🌱 Buffalo Shooting Survivors Testify + Allen West Art Festival

Hello, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening in Buffalo today. Here goes...

First, today's weather:

Cooler; a shower in the a.m. High: 63 Low: 54.

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Here are the top three stories in Buffalo today:

1. Families of Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York mass shooting victims and survivors have testified this week before Congress on gun safety measures. The testimony at the House Oversight Committee came in the aftermath of back-to-back mass shootings, with lawmakers aiming for a bipartisan agreement on gun safety measures. The panel's chairwoman, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., called the hearing to focus on the human impact of gun violence and the urgency for gun control legislation. (WGRZ.com)
2. Wondering if the ongoing construction on Allen Street will disrupt the Allen West Art Festival this year? Art festival-goers can rejoice as the Allentown Association has reassured Buffalo art fans that the festival is still "a go." The festival has featured many regional and local artists since it began in 1998. (Buffalo Rising)
3. A long-time Buffalo Public School educator has been selected as one of ten across the nation for Verizon’s Time Innovative Teacher Project. Fatima Morrell, associated superintendent for Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Initiatives for Buffalo Schools, is being honored nationally by Time Magazine by being named as an innovative teacher for helping to create the curriculum that was launched in 2021 in city schools. (WKBW 7 News Buffalo)

Today in Buffalo:

• Diversity Career Fair At Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Preschool Story Time At Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (10:30 AM)
• Mindfulness Group With Chair Yoga At Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (2:45 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking for a fun way to kick off the month of June? Step Out Buffalo has curated a list of six perfectly-planned West New York bike rides here. (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• The Taste of Buffalo is returning on Jul. 9 and 10 with over 40 food trucks and vendors! Get more details on WGRZ. (WGRZ.com)
• Tops, the site of the tragic May 14 mass shooting here in Buffalo, says it plans to have its Jefferson Avenue store reopened by the end of July. According to Tops President John Persons, the store is undergoing renovations before it reopens. (WIVB.com - News 4)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. I'll see you around!

— Dan Casarella

About me: Dan Casarella is a writer, podcast producer, and small business development specialist who formerly worked in late-night television. He’s produced many talk segments, including with President Joe Biden, Kobe Bryant, and Chadwick Boseman. Dan studied Media Studies and Production at Temple University. He also enjoys running, painting, and the highs and lows of Philadelphia’s sports teams.