September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001.]]> Terrorism -- United States -- Prevention.]]>
Efforts quickly got underway to prepare for a worst-case scenario, including heightened training for emergency responders and those involved with intelligence gathering. A new center for homeland security in Buffalo was also created.

The following collection of reports by former WIVB-TV senior correspondent Rich Newberg documents the stepped-up efforts to protect the citizens of Western New York through cooperative efforts among many municipalities and agencies across the Niagara Frontier.

1 WIVB-TV Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg presents an exclusive report on plans for a local Homeland Security Department in the soon-to-be-built Public Safety Campus on Buffalo’s East Side.

The 250,000 thousand square foot campus will house Central Police and Emergency Services, and state of the art forensic lab facilities.

There are also plans for Erie County to join forces with the state for the nation’s largest wireless government communications system. The new system would allow police, fire and emergency medical services personnel to talk to each other.

Hard lessons were learned when New York City firefighters and police officers could not communicate with each other during the Twin Towers attacks.

2 1:01:12 - 1:03:26
The Erie County Medical Center conducts a drill for a radiation exposure emergency. Mobile units are training to respond to a terrorist attack. Concern here is for a potential dirty bomb or bio chemical attack that could affect the health of eighty to a hundred thousand people.

Fifty-thousand tons of antidotes are now in place and could be deployed by air or ground. More protective gear is also on its way to Buffalo. Plans are also in the works to develop a system of mass immunization.

3 Close to a million dollars in new federal money has been dedicated to improving anti-terrorist training and response programs in Erie County. Response to a dirty bomb incident would require declaring the radioactive area off limits for quite some time, depending on the strength of the radioactive material used in the device.

4 The post 9/11 era calls for greater security and more sophisticated background checks of employees at airports.
“Ultra-scan, a new device developed in Western New York, identifies people through finger imaging. Its accuracy is believed to approach one hundred percent.

5 A new state-of-the art Emergency Operations Center at an undisclosed location in Western New York is near completion. (The location is later revealed to be in Cheektowaga).

New York Governor George Partaki, urges New Yorkers not to fall victim to fear.

Deputy Erie County Executive Carl Calabrese, one of the local Homeland Security leaders, says an effective response to terrorist threats rests on “having the right information at the right time in the right peoples’ hands.”

Erie County Emergency Services Commissioner Mike Walters says, “There has to be a spot where major decisions are made, and we have that capability here better than we’ve ever had it before in this community.”

6 More details are revealed about the new $2 million dollar Emergency Command Center where life saving decisions would be made during a terrorist incident or natural disaster. The facility can accommodate 105 emergency coordinators who have direct access to immediate lines of communication, including video conferencing and satellite downlink capability.

A new “800 Megahertz Wireless System” statewide would allow emergency responders from different agencies to talk to each other.

7 A major response exercise is conducted using actors as would-be victims of a terrorist attack is carried out on the campus of Buffalo State College. The drill creates a hostage situation following a terrorist hijacking of an NFTA bus. The Buffalo SWAT Team goes into action.

NFTA spokesman Douglas Hartmayer says first responders believe there may be some explosives onboard the bus. The drill is carried out using smoke bombs, the Erie County Sheriff’s helicopter, and a Buffalo SWAT Team storming of the bus.

The drill is deemed to be successful, due to effective cooperation between agencies and a unified command situation.

8 More details on the drill that started on the streets of Buffalo. WIVB-TV senior correspondent Rich Newberg said “it looked so real it was somewhat frightening.”

The exercise includes a scenario where the terrorists who hijacked an NFTA bus and took hostages, had radioactive material onboard.

Rich Newberg reveals that the Transit Police who gave chase to the would-be hijacked bus, had not been told this was a drill.

9 Another drill is carried out involving first responders from Western New York and Southern Ontario. They dealt with the need for emergency chemical containment should terrorists attack the region. Western New York is third in the nation in the amount of hazardous material shipped through an area.

Buffalo Hazmat Team leader, firefighter Captain Tommy Fitzpatrick, says there toxic industrial chemicals could become a target for terrorists. Six agencies were represented in this drill including the FBI, airport rescue and fire and Twin City Ambulance.

