Get Your News Here! Recap Of Binghamton New York Area News

Whether you lead a busy life, or don't get to find out all that's happening news-wise in our community, this is why each week, we recap in an article, 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, as well as on our websites and social media platforms.

Catch up on some of the latest local and regional news items in a short recap we reported on for the week of March 30, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Hundreds Participate in Binghamton "No Kings" Protest

(Bob Joseph)
A "No Kings" demonstration in downtown Binghamton drew several hundred area residents. The protest was one of many held on Saturday, March 28. 2026in cities and towns across the United States. The "No Kings" rallies were the third in a series of coordinated nationwide demonstrations since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025. Those who gathered on the lawn of the Broome County Courthouse in Binghamton listened to various speakers and musicians over the course of about an hour. Many of the participants held signs criticizing the Trump administration's policies. Signs protesting the war against Iran and current immigration enforcement policies were seen.

Local Baseball Fans Excited For Rumble Ponies' New Season Events

(Don Morgan)
Game one of the 2026 season kicked off on Friday, April 3rd, as the Rumble Ponies began to defend their 2025 Eastern League Championship title in New Hampshire for a three-game series with the Fischer Cats, featuring a new coach, Michael Collins. The Rumble Ponies return home on Tuesday, April 7th, for a six-game homestand at Mirabito Stadium, hosting the AA Yankees Somerset Patriots. The first pitch on opening day is 6:07, gates open at 5 p.m., and every home and away game can be heard on WNBF Radio at 1290 AM and 92.1 FM, as well as on WNBF.com and the WNBF mobile app. The Rumble Ponies don't just offer exciting professional baseball; they are experts with amazing, fun promotions and, of course, tempting food to round out the experience at Mirabito Stadium.

Binghamton Residents Blast Rumble Ponies Fireworks Shows

(Bob Joseph)
The fireworks shows will go on after several Binghamton Rumble Ponies games this year despite protests from some city residents. City Council approved a schedule of a dozen fireworks events at Mirabito Stadium following baseball games this spring and summer. The four-to-one vote authorizing the shows followed a public comment session during a special business meeting of the council. Critics of the post-game displays expressed concerns about the noise from the fireworks and the potential contamination of nearby yards and gardens. Some opponents said the fireworks shows disrupted sleep, along with causing anxiety for veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder. One woman said the loud explosions frighten her dog, prompting the pet to hide in the basement of her home.

How New York Aims To Protect Youth From Online Gambling

(Don Morgan)
On March 30, 2026, in a response to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State Address, the Gaming Commission released detailed draft measures for public comment. The preview from Governor Hochul outlined measures that would prevent youth from gambling online, bar sports wagering operators from using AI to target bettors, establish activity triggers that would require operators to check on their patrons, and establish other innovative efforts to protect New Yorkers who are legally able to gamble from potential harm. During the Governor's State of the State address for 2026, Hochul outlined action to ensure young people in New York are not downloading betting apps, creating accounts, or using others’ accounts, through appropriate actions by the New York State Gaming Commission, including considering ways to use new technology to assist with identifying and helping those who may need gambling addiction assistance.

Broome County Moving Mussels for Bridge Demolition Job

(Bob Joseph)
An abandoned Broome County bridge that hasn't been used for decades may finally be removed this year - but only if proper steps are taken to protect Susquehanna River mussels. The old Center Village Bridge in the town of Colesville has been closed to vehicles for more than a quarter of a century since a new river crossing was opened in 1990. For years, the county has been making preparations to take out the unused bridge, but there's an obstacle in what normally would be a relatively simple project. County Executive Jason Garnar said the state Department of Environmental Conservation won't allow the work to begin until an endangered species of mussels can be relocated. Garnar said a plan to move the mussels to another spot in the river will be put into effect sometime between May 15 and September 30.

