Local

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Ericson Vasquez‑Moran pleaded guilty after driving into a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle in a May 13 incident in the Western District of New York; sentencing is set for Nov. 11, 2026.

Governor Hochul announced stepped-up state police inspections of dealers tied to crime guns, an expanded interstate task force, a dealer education campaign and plans to seek a law requiring in-person firearm sales to blunt proposed ATF rollbacks.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand urged the Senate July 30 to pass her War Powers Resolution to end unauthorized U.S. hostilities with Iran, saying the conflict has raised costs for New Yorkers and cost American lives.

City officials and climate groups rallied at City Hall Park asking Gov. Hochul to sign the SUNNY Act (S.8512/A.9111) to legalize small plug‑in “balcony” solar panels and exempt them from utility interconnection rules.

The 22nd Annual All Corvette Caravan in Lancaster on Aug. 1 will raise funds for Kids Escaping Drugs. The event runs 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. at Bowen Road Grove and includes a BBQ luncheon, awards and presentations.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the Empire State MWBE Hub, a new mobile-friendly platform to modernize MWBE certification, appeals, customer service and the certified-business directory. The system is available at mwbe.esd.ny.gov and will coordinate with Erie County and the City of Buffalo JCC.