Your Local Binghamton Area News Update

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 the latest local and regional news in a short recap we reported for the week of September 28, 2026, from WNBF's Bob Joseph, Don Morgan, and the Townsquare Media staff.

Two Tractor-trailer Crashes Shut Down Major Routes In Broome County

(Don Morgan)
New York State Police Troop C troopers and Broome County Sheriff's deputies were busy on Monday, September 28, 2026, responding to a couple of tractor-trailer rollover crashes that briefly tied up traffic. According to reports, law enforcement officers were investigating a crash on Monday involving a tractor-trailer that overturned on State Route 11 near Penn View Drive, resulting in downed power lines and utility poles. This crash, which caused a power outage for several nearby neighbors, closed both directions of Route 11 near Penn View Drive. Motorists were directed to use State Route 12 to State Route 79. Monday morning, a fuel tanker overturned at the Exit 16 on-ramp of Interstate 81 North (old Exit 6). Both lanes of the interstate in the Town of Chenango were closed. Traffic was routed to State Route 11 to reconnect to Interstate 81, according to law enforcement reports, but due to the State Route 11 rollover and road closure, motorists were directed to State Route 12 to State Route 79 to reconnect with Interstate 81 north in Whitney Point.

Binghamton Diesel Fuel Prices Hit All-Time High

(Bob Joseph)
The average price of diesel fuel in the Binghamton market has hit a record high and more increases are expected in the next couple of months. According to the latest AAA fuel price report, diesel in the region is now selling for an average of $6.58 a gallon. Monday's price is the highest recorded average in Binghamton ever. The price survey shows the cost of diesel now is $2.65 a gallon higher than one year ago. Diesel prices in the region can vary widely by location. The credit price at the TA Travel Center on Upper Court Street in Kirkwood was $6.91 a gallon. Prices were generally lower at retailers located a greater distance from area highways.

Binghamton University Ranks 32nd Among Top Public Universities

(Don Morgan)
SUNY Broome was awarded a five-year, $2,736,895 federal grant (Title III-A Strengthening Institutions Program) to bolster student success and career preparation efforts. Academic Innovation for Student Momentum: AI-Ready Teaching, Online Course Quality, and Career Pathway Navigation will begin on January 1, 2027, and end on Dec. 31, 2031. Binghamton University just proudly announced that the campus continues to be one of the best universities in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report's top 50 public universities in the nation. The publication has released the 2027 Best National Colleges list, and Binghamton University lands at #32 as the best public university in the nation. B.U. notes that it is up two spots from 2026. In addition, among both the best private and public universities in the U.S.A., Binghamton University comes in at  #73.

Two Men Charged in Two-Week Binghamton Crime Spree

(Bob Joseph)
Binghamton police have arrested a pair of suspects in connection with a series of incidents in 13 days. Authorities on Tuesday announced 22-year-old Khalil T. Waddell of Endicott and 23-year-old Jaheim N. Dyer of Binghamton face several felony charges. According to a police department news release, Waddell and Dyer are believed to have been involved in four separate cases being investigated by city detectives. Waddell has been charged with robbery, assault, and weapon possession. Dyer has been charged with robbery, assault and criminal mischief. The two also face several misdemeanor counts. Police said the first incident believed to have involved the men occurred September 7 in the First Ward. A 12-year-old boy said he was pushed away from his e-bike, which then was stolen.

Binghamton University Basketball Teams Strong Preseason Evaluations

(Don Morgan)
For the first time in program history, Binghamton's women's basketball team was picked number one in the conference. The Bearcats are coming off a 20-win season, and Coach Mary Grimes told Neel the team's focus is simply getting better. Bella Pucci and Kendall Bennett were named first-team all-conference selections. Bennett, who was a second-team all-conference pick last season, noted that she and her teammates are working hard in practice. America East coaches are taking notice of what could be a major turnaround in the 2026-27 season for the men's team. In the conference preseason poll, Binghamton was picked to finish third, which is the highest ever preseason conference ranking in Binghamton's 26 Division One seasons. For the first time, Binghamton has two student-athletes named to the Preseason All-Conference Team. Big man Demetrius Lilley returns after a shoulder injury sidelined him last year after just 11 games. At the time of his injury, Lilley was averaging 14.6 points per game and 9.4 rebounds.

New Life for Old Binghamton Giant Supermarket Site

(Bob Joseph)
A former neighborhood supermarket on Binghamton's South Side may be coming back to life soon. The Weis Markets store at 307 Conklin Avenue went out of business in March 2024. The site was best known as the home of the Binghamton-area's sixth Giant Food Market, which opened in 1964. The Binghamton Planning Commission next week is expected to hear details of a new proposal for the 44,000-square-foot building. According to the agenda for the commission's Tuesday meeting, the Salvation Army is seeking a special use permit to establish a general retail, warehouse, and distribution facility. The site is located in city council member Rebecca Rathmell's district. She said she had been provided no information about what is planned for the former supermarket property. She noted nearby residents have made it clear that they want a new grocery store in their neighborhood.

Opioid Settlement Money Reaches Broome County Nonprofits

(Don Morgan)
Recovery Month highlights the importance of recovery and the local organizations working to support individuals and families affected by substance use. On the final day of the month, the county announced a 3rd round of Opioid SettlemenBroome County noted that this effort puts opioid settlement dollars back into the community and supports local work focused on prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery. Since 2023, the Broome County Health Department has awarded settlement funds to local organizations working to address substance use and support people in recovery, providing over $2 million in the first two rounds of proposals to 10 local organizations.

Binghamton Memorial to Firefighters Vandalized Again

(Bob Joseph)
A black granite memorial honoring three Binghamton firefighters who died near the Rockbottom Dam has once again been targeted by vandals. Brightly-colored paint or some other substance was splattered onto a curved section of the memorial featuring the names of those who drowned in the Susquehanna River 51 years ago. A fire department representative said someone spotted the vandalism Wednesday morning. He said it was at least the second time the memorial had been vandalized. The granite did not appear to have sustained permanent damage. Firefighters were planning to work to remove the material. The monument is located along Conklin Avenue, several yards away from the Rockbottom Dam. It was dedicated in April 2017.

New York Unemployment System Getting A Major Upgrade Soon

(Don Morgan)
Beginning Monday, November 2, 2026, at 5 p.m., the NYSDOL will begin an upgrade of its system for processing unemployment insurance claims. This process is needed to replace a 50-year-old system. According to the NYSDOL, this upgrade is designed to make it easier for customers to access the support they need when they need it, streamline requirements for businesses, and maintain strong personal information protection and fraud prevention for all customers. The timeline varies, but the NYSDOL notes that the Unemployment Services system upgrade could take anywhere from 9 to 12 days. All online and phone-based unemployment insurance services will be unavailable during the upgrade.

Johnson City Preparing for Chick-fil-A Traffic Jams

(Bob Joseph)
Chick-fil-A's first Binghamton-area restaurant is about to open and that could lead to traffic mayhem at Broome County's busiest intersection. The company has been working with Johnson City police to develop plans for the congestion that's anticipated when operations begin this month. The new Chick-fil-A is tucked into the southeast corner of the Oakdale Commons at Harry L. Drive and Reynolds Road. The north end of Route 201 - which links Johnson City and Vestal - terminates at the intersection. Thousands of vehicles pass through the area near the Route 17 expressway interchange everyJohnson City Police Chief Brent Dodge said there've been discussions with corporate representatives and the state Department of Transportation on handling traffic flow.