Emyle Watkins
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Award-winning investigative journalist for @BTPMNPR Disabilities Beat. 🖊️’d: Investigating Disability Issues @GIJN. Member: @IRE_NICAR @AHCJ #CripTheNews♿️
Articles by Emyle Watkins
Carl Cain, former Niagara Falls police deputy superintendent, announces mayoral run
Former Niagara Falls Police Deputy Superintendent Carl Cain is making another run for mayor of Niagara Falls in next year’s election. Cain previously ran as a Republican against the current mayor, Democrat Robert Restaino, in 2023. He lost by 212 votes. Cain said that election made clear to him that voters connected with his platform. "I think what has happened before, because I lost by less than 300 votes, was that the voters showed me that they believe that I'm the one.
SBA opens temporary Erie County office for low-interest loan assistance after September floods
Flash floods in early September left many homeowners and businesses in Western New York with soaked basements, ruined belongings and other property damage. In response, the United States Small Business Administration has set up a temporary office at Tonawanda’s Ellwood Fire Department until the end of day on November 16, 2026 to help eligible parties apply for low-interest disaster loans.
'I've got their back:' Newly-elected Erie County 11th district legislator will focus on rural concerns
In a competitive race, Republican Scott Honer defeated Democrat Zachary Beaudoin Tuesday night to represent much of southwestern Erie County in the county legislature. Honer will fill the 11th District seat currently held by Republican John Mills, who is set to retire in January after 20 years. Honer told BTPM that he plans to focus on the essential services that are significant to this heavily rural district.
Rep. Langworthy pledges to champion rural hospitals, tax relief in next term
New York House District 23 voters decided Tuesday night to keep Republican Nick Langworthy in his seat for another two years. Langworthy defeated Democrat Aaron Gies by a 20-point margin. "I represent the heart of small town America in upstate New York, and you know it doesn't have a lot of political power. So it's on me to to be that voice for this region," Langworthy told BTPM after his win.
Rath marks return to county government with legislative victory
Erie County’s legislature will see the return of an experienced lawmaker come January. With 55% of the vote, Republican Ed Rath III defeated Democrat Rathi Ravi in the race for Erie County’s 6th legislative district Tuesday night. Legislator Christopher Greene, who has been representing Clarence, Newstead and part of Amherst since 2021, did not run for re-election this year.
New Era Cap Foundation donates $500K to renovate domestic violence shelter Haven House
A large donation presented to Child and Family Services Monday will allow the organization to renovate Haven House, Erie County’s only licensed domestic violence shelter. The New Era Cap Foundation donated half a million dollars, a donation they hope will spark more contributions to CFS’ domestic violence shelter. Last year, the shelter was able to serve 261 people, but had to turn 586 adults and children away due to lack of space. The shelter has a capacity of 36 people at any given time.
Wydysh, McMurray voice priorities for 145th State Assembly District ahead of election
One race of note this Election Day is for the 145th State Assembly District, which includes Niagara Falls, Grand Island, North Tonawanda and many rural communities in Niagara and Northern Erie Counties. For the past 10 years, Angelo Morinello has served as New York State Assemblymember for the 145th district. This year, as Morinello leaves his post, two faces familiar to Western New York politics are bidding for his seat.
Disabilities Beat: How New York is tackling measles through a state of emergency
Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Oswego, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Yates, Rockland, Nassau, Herkimer, Montgomery, Ostego, Essex, Lewis, Chemung, Chenango, Steuben, Tioga, Allegany, Chautauqua, and Erie. If you’re thinking: that’s a long list of counties in New York, you’re right. That’s 22 of New York’s 62 counties. And this year alone, they’ve all had measles cases.
Disabilities Beat: How New York is tackling measles through a state of emergency Original
Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Oswego, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Yates, Rockland, Nassau, Herkimer, Montgomery, Ostego, Essex, Lewis, Chemung, Chenango, Steuben, Tioga, Allegany, Chautauqua, and Erie. If you’re thinking: that’s a long list of counties in New York, you’re right. That’s 22 of New York’s 62 counties. And this year alone, they’ve all had measles cases.
Attendees flood first Buffalo Public Schools proposed school closure meeting with questions
Buffalo Public Schools continue to face questions and concerns from the public regarding its proposal to close eight schools next year. At the district's first public meeting Thursday, held virtually, there were a lot of questions and not a lot of time for answers. Buffalo Public Schools Interim Superintendent Ebony Prophet-Bullock spent 50 minutes on Thursday afternoon explaining in-detail, with statistics and data on a slideshow, why they are choosing to close, merge or repurpose eight schools.
Disabilities Beat: What happens next for workers' health as Goodyear closes its Niagara Falls plant?
