Get Local: Starting your new week under a heat emergency!
It's Monday, June 23rd and we have the latest on a state of emergency in several counties amid heat and devastating storms in CNY. We also have the latest on a building collapse in Port Byron.
Downtown Port Byron building partially collapses, prompting road closure
A partial building collapse occurred Saturday afternoon in downtown Port Byron, sending bricks and debris from the Advantage Auto Stores onto Utica Street. No injuries were reported, but the incident prompted the closure of Routes 31 and 38 for several hours as emergency crews secured the area. The store, which had been operational, remains closed while the cause of the collapse is investigated. Multiple agencies, including the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office and state police, responded to the scene.
Finger Lakes Forecast: Hazy, hot, and humid.
Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a State of Emergency in 32 New York counties as the state faces a dangerous mix of extreme heat, flash flooding, and severe thunderstorms. Heat index values are forecast to soar as high as 109°F, with little overnight relief and widespread power outages already reported. Emergency crews are responding to storm damage and preparing for additional rainfall that could worsen flooding, especially in already saturated regions. Residents are urged to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity, and remain alert as conditions are expected to persist through midweek.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
New York’s elected officials are sharply divided over President Trump’s decision to authorize airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Republican lawmakers, including Reps. Mike Lawler and Elise Stefanik, praised the move as a necessary deterrent against Iran’s nuclear ambitions. In contrast, Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Hakeem Jeffries criticized the strikes as reckless, calling for congressional oversight. Governor Hochul emphasized protecting New Yorkers, while Senator Gillibrand demanded transparency from the Biden administration amid rising international tensions.
Cornell University has been hit hard by federal funding cuts, receiving over 140 stop-work orders as part of a $5.1 billion rollback by the U.S. Department of Defense. Key research projects in cybersecurity, space systems, and public health have been halted, including a near-complete tick-borne illness test and a study on combat stress. Professors say the abrupt loss of funding puts critical scientific progress and student work at risk. University officials and researchers warn the cuts could undermine national innovation and harm the local economy.
The Seneca County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday evening to review a wide-ranging committee agenda focused on public safety, infrastructure, and community programs. A key item includes a proposed contract renewal for a Deputy Sheriff to support violence prevention efforts at South Seneca schools, reimbursed at $60 per hour. Committees will also consider personnel changes in the Sheriff's Office and Public Defender's Office, over $215,000 in school-based mental health contracts, and nearly $1 million in CHIPS funding adjustments. Other agenda highlights include grant funding for local events, reclassification of county positions, and contract amendments tied to wastewater treatment upgrades.
A free pediatric health screening event will take place Wednesday, June 25, at Cuyler Elementary School in Red Creek, offering vital care to children ages one to five in the Red Creek Central School District. Hosted by the Get Ready to GROW Program, the event will include assessments for vision, hearing, dental, speech, and motor development. Supported by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Health Equity Innovation Initiatives, the program targets rural communities where access to care is often limited. Health experts will provide on-site evaluations from 9 to 11 a.m., with follow-up support available for families needing further care.
Senator Tom O’Mara is calling for a major overhaul of New York’s climate strategy, arguing that current zero-emissions mandates threaten grid stability and affordability. He criticized the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act for being unrealistic, citing NYISO data showing the state is losing energy capacity faster than it can replace it. O’Mara pointed to rising electricity rates and the risk of blackouts as signs that the timeline must be re-evaluated, especially without viable dispatchable clean energy sources. He and Senate Republicans are pushing for delayed mandates, renewed investment in nuclear power, and consideration of natural gas as a transitional resource.
Gananda sophomore wins Class C state title
