WCDO Radio News

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-31-25

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the state’s minimum wage is set to go up again on January 1, 2026, marking the third straight year of increases. The minimum wage will rise to $17.00 per hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, while the rest of the state will see an increase to $16.00 per hour. This adjustment of $0.50 per hour is part of a planned series of increases, which will then be indexed to inflation starting in 2027.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-30-25

Governor Hochul announced that improvements are scheduled to be made to more Than 4,120 Highway Lane Miles and over 3600 bridges will be Replaced, Rehabilitated or Improved Across the State. In the Southern Tier, 644 miles of highway, & 374 bridges will be upgraded.

The City of Oneonta announced that The Department of Public Works will be collecting Christmas trees beginning Monday, January 5th through the end of January 2026. Decorations, tinsel & electrical wires & bulbs should be removed.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-29-25

Governor Hochul signed legislation that will require social media platforms to display labels warning of the dangerous impact certain features can have on young users’ mental health. The Legislation requires social media platforms that offer addictive feeds, auto play or infinite scroll to post warning labels on their platforms. Recent studies show that adolescents who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression, About half claim that social media makes them feel worse about their bodies, and teenagers with the highest levels of social media use are nearly twice as likely to rate their overall mental health as poor or very poor.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-24-25

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 2 people on a variety of felony charge. On December 15th, deputies responded to a burglary complaint in the Town of Binghamton, they found fresh footprints in the snow, signs of a break-in and smoke billowing from inside the house due to an active fire. State Police & Binghamton Fire Department responded, Deputies followed footprints and found evidence of stolen items, they used a drone to & located 37 year old Anthony Storti of Conklin, who was found to be in possession of narcotics, the investigation uncovered that Storti had been in the residence, left a vape behind and he set a fire inside. 24 year old Allyson Russell of Endicott, was identified as an accomplice in the burglary and arson. Both were charged with a host of felonies including Burglary, Arson criminal possession of a weapon, Grand Larceny & criminal possession of a controlled substance, they face court action shortly.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-22-25

Mixed precipitation is likely Tuesday across the region, local meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Rich Townsend 12-22-25)

We'll have our Tri-County Forecast through the end of the week at the end of this newscast.

Governor Hochul has reached a deal with state legislative leaders to approve a bill to give terminally ill people the legal ability to end their own lives with prescribed medication. New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act requires that a terminally ill person who is expected to die within 6 month make a written request for life-ending drugs, 2 witnesses will be needed to sign the request, which would then have to be approved by the person’s attending physician as well as a consulting physician. The Governor will sign the bill into law next year.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-17-25

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 38 year old Christopher Decker of Unadilla, following the report of a domestic dispute. Decker was charged with Assault, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation, Unlawful Imprisonment, Endangering the Welfare of a Child & Harassment. Decker was being held at the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office pending Arraignment, he is scheduled to appear in Unadilla Town Court at a later date.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-16-25

The State DEC announced that the 2025–2026 whitetail deer season is about to take a brief pause here in New York State, hunters will see a gap between the regular deer season and what is known as the Holiday Hunt in New York. The State introduced the Holiday Hunt in recent years, it gives hunters another opportunity just after Christmas and into the New Year, to harvest a deer or fill an unused tag. More information is available at dec.ny.gov.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-15-25

Sidney Police Department responded Friday Afternoon to a report of a male subject pointing a firearm at a female at the Circle Drive Apartment Complex. Officers arrested 21 year old Connor Steidle of South Carolina, a search of the residence resulted in the discovery of a large quantity of cocaine and 2 firearms, including a handgun. Steidle was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Reckless Endangerment, Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, & 3 counts of Menacing. Steidle was transported to Delaware County Central Arraignment, where he was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $25,000 bail. Sidney Police Department was assisted by State Police with this arrest.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 12-11-25

A Federal Court Jury returned a guilty verdict against ANTHONY WALLACE of the Bronx, for kidnapping a minor, coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sex, transportation of a minor across state lines to engage in illegal sex, and possession and production of child pornography. In March 2024, Wallace met a 15-year-old girl in Binghamton, he subjected the Minor Victim to escalating physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, forced her to disguise her appearance by dyeing her hair and wearing a mask, gave the Minor Victim methamphetamine and marijuana, & created child pornography of the Minor Victim, in Binghamton, which was found on his phone. Wallace later brought the victim across State Lines and then back to his Bronx apartment where he assaulted & raped her, she escaped the apartment & contacted police. Wallace faces multiple lengthy jail terms for the convictions.

