Morning News Brief

Hochul Signed legislation on Saturday which protects pets, vets and owners.  The legislative package prohibits insurers from refusing to issue certain policies based solely on the breed of the dog owned. It also would prohibit insurers from refusing to renew, cancel, charge or impose an increased premium based solely on the breed of dog owned.  The new legislation also requires veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty. It also protects the identity of such veterinarians and allows veterinarians to receive a copy of any report generated.  Governor Hochul said that “to own a pet is a blessing, and we owe it to the animals of New York state to keep them safe and healthy.”

Healthcare workers who were hoping for a lifting of the COVID vaccine mandate through the courts in New York were disappointed on Friday as the federal appeals court upheld the mandates legality.  The ruling late Friday by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a decision by an upstate judge who had temporarily blocked vaccination requirements on the grounds that the mandate did not accommodate religious exemptions.  In a brief order, a panel of three 2nd Circuit judges also upheld a ruling by a Brooklyn judge who had found the mandate constitutional.

There was a water main break on Law Street in Batavia Sunday morning.  The break was repaired quickly and water service was restored.  The city is asking everyone who lives on the South West side of Batavia to check their water for discoloration.  If your water is brownish they say to run the tap till it clears.

The Buffalo Bills beat the Miami Dolphins 26 to 11 at Highmark Stadium Sunday afternoon.  The Bills are now 5 and 2 and have knocked down the Dolphins twice.  They were tied at 3 3 going into halftime with a strange turnover when a snap hit a player instead of going to the Dolphins Quarterback and the ball being recovered by the Bills.  The Bills got ahead and stayed ahead to pull out the win.  Buffalo plays against the Jaguars in Jacksonville next Sunday at 1pm.   

The Sabres dropped their game against the Kings in Los Angeles last night 3 to 2.  Buffalo players Rasmus Asplund and Victor Olofsson scored the first 2 goals of the game but even with Dustin Tokarski making 31 saves it wasn’t enough.  The Sabres play the Sharks on Tuesday night in San Jose at 10:30pm.