How Scammers Are Targeting New Yorkers With Fake Arrest Threats

(Don Morgan)
A warning has been issued to New Yorkers, especially older adults and their families, about a continued rise in scams. The latest is where a person is being falsely told they are wanted on a warrant, and must pay money immediately to avoid arrest. These scams come in a variety of ways, including phone, text, or email. And the scammer is often impersonating a law enforcement officer, court official, or government agency, according to the New York State Police report. The scammer will tell the victim they owe a fine or have an active arrest warrant, then try to convince the victim to make payment using cash, gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or other non-traceable methods. As an example, on April 1, 2026, New York State Police BCI in Sidney arrested 23-year-old Tushar Sharma of India, currently residing in Arcadia, California, following an investigation into a fraud scheme targeting a victim who lost over $200,000. According to police, Sharma may have scammed over victims as well.

Binghamton Police Investigate Shooting In City Neighborhood

(Bob Joseph)
Police were seeking suspects who ran from a shooting incident in a Binghamton neighborhood. Officers were dispatched to Doubleday Street on the city's North Side around 2:50 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 2026. Several police department patrol vehicles swarmed the area after a resident reported hearing several gunshots. Responding officers were advised that three juveniles were seen running from the scene following the incident. A man who was inside an apartment house said a window on the first floor of the building was struck by one of the shots. There were no immediate reports of injuries linked to the shooting incident. Binghamton police closed off a section of Doubleday Street as detectives arrived to process the scene and to interview people in the area. City police were assisted by state police and Broome County Sheriff's Office patrols in searching the neighborhood for those who were involved in the shooting.

How New York Supports Farmers Facing Climate Change Challenges

(Don Morgan)
New York State announced an initiative to help Farmers across the Empire State to combat the impacts of climate change. The announcement from New York State Governor Kathy Hochul outlined that over $25 million is being awarded to 133 farms across 23 counties through the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program. According to the announcement, these projects are designed to assist farmers in New York State in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting water quality, protecting and enhancing soil health, plus increasing on-farm resiliency to the effects of a changing climate. Governor Hochul proposed additional support for the Climate Resilient Farming program in the 2026 proposed Executive Budget, as part of the Environmental Protection Fund.

Environmental Work Starts for Major Binghamton Apartment Complex

(Bob Joseph)
Soil borings are being taken at the site of a proposed $40 million housing project in Binghamton. Crews are working on the property on Clinton Street just east of Jarvis Street in the city's First Ward. The Metro Group of Long Island announced plans for the project in September 2023. The development would include at least 102 apartments, but it could be expanded to include as many as 288 units. The project outlined to the city planning commission called for the construction of two five-story buildings. Much of the site for the proposed project had been occupied by a 196,000-square-foot building that was used by Vail Ballou Press for decades. The massive structure was filled with plastic and other recyclables when it was destroyed by an arson fire in September 1997.

Governor Hochul's Visit Highlights Affordable Housing Initiatives

(Don Morgan)
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul was in Johnson City along with local leaders and elected officials last week. The visit was to deliver an agenda that makes New York more affordable and fights for working families. According to Governor Hochul, she is advocating for the state budget plan that allows New York to build more housing, lower the costs of auto insurance, provide universal child care, and prioritize energy affordability by holding the line against rising utility costs. Some of the highlights of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget include delivering universal child care, including $4.5 billion for childcare and early education, and taking steps to lower auto insurance costs by taking steps to battle fraud, limit damages paid out to bad actors, and ensure that consumers, rather than insurance companies, are prioritized. In addition, the budget includes cutting red tape to spur growth in housing and critical infrastructure, tackling the affordability crisis, and fighting climate change responsibly.

Endicott's George F. Johnson Statue Will Not Be Moved

(Bob Joseph)
It turns out that the iconic statue of shoe company founder George F. Johnson will not be relocated for a long-planned restoration project. A memorial honoring the businessman who oversaw the growth of Endicott Johnson is located in the recently developed Tiger Park next to Union-Endicott High School. In January, officials announced plans to move the large statue to Endicott Artistic Memorial Company on East Main Street in Endwell, a short distance from the park site. But company owner Scott Klempka discovered that the statue could not be lifted from the spot where it had been located for more than seven decades. Klempka said an 8-ton crane was brought in, but the statue "wouldn't budge." So the plan was adjusted to do the restoration work at the site.