Thursday Afternoon News Brief

Unidentified children in undated file photo using cell phones.

Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a plan this week to ban all cell phones in schools across the state. The goal is to create a distraction-free environment so kids can focus on learning. There are exceptions for students who need devices for medical reasons or to assist non-English language speakers. A number of New York school districts have already implemented cell phone bans, including the Lackawanna City School District, which has implemented a “no cell, bell to bell” policy.

Police say two people involved with two missing Buffalo girls found on Tuesday have been cleared of any wrongdoing. The girls, ages 12 and seven, were found safe at an apartment on Langfield Drive after they were reported missing on Monday night. Two people were brought in to speak with detectives, but police say they were “good Samaritans” who took the children in from the cold and contacted authorities after learning what had happened.

Attorney General James

Attorney General Letitia James is announcing a $1 billion settlement with a shady lending network. James says 25 predatory lenders controlled by Yellowstone Capital targeted 1,100 small businesses across New York with excessive interest rates and punishing repayment terms. They included a food truck and caterer in Buffalo, a hair salon in Syracuse, a Long Island tailoring shop and City Bakery in Manhattan, which was forced to close after 30 years. Under the settlement, Jersey City-based Yellowstone will cancel $534 million in outstanding debts across the country and immediately pay 16-million to affected businesses.

Ryan and Anna Corbett – Provided photo

A Dansville resident who was held captive by the Taliban for more than two years is back in the United States. Ryan Corbett arrived in San Antonio, Texas yesterday where he was greeted by his wife and three children. Corbett and another American were released as part of a prisoner exchange between the Taliban and U.S. that was made earlier this week. Corbett was detained in Afghanistan while he was in that country on business in 2022.

Organizers of the popular Lilac Festival in Rochester have announced plans for this year’s event. The 127th annual event is going to feature a farmer’s market, free walking tours and even a non-alcoholic bar. Opening day is scheduled for May 9th and the festival will run through May 18th. The event traditionally draws crowds of more than 500,000 people each year. For more details, head to roclilacfest.com.

Mark Andrews – Baltimore Ravens photo

Buffalo Bills fans are raising money for a charity backed by Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. Bills’ fan Nicholas Howard set up a GoFundMe page for Breakthrough T1D, a type 1 diabetes research and advocacy non-profit supported by Andrews, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child. The fundraiser was started after Andrews began receiving death threats and negative comments after he dropped a game tying two-point conversion in Sunday’s game. Bills’ fans answered the call, donating over $90,000 as of last night.

The Buffalo Sabres will be in Western Canada again tonight as they look to earn a second straight win. The Sabres are visiting the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Buffalo last played Tuesday when they beat the Vancouver Canucks by a final score of three to two and improved their point total this season to 41 which is still the lowest in the Eastern Conference.   Face-off tonight is set for 9:00.