News

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has released the findings of his new "Fiscal Stress Monitoring System," and according to the report, Monroe County is the most fiscally stressed local government in New York.

The report evaluates 23 financial and environmental indicators to create an overall fiscal condition score.
DiNapoli says Monroe County's major challenges include its fund balance, operating deficit, cash position and short-term debt.

The WXXI news staff checks newspapers and websites to help keep tabs on what's happening in communities across New York state.

 A shift in policies has led to a significant drop in the number of youth confined in state and county facilities nationwide, and New York has been identified as one of nine states that has seen the largest decrease in juvenile detention.

A report released by the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) and the Texas Public Policy Foundation shows that 43% fewer youth were detained in New York State facilities in the period from 2001-2010.  

Less than two months after Lakeside Hospital in Brockport closed, there is word on Monday of a new use for that facility.

Lakeside closed in April due to financial problems. Now, the University of Rochester Medical Center is announcing that it is buying most of Lakeside’s assets and will re-establish urgent care and outpatient services at that location.

The Brockport hospital will soon house urgent care, orthopaedic surgeons, urologists and other specialists along with lab, radiology and pharmacy services.

Officials at the University of Rochester have issued a statement following the release of  a memo which indicates a recent audit shows a “significant misappropriation” of university funds within one of the Medical Center departments.

The memo, sent to college officials last week from U of R President Joel Seligman and other university leaders, says that officials believe it was an isolated case.

There’s three days left in the legislative session, and chances are dimming for a settlement on an abortion rights provision in a women’s equality act, and for reform of campaign financing and other anti-corruption measures.  

Meanwhile, a new poll finds the public increasingly dissatisfied.

As the session winds down, it seems that two of the governor’s top agenda items are doomed in the State Senate.

The game of golf can teach young people a lot about life. That's according to Scott Kemic, the senior director of the PGA Foundation.

"You play by yourself. You call penalties on yourself. You interact with people. It's always been about camaraderie," Kemic says. "To provide youth the opportunity to ...  really have a positive impact on their lives through the values of what it [golf] teaches you. The life skills of honesty, integrity and building character."

The 13th annual Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival kicks off this weekend with more than 250 shows over the nine-day event.

Among the world class artists performing are Willie Nelson and Family, the Gap Mangione Big Band and Pink Martini.

Jazz fest co-producer John Nugent, who appeared on WXXI's 1370 Connection on Monday, says about 187,000 people attended last year’s festival.

While statewide graduation rates remained stable at 74%, the Rochester City School District saw a drop in students graduating in 2012. That’s according to the latest graduation rates released Monday by the New York State Education Department. The District graduated 43% of its students in 2012, compared to 45.5% percent in 2011. Superintendent Bolgen Vargas said the District can’t improve student learning if doesn’t improve the quantity and quality of instruction.

Sonic Drive-In restaurants is bringing its roller-skating car hop servers to Rochester. The Oklahoma City-based chain says it will develop five new Sonic drive-ins in Rochester over the next four years.

That will double its presence in New York State. It has five other stores scattered around the state, but none in the Rochester region.