Tuesday News Brief

Wyoming County is under a wind advisory until 11:00pm. Winds from 20-35 miles per hour with gusts of up to 50 miles per hour are predicted to come in from the southeasterly direction. The strongest winds will be at the tops of hills and hitting north facing slopes. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few isolated power outages may result. Use extra caution when driving especially high profile vehicles.

 

As reported by Tom Tharp this morning: The clock is ticking for survivors of sexual abuse or misconduct who have not yet filed a suit under the Adult Survivors Act as the window closes Friday. The Adult Survivors Act, signed into law last year by Gov. Kathy Hochul, created a one-year look back window for survivors of sexual misconduct to take legal action. More than 2,500 suits were filed statewide in the past year, empowering survivors even if the statute of limitations normally would have passed in their case. Many of the suits filed involve abuse at local jails. Eleven suits were filed against Erie County and the Office of Sheriff in the last month. A resolution could take 2-5 years if a case goes to trial.

 

Union members at the University of Rochester Medical Center will be voting today to decide if they want to go on strike. The union and hospital have been trying to work out a new contract, but issues including staffing and wages have prevented an agreement from being reached. The current deal expired back in October. If there is a strike it wouldn’t start until after a 10-day notice is issued.

 

The results of a new poll show just how Empire State residents are feeling about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to the Siena College survey, 75% of people asked said the level of anti-Semitism has increased since Hamas attacked Israel last month. And, about 60% of respondents said those attacks are an unspeakable crime that should be condemned. Also, 54% said they are against the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza.

 

Buffalo police are expressing concern following a recent spike in the number of deadly drug overdoses. Six people have died due to suspected overdoses in the past few days, including four within a 24-hour period this past weekend. At five of the overdose scenes, authorities found what they believe was powder and crack cocaine. They are now waiting for test results to see of those drugs were contaminated with xylazine or fentanyl.

 

 

The chief of the Macedon Police Department is on the other side of the law after being arrested on a DWI charge. According to authorities, Chief Fabian Rivera was involved in a crash yesterday on Waterford Road near the Ganada Parkway. Investigators later determined that he was under the influence of alcohol and he was taken into custody. No one was hurt and Rivera will appear in court at a later date.

 

 

 

The U.S. government is offering to send another round of four free at-home COVID-19 tests ahead of the typical surge in cases during the winter holiday season. Anyone who did not order a batch of four COVID-19 tests in September can secure up to eight of them this time around starting Monday at COVIDtests.gov. The U.S. Postal Service will deliver them for free.

 

With energy costs expected to rise during the winter months, the state Division of Consumer Protection is offering recommendations to help people save on their bills. Folks should often check their thermostat, since each degree it’s lowered can decrease fuel consumption by about three-percent. And, weatherize and insulate your home to help it retain heat. Finally, make sure your heating system is in good shape so it can run efficiently.

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

Belly fat could be linked to early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. A new study found that those in their 40s and 50s with more hidden belly fat had a higher amount of an abnormal protein in the part of the brain where dementia occurs. The study’s senior author said men have a higher relationship between belly fat and the brain. The research also showed a relationship between belly fat and brain atrophy, which is important since the brain wasting away is a biomarker of Alzheimer’s.

 

 

 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has launched a push aimed at keeping families together on commercial airlines. Schumer says that airlines often charge parents fees just so they can sit next to their children. His proposed legislation would put an end to that practice by creating fee-free family seating. Schumer believes caregivers shouldn’t have to pay for wanting to keep their kids safe while flying.

 

 

A gag order hearing involving one of former President Trump’s federal cases is over. The limited gag order from the judge in his 2020 election subversion case was frozen until the three-judge panel considered how to balance Trump’s free speech rights. Prosecutors claim the order is necessary to protect witnesses, prosecutors and court personnel from intimidation. Trump claims the Obama-appointed judge had inserted herself into the 2024 race by restricting his ability to speak freely.

 

 

 

A hat belonging to Napoleon Bonaparte is going up for auction. The authentic black beaver felt hat is valued around $700,000 and will be put up for auction in Paris on Sunday. Historians say the iconic hat was a part of Napoleon’s brand, and he wore it sideways to be more recognizable in battle. The French military commander owned over 120 similar hats throughout the years, but only around 20 are thought to still exist.

 

 

Most Americans are hoping to avoid politics at the Thanksgiving dinner table. A Quinnipiac University national poll shows that more than 60% of Americans would rather not talk about the subject. On the other hand, just under three in every ten said they look forward to discussing politics this holiday. A news release from the university’s polling analyst says “a healthy dose of ‘zip it’ will be on the menu” this year.

 

Today is Tuesday, November 21st, the 325th day of the year.

November 21 in history…

 

…In 1955 Sun Records sold Elvis Presley’s contract to RCA for $40,000.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1976, The movie “Rocky” starring Sylvester Stallone opened in theaters on this date.

 

 

 

 

…In 2017, actor David Cassidy died at the age of 67. Cassidy was known for playing Keith Partridge on the 1970’s musical-sitcom “The Partridge Family.”