Last week, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company quietly announced, through a report to investors, that it plans to close two chemical plants this year, one in Texas and the other in Niagara Falls. The closure caught many in Niagara Falls off guard. The factory, which has long been plagued by controversy, was supposed to install functional pollution control measures by the end of this month. Now, it's closing.
Goodyear's Niagara Falls chemical plant to close Original
A Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. chemical plant in Niagara Falls, which has faced scrutiny for failing to control the emissions of a known carcinogen, will close this year. The closure was announced Thursday in a report to shareholders filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The plan to close both the Niagara Falls plant and a plant in Bayport, Texas was approved on Sept. 29. Across both factories, the company estimates a reduction of 85 jobs.
New 55,000-square-foot DL&W Sky Deck set to open Saturday on Buffalo's waterfront
Starting this weekend, Buffalo will have a new, massive outdoor event space on the waterfront, at the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority’s renovated DL&W Sky Deck. The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad terminal, or DL&W, reopened as a Metro Station last year. Now, a 55,000-square-foot outdoor space with a more than 2,000-person capacity will offer new opportunities for public spaces. A panorama image of the DL&W Sky Deck on October 1, 2026 in downtown Buffalo.
Mayor Ryan answers questions about city's fight with Seneca Nation over land
Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan is calling the city's dispute with Seneca Nation over land in the Old First Ward as a "run-of-the-mill" property dispute. This comes after construction work began on a new Seneca One Stop gas station on the Miami Street parcel, and the city's own legal department sending a cease-and-desist to the Senecas. "It's a property dispute, and we often have property disputes about who can do what with property in the city of Buffalo," Ryan told reporters Wednesday.
Disabilities Beat: Options available this season for New York hunters with disabilities Original
Last year, over 530,000 people were licensed to hunt, and over 227,000 white-tailed deer were harvested in New York. With hunting being a popular activity throughout New York, the state Department of Environmental Conservation does offer resources to make the sport more accessible. This week on the Disabilities Beat, we speak with a DEC regional wildlife biologist who breaks down some of the permits, discounts and resources available to disabled hunters.
Paratransit activist Stephanie Speaker recognized as Erie County Citizen of the Month
On Tuesday afternoon, Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro honored a local self-advocate and paratransit activist with the county’s citizen of the month award. Stephanie Speaker is known locally, statewide and nationally for her work to expand paratransit, which is the point-to-point public transit system for people with disabilities. Her work has led to legislation to expand and improve transit options for disabled people and older adults.
'City of Light' initiative will replace 500+ downed street lights in Buffalo
If you live in the City of Buffalo, you might have noticed parts of your neighborhood are darker than they should be at night — because Buffalo has over 500 downed street lights throughout the city. Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan committed Thursday to having National Grid replace all downed street lights, which could take up to two years. The “City of Light” initiative will move ownership of replaced street lights going forward to National Grid.
Five free community sensory rooms planned across Erie County for 2027
Erie County announced this week its aim to address youth mental health by providing five area organizations $30,000 to build sensory rooms open to the community. The 2022-2023 National Survey of Children's Health showed that a quarter of children in New York ages 3 to 17 have some type of mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral concern. These sensory rooms can provide a calming, healing space to a child.
Disabilities Beat: CDPAP workers could take part in historic union vote by year's end Original
1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East says is has collected enough authorization cards from employees under New York State’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, or CDPAP, to file for a unionization vote through the National Labor Relations Board. CDPAP allows disabled people to hire people they know as personal assistants using Medicaid funds. In 2025, the state cut the number of companies administering it from more than 700 to just one, Public Partnerships LLC, or PPL.
1199 SEIU files for union vote for 190,000 New York CDPAP workers Original
1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is already America’s largest healthcare union — but could grow by over 47% with one of the largest union election votes in U.S. history now pending. The union announced Tuesday morning it has filed for an election through the National Labor Relations Board for workers under the state’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) after obtaining 70,000 authorization cards.
Erie County raises Flag of Hope, highlights suicide prevention resources
Singer Brook Hunter performed Andra Day’s “Rise Up” as local advocates, county officials and mental health organizations raised the “Flag of Hope” in front of the Erie County Rath Building in honor of Suicide Prevention Month. “So, as we raise the flag today, I hope that we carry the message far beyond: That to those we have lost, we remember you. To those who are grieving, we stand with you.
Sen. Gillibrand warns any delays in federal HEAP funding 'could have deadly consequences'
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is pushing the Trump administration to release $360 million in allocated funds for New York’s low-income energy assistance program as soon as possible. She says the funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, were appropriated by Congress in the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act earlier this month. LIHEAP is the federal program that provides funds for New York’s Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP.
Goo Goo Dolls honored in unique Buffalo History Museum exhibit opening Sept. 17
On Wednesday night, John Rzeznik and Robby Takac from the Goo Goo Dolls found themselves surrounded by people who now knew much, much more than their name and songs.
