Need to Know Rochester
2:06 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

This Week on Need to Know Rochester - 6.21.13

This week on Need to Know Rochester we look into a new report that finds New York State is one of nine states leading the nation in reducing youth incarceration. But do the findings reflect current juvenile justice trends in Monroe County?

Also on the show, singer Robin McKelle stops by the studio just before her performance at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. We'll talk with the Rochester-native about her latest album.

Also - a look at a unique beer pairing dinner for Rochester's Real Beer Week and our finale of sculptor Albert Paley's installation in New York City.

Tune in this Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV Channel 21 and Cable 11 or 1011.

Government
1:23 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

Frederick Douglass Statue Dedicated in Washington, D.C.

Hundreds of people attended a ceremony Wednesday as a seven foot statue of abolitionist Frederick Douglass was unveiled at Emancipation Hall of the United State Capitol Visitors Center.
A number of House and Senate leaders attended and spoke at the ceremony.

U-S Senator Chuck Schumer had introduced legislation directing the Joint Committee on the Libray to accept the statue.
After many delays, the sculpture was delivered.

Read more
Health
1:10 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

Rochester Researchers Uncover Secret to Possible Cancer Resistance

Credit Brian Vick/University of Rochester

Researchers at the University of Rochester have identified the chemical that leads to cancer resistance in laboratory animals: naked mole rats.

The discovery could eventually lead to new cancer treatments, and even the ability for cancer resistance in humans according to the authors.

Read more
Government
11:57 am
Wed June 19, 2013

Women's Groups Say Abortion Rights Vote Still Possible

Credit Matt Ryan New York Now
Women rally for equality act at the Capitol in early June

Women’s groups say they have not given up on abortion rights bill passing in the final days of the session, now that Governor Cuomo has introduced the Women’s Equality Act as 10 separate bills.

Tracey Brooks, with Family Planning Advocates, says  women’s groups are asking Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos to bring the abortion rights measure to the floor as a stand alone bill. Brooks says Skelos, pledged two years ago to allow what’s known as a vote of conscience on social issues where Senators are divided.   

Read more
WXXI Local Stories
11:17 am
Wed June 19, 2013

Organization Distributes Bikes to the Needy, Creates Mural to Instill Pride in Neighborhood

Credit R Community Bikes

 R Community Bikes donates an average of 2,700 bicycles per year to some of Rochester's most needy children and adults.

The organization also repairs around 3,000 donated bikes each year.  Director Dan Lill says they're more than a form of exercise for many. "The people who get the bikes, we hope it's an opportunity for them to get from school to work or from school to home to make their lives a little easier."

Read more
WXXI Top Stories
10:27 am
Wed June 19, 2013

Around the State 6-19-13

The WXXI news staff checks newspapers and websites to help keep tabs on what's happening in communities across New York state.

Read more
Government
7:25 am
Wed June 19, 2013

Administration Official Says Deal Has Been Struck on Key Parts of Cuomo's Agenda

 ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Four upstate casinos and separate bills on a women's rights package including an abortion proposal that appeared to have been blocked in the Senate were part of a late-session deal, according to a senior administration official. 

The official Tuesday also said there was an agreement on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's tax-free zones to attract employers tied to universities that will extend it beyond upstate to New York City and Long Island. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deals weren't scheduled to be announced until Wednesday. 

Read more
Government
10:19 pm
Tue June 18, 2013

Brockport Elects A New Mayor

The Village of Brockport will have a new mayor. On Tuesday residents rejected incumbent Connie Castaneda’s bid for another term, instead electing challenger Margay Blackman by a wide margin. Blackman is currently a village trustee.

Also elected were Blackman’s running mates, trustee candidates Carol Hannan and Valerie Ciciotti.

Casteneda was recently cleared of criminal misconduct charges stemming from allegations she had an illegal apartment in her home.

Read more
Economy
9:16 pm
Tue June 18, 2013

Kodak Takes Another Step In The Effort To Emerge From Bankruptcy

(Reuters & WXXI) - Eastman Kodak Co on Tuesday said it will seek court approval for a $406 million rights offering that could give creditors a big equity stake in the company after it emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Kodak said creditors agreed to backstop an offering that would let the Rochester, New York-based company issue 34 million common shares at $11.94 each, equal to about 85 percent of the equity of a reorganized company.

Read more
Government
9:09 pm
Tue June 18, 2013

Rochester City Council Approves The Budget

Rochester City Council has approved a new budget, with just a few changes from the plan first proposed by Mayor Tom Richards in May.

The nearly 482 million dollar budget was approved unanimously by City Council, along with a change made by council members in what turned out to be one of the more controversial parts of the budget hearing process.  That amendment altered the original plan by the mayor to eliminate the mounted patrol unit. Richards had felt the seven officers involved could be better utilized elsewhere, such as fighting gang violence.

Read more

Pages