WECK News and Podcasts

WECK News and Podcasts Moving

2009-07-08T11:23:00.001-04:00

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Good Morning Buffalo: Michael Jackson

2009-07-07T14:44:00.002-04:00

Family Attorney Janet Pennisi talks to Tom and Loraine about the issues following the death of the King of Pop.

Skeleton Crew 7/7/09

2009-07-07T14:27:00.001-04:00

Hosted by Drs. Darren Bell and Matthew Misiak

Bill O'Loughlin Show 7/7/09

2009-07-07T13:58:00.002-04:00

Segment 1

Segment 2

Segment 3

Segment 4

Segment 5

Segment 6

Segment 7

Hometown News: Senate Standoff Continues

2009-07-07T11:38:00.000-04:00

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is asking a state judge to rule if he can withhold pay from state lawmakers involved in the ongoing feud in Albany. Comptroller DiNapoli argues he can hold onto paychecks for all 62 Senators with Governor Paterson refusing to take sides in the power struggle. The governor says the true leader of the Senate remains unclear. Another special session is scheduled for today. No officials business was conducted Monday in the state Senate.

A new concept been suggested to end the stalemate in the state Senate. A co-majority was proposed by Senate Republicans and renegade Democratic Senator Pedro Espada Jr. and would remain in effect through 2010. The Democratic conference has so far rejected the notion. The biggest barrier to continuing co-leadership would require Senate rules to be rewritten, which could become a long, drawn-out affair. Also, co-leaders could have trouble making personnel decisions regarding staff and other resources, since many positions are given to party loyalists.

One state Assemblyman wants Governor Paterson to appoint a Lieutenant Governor to break the stalemate in the state Senate. Assemblyman Michael Gianaris of Queens says current laws leave the door open for Paterson to make an appointment. The Lieutenant Governor's post has been vacant since Paterson assumed the governor's seat in the wake of the Eliot Spitzer scandal. The position has the power to break ties in the Senate. The move could spark lawsuits from the GOP, since Paterson would select a Democrat.

HTN: Charges Dropped Against Wilson Coaches

2009-07-07T11:37:00.000-04:00

Child Endangerment charges have been dropped against two Wilson High School baseball coaches. Prosecutors abruptly asked for the case to be dismissed against William Atlas and Thomas Baia for their alleged roles in a hazing incident on April 17th of last year. The District Attorney's office did not give a reason why the charges were dropped. The move came on the day when a jury was to have been selected. The two coaches had been on paid suspension. Now their lawyers say the school board should reconsider their status based on this new information.

HTN: Buffalo Man Sentenced in Fatal Border Chase

2009-07-07T11:36:00.002-04:00

A Buffalo man serving a prison term in Canada for killing a woman during a high speed chase across the border has been sentenced on carjacking charges from that incident. Police say 33-year-old Cornelius Cross was given a 15 year sentence for stealing a car in Buffalo which led to the fatal accident in 2004. Authorities say Cross stole the car and was being chased by police. That's when he ditched the car, stole a cable television van and raced across the Rainbow Bridge killing a woman in a crash on the Canadian side. Cross still has five years left on his Canadian sentence for the death. He will serve 15 years for the thefts of the van and car when he arrives back in the U.S in 2014.

HTN: Senecas Set Up New Investment Company

2009-07-07T11:36:00.001-04:00

The Seneca Nation of Indians has formed a new investment company. Seneca Holdings LLC is expected to spend at least 28-million dollars over the next five years through a series of subsidiaries. All of those investments will be with companies that are operated, owned or run by members of the Seneca Nation or other tribes. Seneca Holdings was formed against the backdrop of potential legal threats against the Seneca's gaming and tobacco business ventures. Seneca officials say job creation and community development are key for the firm's new investment strategy.

HTN: Springville Sinkhole Getting Bigger

2009-07-07T11:35:00.001-04:00

A big sinkhole in Springville has gotten even bigger, and residents want to know why. Officials say the hole is increasing in length north and south. The hole is on an Erie County road, so the town has been waiting for the county to repair the problem. The Erie County Department of Public Works says the county and the town are working "very closely together." Inspectors say there is hollowing underneath a culvert in the road and the dirt is falling in, allowing water to from a nearby creek to spill into the hole. A temporary dam will need to be put in place to halt the flow of water just above the stream's spillway.

HTN: New Scam Targets Elderly

2009-07-07T11:34:00.000-04:00

A recent phone scam targeting the elderly that's popped up elsewhere in the country has finally made its way to the Buffalo area. Two men call the victim, one of whom pretends to be the person's "grandson." He says he's stuck in Toronto because of an accident and needs 36-hundred dollars for repairs. He then puts his "lawyer" on the phone to give the victim instructions on how to send them money and where.