Goo Goo Dolls honored in unique Buffalo History Museum exhibit opening Sept. 17
On Wednesday night, John Rzeznik and Robby Takac from the Goo Goo Dolls found themselves surrounded by people who now knew much, much more than their name and songs.
Disabilities Beat: Environmental, socioeconomic impacts on health takes spotlight in recent news
Last week, across our newsrooms reporting, there was a through line, how environmental and socioeconomic factors impact people's health and access to services.
$500K state grant will fund 110-foot overlook pier at Tonawanda’s Niawanda Park
Canalside’s riverfront pier has become very popular since its construction, and soon, the City of Tonawanda will also have its own waterfront overlook for visitors and residents to enjoy. State Sen. Jeremy Zellner and Tonawanda Mayor William Strassburg announced Thursday that $500,000 in state grant funding has been secured to build a 110-foot overlook pier in Niawanda Park, across from Kohler Street and Mississippi Muds.
'Trust is how we save lives:' Roswell Park increases community outreach & engagement space
Roswell Park will nearly double the space in its Broadview Community Outreach and Engagement Center at 907 Michigan Avenue. Wednesday, a groundbreaking was held to begin the expansion. Several elected officials and organization leaders say the space will continue to address health disparities and outcomes in underserved communities. The existing 5,900-square-foot building will gain another 4,600 square feet.
Disabilities Beat: WNY coalition expands gynecological cancer support
Gynecological cancers aren't as common as breast cancer, but the American Cancer Society estimates that nearly one-third of people diagnosed with these cancers in 2026 will die from them. The Rochester-based Breast Cancer Coalition discovered 12 years ago that people living with or who have had these cancers in Western New York have similar or the same gaps in resources and support as people with breast cancer.
12- and 13-year-olds can hunt deer in Erie County in a few weeks. Here's how to prepare
In just a few weeks, 12- and 13-year-olds will be able to hunt deer using firearms and crossbows in Erie County for the first time. The county was the last to opt in upstate to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s pilot program earlier this summer. However, DEC Regional Wildlife Biologist Ryan Rockefeller says families who are interested should start preparing for the season now and understand the rules they must follow — including child supervision.
Motorists cautioned as school starts; districts including Buffalo employ stop-arm bus cameras
A new school year is upon us. Some local districts had their first day Wednesday, and Thursday is day one in the city of Buffalo. With this in mind, local law enforcement and AAA of Western and Central New York are pleading for residents to be aware and cautious of school buses and pedestrian children. AAA of Western and Central New York President Marke Dickinson says drivers need to be cautious while adjusting to school buses returning to service.
Disabilities Beat: Remembering 'fierce' disability rights advocate Gwen Squire Original
Last week, Buffalo lost one of its leaders in disability advocacy: Gwen Marie Squire. Squire died on Friday at age 60. "She was loved by so many people. So many have reached out to me saying how much impact she had on their lives," shared her niece, Melissa Stone, with BTPM on Tuesday. A younger, undated photo of Gwen Squire. "She never let her disability stop her from achieving what she wanted to do," Stone added.
Chautauqua Co. reports first measles case in over 30 years Original
On Monday, the Chautauqua County Health Department announced its first lab-confirmed measles case in a resident of the county in over 30 years. The health department did not provide details on the resident’s age, vaccination status or any public exposures. “CCHD is working with the individual and appropriate health care partners to identify people who may have been exposed and provide guidance to those who may be at risk,” the health department wrote.
Red Cross, Sen. Baskin encourage blood donation ahead of Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Ahead of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, Senator April Baskin and the American Red Cross of Western New York held a panel discussion on Friday to raise awareness of the condition and the need for blood donations. Sickle cell is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States – causing blood cells to become hard, sticky, and shaped like a sickle, a tool you would find on a farm.
NYS Kendra's Law independent evaluation authors claim the state is misrepresenting their findings Original
In June, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) quietly finalized the independent evaluation of the state’s assisted outpatient treatment program, also known as AOT or Kendra’s Law. The program, which has stirred controversy, allows adults with a history of non-compliance with mental health treatment to be court-ordered to comply with outpatient treatment. State officials say the report shows the program works as intended.
Disabilities Beat: Researchers allege state is misrepresenting recent AOT evaluation findings Original
In June, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) quietly finalized the independent evaluation of the state's assisted outpatient treatment program, also known as AOT or Kendra's Law. State officials say the report shows the program works as intended. Researchers who authored the report, however, claim the state is misrepresenting their findings and downplaying the harms they uncovered in their two years of research.
