Morning News Brief

This station, WBTA is getting sold to it’s own sales executive, Jim Ernst.  Ernst heads up Majic Tones Communications LLC which was started roughly 6 months ago.  Current owners Dan and Debbie Fischer have operated HPL Communications since 2004.  The sale process will take 90 days and until then there will be no changes in programming.  WBTA is the region’s only locally owned commercial radio station.  It has been in operation for 82 years under various owners.

Recreational Marijuana has only been legal in New York State for 16 months but already the administration in charge of it has far more resources than the administration in charge of handling Alcohol.  The Office of Cannabis Management has a 62 million dollar budget compared to the State Liquor Authorities 16.7 million dollars for the same number of employees.  The OCM has only processed 66 licenses so far compared to the SLA’s 50,000 licenses and 80,000 license and permit applications just last year.  A third of Marijuana Managers make over 100,000 dollars a year while only 19 people at the Liquor Authority get over 100 grand.  Why the big difference?  The head of OCM, Chris Alexander, who was formerly an executive with a multistate cannabis company, says it is all about creating equity. 

The City Council meeting has hot button issues like a tax cap increase and a 33.5 million dollar budget up for discussion.  Both of those issues are on the agenda for public hearings at 7 p.m. tonight, in the Council Board Room at City Hall.  In her memo to the council, City Manager Rachael Tabelski said that a general fund of $19.4 million balances revenues and expenses and includes considerations for increased costs of 8 percent inflation, double diesel fuel, $400,000 in employee wages, $300,000 in retirements, $475,000 in health care and 15 to 40 percent hikes in utilities and materials, including salt, gas and electric.  There are raises for some positions.  There are to be no new assessment raises this year. 

Assemblyman Steve Hawley put out a press release calling on Governor Hochul not to push through legislation banning gas stoves and heaters from new housing and construction.  People who are in support of the legislation say it is needed to slow down climate change and also entice people to move to New York State.  Hawley says it is a chance for the government to take more power over businesses and homeowners.  People in Buffalo have responded to the legislation complaining that gas is far more reliable than electricity in times such as the Christmas Blizzard of last year which knocked out electric power to thousands for more than a week in negative temperatures.  

The Buffalo Sabres, in their black and red uniforms, skated to a 7 to 4 victory over the Washington Capitals Sunday afternoon.  Dylan Cozens scored his first hat trick.  Vinnie Hinostroza, Jeff Skinner and Zemgus Girgensons scored once each.  Tage Thompson put in his 40th goal of the season.  The Sabres will be playing the Columbus Blue Jackets at Keybank Center on Tuesday night at 7:30.

Nearly 3 dozen pro sports stars were at the Legends sports memorabilia show at Batavia Downs over the weekend.  Players from the NFL, NHL, NBA, Pro Boxers and even Rudy of Notre Dame fame came out to take pictures and sign items for fans.  Akron’s Bobby McClaine and his team of family, friends and volunteers put on a super event that featured a host of former Buffalo Bills and Sabres on Saturday and a dozen or so greats from baseball, football, basketball, hockey and boxing who appeared Sunday.  The next show is scheduled for October or November on a date that doesn’t conflict with a Bills’ home game.