The latest Local Binghamton Area News Recap

Each week, we recap some of the essential local news we reported on 1290 AM, 92.1 FM, and 93.9 FM WNBF, our Townsquare Media Binghamton sister radio stations, on-air, our websites, and social media platforms.

Catch up on local and regional news items in a short recap we reported on for the week of September 15, 2025, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

IBM Glen Damaged by Water From Neighboring Solar Farm Project

(Bob Joseph)
Stormwater from a large-scale solar project now under construction has been causing damage to the iconic IBM Glen in the town of Union. Thousands of trees were cut down late last year to clear the site for the solar farm off Robinson Hill Road. It's being built on land owned by Homestead Village Development Group.  The IBM Glen wilderness area is owned by the Waterman Conservation Education Center. Executive director Christopher Audette said shortly after work began for Audette told WNBF News that stormwater pouring from the property above the Glen caused erosion and damage to the trails and a stream at the nature preserve.

Binghamton's 2026 Budget: Key Changes And Tax Rate Adjustments

(Don Morgan)
On Monday, at City Hall, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham announced the 2026 Budget Address. The announcement included a $111 million spending plan. That plan provides major investments throughout the city, along with a slight decrease in the property tax rate. According to the release, some highlights from Maror Kraham include A 0.1 percent property tax decrease for homeowners and a 1.7 percent decrease in the non-homestead property tax rate, and an increase of $10.8 million in assessed property value. For complete details on the 2026 City of Binghamton budget address, visit Mayor Jared Kraham's website. 

Binghamton Mayoral Candidate Burnett Condemns Local ICE Raids

(Bob Joseph)
With ICE agents now arresting people in Broome County, Binghamton mayoral candidate Miles Burnett condemned the reported raids targeting immigrant families in the city. Burnett, the Democratic candidate challenging Republican Mayor Jared Kraham, issued a statement Wednesday claiming many of those arrested "appear to have been racially profiled while driving to work and going about their daily lives." Kraham also released a statement about the stepped-up activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. He said the "operations are taking place without the Binghamton Police Department's involvement or even their prior notification."

Understanding The Family And Medical Insurance Leave Act's Impact

(Don Morgan)
On September 16, 2025, a press conference was held by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro to announce the introduction of the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act. According to the announcement, the act guarantees up to 12 weeks of partial income for workers who need to take leave due to serious medical or family events.  73 percent of American workers do not have access to paid leave. $22.5 billion per year in wages is lost by working families due to a lack of paid family and medical leave. For complete information on the Family Act, visit the bill text here.

Two Men Accused of Trying to Steal $30,000 from Binghamton Woman

(Bob Joseph)
A Binghamton woman withdrew $30,000 in cash from a city bank branch to turn over to a would-be thief. Police were alerted by a bank representative who was concerned the customer was being targeted in a scam. Officers were sent to the woman's West Side home to investigate the matter. Police said they quickly determined that she was about to be "a victim of an elder scam, involving financial exploitation, under fraudulent circumstances." A sting operation was set up. A man showed up at the woman's residence, believing he was about to pocket thousands of dollars from her. The suspect fled after he was confronted by police officers. He was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit. Another man, who was in a parked getaway car nearby, was also taken into custody.

What Residents Should Know About NY's Drought Watch

(Don Morgan)
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 50 counties in the state are in a drought watch. Only six counties outside of New York City and Westchester County are under normal conditions. Those counties include Broome, Tioga, Chenango, Otsego, Cortland, and Madison. Close by, Delaware, Chemung, and Tompkins counties are all under the drought watch. Under a drought warning, the NYS DEC issues a notice of impending and imminent severe drought conditions, which includes enhanced public outreach and awareness, as well as increased voluntary water conservation measures.

Surprise! First BC Transit Electric Buses Go Into Service

(Bob Joseph)
Broome County has started using its first battery electric buses on regular BC Transit routes. The buses arrived at the bus system's base on Old Mill Road in Vestal in July. They were driven cross-country from California, where they were manufactured by Gillig. Over the last several weeks, the six buses underwent post-delivery inspections and final preparations before they were placed in service. Without any fanfare, the electric buses began making the rounds on Binghamton-area streets this week. Drivers who've operated the "next-generation" vehicles like them. BC Transit riders in downtown Binghamton were happy to see the brand new vehicles were now in operation. Six 180-kilowatt chargers now are in place at the Vestal BC Transit

What Happened To New York's First Wind Farm In Madison?

(Don Morgan)
The Madison Wind Farm, a power generation plant with seven turbines located in Madison, New York, about 30 miles north of Norwich, New York, was taken down in a controlled demolition. According to a release, the wind farm was constructed in 1999-2000 and was the first wind farm completed in New York State with an operational lifespan of 20 to 25 years. Wikipedia notes that the wind farm consisted of seven Vestas V66-1.65 MW wind turbines that were capable of generating enough energy to power up to 10,000 homes.

Two Hurt in Head-On Crash on Binghamton's West Side

(Bob Joseph)
A car that reportedly had been pursued by Binghamton police slammed into another vehicle on the West Side of the city. The collision occurred around 3:30 p.m. Friday on Floral Avenue near West End Avenue, across the street from Boulevard United Methodist Church. Reports from the scene indicated two people sustained injuries as a result of the crash. A man who was apparently driving a car northbound on West End Avenue ran from the scene after the collision. Police officers found him a short distance away on Beverly Place, near the Binghamton-Johnson City border.

New Autism Awareness Visor Card Program Launches In New York

(Don Morgan)
On September 19, 2025, the New York State Police announced the Autism Awareness Visor Card Program. The program assists members of law enforcement and individuals with autism during public interactions. According to the announcement from the New York State Police, approximately one in every forty-five adults in the United States has autism.  Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder over the past few decades have become more prevalent. Symptoms may include challenges with communication and social interaction, such as difficulty engaging in conversation or maintaining eye contact, repetitive behaviors, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound, or smell.

Vestal Parkway Delays: Pavement Repairs Bring Lane, Exit Closures

(Bob Joseph)
The state Department of Transportation has issued an alert to drivers about the special project near the Binghamton University campus. The daytime westbound lane closures are scheduled on the Parkway - Route 434 - between the Binghamton University entrance and Bunn Hill Road. The pavement repair work is to be performed on Monday and Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. No work will occur on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Route 201 exit to the Vestal Parkway's westbound lanes will be closed. Motorists wishing to travel west on the Parkway from Route 201 will be detoured onto Vestal Road and Bunn Hill Road. Westbound drivers on the Parkway who wish to head to Route 201 northbound will  be detoured to Vestal Road while the work is underway.

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