WBFO Top Stories
The future of Buffalo's only hostel remains unclear as the city says the hostel "needs to step up."
-
Baby boomers are entering older age amid a historic affordable-housing shortage and widening inequality. A new study warns many won't be able to access the kind of housing or caregiving they need.
-
A WBFO analysis of stop receipts shows there are racial disparities in traffic stops in Buffalo, with Black people being disproportionately pulled over by the Buffalo Police Department.
Download the WBFO mobile app on your favorite smart devices! Search WBFO in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Every Friday at 7pm, listen to WBFO’s Friday Night Lights featuring the best of Western New York's boys and girls high school basketball.

Please join us as we create the “old-school” feel of a live radio play, complete with a studio audience, voice actors, and foley sound effects Saturday, December 16th.
NOW PLAYING
Follow WBFO On Social Media
Podcasts
The Bridge connects music lovers with music makers and engages in the community, supporting musicians, venues, and listeners.
WBFO Arts & Culture Desk
- Theater Talk: Local stages transition to holiday shows with 8 openings this weekend alone! (See listings.)
- Theater Talk: Right now it's LEGALLY BLONDE, ALL MY SONS, MASTER HAROLD, and THE HOMECOMING and A CHRISTMAS STORY opens the holiday season.
- Theater Talk: Some brilliant drama by Miller, Pinter, and Dickey on area stages (see listings) and Anthony visits NYC
- Theater Talk: Another busy week for talented casts in THE CONVENT at BFV, ALL MY SONS at RLTP, THE HOMECOMING at Torn Space, LEGALLY BLONDE at MusicalFare
WBFO Business & Economy Desk
- Buffalo's Common Council vote to approve pay raises for city's elected officials
- Buffalo mayor, Council agree to almost $60M in funding cuts to community organizations
- Confusion surrounding approval of ARP funding for Buffalo's small businesses
- Buffalo has an affordable housing problem. A task force has been formed to help solve it
WBFO Disabilities Desk
- A large donation may give more students with disabilities in Western New York access to sports
- Woman with a disability had to eat off chair during Special Olympics fundraiser at Tully's Good Times
- National wheelchair football tournament hosted by Buffalo for the first time
- Buffalo's first full-time ADA coordinator hopes to 'focus on the future'
WBFO Health & Wellness Desk
- 'Do what's right': ECMC nurses raise issues, demand new contract
- Trauma surgeon will address UB medical school students on gun violence and racism
- 'You made a contract. You agreed to it. Live it.': Nurses voice concerns over staffing problems at ECMC
- Kaleida Health and its unions are looking to strengthen health care, staff and finances
WBFO Mental Health Initiative
- Damar Hamlin's collapse shocked viewers and players. How to cope after witnessing trauma
- Money, mental health help on the mind of Tops shooting survivor
- Buffalo shooting left grieving neighborhood without a grocery store. Counseling and food giveaways are there to help
- The long-lasting impact of Saturday's shootings
WBFO Racial Equity Project
- A Buffalo church founded during the Civil Rights Movement is using faith to oppose racism
- What can Buffalo learn from Charleston's experiences since the attack at Mother Emanuel AME?
- Turning outrage into action: The coalition of congregations working to dismantle racism in policing
- Can hydroponic farms solve food access issues on East Side?
WBFO Older Adults News Desk
- Senior care a major consideration with 20% of region 60-plus
- Albany wants to take over an Orleans County nursing home, claiming owner fraud, bad care
- WNY nursing home workers get new contracts, while others threaten to go on five-day strikes
- New York home care shortage’s impact on dementia caregiving: ‘It takes so much out of you’
WBFO Women's News Desk
WBFO Education Reporting
- Dr. Tonja Williams holds second annual State of the Schools Address
- New SUNY Chancellor John King was New York's state education commissioner
- 'This isn't just happening in a few places anymore': There's efforts to ban books in WNY schools
- Black excellence in education: Fostering a sense of being among students of color in Buffalo
Regional News
NPR Top Stories
-
The powerful quake prompted many villagers to flee their homes in panic. Japanese authorities issued evacuation orders in parts of Okinawa. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
-
Vice President Harris gave her most extensive comments to date on the fighting in Gaza, emphatically calling on Israel to do more to protect civilians.
-
One hundred years after her birth, Maria Callas still commands attention in the world of opera, which she forever altered with her singular, searing performances.
-
The temporary truce that collapsed early Friday followed seven weeks of fighting in Gaza sparked by simultaneous attacks on southern Israel by Hamas militants on Oct. 7.
-
Squid Game: The Challenge is a reality game show based on the sensational South Korean drama series. But this gruesome, creatively misbegotten concept should never have made it past the first meeting.
-
There is no good time for a book as critical of one's own party as Oath and Honor, but it is particularly uncomfortable for the GOP to be taking these punches right now.
-
New EPA rules require oil and gas companies to slash climate-changing methane from their operations.
More Local News from WBFO
-
WBFO's analysis of traffic stop receipt data found there are racial disparities in traffic stops conducted by the Buffalo Police Department.
-
The Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and Whirlpool Bridge were closed Wednesday due to an explosion that killed two people on the Rainbow Bridge. The Rainbow Bridge remains closed as of Wednesday night.
-
WBFO’s Disability Reporter Emyle Watkins spoke with Charles Fulco, science teacher, and NASA Solar System Ambassador, about how people with disabilities can start thinking ahead to enjoy the solar eclipse.
-
A lawyer representing the families of the victims of the May 14th, 2022 Tops shooting said they have enough evidence to proceed with a wrongful death lawsuit against a weapon accessory manufacturer and several social media platforms.
-
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a lawsuit against PepsiCo for its contribution to Buffalo’s plastic pollution problem.
-
Starting this week, the city of Buffalo will be issuing several winter weather reminders through its BuffAlert system.
-
On Sunday, U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins announced he will be leaving his office in February 2024. Higgins has served in the House since 2005, representing New York’s 26th congressional district. WBFO’s Emyle Watkins spoke with someone who has known Higgins since he got his start in Buffalo’s Common Council about his legacy.
-
In response to John Oliver's joke about Buffalo, the city believes it is actually a great place to be in the fall.
Book's We Love returns with 380+ new titles handpicked by NPR staff and trusted critics. Find 11 years of recommendations all in one place –that's more than 3,600 great reads – with handy filters to help you find the perfect book.
Thinking about selling your car, boat, motorcycle, truck or other vehicle? Donate it to WBFO instead.
WBFO The Bridge is taking over WBFO Saturdays from 8 to midnight! For those who just can't get enough Alternative Music in their lives. Hear the best of Alternative with WBFO The Bridge on WBFO every Saturday 8-Midnight on 88.7 FM.