Morning News Brief

A parade of sports and entertainment celebrities made the annual pilgrimage to Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia to raise money for charity. Yesterday was the 36^th Annual Jim Kelly Celebrity Classic that brought football and entertainment legends to the links including a host of iconic Buffalo Bills players. The Buffalo News says the event brought in nearly $7 million in donations for the Kelly for Kids charity and other western New York charities.

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Nearly 800 pounds of butter are arriving at the New York State Fair in Syracuse.  According to the American Dairy Association, the butter will be used to create the 55th annual butter sculpture at the fair, which helps to spotlight farmers.  The design phase of the butter sculpture starts months in advance.  The unveiling of the sculpture takes place next Tuesday.

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Nurses and officials with Rochester Regional Health will meet again on Thursday to try and hammer out a new labor agreement. Tentative deals have already been reached on issues such as dress code and employee classification. Nurses recently went on a two-day strike, but temporary workers were brought in so patient care wasn’t affected.

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The American Red Cross has rolled out its latest initiative as it tries to boost blood donations. Anyone who decides to donate through the rest of this month will get a $10 e-gift card to a movie merchant of their choice. Summer is usually the time of year where donations drop, which makes it harder for people who need blood to receive it. To schedule an appointment, go to redcrossblood.org.

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An audit from the state comptroller’s office says the state needs to make improvements in its state parks for people with disabilities.

The audit says the parks meet the minimum standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act, but more can be done. Out of the 40 parks that were reviewed, about two-thirds can be improved. Some parks have inaccessible entrances and bathrooms, and some have limited parking for those with disabilities. The audit did applaud some ways the parks have improved accessibility, including the Autism Nature Trail at Letchworth State Park.

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The New York State Department of Labor is launching a new service to help businesses find skilled job candidates. The enhanced Virtual Career Center allows businesses to find qualified candidates with specific skills, and also allows employers to post jobs and communicate directly with job candidates.

The free platform was initially launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to connect unemployed New Yorkers with job opportunities. The state says more than 80,000 job seekers have signed up to use this online resource.