Latest news with #WesternNewYorkers
Business Journals
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Jon Purizhansky's Joblio is tackline a global problem from right here in Buffalo
40 Under 40 2025 Business First once again will honor 40 Western New Yorkers under 40 years old for their professional success and community involvement. Nominate today!
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Para Ice Hockey World Championship returns to Buffalo, with medal round this weekend
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – After a decade, the Para Ice Hockey World Championship is returning to Buffalo – and the gold medal will be awarded Saturday at Harborcenter. We spoke with members of Team USA to hear what this world championship means to them as the host nation for the first time in 10 years. Advertisement The rink at Harborcenter has become a global stage, showcasing eight different sled hockey teams from around the world. In 2015, Team USA took home the gold right here in Buffalo in a thrilling game against Canada, and their return is not a comeback, but a homecoming. For players like forward Malik Jones, this isn't just a career milestone, but a dream come true. 'It means everything. I've had this dream since I was 7 years old,' said Jones. Team USA won all three of its games in the Preliminary Round, beating Norway, Slovakia and Czechia by a combined score of 29-3. Team Canada is also undefeated entering the semifinals. Advertisement Returning team veterans and staff urge Western New Yorkers to come out and show support for Team USA. 'If you've never seen sled hockey before, it's absolutely amazing. Get out here, come enjoy it. It's super physical and I think it's really inspiring to see all of these amazing athletes out here,' said forward Brody Roybal, who was also a member of the the 2015 world championship team that won gold in Buffalo. The event showcases teams and fans from all around the world, so be sure to catch Team USA in the semifinals on Friday, with the medal round to follow on Saturday. Click here to see the full schedule. Latest Local News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Business Journals
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Kabab & Curry sues landlord over eviction amid septic dispute
40 Under 40 2025 Business First once again will honor 40 Western New Yorkers under 40 years old for their professional success and community involvement. Nominate today!
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Federal grant pulled from local farming collective over alleged DEI violations
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Western New York nonprofit that supplies fresh produce to thousands of families is reeling after the federal government abruptly cut off its grant funding, citing concerns over discriminatory practices tied to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Providence Farm Collective (PFC), a 37-acre nonprofit farm located in Orchard Park, recently received notice from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that its $750,000 grant — currently in its second year — would be terminated. The funding supports a program helping refugee, immigrant and Black farmers establish their footing in agriculture. 'It was like a shocker to me and even to the rest of the communities that farm here,' said Hamadi Ali, the deputy director of PFC. The collective, which operates 30 farms and supports over 200 farmers, grows over 100,000 pounds of produce annually and serves more than 14,000 Western New Yorkers. The sudden loss of funding, which arrived just as the 2025 growing season began, threatens the future of those operations, according to its leaders. 'We're the only program west of Ithaca in all of New York state that offers farmer training on farmland, plus free resources and education,' said Kristin Heltman-Weiss, the executive director of PFC. 'This decision is a real threat to our local food system.' According to the USDA, the grant was removed because the programs it supported allegedly violated federal civil rights laws. An email from the department stated that eliminating all forms of discrimination is a priority and alleged that the DEI-focused programming at PFC may have engaged in 'unlawful discrimination.' Ali strongly disagrees with the USDA's interpretation. 'Our work being discriminatory and breaking the Civil Rights Act — it is just not true,' he said. 'There's every religion, every ethnic background, every culture, every skin color you will see here,' Heltman-Weiss said. 'This is the opposite of exclusion.' The loss of funding is part of a broader shift under the current federal administration, which has moved to roll back certain DEI-related policies and funding streams. Still, PFC leadership said they are not aware of any other farms in New York receiving similar notifications. 'I reached out to see if anyone else has gotten a letter like this,' Heltman-Weiss said. 'So far, I haven't heard of any other farm.' Despite the financial uncertainty, the collective is determined to move forward. 'A word — resilient,' Ali said. 'We are resilient folks — both the communities here and the Western New York region. We can weather this.' PFC plans to formally appeal the USDA's decision. The appeal must be submitted within 60 days. Latest Local News Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Canisius High School students receive Pope Francis' final blessing during trip to Rome
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A group of Canisius High School students are still in awe from their trip to the Vatican on Easter Sunday, where they witnessed Pope Francis give his final blessing. Pope Francis died on Monday at 88 years old after he suffered a stroke. Western New Yorkers and local Catholics have been honoring his legacy and mourning him since. 'To see him in person was truly a blessing,' said high school sophomore Gabriele Pili. 'I've never seen a pope before and to see him was truly remarkable.' 'Now knowing that that was his last blessing, his last day, I really don't know how I feel about it. It's amazing,' said high school junior Anthony Pepe. Every year during Easter break, students from Canisius High School embark on an educational trip somewhere around the world. This year, the trip just so happened to be in Italy. On Sunday, the group attended Easter mass and then saw the late Pope Francis give his blessing in Saint Peter's Square. 'To have him come out and give that blessing, it was pretty moving,' said Craig Hinchcliffe, a leader of the trip and history teacher at Canisius High School. 'It was amazing, being there present for the blessing,' Pepe said. 'It was just nice to see all the people, different backgrounds, different places, whether from Italy, Ethiopia, Australia — just coming together to see the pope and to celebrate God's grace,' said high school freshman Jayden Munyana. Leading up to the trip, the school wasn't sure the Pope Francis would even be there, which is what made this moment even more meaningful. 'It truly felt special to see him alive,' Pili said. Students and faculty are still processing what they experienced, but said it's a moment they'll never forget. Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
