Your Morning Edition for Saturday, Feb. 1st presented by West & Co.!
Hochul proposes Discovery Reform changes, Geneva gets housing grant, rural school districts sound alarm about electric buses, sheriff's office defends ICE handling, and Friday night hoops scores!
Hochul proposes reforms to fix discovery law issues
Governor Kathy Hochul announced reforms to New York’s discovery laws to reduce procedural delays and prevent case dismissals over technicalities. Originally intended to promote fairness, the 2020 reforms had unintended consequences, including cases being dismissed due to retroactive discovery challenges. The proposed changes include clarifying that prosecutors only need to disclose materials in their possession to certify compliance, expanding automatic redaction of sensitive information, and reducing the notice period for presenting defendants’ statements to grand juries from 48 to 24 hours.
Finger Lakes Forecast: Bitterly cold today, milder tomorrow.
Presented by Finger Lakes Partners Insurance
There’s going to be a slight chance of snow showers this morning, but that will quickly fade—giving way to mostly cloudy skies. Highs will struggle to get to the upper-teens, with 10-15 mph winds out of the northwest—making it feel much colder than the thermometer says. Tomorrow we’ll see increasing snow chances as day turns to night, but temps will be much milder—rounding out in the mid-30s. We’ll start the week very warm with patchy drizzle and highs around 44.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office disputed claims by the Department of Justice that it obstructed federal immigration enforcement. Officials said the office acted in accordance with New York State law and policies when it released Jesus Romero-Hernandez after his state assault charges were resolved. The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was informed of the release schedule and had ample opportunity to take Romero-Hernandez into custody without incident.
Geneva has received $638,444 through the state’s Community Development Block Grant program to renovate seven owner-occupied homes. Economic Development Director David West tells the Finger Lakes Times repairs will focus on critical needs like roofing, heating, and lead or asbestos removal, in partnership with Finger Lakes Community Action, which will provide additional funding for energy efficiency improvements.
Congressman Nick Langworthy met with Schuyler County leaders at The Hotel Laurel at Seneca on Friday, sharing updates on current political developments from Washington, D.C. Topics discussed included Medicaid, agriculture, immigration, and the political shifts under the Trump administration. Langworthy emphasized that significant changes are underway in the nation’s capital, which he characterized as positive.
A state law mandating school districts switch to electric buses by 2035 is drawing fierce criticism from rural communities and school officials across New York, who say it is financially and logistically impossible to achieve under the current timeline. The law demands districts begin purchasing only zero-emission buses by 2027. However, initial estimates suggest the conversion will cost between $8 billion and $15.25 billion—excluding the necessary upgrades to charging infrastructure and facilities.
Cayuga Community College has officially launched its new Workforce Development Center, a $6 million project designed to streamline employment services and provide career training for job seekers and local businesses. The grand opening on Thursday drew leaders from SUNY and federal, state, and local governments, alongside college officials and community partners.
FRIDAY HS BASKETBALL REPORT: Kendall Parker sets Dundee’s all-time scoring record; Newark girls outlast Waterloo in low-scoring affair
On an eventful Friday in high school basketball, 38 teams from the Wayne-Finger Lakes region competed in 19 games. Dundee's Kendall Parker made history by becoming the school's all-time leading scorer with 29 points, while Newark's girls secured a win over Waterloo in a defensive battle. Several teams saw streaks extended or snapped across boys and girls basketball matchups.
Boys Scores
Wayne 52, Geneva 35
Waterloo 48, Newark 43
Marcus Whitman 60, Rochester Academy 52
Palmyra-Macedon 60, Penn Yan 50
Mynderse 60, Midlakes 26
Andover-Whitesville 65, Naples 50
Canandaigua 70, Pittsford Mendon 50
Hilton 66, Victor 49
Girls Scores
Newark 40, Waterloo 33
Lyons 45, Gananda 32
East Rochester 53, Red Creek 40
Palmyra-Macedon 44, Penn Yan 36
Dundee/Bradford 57, Honeoye 19
Marcus Whitman 63, Naples 20
Bloomfield 61, Wayne 40
Williamson/Marion 50, North Rose-Wolcott 30
Clyde-Savannah 72, Sodus 16
Red Jacket 51, Romulus 30
Aquinas 62, Victor 44
Marcus Whitman band and guard boosters commission mural to honor Gorham Pageant of Bands
The Marcus Whitman Band & Guard Boosters have announced plans to commission a mural celebrating the legacy of the Gorham Pageant of Bands, a beloved event that brought thousands of student musicians and spectators to the Finger Lakes for nearly 60 years.
Bridgeport Fire District seeks approval for $1.2M pumper truck purchase
The Bridgeport Fire District has announced a public referendum to be held on February 18, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Seneca Falls Fire Department West Station. The vote will determine whether the district can spend up to $1.2 million on a new pumper truck to enhance firefighting operations in the community.