🌱 Kensington Expressway Plans + ECC President Resigns + Meds Demand

Hello, everybody. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening in town today, including:

• Plans for the Kensington Tunnel are moving forward.
• The ECC president is resigning after less than a year.
• Incoming storms could affect travel plans.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy. High: 37. Low: 27.

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Here are the top five stories in Buffalo today:

1. Plans for the Kensington Expressway moved forward yesterday after a federally required environmental review was passed. About a year ago, Governor Kathy Hochul committed $1 billion to remove a section of the highway and rejoin the east side. In a statement about the project, Hochul said, “The Kensington Expressway Project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to correct an egregious planning failure of the past and give the residents of East Buffalo the connection to one another and to green space they have been deprived of for far too long." For more information, read Mark Sommer's article at The Buffalo News.
2. After less than a year on the job, ECC President Dr. David Balkin has resigned. Balkin was suspended without pay at the end of October for a complaint filed through the human resources department regarding communication between Balkin and another staff member. It remains unclear if the resignation relates to the HR investigation. Read more at WIVB 4.
3. Due to high demand for children's medicine, various pharmacies now have restrictions surrounding the drugs. For example, CVS now has in-person and online regulations of two per customer. Walgreens has limits of six fever reducers for online purchases and none for in person customers. Find out more details at WKBW 7.
4. According to an Erie County District Attorney, a former NFTA bus driver was sentenced to five years of probation for committing worker compensation fraud. Between the fall of 2018 and the spring of 2020, Antoinette Laney of Kenmore received over $30,000 in worker's compensation while performing other jobs, such as Instacart worker. Learn more at WIVB 4.
5. Because of the incoming storm, people are starting to tune into weather that might affect their holiday plans. Among plans for this weekend, a winter storm watch in greater Chicago might impact travel plans for those going to the Bills game this weekend. More information can be found at WKBW 2.

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Today in Buffalo:

• Poinsettia and Railway Exhibit (recurring event) ! Buffalo Botanical Gardens, 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
• "The Underground Railroad: The William Still Story" Screening! The Buffalo History Museum, 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
• Stony Brook Legendary Lights (recurring event) ! Stony Brook/Quail Run Neighborhood, 6:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.
• A Christmas Carol (recurring event) ! Alleyway Theatre, 7:00 P.M.

From my notebook:

• Great Tree Topper: "✨ A++ for this star ✨ ⁠ ⁠ 📸: @michaeldouglas75⁠" (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• Otter Memories: "We are deeply saddened to announce the recent passing of our North American river otter, Daisy. Daisy had long been a resident in our Otter Creek exhibit and most recently spent her time with Rascal, our 15-year-old male." (The Buffalo Zoo via Instagram)
• Beautiful Birds-Eye Neighborhood: "Christmas lights all aglow. 🎄 #InTheBUF photo by @peterjcimino." (Visit Buffalo Niagara via Instagram)
• Sabres Dog: "LATE NIGHT PUP DROP 💛💙 @hooper_the_pibblepotamus 🏒 Support local animal shelters in Western New York by purchasing a Sabres Dog Days calendar! Available at @wegmans or @buffalosabres store. #dogsofbuffalo #buffalosabres." (Dogs Of Buffalo via Instagram)
• The Buffalo History Museum: "Join us on Wednesday for the last Happy Hour History of 2022- a FREE screening of the @wnedpbs documentary "The Underground Railroad: The WIlliam Still Story." (The Buffalo History Museum via Instagram)

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Events:

• Celebrate The Holidays With "The Uncle Louie Variety Show" LIVE! (December 26)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.