Thursday Afternoon News Brief

State Attorney General Letitia James, along with 14 other attorneys general, have issued guidance to K-12 schools, colleges and universities, outlining the benefits, legality and importance of common diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) policies and practices in education. This is in response to concerns expressed by some educational institutions following an executive order and a United States Department of Education letter threatening schools that continue to uphold the DEIA policies. Attorney General James and the coalition noted that these type changes could not be rendered by an executive order or letter from the DOE. The attorneys general also encouraged K-12 schools to strive for a school climate where all students feel safe, supported, respected and ready to learn. ALSO: Attorney General Letitia James, in conjunction with 22 other attorneys general, have won a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration to block its policy that would freeze funding for essential agency grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs. The administration’s funding freeze policy, withheld trillions of dollars in federal funds for states and other entities like nonprofit organizations and community health centers. The policy had created uncertainty for millions of Americans who rely on state programs that receive federal funds, including Medicaid.

 

A statewide strike of corrections officers remains underway. Those on the picket lines are calling for better and safer working conditions- despite threats to lose their jobs, lose their health insurance, or be arrested for participating in the unauthorized strike.   Governor Hochul has called on the corrections officers to get back to work.

 

A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging 39-year-old Jason Goodsell, formerly of Wellsville, with seven counts of production of child pornography and one count of distribution. The charges carry a minimum of 15 years in prison. According to the indictment, Goodsell coerced a minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of visual production of the conduct. He then distributed the images that he produced.

 

A flood watch remains in effect for Western New York until late this afternoon.   Creeks across the region that are still prone to ice jam flooding include the Cazenovia, Ellicott, Tonawanda and Cattaraugus, though the Buffalo River has also proven susceptible to flooding.   More rain and snowmelt are adding to the potential for flooding today.

 

A Buffalo man is sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the killings of two people during a fight last year. James White Jr. pleaded guilty to first and second-degree murder in January as his trial was about to begin. Prosecutors say White shot and killed John Gibson and David Honer on the porch of a home on East Utica Street in January of 2024. Three men who went to the scene with White were previously convicted of gang assault.

 

Buffalo Police are investigating the deaths of two noted local artists who were found dead in their home this week. Police say artists and LGBTQ-plus activists Mickey Harmon and his partner Jordan Celotto died from blunt force trauma Tuesday in their apartment on St. Louis Place. A friend called police after one of the victims failed to show up for work. Police took into custody a person of interest when they arrived at the scene. Police say they do not believe it was a hate crime or that the couple knew the person of interest.

 

The Buffalo Sabres have signed Jordan Greenway to a two-year, eight-million-dollar contract extension. Greenway would have become a free agent this summer before the agreement was reached.   The 28-year-old forward missed much of this season, but has been playing well since returning from injury.   Greenway is in his third season with Buffalo after playing for Minnesota from 2017 until 2023.

 

Bart Dentino will be on hand at Batavia First Presbyterian, 300 East Main Street, Batavia, on Thursday evening, March 20^th, from 6:30 to 8:00 to perform a selection of music that includes original compositions, and songs from James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, The Beatles and others. The event is free and open to the public; however, donations are welcome and appreciated. All proceeds benefit and support the Genesee Wyoming County Warming Center, during the cold, winter nights.

 

People who have surgery on a Friday face a greater risk of death and complications, a new study reveals. A team at Houston Methodist Hospital looked at 25 common procedures and found that the risks went up compared to people who were treated earlier in the week. It’s called the “weekend effect,” and could reflect that hospitals tend to operate with fewer people on Saturdays and Sundays. The risk of death for Friday surgeries went up by as much as 12%. The study was published this week in JAMA Network Open.