Governor Hochul signed legislation Thursday that will require health insurance providers to offer lung cancer screenings to patients at no cost. The legislation would also require providers to offer follow-up screenings or other diagnostic services. Almost 14,000 New Yorkers are diagnosed with lung cancer and about 7,400 die from this disease each year.

New survey findings regarding Governor Hochul's distraction-free schools law have been released, they received over 350 responses from school administrators who implemented smartphone restrictions this year, 92% reported a smooth transition to the new policy, 83% of schools experienced more positive classroom environments and better student engagement & 75% of teachers reported that the distraction-free policy improved their ability to teach effectively.

Governor Hochul today announced that 8.2 million checks have now been mailed to eligible New Yorkers under the state’s first-ever Inflation Refund Check program. Over the last two months, inflation refund checks of up to $400 have been mailed to those who meet eligibility criteria. The main phase of large-scale check mailing is now complete, checks will continue to be mailed in small numbers in the weeks ahead as the State Tax Department determines that additional taxpayers are eligible. In the Southern Tier, there will be over 251,000 beneficiaries, receiving over $66.7 Million Dollars.

Enrollment gains have been reported across the State University of New York for the third consecutive year, enrollment is up by 2.9% in the last year & 6.5% over the past 3 years. First-time first year enrollment is also up 8.5% over the past 3 years. The results on International enrollment saw were down 3.9% this fall, with international enrollment at the graduate level down 13.8%.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-18-25

Governor Hochul is calling on the Trump administration to release funding for HEAP, now that the government shutdown is over, Hochul said that The State plans to open applications for HEAP on November 24. A State website is available to inform residents about energy affordability programs to help them pay for energy bills at dps.ny.gov.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 11-13-25

Norwich Police arrested 61 year old Donald Hults of Syracuse, who is a Level 3 Sex Offender, following an investigation into a reported sexual abuse of a child. Norwich Police investigated a complaint that Hults had arrived uninvited at a July 4th gathering in Norwich where he knew nobody in attendance, and inappropriately touched a 10-year-old child. Hults was located in Syracuse he was interviewed by Norwich Police detectives, and was taken into custody and he was charged with 2 counts of Sexual Abuse, plus Forcible Touching, & Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Hults was arraigned in Norwich City Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility, where he is being held without bail pending further court proceedings.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 11-12-25

State Attorney General Letitia James announced that a coalition of 24 Attorney's General, won a court order that will temporarily protect SNAP benefits. The ruling allowed for a temporary restraining order, which will stop the Trump administration from going after states that approved the release of SNAP benefits for the month of November, The President sent a message to Governors to immediately undo the Snap benefits, Several states, including New York, had already begun issuing the benefits in accordance with the USDA’s Friday memo stating that the agency would soon release full funding.

Governor Hochul announced that the last statewide Free Fishing Day of 2025 will be today, to mark Veterans Day. During Free Fishing Days, New York State waives the fishing license requirement for freshwater fishing in New York’s waters. While no license is required, all other freshwater fishing regulations remain in effect.

Governor Hochul announced that the last statewide Free Fishing Day of 2025 will occur Tuesday, to mark Veterans Day. During Free Fishing Days, New York State waives the fishing license requirement for freshwater fishing in New York’s waters. While no license is required, all other freshwater fishing regulations remain in effect.

P.M. NEWS Thursday 10-30-25

US Senators Schumer & Gillibrand called on the Trump administration today to allow the SNAP program money to be released to needy Americans, including 3 million New Yorkers, Gillibrand commented this morning about SNAP & the Affordable Care Act tax incentives being taken away:

(Gillibrand 10-30-25)

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 temporarily expanded and enhanced the Premium Tax Credit, and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 extended these enhancements through the end of 2025, Congress must act on that quickly in order for the Tax Credit to be available in 20-26.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 10-23-25

