Tag: Politics

Apr 30

2019

A bad week for female candidates in Buffalo

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State Supreme Court Judge Tracey Bannister on Monday expressed “some regret” in upholding the disqualification of three candidates for Buffalo Common Council, based on what she called a “material” and “substantive” defect in the form of their nominating petitions.   Indeed, there is much to regret in this imbroglio, from its beginning to its conclusion. The case now moves to the 4th Appellate Division of the state Supreme Court. “I’ve done what you’ve done and I know it’s hard,” Bannister told the three women — Melanie McMahan, Bernice Radle and Antoinette Craig — who were knocked from the June 25[...]

Posted 6 years ago

Apr 6

2017

Woman threatened over lawn signs

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An Amherst woman with a lawn sign that declares “Black Lives Matter” has been threatened by an anonymous letter writer who invoked the name of a right-wing news site. Ivy Yapelli received the letter two weeks ago stating that she had been placed on a “database of homeowners who may be deemed dangerous.” According to the letter writer, the “Black Lives Matter ” and “Resist” signs on Yapelli’s lawn promote “hatred and violence.” “It was clearly an attempt to intimidate me,” Yapelli said. No return address was provided, but the letter was signed, “Truth Revolt, Buffalo, NY Chapter.” The editor of Truth[...]

Posted 8 years ago

Dec 24

2016

Carl Paladino should be shunned

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There’s been the racist, pornographic emails – women having sex with barnyard animals, anyone? The threat to take out newspaper columnist Fred Dicker. The mocking of African American colleagues on the School Board and, most recently, “damn Asian” students. So when I say Carl Paladino has reached a new low, you know I’m talking low. Really low. Even the Trump transition team took exception, calling the remarks “absolutely reprehensible.” Paladino, in his latest cry for attention, responded to an Artvoice survey about his hopes and desires, said he wanted President Barack Obama to die of mad cow disease and for First[...]

Posted 8 years ago

Dec 22

2016

Heaney joins ‘Pressroom conversation

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Susan Arbetter of The Capitol Pressroom wrapped up 2016 with an hourlong interview with Jim Heaney, editor of Investigative Post; Michael Gormley, Albany correspondent for Newsday, and Ken Lovett, Albany bureau chief for The New York Daily News. The trio fielded questions on the top state stories of this year and the role of the press in a changing media landscape.

Posted 8 years ago

Sep 15

2016

Arbetter on Cuomo’s “pathology’ of self-interest

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Susan Arbetter has built The Capitol Pressroom into an influential interview program with a daily audience of 100,000 listeners by practicing what she described Tuesday as “broccoli dipped in chocolate” journalism. Speaking to a near sell-out crowd at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, Arbetter said her approach – tackling serious subjects with a dash of flavor and humor – gives voters the information they need in a way they can digest. “We need to eat vegetables to have real democracy,” she said, “but people are opting to only eat dessert,” referring to the gluttony of media consumption preoccupied with sports,[...]

Posted 9 years ago

Sep 15

2016

Podcast: Arbetter on Cuomo, state politics

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In this episode of Investigative Postcast, our new podcast, listen to some highlights of Jim Heaney’s conversation with Susan Arbetter, the award-winning host and producer of The Capitol Pressroom. Heaney interviewed Arbetter in front of a live audience at the Burchfield Penney Art Center on Tuesday. In this excerpt: Arbetter’s thoughts on Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the diminished power of WNY’s legislative delegation, and why Carl Paladino is never going to be governor. This is our second podcast: Last week’s featured Arbetter talking about her approach to producing The Capitol Pressroom. Also worth a listen: Heaney’s interview with Arbetter last week about the latest developments[...]

Posted 9 years ago

Apr 7

2016

Heaney talks Trump, Paladino on ‘Pressoom

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Jim Heaney discusses Donald Trump; his Mini-Me supporter Carl Paladino; the race to succeed state Sen. Marc Panepinto; and Mayor Byron Brown’s inexplicable stances on lead poisoning and workforce diversity with Susan Arbetter of The Capitol Pressroom. The interview, taped and broadcast Thursday, runs from 22:01 to 36:27.

Posted 9 years ago

Jan 10

2016

Considering Mark Poloncarz

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I’ve been on the airwaves the past week discussing Mark Poloncarz – his demeanor, his job performance, his supposed mandate. I appeared Sunday with Steve Brown on Outrages & Insights, my weekly video blog on WGRZ. I was interviewed last week at greater length by Susan Arbetter for a segment of The Capitol Pressroom that broadcasts on 20 public radio stations across upstate, including WBFO. I used to hold Poloncarz in relatively high regard, but have soured on him over the past year. Yes, he is smart (although thin skinned, and sometimes downright prickly). And he can be more forthcoming than your[...]

Posted 9 years ago
Investigative Post