Politics | WIVB TV

Seneca leader calls Cuomo a bully

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:33:21 GMT

The head of the Seneca Indians has accused Gov. Andrew Cuomo of engaging in "playground bully tactics" over their casino disagreement.

Oneidas and NY have deal on casino cash

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:26:21 GMT

The Oneida Indians have struck a deal with the Cuomo administration to guarantee exclusive territory for their central New York casino in exchange for an estimated $50 million in annual payments to the state.

Lawmaker ques. tax breaks for Dick's

Brian Tabor — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:23:52 GMT

A Buffalo lawmaker wants state officials to figure out if a sporting goods store received improper tax breaks to open a location in Genesee County.

Fighters in WNY, push for MMA approval

Lindsay Munschauer — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:16:33 GMT

The fight for mixed-martial arts came to WNY on Wednesday.

Furloughs coming to 914th Airlift Wing

Mark Parrotte — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:46:01 GMT

The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station now knows how its employees will be impacted by the sequester.

Future of Falls icon is uncertain

Ed Drantch — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:08:41 GMT

The future of the Maid of the Mist is in jeopardy. When a California-based company takes over in Canada next year, the iconic tour boat company won't have any place to store their boats.

Last day for gun owners to opt out

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:26:15 GMT

Gun owners in New York who don't want their license information available to the public are facing a deadline to file an exemption form with local licensing authorities.

Ex FBI Chief to announce Mayoral run

Adam Francis — Sat, 11 May 2013 12:14:21 GMT

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown will have some competition from his own party this Fall. Former Buffalo FBI Chief Bernie Tolbert will announce his candidacy for Mayor of Buffalo this morning at the Bennett Smith Family Life Center on Michigan Avenue.

Gov. gives Senecas ultimatum on casinos

Ed Drantch — Fri, 10 May 2013 02:23:32 GMT

Governor Andrew Cuomo is putting all the cards on the table and gambling on any future relationship with the Seneca Nation. He's delivered an ultimatum: pay up or no more exclusivity zone.

Leg. votes to take control of jail fund

Ed Drantch — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:36:29 GMT

The Erie County Legislature voted Thursday to take control of the money in the sheriff's office.

Ex FBI Chief expected to announce run

Colleen Hannon — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:02:31 GMT

Former Buffalo FBI Chief Bernie Tolbert will make what he is calling a “major announcement” this Saturday at the Bennett Smith Family Life Center on Michigan Avenue.

Candidate wants answers from mayor

Colleen Hannon — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:56:55 GMT

The Republican candidate running for mayor of Buffalo is calling on Mayor Byron Brown to answer some questions.

Funding gone for Anti-Terrorism Unit

Rich Newberg — Tue, 07 May 2013 23:06:04 GMT

Every day, the Anti-Terrorism Unit of the NFTA Police is sweeping downtown train stations to make sure they're safe before students get out of school. Now that service could be in jeopardy.

FDA looks to add tanning bed warnings

Peter Ostrow — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:53:29 GMT

The FDA is looking to put stronger warnings on tanning beds to increase awareness about the dangers they pose.

Group finds campaign finance violations

Tue, 07 May 2013 20:24:35 GMT

Gassing up twice a week in New Jersey? Hiring Turdo the magician? Buying smoked meats for Christmas presents?

Erie County Democrats have new HQ

Lindsay Munschauer — Sat, 04 May 2013 22:32:36 GMT

Erie County Democrats have a new home in Buffalo and they're already getting down to business.

Debate over the morning-after pill

Sat, 04 May 2013 15:40:08 GMT

New rules issued last week by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration lowered the age for buying the morning-after pill without a prescription from 17 to 15.

Immediate crackdown on student visas

Fri, 03 May 2013 16:41:15 GMT

The Homeland Security Department ordered border agents "effective immediately" to verify that every international student who arrives in the U.S. has a valid student visa, according to an internal memorandum obtained Friday by The Associated Press. The new procedure is the government's first security change directly related to the Boston bombings.

Sheriff retains control of some funds

Ed Drantch — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:31:07 GMT

Erie County lawmakers took action when they learned revenue from inmates' phone calls were under the sole discretion of the sheriff.

EC lawmaker supports co-pay for inmates

Nalina Shapiro — Thu, 02 May 2013 21:48:08 GMT

An Erie County lawmaker is supporting a bill from state senators that would require prisoners to make a co-payment for all medical expenses.

Senator fights against metal thieves

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:00:07 GMT

New York Sen. Charles Schumer is proposing legislation targeting thieves who strip and sell copper and other metal from homes and businesses.

Lawmakers want inmates to have co-pay

Nalina Shapiro — Wed, 01 May 2013 22:22:34 GMT

Thanks to taxpayers, inmates receive free health care. Each year Erie County taxpayers spend about $10 million for inmates' medical expenses. But proposed legislation could change that and force prisoners to pay up.

Board candidates present platforms

Emily Guggenmos — Wed, 01 May 2013 03:23:36 GMT

Candidates in a race for the Buffalo School Board presented their platforms at a public meeting Tuesday night.

Lawmakers seek to stop term paper sales

Ed Drantch — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:40:12 GMT

Just in time for final exams, lawmakers want to make sure students who fake writing papers really pay as they seek to outlaw the online sale or purchase of term papers.

NYT investigates Cuomo admin. patronage

Shannon Ross — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:59:48 GMT

The New York Times reports the Empire State Development Corporation has hired 49 people in the 20 months since Governor Andrew Cuomo took office

Thruway won't move Williamsville tolls

Rachel Kingston — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:31:20 GMT

The Village of Williamsville has been fighting for decades to have the Thruway toll barrier moved east, but it appears those plans are going nowhere.

Panelists help clarify SAFE Act

Ed Drantch — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:23:45 GMT

Gun rights supporters have again joined forces to make their voices heard to try and shoot down New York's SAFE Act.

New twist in Buffalo teacher eval. saga

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:25:54 GMT

For now, it appears millions of dollars in state aid will still be coming to Buffalo Public Schools after a Memorandum of Understanding between the district and teacher's union was declared void.

Co. Exec. seeks big raise for colleague

George Richert — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:20:17 GMT

Erie County's Executive has proposed a hefty raise for one employee and county lawmakers have considered granting it. But the County Comptroller is raising concerns about this big of a raise going to any county worker in these lean times.

Firefighter union reveals violations

Rich Newberg — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:13:15 GMT

As Buffalo firefighters turn up the heat on City Hall surrounding their contract, union officials are now sounding the alarm, claiming safety violations are putting their crews and the community at risk.