Graham represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate for more than two decades after first being elected in 2002. Before serving in the Senate, he represented South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2

Wegmans Food Markets acknowledged it uses facial recognition technology in a limited number of stores to improve safety and deter organized retail theft. The disclosure renewed questions about how businesses collect, store and use biometric information. (Photo: Wegmans PR Dept) Monroe County lawmakers are considering legislation that would require businesses to notify customers when facial recognition technology is being used, adding the county to a growing movement across Ne

Rochester officials are weighing new public safety measures, including the possibility of a youth curfew, after a mass shooting during the Fourth of July weekend left seven people wounded by gunfire, one person stabbed, and renewed concerns about downtown violence. Mayor Malik Evans The violence erupted shortly after the city's Independence Day celebrations concluded early Sunday morning in Rochester's East End entertainment district. According to the Rochester Police Departm

As her tenure leading the Penfield Central School District Board of Education comes to an end, outgoing Board President Dr. Aaliyah El-Amin-Turner is leaving behind a message of gratitude, reflection and a forceful defense of Superintendent Dr. Tasha Potter, arguing that some of the opposition the district's first Black superintendent has faced cannot be separated from issues of race and representation. Penfield School District Board President Dr. Aaliyah El-Amin-Turner In a

The Rochester City School District is delaying several planned student initiatives after receiving approximately $4.1 million less in state aid than district officials anticipated, forcing administrators to revise the 2026-27 budget just weeks before the start of the new school year. The budget adjustment comes after New York approved its state budget nearly two months late, leaving school districts across the state to finalize local budgets before knowing their exact state a

As the Buffalo Bills prepare to open their new Highmark Stadium this season, one of the greatest players in franchise history will not be among those honored. Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson The organization confirmed over the weekend that Pro Football Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson will not be included in the team's new "Family Circle," an outdoor plaza celebrating the greatest figures in Bills history. The new stadium sits directly across the street from the

President Donald Trump has unexpectedly delayed signing one of the most significant bipartisan housing bills in decades, tying the measure to an unrelated election proposal despite overwhelming support from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress. President Donald Trump The legislation, known as the **21st Century ROAD to Housing Act**, cleared the Senate by an 85-5 vote before passing the House 358-32, making it one of the most broadly supported major bills of the 119th C

Incumbents dominated primary election night across the Rochester region Tuesday, with U.S. Rep. Joe Morelle and State Assemblymember Demond Meeks both securing decisive Democratic primary victories as they prepare for November's general election. Joe Morelle, Demond Meeks In the race for the 137th Assembly District, which includes portions of Rochester and the Town of Gates, incumbent Assemblymember Demond Meeks easily defeated challenger Mercedes Vazquez Simmons. According t

Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart is seeking answers from Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter regarding the deployment of a sheriff's deputy to Washington, D.C., as part of a federal security operation connected to the Trump administration's Freedom 250 events. Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart In a statement released Monday, Barnhart said she had requested an immediate explanation from Baxter after images circulated online appearing to show a Monroe County Sherif

Communities across the Rochester region are commemorating Juneteenth this week with festivals, educational programs, performances, and community gatherings honoring the end of slavery in the United States and celebrating Black history, culture and resilience. Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, the day Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans of their freedom—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Procl