Thursday Afternoon News Brief
Written by WBTA STAFF on January 9, 2025

David Porter (13WHAM file photo)
Testimony resumed today in Rochester in the murder trial of David Lee Porter. According to prosecutors, Porter jumped into a cab driven by David Treese last April and pistol-whipped and shot the victim as part of a robbery. Treese was able to get out of the vehicle but passed away on a Bay Street sidewalk. Porter’s attorney claims his client was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the homicide. Porter faces decades in prison if convicted.
Governor Hochul says up to $2 million is going towards expanding suicide prevention efforts among veterans and uniformed personnel. Those personnel include firefighters, law enforcement, corrections officers plus emergency dispatchers. Funds will be distributed through the Office of Mental Health’s Suicide Prevention Center of New York. The governor says service members and first responders experience trauma and stress and this money will ensure they can get help and support when needed.
Rochester Regional Health is temporarily reducing its number of available hospital beds due to a nursing shortage. Right now, work is underway to try and hire and retain new nurses while also lowering spending. The company is cutting down on the number of agency nurses it hires and is hoping new nurses and LPN’s will be on the way from the College of Health Careers. While the number of beds is lower, hospital leaders say patient care isn’t being impacted.

Attorney General James
The New York State Attorney General’s Office is putting the transportation industry on notice after finding ties to Medicaid fraud. AG Letitia James says at least 55 transportation companies across the state used fake billing schemes to steal from Medicaid and exploit vulnerable patients. In several cases, James says the companies would offer people cash to put in claims for rides that never happened while others would use unlicensed drivers. The AG’s office says ongoing investigations have allowed the state to secure $10 million worth of fraud and eleven convictions.
Arc GLOW has recently opened their doors to the community by offering event space at the Community Center in Batavia, located at 38 Woodrow Road. For anyone looking to plan a large event, the Community Center holds up to 300 people and has a retractable room divider, allowing for a variety of different type of community events. Anyone interested in booking the Community Center or to learn more about the space, fees and rental terms may call 585-343-1123, extension 1816.

Pssst! Go home, you’re supposed to be off today.
No need to check the mailbox today. The U.S. Postal Service says it will not be delivering mail today as part of the National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter. All other federal offices will be closed, too, as a funeral is held for Carter in Washington, DC. Carter died last month at the age of 100.

Amari Cooper (CBS Sports photo)
It looks like the Buffalo Bills are going to have one of their star players available for this weekend’s playoff showdown. Wide receiver Amari Cooper returned to practice yesterday after leaving the team last week so he could deal with what is being called a personal matter. Cooper finished up the regular season with 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns. The Bills host the Denver Broncos Sunday starting at 1:00. AND, the Buffalo Bills are giving fans a glimpse of the team’s future home. The team released new renderings of the of the $2.1 billion stadium this week, showcasing details of the lower bowl and new expanded concourse areas, which are designed to be more communal, with plenty of space for fans to socialize. The new design includes radiant heating incorporated throughout each concourse, as well as a 360-degree view of the field with unobstructed sight lines for fans. The new stadium is expected to be open by the 2026 season.

Canadian Tire Centre (undated file photo)
The Buffalo Sabres will be back on the ice north of the border tonight as they look to pick up a second straight win. The Sabres are battling the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Buffalo last played Monday when they beat the Washington Capitals in a shootout by the final score of 4 to 3. Face-off for their contest this evening is scheduled for 7:00.
NBC News Feature:
A recent rise in bird flu cases comes at the same time that the seasonal flu is spiking. Experts worry about what could happen if they combine. Baylor infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Hotez says that, while it’s unlikely, there is still the possibility. Because, he says, it’s happened before. The CDC says there have been more than three-thousand deaths this year linked to the seasonal flu. Dr. Hotez urges people to get their flu shot now.