Midday News Brief

For the second week in a row, Western New York drivers will be paying a bit less at the gas pumps. According to Triple A, the average cost for a gallon of regular fuel is $3.50. That’s down a penny from last week and is three cents cheaper than this time one month ago. The state average is sitting at $3.51 a gallon while the national average is $3.51.

Wreaths Across America honored veterans at the Western New York National Cemetery in Pembroke Saturday with a ceremony and wreath laying. Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia who grew up in Orleans County and graduated Lyndonville High spoke about the meaning of sacrifice and being part of the family of service. During the ceremony, Wreaths Across America also celebrated the over 3000 locations across the country.

Governor Hochul continues to talk about plans to bring a vaccine mandate for all school age children to New York State this coming September. Hochul notes experiencing some constraints by her lack of emergency powers which Cuomo had but she does not. She also said she has to bring it before the State Legislature which other states, for example California, do not have to do. The governor says she has the goal of making the mandate a reality in schools come September.

After a rough couple of weeks, the Buffalo Bills have finally put an end to their two-game losing streak. Quarterback Josh Allen threw for 210 yards and three touchdowns as the Bills beat the Carolina Panthers 31-to-14 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park yesterday. Buffalo running back Devin Singletary had a rushing score as the Bills improved their record to eight and six, which puts them one game behind the New England Patriots in the battle for first place in the AFC East. Up next for Buffalo is a showdown on the road with the Patriots this coming Sunday.

The number of New Yorkers who have tested positive for the coronavirus has reached yet another record high, with single-day increases in cases the largest since the beginning of the pandemic. Governor Hochul is once again reminding people about the importance of protecting themselves and others from contracting the illness. She says wearing a mask indoors or in large gatherings plus being vaccinated against the virus will slow the ongoing surge in cases. Currently, the seven-day average COVID-19 positivity rate in the Finger Lakes region is at eight-point-three percent, which is down from eight-point-five percent last week.