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Rural schools at a crossroads as funding gaps, staffing shortages threaten future

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Rural schools at a crossroads as funding gaps, staffing shortages threaten future
Rural school districts across New York are facing mounting financial and structural challenges that leaders warn could undermine their ability to provide a basic education, even as they experiment with new models aimed at better preparing students for the future. A new report from the Rural Schools Association of New York State ... FULL STORY
NOW STREAMING

CONNECTIONS: Is everyone going to sue social media? (podcast)

CONNECTIONS: Is everyone going to sue social media? (podcast)
A recent legal ruling against major tech platforms is raising new questions about accountability for social mediaโ€™s impact on young users. As featured by a recent episode of WXXIโ€™s Connections ... LAUNCH STREAM
HEADLINE NEWS

State cracks down on campaign violations

Deadline for switching parties before primary is now August 11
Hundreds of political campaigns now face lawsuits as New York ramps up enforcement, according to the Times Union. State election officials have sued at least 290 candidates and committees for missing or late financial filings. Since late 2023, ... Read More

Federal Medicaid probe hit by major error

sign that reads medicaid with medical equipment around it
A massive miscalculation is rattling a federal fraud probe into New Yorkโ€™s Medicaid system, according to the Associated Press. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services admitted it overstated patient numbers tied to a key claim. Officials had ... Read More

Blakeman sues over campaign cash denial

A sudden funding cutoff is shaking New Yorkโ€™s governorโ€™s race, as Bruce Blakeman fights to reclaim millions, according to the Times Union. The Republican candidate says state officials unfairly blocked public matching funds after ...

NY lawmakers revise green energy bill: But how?

A backlash over solar and wind projects on public land forced New York lawmakers to rewrite a major energy bill, according to WETM. Critics warned the plan could open forest land to development and ...

Ex Waterloo official pleads in break-in case

A break-in at a town facility ended with a no-jail plea deal in Seneca County, according to the Finger Lakes Times. A former Waterloo official admitted to damaging property during the 2024 incident. Bob ...

Oโ€™Mara warns electric school bus mandate could strain schools, taxpayers

A state senator is renewing concerns over New Yorkโ€™s push to electrify school buses, arguing the timeline and costs tied to the mandate could create significant financial and logistical challenges for local districts. In ...

Sodus woman charged after drug investigation tied to 2025 traffic stop

A yearlong investigation into suspected narcotics possession has resulted in felony charges against a Wayne County woman, authorities said. The Wayne County Sheriffโ€™s Office reported the arrest of Christina Steurrys following a traffic stop ...

Seneca Falls woman charged after children left unsupervised

A local woman is facing criminal charges after police said she failed to properly supervise two children who required constant adult oversight. Christine M. Stetson, 50, of Seneca Falls, was arrested April 9 following ...

How to evaluate a lake management plan and avoid costly mistakes

Have you ever reviewed a lake management plan that sounded incredibly promising, only to watch your lake continue to deteriorate year after year? You are not alone. Across the Finger Lakes region, communities are ...

UPDATE: Family hospitalized after Rose house fire; investigation ongoing

A late-night house fire in Wayne County sent four people, including two children, to the hospital after they escaped a fully engulfed home. Deputies with the Wayne County Sheriffโ€™s Office responded around 9:49 p.m ...

State offers $20M for hospital energy upgrades as grid reliability concerns grow

New York is rolling out more than $20 million to help hospitals electrify and modernize their buildings, even as new state data raises questions about whether the power grid can reliably support the surge ...

Newark street project included in Tenneyโ€™s federal funding requests

A major infrastructure project in the Village of Newark is among those submitted for potential federal funding by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney as part of the fiscal year 2027 budget process. Tenney announced a slate ...

Teen killed in Route 414 crash identified as North Seneca Ambulance volunteer

A fatal crash in Seneca County on Friday claimed the life of a 16-year-old Clyde resident who was also a volunteer with North Seneca Ambulance, linking a tragic accident with the loss of a ...

Forum draws large crowd as opposition to nuclear development grows in Finger Lakes

More than 200 residents, advocates and local leaders gathered in Watkins Glen this week to voice concerns over potential nuclear development in the Finger Lakes, signaling growing opposition to proposals tied to energy demand ...

Canandaigua police seek help identifying two in downtown investigation

Police in Canandaigua are asking for the publicโ€™s help identifying two individuals connected to an incident earlier this week in the cityโ€™s downtown district. The Canandaigua Police Department said the incident occurred April 6 ...

Yates County warns of scam targeting planning applicants with fake payment demands

Yates County officials are warning residents about a scam involving fraudulent emails that impersonate county planning officials and attempt to solicit money from individuals with active development or zoning applications. The Yates County Sheriffโ€™s ...

Large gathering at Palmyra short-term rental prompts police response

A disturbance at a short-term rental in Palmyra drew a multi-agency police response after a gathering grew far beyond what was authorized, prompting concerns about potential property damage. Palmyra police said officers were dispatched ...

Ontario County sheriff presents jail safety strategies at national conference

Ontario Countyโ€™s top law enforcement officials are taking local correctional practices to a national audience this week, highlighting the countyโ€™s approach to jail safety and transparency. Sheriff David Cirencione and Chief Deputy Stacy Lambert ...
SPORTS

Wayne-Finger Lakes high school sports: April 11 scoreboard

Wayne-Finger Lakes high school sports: April 11 scoreboard
Saturdayโ€™s Wayne-Finger Lakes spring action featured standout individual performances and a tight finish in boys lacrosse, where Geneva edged Aquinas behind a balanced attack and strong goaltending. In girls lacrosse, Anabelle Ruffell powered Wayne with a nine-point outing, while Meaghan ... Read More
FLX LIVING

Newark to host 20th annual Community Pride Day cleanup on May 16

Village of Newark gets dedicated economic development facilitator
Volunteers across Newark will come together next month for a village-wide cleanup and beautification effort as Community Pride Day returns for its 20th year. The annual โ€œColor Our Community with Prideโ€ event is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, ... Read More
NATIONAL INTEREST

Gillibrand hosts labor summit, backs faster union contract negotiations

How to select the tax filing software for small business?
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand brought together top union leaders from across New York this week for a labor summit focused on rising economic pressures and the future of the workforce. The event, titled โ€œA Morning with Labor,โ€ convened ... Read More
PODCASTS & LIVE STREAMS

CONNECTIONS: How can we fix America’s childcare system?

CONNECTIONS: How can we fix America's childcare system?
A local documentary is putting a spotlight on the growing strain facing childcare providers โ€” and the broader system families depend on. On a recent episode of Connections with Evan Dawson, guests discuss โ€œMake a Circle,โ€ a film that follows ... Launch Stream