Local Stories

A woman in orange T-shirt and blue pants stands near middle of frame, talking to a group of people. Rows of flowers fade into the distance, while people work the garden in the background behind the woman.

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Students learn Buffalo parks history through new program

Alex Simone

A professor with local ties is joining with the Buffalo Olmstead Parks Conservancy this week to teach teens about the Olmstead parks system and its history.

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'There's nothing to talk about': Community groups spar over future of the Kensington Expressway

Jamal Harris Jr.

ROCC and ESP trade public jabs at each other over the future of the Kensington Expressway

All Western New York counties are under an air quality health advisory until 11:59 p.m. (July 14, 2025.)

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Air quality health advisory in effect for WNY and Southern Ontario

Michael Loss

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says the concern is smoke-enhanced fine particles from Canadian wildfires.

FILE- American and Canadian flags from a joint 2023 defense conference.

From BTPM NPR and our Partners

Canadian Beat: Canadian officials navigating new Trump tariffs

Dan Karpenchuk

Some Canadian analysts call the deadline a Trump tactic; others say the nation should hit back hard. There’s some uncertainty about which sectors exactly will be hit, and just how Canada should respond.

A Photograph of Centennial College - Story Arts Centre Location

From BTPM NPR and our Partners

Canadian Beat: Ontario faces mass cuts to one of its biggest public sectors

Dan Karpenchuk

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union said nearly 10,000 college faculty and staff have either been laid off or are expected to lose their jobs.

The 2025 Taste of Buffalo served as the 42nd edition of the sprawling two-day event.

Local

First-time participants shine at 2025 Taste of Buffalo

Michael Loss

It was a good year for rookie participants at this year’s Taste of Buffalo, which saw three newcomers take home accolades at the two-day food festival.

Three teams of four raced to complete a 300-piece puzzle as part of Erie County Senior Services "Puzzle Palooza."

Local

Erie County seniors clash in first ever ‘Puzzle Palooza’ competition

Michael Loss

Competitors from the Amherst, West Seneca and Cheektowaga senior centers raced to complete a colorful 300-piece puzzle in under an hour.

The splash pad at MLK Park — a large, orange, brick circle — takes up most of the photo. Several people and large puddles can be seen on the splash pad's surface. The sky above is blue, with scattered clouds.

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Buffalo extends splash pad hours as weekend heat approaches

Holly Kirkpatrick

With extreme heat in the forecast, the City of Buffalo is extending splash pad hours this weekend to help residents stay cool.

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Emerging developer turns dollar homes into affordable housing

Holly Kirkpatrick

It took "20 nickels" and a vision. Local developer, Amun Ra, cut the ribbon on four new affordable housing units in Buffalo's Hamlin Park neighborhood, Friday.

The 5/14 Memorial Foundation is moving forward in its mission to create a living memorial to the 10 residents killed at the Jefferson Avenue Tops in a racist mass shooting in 2022. It recently named an executive director to oversee the project, Chad Houston.

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Inside the 5/14 Memorial Foundation’s future with its new executive director

Jay Moran

The 5/14 Memorial Foundation named a new executive director, Chad Houston, after a national search. Houston, along with foundation chair Rev. Mark Blue joined BTPM NPR's Jay Moran on "Morning Edition," about the new leadership and what's ahead for creating a living memorial to the 10 lives taken at the Jefferson Ave. Tops Market in 2022.