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ROCHESTER, N.Y. —  A new national housing analysis shows that for most Americans—including those in upstate New York—the long-standing belief that buying a home is cheaper than renting has largely flipped. According to a report by Construction Coverage, rising home prices and higher mortgage rates have made buying more expensive than renting in the majority of U.S. cities. As of early 2026, the typical monthly mortgage payment is about 20% higher than the median rent nationwi

Tops Friendly Markets customers can now use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to order groceries for delivery through DoorDash, marking a significant expansion in how families access food across upstate New York. The grocery chain announced the new option Wednesday, allowing shoppers to use Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards directly within the DoorDash app to purchase eligible food items. Company officials said the move is aimed at improving acce

A looming U.S. Supreme Court case over birthright citizenship is drawing national attention this week—but for Black Americans, the stakes are deeply rooted in history and could carry lasting consequences. At the center of the debate is a challenge to the 14th Amendment, the post-Civil War constitutional provision that guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil. The amendment was ratified in 1868 specifically to overturn the infamous Dred Scott decision, which declared

Thousands of demonstrators across the United States took to the streets Saturday as part of the nationwide “No Kings” movement, with multiple rallies held in the Rochester area drawing hundreds to several thousand participants in a show of opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies. The protests were part of a coordinated national day of action that included more than 3,000 events across all 50 states, making it one of the largest single-day protest mobilizations in U.S.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office helped recover more than $1.5 million for consumers in 2025, resolving thousands of complaints related to medical billing errors, insurance denials and coverage disputes. NY AG, Letitia James According to the Attorney General’s Office, the Health Care Helpline handled 4,890 complaints statewide last year, securing approximately $1.53 million in restitution and savings for New Yorkers. The annual report, released this wee

Two pilots were killed and dozens of people injured after a passenger jet collided with an emergency vehicle while landing at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday, forcing a full airport shutdown that is expected to last into Monday afternoon. The aircraft, identified as Air Canada Express Flight 8646, struck a Port Authority fire truck on the runway at approximately 11:40 p.m. as it arrived from Montreal, according to federal officials and multiple media reports. Authorities said t

A coalition of Rochester-area business leaders is calling on state lawmakers to address disparities in charter school funding, arguing that current formulas leave local students at a disadvantage compared to their peers in other upstate cities. The push comes as New York’s state budget negotiations enter their final stages, with education funding emerging as a key issue. Dozens of business leaders and organizations have signed a letter urging Albany to increase per-pupil fund

A national delegation of Black business leaders met with White House officials and members of Congress this week, pressing for expanded economic opportunities and policy reforms aimed at strengthening Black-owned enterprises across the United States. Photo: Front Row (L-R) - Charles DeBow, Lynne Patton, Dr. Ken Harris and Kevin Daniels The meetings, organized as part of the National Black Chamber of Commerce’s National Business Policy Conference in partnership with the Nation

It took just a single word to ignite an international conversation, a word no one invited, no one expected, and that, for one man, came unbidden. At the 79th BAFTA Awards, John Davidson, a Scottish advocate for Tourette’s syndrome and inspiration for the film I Swear , experienced a vocal tic that produced a racial slur as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award. What was meant to be a celebration of life and resilience suddenly became a lightning rod for debate

State Sen. Samra Brouk says the New York State Senate’s Democratic majority budget proposal includes several investments aimed at strengthening mental health services, supporting working families and increasing funding for Rochester-area programs. NYS Senator Samra Brouk - D, Rochester The Senate approved its “one-house” budget resolution Thursday, outlining the chamber’s priorities as negotiations begin with the Assembly and Gov. Kathy Hochul over the final state spending pl

The New York State Conservative Party is sharply criticizing Democratic leaders in Albany, accusing them of prioritizing their own financial interests while residents struggle with rising costs across the state. Gerard Kassar - NY State Conservative Party Chariman In a statement released this week, Gerard Kassar, chairman of the New York State Conservative Party, blasted Democrats for supporting a potential pay increase for state lawmakers and floated changes to the legislati

From the neighborhoods of Rochester to doctoral halls and district leadership tables, Dr. Shalonda Garfield’s life traces a line many systems were not built to accommodate — yet one she refused to let define her limits. Born and raised in Rochester, Garfield describes her childhood as “interesting” — marked by poverty, yet animated by imagination. As a little girl, she played school with her siblings, already rehearsing a future she could not yet see but somehow sensed. She w

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas state Rep. James Talarico defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate this week, setting up a closely watched general election that could test whether Democrats can compete statewide in one of the nation’s most reliably Republican states. Texas state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas With most ballots counted following the March 3 primary, Talarico secured roughly 52% of the vote to Cr

A majority of New York voters support allowing New York City to raise income taxes on residents earning at least $1 million, while Gov. Kathy Hochul maintains a sizable lead over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman in a hypothetical gubernatorial matchup, according to a new Siena College poll released Wednesday. The survey found that 54% of New York voters support giving New York City the authority to raise taxes on millionaires, compared with 29% who oppose the proposal. Su

A controversial plan by federal authorities to turn part of the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building in downtown Rochester into an immigration detention center has drawn sharp criticism from local leaders and residents, according to a report by WXXI News. Documents reviewed by WXXI show that U.S. Customs and Border Protection is considering creating a small-scale, 24/7 immigrant detention facility inside the federal courthouse on State Street. The proposal would repurpose spac

New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa has denied an application seeking the removal of Rochester City School District Board of Education Commissioner Isaiah Santiago, concluding there is insufficient evidence to warrant his removal from office. Isaiah Santiago, James Patterson The decision, dated Feb. 17, 2026, stems from a petition filed by former board member James L. Patterson under Education Law § 306, which allows the commissioner to remove a school board m

President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night drew sharp partisan contrasts, with Republicans praising what they described as a historic year of economic growth and strengthened national security, while Democrats accused the president of distorting reality and ignoring rising costs facing American families. President Donald Trump delivers 2026 SOTU address - Photo: White House In a speech before a joint session of Congress, Trump declared the start of a ne

A stretch of bitter cold temperatures has sent heating systems into overdrive across Rochester, driving up monthly utility bills and straining household budgets already stretched by inflation. Residents across Monroe County report sharp increases in natural gas and electric bills following weeks of below-average temperatures, with some saying their statements jumped by hundreds of dollars compared to the same period last year. According to the National Weather Service, Roches

For more than five decades, the Rev. Jesse Jackson walked a political tightrope that few leaders have managed to navigate: he agitated when the nation was complacent, confronted when power resisted change, and built coalitions when progress required compromise. Rev. Jesse Jackson ( October 8, 1941 – February 17, 2026) That balance — sometimes praised, sometimes criticized — defined his career and helped reshape American politics. The Agitator Jackson came of age in the moveme

The Appellate Division, Fourth Department has dismissed as moot a removal proceeding filed under New York’s Public Officers Law § 36 against former Irondequoit Town Supervisor Andraé Evans, formally concluding the legal matter without an order of removal or disqualification. Former Irondequoit Town Supervisor Andraé Evans According to a press release issued Monday, the court dismissed the proceeding following the conclusion of Evans’ term in office. Because his term had alrea