Tuesday News Brief
Written by Pete Zehler on June 2, 2026
BERGEN RESIDENTS SEEK STATE REVIEW OF MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
A group of Bergen residents is asking New York State to take a closer look at the village’s Municipal Electric Department.
Village resident Carolyn Smith, backed by 57 signatures, has formally requested reviews from both the State Comptroller’s Office and the Department of Public Service. Smith is raising concerns about accounting records, billing practices, hydropower allocations, and how electric costs are being distributed among customers.
In her filings, Smith alleges there are unresolved discrepancies among billing records, annual reports, and power cost recovery calculations, and is asking state officials to determine whether proper controls and reporting procedures are in place.
Village officials say they remain confident the electric department is operating in compliance with state regulations. Mayor Michael Fleming says the village has cooperated with residents’ questions, has not yet been contacted by state agencies regarding the complaints, and recently approved an independent audit focused on internal controls and compliance procedures.
State officials say the Department of Public Service is currently reviewing the information submitted and any future developments will be made public.
IMPROV CLASS COMING TO GO ART!
Looking to think on your feet and have some fun? GO ART! is offering an eight-week Introduction to Improvisational Theater class led by Randy Reese.
The class meets Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. through July 14th and is designed for participants ages 14 and up. Students will learn the fundamentals of improv through games and group exercises focused on creativity, communication, confidence, collaboration, and spontaneity.
The cost is 100 dollars for the full eight-week course, with enrollment limited to 14 students.
For more information or to register, contact GO ART! in downtown Batavia.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PAUSES CONTROVERSIAL COMPENSATION FUND
The Trump administration says it will temporarily halt plans for a nearly 1.8-billion-dollar compensation fund after a federal judge ordered the program paused while legal challenges move forward.
The so-called “Anti-Weaponization Fund” was created as part of a settlement involving President Donald Trump and the Internal Revenue Service. Administration officials say the fund was intended to compensate people they believe were unfairly targeted by federal law enforcement during the Biden administration.
However, the proposal has faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, particularly over concerns that individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot could potentially receive payments.
The Justice Department says it strongly disagrees with the court ruling but will comply while the case proceeds. A hearing is scheduled for June 12th as the legal battle over the fund’s future continues.
ARC GLOW CELEBRATES FIRST IGNITE GRADUATES
Arc GLOW celebrated the first graduating class of its Genesee IGNITE program during a ceremony at Genesee Community College.
The program gives people with intellectual and developmental disabilities a college experience focused on independence, education, and personal growth.
The inaugural graduates were Larry Anderson, Dan Barcomb, Katrina Pragle, and Jackson Tuohey.
Students took part in GCC campus life, audited courses, and worked with Arc GLOW staff throughout the year.
Officials say the program expands meaningful educational opportunities across the GLOW region.
EBOLA OUTBREAK GROWS IN CONGO AS RECOVERIES OFFER HOPE
Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo say at least 282 Ebola cases have now been confirmed in the country’s latest outbreak, which has claimed 42 lives and spread across more than 20 health zones in the eastern part of the country.
The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment. Officials say challenges include tracking contacts, isolating patients, and providing care in remote areas affected by violence and armed conflict.
Despite the growing outbreak, there have been encouraging signs. Several healthcare workers who contracted the virus have recovered and were recently honored by the World Health Organization. One nurse described surviving Ebola as an “indescribable joy.”
Meanwhile, international health organizations are investing millions of dollars into the development of new vaccines as efforts continue to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.