Community Access Services helps families gear up for school with 600+ free backpacks, resources
As families prepare to return to school, the focus is often on what the kids need for the year ahead. But on Friday, an event on Bailey Avenue focused on the needs of all household members. Community Access Services held the event, handing out over 600 backpacks full of supplies. There were over a dozen vendors sharing resources, rapid HIV testing, pet supplies, food, haircuts, bounce houses, health information and more.
Disabilities Beat: As school starts, Niagara Falls teen urges concussion education
An elbow to the back of the head — in the moment, the collision felt minor. Carmella Vilardo, playing for her travel soccer team, kept going. But the game time bump would later knock her out of her usual activities for two months. Concussions are a type of mild brain injury, but many people don't regard them as seriously as they should. In New York State, about 4,000 New York children under the age of 19 “are treated at hospitals for sports-related traumatic brain injuries” each year.
Disabilities Beat: As school starts, Niagara Falls teen urges concussion education
An elbow to the back of the head — in the moment, the collision felt minor. Carmella Vilardo, playing for her travel soccer team, kept going. But the game time bump would later knock her out of her usual activities for two months. Concussions are a type of mild brain injury, but many people don't regard them as seriously as they should. In New York State, about 4,000 New York children under the age of 19 “are treated at hospitals for sports-related traumatic brain injuries” each year.
Disabilities Beat: As school starts, Niagara Falls teen urges concussion education
An elbow to the back of the head — in the moment, the collision felt minor. Carmella Vilardo, playing for her travel soccer team, kept going. But the game time bump would later knock her out of her usual activities for two months. Concussions are a type of mild brain injury, but many people don't regard them as seriously as they should. In New York State, about 4,000 New York children under the age of 19 “are treated at hospitals for sports-related traumatic brain injuries” each year.
Disabilities Beat: As school starts, Niagara Falls teen urges concussion education
An elbow to the back of the head — in the moment, the collision felt minor. Carmella Vilardo, playing for her travel soccer team, kept going. But the game time bump would later knock her out of her usual activities for two months. Concussions are a type of mild brain injury, but many people don't regard them as seriously as they should. In New York State, about 4,000 New York children under the age of 19 “are treated at hospitals for sports-related traumatic brain injuries” each year.
Disabilities Beat: As school starts, Niagara Falls teen urges concussion education
An elbow to the back of the head — in the moment, the collision felt minor. Carmella Vilardo, playing for her travel soccer team, kept going. But the game time bump would later knock her out of her usual activities for two months. Concussions are a type of mild brain injury, but many people don't regard them as seriously as they should. In New York State, about 4,000 New York children under the age of 19 “are treated at hospitals for sports-related traumatic brain injuries” each year.
Disabilities Beat: As school starts, Niagara Falls teen urges concussion education
An elbow to the back of the head — in the moment, the collision felt minor. Carmella Vilardo, playing for her travel soccer team, kept going. But the game time bump would later knock her out of her usual activities for two months. Concussions are a type of mild brain injury, but many people don't regard them as seriously as they should. In New York State, about 4,000 New York children under the age of 19 “are treated at hospitals for sports-related traumatic brain injuries” each year.
Disabilities Beat: As school starts, Niagara Falls teen urges concussion education
Buffalo Toronto Public Media | By Emyle Watkins Published August 19, 2026 at 6:00 AM EDT An elbow to the back of the head — in the moment, the collision felt minor. Carmella Vilardo, playing for her travel soccer team, kept going. But the game time bump would later knock her out of her usual activities for two months. Concussions are a type of mild brain injury, but many people don't regard them as seriously as they should.
Fourth annual Zine Fest in Buffalo expecting twice as many artists as first anticipated
Since the 1930s, zines — pronounced like the second half of "magazine" — have been a way people share information, culture and organize for activism. The pamphlets or booklets, often of mixed sizes and mediums, will be celebrated at this weekend’s fourth annual Zine Fest and Teen Zine Exhibition in Buffalo. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, is free and wheelchair accessible. The event is hosted by and located at the WNY Book Arts Center at 468 Washington Street in Buffalo.
Presidential descendants speak to crowd at packed Buffalo History Museum
On Thursday, not one but two presidential descendants spoke to a packed auditorium at the Buffalo History Museum. Tweed Roosevelt is the great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt and Massee McKinley’s maternal ancestor is Grover Cleveland and his second-great uncle is William McKinley. The duo spoke about their families, historic preservation, and civic engagement. Roosevelt shared that he was delighted so many people attended and wanted to learn about their civic duty.
Disabilities Beat: Advocates call out NY-21 candidate Anthony Constantino over controversial video Original
This story focuses on an issue concerning offensive language. This story does contain the offensive term to explain the context. On Monday, the New York State Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) and its member independent living centers issued a statement calling for Republican congressional candidate Anthony Constantino to apologize for a two-year-old video where he used a slur.
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