State Police are attempting to locate 15 year old Sierra Foley of Sauquoit and 16 year old Paige Roberts of Marcy. Both teens were last seen together on the evening of October 21, 2025, at Sierra’s residence in Oneida County. They are believed to be traveling in an unknown vehicle, Police believe they may be traveling to New York City or Pennsylvania. Paige Roberts is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall, 150 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing gray sweatpants and a gray sweatshirt, Sierra Foley is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, 110 pounds, with blonde hair and green eyes, wearing red sweatpants and a red sweatshirt. Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police at 315-366-6000.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 10-14-25

State Police arrested 28 year old Austin Darrow of New Milford, Pennsylvania, for Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle. On October 4th, a Trooper observed a sedan following a vehicle too close on I-81 and then fail to stop at a stop sign at 2 locations, when the Trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the operator took off at a high rate of speed, into the state of Pennsylvania. With the assistance of Pennsylvania State Police, Troopers were able to locate Darrow, he turned himself in at the Binghamton Barracks and he was issued traffic tickets and an appearance ticket to the Kirkwood Town Court on November 5th.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 10-9-25

Delhi Police Department arrested 21 year old Logan Hitchcock of Delhi on charges of 3rd degree Assault, Unlawful Imprisonment and Endangering the Welfare of a Child following a domestic incident in the Village of Delhi. Officers were dispatched to a reported domestic dispute on Meredith Street, they determined that a verbal altercation had escalated into a physical incident, during which a female victim sustained injuries while holding an infant, she was taken to O’Connor Hospital, Hitchcock was located and taken into custody, He was processed and was arraigned, a Temporary Order of Protection was requested on behalf of the victim and child.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 10-3-25

Governor Hochul & the State DEC announced a statewide burn ban in effect due to increased fire risk and continued dry conditions. The ban will be in effect until October 15th and will be re-evaluated prior to expiration. New Yorkers can help by complying with the prohibition on outdoor fires and by continuing to conserve water whenever possible.

Governor Hochul announced that $25 million has been awarded to help New York’s farmers support agricultural water quality conservation projects. Locally, $300,375 was awarded to the Chenango County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with a farm in the Upper Susquehanna River Watershed, $1,534,136 was awarded to the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with 3 farms in the Delaware River Watershed and Upper Susquehanna River Watershed.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 9-10-25

State Police issued 9,912 tickets statewide during the Labor Day weekend enforcement campaign. Troopers arrested 225 people for DWI, over 3500 for speeding, 311 for distracted driving 211 violated the Move Over Law, in Troop C, there were 17 DWI arrests, 346 for speeding& 27 for the Move Over Law, out of a total of 845 tickets issued.

Governor Hochul has signed a new executive order to make COVID-19 vaccines more accessible to New Yorkers, which will allows pharmacists to prescribe and administer COVID-19 vaccines. The executive order will be effective for at least 30 days as a long-term legislative solution is developed.

Governor Hochul announced that $200 million in funding is available through the State’s downtown revitalization and economic development programs; $100 million each for Round 9 of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and Round 4 of the NY Forward program. So Far, the 2 programs have awarded $1.2 billion in funding to 151 communities across every region of the state. The deadline to apply is November 7th, The similarities and differences between the DRI and NY Forward programs are described at ny.gov/programs.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 9-2-25

Governor Hochul is reminding New York parents to visit ny.gov/phonefree to review the distraction-free learning policy for their child’s school district or charter school, as they must implement bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices. The ny.gov/phonefree webpage enables parents and students to look up the distraction-free policies published by approximately 1,080 school districts around the state

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-28-25

On Wednesday morning, detectives from the Norwich Police Department successfully concluded a drug investigation, resulting in the seizure of 64 grams of fentanyl—an amount capable of causing tens of thousands of fatal overdoses, as well as cocaine, Methamphetamine and a Stun Gun. 38 year old Leo Moore of Norwich, was charged with 12 felonies and 4 misdemeanors following the execution of an arrest warrant, the most serious charge is Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. Detectives allege that the arrest closed an extensive investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine throughout the community. Moore was arraigned in Norwich City Court and is currently held without bail pending further court proceedings.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 8-27-25

Governor Hochul announced the Environmental Facilities Corporation surpassed $3.4 billion in executed financial assistance agreements for 328 water infrastructure projects across the State, A 55% in funding over the previous year. The projects improve water quality, safeguard public health and the environment and contribute an estimated 30,000 jobs. The application period for the next round of Grants is now open through September 12, Applications and information about the grants can be found at efc.ny.gov.