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New York state has agreed to pay $24 million to the family of Robert Brooks, the Rochester-area man who died after a brutal beating by correction officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in December 2024, bringing the civil litigation surrounding his death to a close while his family vows to continue pushing for changes in the state prison system. Steven Schwarz (Attorney), Robert Brooks Jr.(Son of Robert Brooks), Jared Ricks (Robert Brook's brother), Elizabeth Mazur (Attorney

Millions of New Yorkers will soon find an unexpected envelope in their mailboxes as the state begins distributing one-time energy rebate checks of up to $200, an effort state leaders say will provide some relief from rising utility and household energy costs. Governor Hochul Announces Energy Rebate Checks Going to 8.2 Million New York Households Starting Sept. 21 Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the state will begin mailing the checks Monday, Sept. 21, to approximately 8.2 mi

Monroe County health officials are urging residents to check their vaccination status and watch for symptoms of measles following multiple potential exposures in the Rochester area this month, including two involving travelers who passed through Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. The Monroe County Department of Public Health announced Sept. 17 that individuals who later tested positive for measles traveled through the Rochester airport on Sept. 8 and

For Morgann Thomas, creating opportunities for people to connect has become more than an event concept. It has become part of how she sees the community. Morgann Thomas A registered nurse and the visionary behind The Pause NY, Thomas draws from her own lived experiences and observations about how people connect, socialize and build relationships to curate experiences that encourage adults to step outside their routines and make room for something new. That work led me to a qu

Six Rochester City School District schools could be on their way out of state receivership by the end of the 2026-27 school year, potentially marking a significant turnaround for schools that have spent years under heightened state oversight. RCSD currently has seven schools in receivership: Dr. David and Ruth Anderson School No. 16, Henry Hudson School No. 28, Dr. Iris J. Banister School No. 33, East Lower School, Edison Career and Technology High School, James Monroe High S

A nearly yearlong investigation into an alleged drug trafficking network in Rochester has resulted in 22 arrests and the seizure of large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine along with more than two dozen firearms, according to the Rochester Police Department. Rochester Police Capt. Greg Bello announced results of a drug investigation Police announced the results Thursday, Aug. 27, saying investigators executed a total of 24 search warrants during two major enforcement operati

For more than six decades, Dr. David “Sankofa” Anderson worked to ensure that Rochester remembered its history — particularly the Black history that too often had been overlooked, diminished or forgotten. Dr. David Anderson was known as "Sankofa" Anderson, a nationally recognized Frederick Douglass scholar, educator, storyteller, civil rights activist and longtime community advocate, died at age 96. His death prompted tributes across Rochester for a man whose influence stretc

Chabad of Pittsford will celebrate 18 years of serving the local Jewish community with a special concert featuring internationally known American-Israeli rapper and musician Nissim Black. The event, “CHAI PITTSFORD: Celebrating 18 Years of Jewish Life in Pittsford,” is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 7, at 2 p.m. at the Sutherland High School Theater, 55 Sutherland St. in Pittsford. American-Israeli rapper and musician Nissim Black Organizers say the celebration will recognize Ch

With thousands of students preparing to return to classrooms, Monroe County officials are launching a new public awareness effort aimed at reminding motorists of one of the most important rules of the road: When a school bus stops with its red lights flashing, drivers must stop, too. The “Spot the Stop” campaign is being rolled out ahead of the 2026-27 school year as local officials seek to reduce the number of motorists illegally passing stopped school buses and putting chil

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