New York Leads Nation in Pay Cuts

2009-07-07T11:33:00.000-04:00

Buffalo has been ranked eighth nationally by "Forbes" magazine for pay cuts in the last year. In fact, the top five cities were all in New York State. Buffalo residents have taken a collective zero-point-four-percent pay cut. Rochester ranked worst, with a two-point-three-percent loss, followed by Syracuse, Albany, New York City and Poughkeepsie. Statistics were measured between fourth quarter 2008 through first quarter 2009.

Cross-Border News 7/3/09

2009-07-03T13:42:00.000-04:00

Hosted by Arlene White on Friendship Festival Weekend

Good Morning Buffalo: Movie Talk

2009-07-03T13:40:00.002-04:00

Movie Critic Michael Calleri joins Loraine and Tom live in studio to set up the holiday weekend at the cinemas.

Bill O'Loughlin Show 7/3/09

2009-07-03T13:40:00.001-04:00

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Segment 2

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Buffalo Uncensorerd 7/2/08

2009-07-02T14:03:00.000-04:00

Host David DiPietro with guest Bob Davis.

Good Morning Buffalo: Buffalo Theatre

2009-07-02T14:02:00.000-04:00

Loraine and Tom talk with Lisa Grisanti from Shea's

Bill O'Loughlin Show 7/209

2009-07-02T13:23:00.000-04:00

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Segment 2

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Hometown News: Senate Standoff

2009-07-02T11:34:00.002-04:00

Governor David Paterson is trying to resolve the gridlock issues in Albany by keeping Senators there for the holiday weekend. Any public meeting between state Senate Republicans and Democrats to resolve the bitter leadership dispute will have to wait until Thursday. Republican leader Dean Skelos had offered to hold the get together Wednesday, but leaders with the Democratic conference say they need time "to work on arrangements and an agenda to ensure a productive negotiation."

HTN: FBI Raids two Hamburg Homes

2009-07-02T11:34:00.001-04:00

The FBI executed search warrants yesterday at the two most-expensive homes ever purchased in Erie County. Agents searched for evidence at two homes on Boston State Road, in connection with a still-undisclosed financial fraud case. The homes were purchased last year by a young hedge fund trader, for a total of six-point-three-million dollars. Court documents show the ownership listed as a company called Phantom Holdings One and a man named Michael Wilson.

HTN: Mayor Shouldn't Use City Seal for Charities

2009-07-02T11:33:00.000-04:00

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has been told not to use the official city seal at charity functions. The Board of Ethics has told the Mayor the practice could make it appear that the charity events aree city sponsored. In January Brown used the city seal on invitations to a 35-dollar-a-plate luncheon to raise money for his Fund to Advance Buffalo charity. The move raised the ire of a Buffalo attorney who filed a complaint. The board concluded it would be best for the Mayor not to use the seal for an outside organization.

Hometown Sports: Sabres Free Agent Moves

2009-07-02T11:32:00.000-04:00

The Sabres gained one and lost one in free agency yesterday. Defensemen, that is. Buffalo agreed to terms with free agent Steve Montador on a two-year contract. The 29-year-old defensive specialist spent last season with the Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins, recording four goals and 17 assists in 78 games. On the other side, the Montreal Canadiens signed defenseman Jaroslav Spacek to a three-year contract.

Your Money and Your Life 6/24/09

2009-07-01T15:06:00.001-04:00

Guest hosted by Ed Robinson - a discussion of legal issues

Bill O'Loughlin Show 7/1/09

2009-07-01T13:52:00.001-04:00

Segment 1

Segment 2 (State Gov't)

Segment 3 (State Gov't)

Segment 4 (Dogs)

Segment 5

Segment 6

Segment 7

Segment 8

Hometown News: Capital Chaos turns on Can of Coke

2009-07-01T11:46:00.002-04:00

Governor Paterson is calling for another special session for today after a Republican state Senator created a stir in wandering into the Senate chamber to avoid a crowd. Queens state Senator Frank Padavan used the chamber as a short-cut to get a soda. Senate Democrats assert Padavan's presence gave them enough members to form a quorum of 32-votes and pass legislation. Governor Paterson is calling for an end to the game in Albany

But Governor Paterson will not recognize any of the measures Senate Democrats claimed to pass. No official business was accomplished.

Governor Paterson's standing among voters remains abysmal. That's according to the latest Marist poll, in which voters give the Democrat a 21-percent approval rating. Two-thirds of New Yorkers in the survey say Paterson is a weak leader.

HTN: Chickens Legal in Buffalo

2009-07-01T11:46:00.001-04:00

A new law has come home to roost, and chicken coops could now become a normal sight in Buffalo. The Common Council agreed six to three to pass legislation which would allow people have chickens in their backyards. A Tuesday meeting only had two out of the 40 people attending not in favor of the new law. The legislation would require residents to pay a one time license fee of 25-dollars and only allow five hens to be kept on properties. Roosters would not be allowed to be kept, and residents would have to keep the hens in an enclosed area with a chicken coop. Supporters of the law feel it would help people understand where their food comes from.