Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer

WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) are calling on the Trump administration to immediately reverse its decision to withhold billions of dollars in federal child care and social services funding from five states, including more than $3.4 billion from New York.

The Trump administration has announced plans to withhold funding intended to support low-income children and families, targeting New York and other Democrat-led states. These subsidies help working parents across New York access affordable, high-quality child care.

In a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Senators Gillibrand and Schumer called on the administration to immediately reverse course and restore critical funding that New York families rely on.

“The Trump administration is pulling the rug out from under working families, threatening the affordable child care that parents in New York and across the country depend on,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This reckless move could force local child care centers to close their doors, leaving parents without the support they need to go to work and keep food on the table. Our children deserve better than to be used as political pawns. With everyday costs already skyrocketing for families, I will continue to fight relentlessly to secure this vital funding and stop these harmful political ploys that are putting our children and their futures in jeopardy.”

“Hundreds of thousands of New York households rely on the cash assistance and social services supported by CCDF, TANF, and SSBG, and any delay in funding will be catastrophic for families, children, workers, and communities across New York. Simply withholding funds will not fix fraud. Instead, it will destabilize an already fragile child care and social safety net system,” the senators wrote.

The senators demanded that the Trump administration detail any instances of the “extensive and systemic fraud” it cited, without evidence, to justify the funding freeze; identify which agency is conducting any such investigation and when it began; and provide a written justification for withholding federal child care and social services funding without first following established oversight procedures.

In New York alone, this funding freeze threatens more than 219,000 children who rely on child care services, as well as thousands of child care providers statewide, many of them small businesses that cannot withstand funding delays and may be forced to close.

Press Release, Medina Police Department

MEDINA – The Medina Police Department charged two people with felony drug possession and intent to sell on Friday.

Police officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Pearl Street and Main Street at about 12:45 a.m.

Police officers determined that both the driver and passenger had suspended driver’s licenses. That required the vehicle to be towed due to the lack of a valid licensed operator.

While conducting an inventory search of the vehicle prior to towing, officers located suspected narcotics. Evidence was seized and both occupants were taken into custody.

Milton Hinckley IV, age 31, was charged with criminal possession of a narcotic drug with the intention to sell in the third degree, a Class B felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor; operating a vehicle without inspection, a violation; and obstructed plate, a violation.

Leah Gerety, 26, was charged with criminal possession of a narcotic drug with the intention to sell in the third degree, a Class B felony; and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony.

Both were processed and released on appearance tickets. They are scheduled to appear in town court at a later date.

The investigation was conducted by officer Brown, Officer Wendling and Officer Clouser of the Medina Police Deputy with assistance from Deputy Stornelli of the Sheriff’s Office.

Photo by Aidin Bharti/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul: In Latham this morning Governor Kathy Hochul updates New Yorkers on extreme weather.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today issued a State of Emergency ahead of extreme cold and a massive winter storm set to impact areas statewide this weekend.

Extreme cold moves in Friday night, with statewide feels-like temperatures in the negatives Friday and Saturday night. Sunday morning, a large winter storm will begin to impact the state and continue until Monday, with New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Capital Region, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, lower North Country and parts of Central New York seeing the potential for 12 to 18 inches of snow. Western New York and the upper North Country will see snowfall totals of six to 12 inches.

Editor’s note: The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Orleans County from 7 a.m. Sunday until 7 p.m. Monday with 10 to 15 inches of snow expected.

“Winter in New York is nothing we can’t handle, but it is important to take the risks that come with extreme cold seriously,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers should avoid travel during the snow, especially with the danger that comes with being stranded in these cold temperatures. If you must travel, be sure to leave yourself extra travel time and pack your car with supplies like blankets, water, and snacks. Safety is always the top priority, so make sure you are ready to face this storm.”

In addition to preparing for snow and wind, New Yorkers should also prepare to protect against the dangers that can result from colder weather and winter activities. Under state regulation, a Code Blue is automatically in effect whenever the temperature and wind chill equal less than 32 degrees.

Local social services districts are legally required to take necessary steps to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to shelter and that shelter hours are extended. New Yorkers also should check out these cold weather tips from the Department of Health; additional tips for preventing frostbite and hypothermia; information on Carbon Monoxide poisoning; information on the proper use of generators; and safe winter driving tips.

Department of Transportation

The State Department of Transportation is monitoring weather conditions and prepared to respond with 3,692 supervisors and operators. Regional crews are currently engaged in snow and ice response and preparation activities. All residency locations will remain staffed for 24/7 operations throughout the duration of the event and priority cleanup operations.

All available snow and ice equipment is ready to deploy. Fleet mechanics in affected areas will be staffing all main residency locations 24/7 to perform repairs and keep trucks on the road. Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

• 1,624 large plow trucks
• 148 medium duty plows
• 52 tow plows
• 337 large loaders
• 37 snow blowers

Thruway Authority

The Thruway Authority is ready to respond with 685 operators and supervisors available. Statewide equipment numbers and resources are listed below:

• 345 large and medium duty plow trucks
• 10 tow plows
• 65 loaders
• 114,000+ tons of salt on hand

Drivers are reminded that Thruway snowplows travel at about 35 miles per hour — which in many cases is slower than the posted speed limit — in order to ensure that salt being dispersed stays in the driving lanes and does not scatter off the roadways. The safest place for motorists is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and treated.

Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association

ALBANY – Newly released data from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) shows continued reductions in inmate violence and staff use-of-force incidents statewide, reinforcing what NYSCOPBA has long warned: unsafe policies drive violence, and commonsense corrections practices reduce it.

According to DOCCS’ January 22, 2026 update, incidents of inmate-on-staff assaults, inmate-on-inmate assaults, and overall use-of-force declined during 2025. A significant factor in those reductions was the suspension of HALT-mandated programming in many facilities for part of the year due to chronic understaffing, which limited inmate movement and reduced opportunities for violent encounters.

NYSCOPBA has consistently maintained that overcrowded programming, uncontrolled inmate interaction, and the lack of meaningful discipline under HALT created a volatile and dangerous environment inside state prisons. The suspension of HALT programming, combined with other negotiated policy changes, such as the implementation of legal mail scanning, directly contributed to the decrease in assaults reflected in the DOCCS data.

“For years, our members have been forced to work in unsafe conditions created by misguided policies that ignored staffing realities and common sense,” said NYSCOPBA President Chris Summers. “The DOCCS data released today confirms what we have said all along — when HALT programming was suspended and inmate movement was reduced, assaults went down. When contraband was addressed by implementing the aforementioned programs, the numbers went down. These results were entirely predictable.”

NYSCOPBA cautioned that while the reductions are encouraging, they are fragile and reversible if failed policies are reinstated without regard for staffing and safety.

“This should be a wake-up call to the lawmakers who pushed HALT through despite repeated warnings from correctional professionals,” Summers added. “If the goal is safer facilities for staff and inmates alike, then policies must be based on reality, not ideology. We remain committed to working with DOCCS on solutions that actually work and finally put safety first. A starting point would be to take the recommendations of the HALT Committee that was jointly formed between NYSCOPBA, DOCCS and other state Labor Unions.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: East State Street is blanketed in snow on Thursday morning with the Presbyterian Church in the background.

Orleans County is facing three different weather advisories.

A cold weather advisory just went into effect at 10 a.m. and continues until 10 a.m. on Saturday. There will be bitterly cold wind chills as low as 15 to 20 below zero in Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and northern Erie counties.

“This is a potentially hazardous situation to be outdoors,” stated the National Weather Service in Buffalo. “If you must be outside, be sure to cover all exposed skin. Frostbite can occur in 30 minutes or less with apparent temperatures of 15 below zero or colder.”

A second weather advisory begins today at 3 p.m. until 10 a.m. on Saturday. The winter weather advisory calls for 3 to 5 inches, with gusts as high as 40 miles per hour producing blowing and drifting snow.

This advisory includes Orleans, Monroe, Wayne and northern Cayuga counties.

“Lake effect snow will fall in relatively narrow bands,” said the National Weather Service in Buffalo. “If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.”

A winter storm warning goes into effect from Saturday night through Monday evening with heavy snow expected. Snow will develop from south to north Sunday morning through midday, with the heaviest snow later Sunday afternoon through Monday morning, the Weather Service said.

The following are facing drug charges, from left: Richard Button, Jerry Robinson, Jr. and Alaina Reece.

ALBION – Three people have been charged after an investigation into the sale and distribution of fentanyl and cocaine throughout Orleans County from the city of Rochester.

They were charged following a vehicle stop in the village of Albion. The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force and the Albion Police Department executed a search warrant on the driver and the vehicle.

Another search warrant was then executed by Task Force members, the Albion PD and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office at 431 West State St., lot #19 in Albion. Police arrested two people on drug charges with a third person from Rochester also charged who was allegedly the supplier of the fentanyl and cocaine.

Police seized over 1 ounce of cocaine, over an half ounce of fentanyl, various narcotic pills, over $1,600 in cash, scales and other drug paraphernalia.

The following were charged:

Jerry Robinson Jr., 36, of Lincoln Street in Rochester, who was charged with one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second degree (AII felony), and one count of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree (C felony).

Richard Button, 35, of 431 West State St. lot #19 in Albion, who was charged with three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (B felonies).

Alaina Reece, 25, of 431 West State St. lot #19 in Albion, who was charged with three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (B felonies).

Robinson was held in the county jail for CAP court, awaiting an appearance in Orleans County Court in front County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Button and Reece were released on appearance tickets due to bail reform laws. They are to return to Albion Town Court on Feb. 10.

Additional arrests and charges are pending in this case, said Joe Sacco, supervising investigator for the Task Force.

Assisting in the investigation include District Attorney Susan Howard, the Albion Police Department and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

Police seized over 1 ounce of cocaine, over an half ounce of fentanyl, various narcotic pills, over $1,600 in cash, scales and other drug paraphernalia.