News

Sarah Perkins, a long-time volunteer with The Greater Rochester Chapter of the American Red Cross says the sight in Oklahoma is "complete devastation and destruction."

Perkins is responsible for collecting data on the magnitude of the disaster. From the information gathered, the Red Cross can better determine how to respond to those in need. Perkins says she's telling each resident she meets, "We'll get through this together."

Rochester officials have announced the lineup for two events coming up at the Public Market.

One of them is the free Bands on the Bricks concert series which debuts on July 12th, and continues each Friday night from 5:30 to 10 p.m. through August 9th.

The bands appearing include Donna the Buffalo, Los Lonely Boys and Felice Brothers.

Coming up this week on Need to Know Rochester we examine what could soon be a charter school boom in Monroe County. Also on the show, a look into the local private school Hope Hall. It caters to a special group of students who say it’s a place where everybody knows your name. And we continue our behind-the-scenes coverage of world-renowned sculptor Albert Paley’s latest work. 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.

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks  delivers her annual  State of the County  address Thursday evening  at the Eastman Business Park, and we’ll have live coverage on AM 1370 WXXI and www.wxxi.org

Brooks  will  be talking about the key role the business park is playing in the effort to revitalize the local economy, and she’s also expected to discuss other job growth efforts.

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks presents her State of the County address tonight, and WXXI will provide live coverage on AM 1370 (listen live) starting at 7 p.m. WXXI News Director Randy Gorbman will anchor our coverage from the "Theatre On The Ridge" at Eastman Business Park. You can also follow our real-time Twitter stream during the address - @WXXINews. 

The Memorial Art Gallery cut the ribbon on its Centennial Sculpture Park Wednesday.

Governor Cuomo, who still has not issued a decision on whether hydro fracking should be allowed in New York,  is backing further away from the controversial gas drilling process in his economic development plans for the future.  

Two years ago, Governor Cuomo considered hydro fracking a key component of his plans for economic development in the faltering upstate regions of the state.

There's the possibility that the Hickey Freeman plant in Rochester could be sold again.  The CEO of the company that operates that plant, Doug Williams, has confirmed for WXXI News that he's in talks with a Canadian company, Samuelsohn, which is interested in buying the Rochester clothing factory.

Williams says this deal would be a positive move for the local Hickey Freeman plant, and could add jobs here.

Hickey Freeman now employs nearly 400 workers in Rochester.  If the deal goes through, there's no word yet exactly how many more jobs could be added locally.

The City School District wants to change its transportation policy so it can provide busing for students who live within a half-mile of school.

The state provides financial assistance to transport students who live a mile and a half or more from school.
It's asking for permission from the State Education Department to change the guidelines.
Rochester City School Superintendent Dr. Bolgen Vargas says it will take a change in current law, but with an adjustment to the policy, parents would be encouraged to choose their neighborhood school for their children.

Xerox  CEO Ursula Burns is again on Forbes Magazine's annual list of the world's 100 most powerful women. Forbes looks at factors that include revenue, media moment and impact.