Wednesday News Brief
Written by Mitch Ernst on January 21, 2026
Nearly ninety million dollars in federal funding has been approved to continue cleanup efforts at the West Valley Demonstration Project in Cattaraugus County.
The funding supports the next phase of work at the decades-old nuclear waste site, which has been undergoing cleanup for years.
New bipartisan legislation would extend authorization for the project through 2037 and raise the funding cap, aimed at keeping cleanup work on schedule and avoiding delays.
The West Valley site operated as a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant from 1966 to 1972, leaving behind radioactive waste and contamination.
Over the years, residents and environmental groups have raised concerns about groundwater and potential impacts to the local water table and nearby waterways, including Cattaraugus Creek.
Officials say continued cleanup is key to protecting surrounding communities and limiting long-term environmental risks.
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More than six-hundred students from across the GLOW region are set to attend GLOW with your hands this year at Genesee Community College.
Organizers with GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare say the fourth annual event takes place March 20th and will bring together students in grades eight through twelve from twenty-eight schools.
The event connects students with healthcare employers and educators, including hospitals, nursing programs, mental health providers, social services, and first responders. Students will also learn about training and degree pathways through BOCES, local colleges, and universities.
GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair Karyn Winters says the goal is to show students the many career options available after high school and help build a stronger regional healthcare workforce.
Healthcare leaders say the event is especially important as rural communities continue to face worker shortages.
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The George Eastman Museum in Rochester is set to receive five-hundred-thousand dollars in federal funding to help make critical repairs to its historic mansion.
The funding will be used to restore original chimneys, parapets, and roof railings that have deteriorated over time and raised safety concerns for visitors.
The George Eastman Museum is the world’s oldest photography museum and a major cultural and tourism destination in the Finger Lakes region, welcoming visitors from around the world.
Museum officials say decades of freeze-thaw cycles have caused structural damage, including loose bricks, moisture infiltration, and wood rot along the roofline.
The restoration work is expected to stabilize the structure for decades to come, helping preserve the historic property while ensuring safe access for the public.
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The American Red Cross is offering a 20 dollar gift card to anyone who donates blood amidst the current shortage
The national blood supply is down about 35%, and hospitals are still in need of blood and platelets. High flu activity and winter weather have reduced donations, while demand remains high.
If you wish to donate, there are 3 opprtunities to do so in genesee county:
The Holy Name of Mary Church in East Pembroke hosts a drive coming up on January 22nd from 1 to 6 pm
Northgate Free Methodist church in Batavia is taking blood from 8 to 2 on January 31st,
And The Pavillion Fire Department Rec hall will be accepting from 11 am to 5 pm on February 2nd.
