Binghamton New York Area News You Need To Know

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 November 4, 2025, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Site of 19th Century Court Street House Turning Into Parking Lot

(Bob Joseph)
A parking lot is now being constructed where a downtown Binghamton house had stood for nearly 140 years. The Preservation Association of the Southern Tier fought the plan by FGR Realty to tear down the structure at 188 Court Street. The Vestal company acquired the property for $140,000 in December 2023. Phillip Akel of FGR Realty sought permission to demolish the house to provide more parking for a neighboring office building owned by the company. The Binghamton preservation group expressed "strong opposition" to the plan to remove the structure, which was built in 1885.

Broome County Steps Up With Emergency Food Aid For Residents

(Don Morgan)
Broome County Jason Garner and local officials declared a State of Emergency in Broome County in response to the federal government's suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. According to the announcement, Sheriff Akshar was able to reallocate $200,000 from a Broome County Sheriff's Office trust account to purchase emergency food for our local pantries.

BGM Airport: Massive Modernization Job "Substantially Complete"

(Bob Joseph)
Construction work for a major renovation project at the Greater Binghamton Airport has been completed. Mark Heefner, Broome County's aviation commissioner, said the modernization job is "substantially complete." He said some minor "punch list" items still must be addressed. Heefner told WNBF News the total cost of the project at the airport in the town of Maine will be about $52 million. State and federal funds covered most of that amount. The aviation commissioner noted many local workers were involved in various aspects of renovating the facility, which opened in 1951. The last major improvement project was completed in 2001.

How Broome County Honors Veterans With Operation Green Light

(Don Morgan)
Broome County honors our veterans each year through Operation Green Light. 2025 is the 5th anniversary of the county. Operation Green Light is a nationwide initiative that encourages residents and businesses to shine green lights in support of America’s veterans. During the announcement, held at the new Timothy M. Grippen Veterans Resource Center, Garner noted that now through November 11th, Broome County residents and businesses are encouraged to show support for our veterans by lighting their homes and buildings green.

After the Election: Kraham Prepares to Select New Police Chief

(Bob Joseph)
One of the biggest tasks facing Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham now that he's been elected to a second term in City Hall is to choose a new police chief. Kraham, a Republican, defeated challenger Miles Burnett, a Democrat by a 54 to 46 percent margin. Final unofficial tallies show Kraham with 4,592 votes and Burnett with 3,896 votes. Kraham said he is preparing to start interviewing four prospective candidates for the police chief position. Longtime chief Joseph Zikuski's retirement took effect on month ago. He resigned after questions arose following his girlfriend's July arrest in connection with a dispute next door to her Johnson City home. Kraham told WNBF News all four police department veterans on the Civil Service list for the chief's position have indicated they want to be considered for the job.

How Southern Tier Celebrates Veterans Day With Community Events

(Don Morgan)
Veterans Day is Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Many things are happening throughout the Southern Tier of New York to honor our veterans. Here are many ways you can honor and celebrate our Veterans by clicking on the above headline.

Trouble at Binghamton's Historic Strand Theater

(Bob Joseph)
Emergency crews were sent to the abandoned Strand Theater in downtown Binghamton to extinguish a fire that reportedly had been set on the second floor of the building. Dispatchers told police and firefighters that a man apparently had set a "cooking fire" on the upper portion of the structure at 27 Chenango Street. The incident was reported early Wednesday afternoon. The small fire had been snuffed out by the time firefighters entered the building through a rear entrance near the State Street parking garage. No damage was reported.

What’s New In The 2026 Broome County Budget?

(Don Morgan)
Thursday, November 6th, the 2026 Broome County Budget was passed according to an announcement from the Broome County Legislature.  A property tax rate cut is included in the budget, which the Legislature notes the seventh consecutive year of cuts. In addition, the budget balances affordability with progress. In addition to the property tax cut, the Broome County Budget for 2026 will also include the creation of the Broome County Youth Bureau, designed to support childcare, youth development, after-school programs, and family engagement, $500,000 for the Small Community Fund for local infrastructure and quality-of-life projects, and an expansion of the Mobile Crisis Program for mental health crisis response services.

Lengthy Endicott Traffic Signal Project Nearing Completion

(Bob Joseph)
A $1.6 million project to improve two heavily-travelled intersections in Endicott should be wrapped up soon. Work began last April at two spots on Watson Boulevard - the intersections at McKinley Avenue and at Hayes Avenue. The antiquated traffic signals at both spots were no longer adequate for current conditions. Both intersections were reconstructed over the last several months. They've been repaved, and new pavement markings have been installed. While the asphalt and concrete work were completed, there were delays in putting the new traffic and pedestrian signals in place.

Emergency Food Pantry Set Up at Closed Binghamton Supermarket

(Bob Joseph)
A crowd gathered outside a former Weis supermarket in Binghamton to obtain food assistance as disruptions grow due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The special walk-up distribution event on Thursday morning on Conklin Avenue was organized by the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. The agency said the emergency mobile food pantry was set up to provide immediate food assistance to individuals and families affected by delays in SNAP benefits and government pay. People began showing up at the site on the city's South Side more than an hour before the food distribution was scheduled to begin. Participants were required to register for the mobile food pantry in advance.