Robert Gavin

ALBANY – The union that represents New York's public school teachers has endorsed 190 candidates for the State Legislature this fall, but it took no position on seven races in Western New York.

Get caught up on the latest Buffalo News coverage about crime and courts in Western New York.

ALBANY – Guests staying at lodging locations in the towns of Amherst and Lancaster, the City of Batavia and Village of Ellicottville will pay new motel occupancy taxes under bills Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed into law.

ALBANY – The state will increase aid to rape crisis and other victim services by $36 million following an outcry from providers, advocates and lawmakers that critical programs were being shortchanged, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday.

Licensed hunters in Niagara County will be allowed to continue to use rifles to hunt big game – such as bear and deer – under a bill Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law on Friday.

Robert Gavin has been the Albany Bureau chief at The News since 2024. He can be reached at rgavin@buffnews

ALBANY – Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday said the state will consider challenging the decision of a federal judge who tossed the state's Climate Change Superfund Act, a law requiring companies to pay for damages they inflicted contributing to pollution and climate change.

ALBANY – Prekindergarten seats will be available in 100 school districts in Western New York and the Finger Lakes regions this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday.

A retired NYPD detective and helicopter pilot talks about the several hours he spent in a helicopter above the twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001.

During a widespread prison strike last year, local jails were called upon to house state inmates.