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What’s Next?

Where Did the Money Go? Part 1: How Can We Help?

By I'Jaz Ja'ciel
Published May 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT
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Red and black image with text reading "What's Next? Anniversary Special: WHERE DID THE MONEY GO? $92,896,293.56 PART I: HOW CAN WE HELP?"

In part one of a three-part anniversary series marking four years since the May 14 Tops mass shooting, What’s Next? examines the nearly 100 million dollars pledged to support Buffalo’s East Side and the families impacted by the tragedy. The episode explores how state and federal funding, corporate donations, and community fundraising efforts were distributed, while also examining the challenges survivors faced in receiving support and the lingering questions surrounding accountability and transparency. The conversation also looks at the emergency response efforts created after the shooting and the ongoing work to rebuild trust within the community.

What's Next? 2026
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I'Jaz Ja'ciel
I'Jaz Ja'ciel is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning investigative reporter and a Buffalo native. She re-joined the Buffalo Toronto Public Media newsroom in February 2026, having begun her journalism career at BTPM in 2019 as a weekend anchor. Ja'ciel later reported for Spectrum News 1 Buffalo and Investigative Post before her return to public media.
See stories by I'Jaz Ja'ciel
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