10 More details on the above mentioned Buffalo Hazmat drill that took place at the Training Center in Cheektowaga. Special attention is paid to the potential disruption of a rail line or pipeline carrying hazardous chemicals.

11 The US Coast Guard is bolstering homeland security on Western New York’s border with Canada. Coast Guard Buffalo is about to be equipped with machine gun capability. Since 9/11, there are more patrols on the water.

A new 25 foot fast and powerful response boat is ordered for homeland security in Buffalo. There is also a higher level of cooperation between the Coast Guard and US Border Patrol. Citizen boaters are also being asked to report anything suspicious.

12 More details on the beefing up of US Coast Guard stations. Chief Steven Barr of Coasts Guard Buffalo says the new security boat will be able to turn at high speeds and will be “cabonized” for greater crew protection.

13 FBI Director Robert Mueller, who took over the agency seven days before 9/11, visits Buffalo’s FBI office.
The Lackawanna Six was the major topic of discussion.

Mueller says the men charged with providing material support to al-Qaeda by attending a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan can be considered, in his opinion, a “sleeper cell.” He says the Muslim community in Lackawanna was a big help in brining the case to a successful conclusion.
Mueller also said the US war effort in Iraq was aided by Iraqis in the Buffalo area and across the country.

Relating to another case, Mueller praised the Buffalo FBI office for its work on the James Kopp case. Kopp was arrested for the murder of Buffalo abortion provider Dr. Barnett Slepian.

He also gives credit to the Joint Terrorism Task Force comprised of twenty agencies assisting in anti-terrorism efforts.

14 New York State Police Superintendent James McMann, a Rochester native, is named by Governor George Pataki as coordinator of the state’s counter-terrorism efforts.

The Buffalo-Niagara region is named as one of 30 strategic regions in the country and will receive a federal $10 Million dollar counter-terrorism grant. $8 Million will go for planning, training and equipment. $2 Million for overtime costs in relation to Code Orange terrorist alerts.

15 Dr. Fred Cowie, an anti-terrorism expert, conducts as seminar in Buffalo. He is wearing orange prison garb and is handcuffed. He looks just like the Unabomber Ted KaczynskI and was once arrested by a police officer who mistook him for the suspect responsible for killing three people and injuring twenty-three others during bombings in various parts of the country between 1978 and 1995. He is from the same Montana town where Kaczynski was jailed.

Cowie gets the attention of emergency planners attending the session to learn the latest in anti-terrorism training techniques.

Former FBI Agent In Charge Bernie Tolbert also addresses the group. He is now running security for the NBA. He says big sports venues such as arenas and stadiums need to step up security.

16 More on the homeland security seminar mentioned above. Dr. Fred Cowie says, ”We have to find new ways, exciting ways to deliver the message and say ‘hey, that flammable liquid that took down the World Trade Center, that’s the same one your cop car is going to be pulling up to in a gasoline truck.”

17 The “nerve center” of Erie County’s emergency response operations is officially put into service. The Emergency Operations Center offers a high tech response to the worst of disasters. The center is located on Broadway in the Buffalo suburb of Cheektowaga. The center is equipped with a 105 seat training auditorium.

18 More on the Erie County Emergency Operations Center which will help coordinate responses by the county’s five thousand volunteer fire fighters and EMS providers.

19 The position of Buffalo Disaster Coordinator falls victim to budget cuts. Jack Sneiderhan was in working on an $880,000 thousand dollar grant for the city’s disaster efforts when his job was eliminated.

Plans are in the works for Erie County to take over Buffalo Police and fire dispatch functions. It will all be housed under one roof in the soon-to-be built new public safety campus on Buffalo’s East Side.

John Gibb, head of the New York State’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Task Force says the Western New York region has become a model for inter-agency, inter-regional cooperation. He is the point man for two $10 Million dollars grants to the Buffalo-Niagara region.

20 More on plans to put regional police and fire dispatchers under one umbrella in a Homeland Security campus being developed.

21 Erie County works to link up core buildings under one surveillance system. A new control center has the capacity to monitor 500 cameras. Erie County’s Public Works Commissioner Maria Lehman calls it “one stop shop surveillance for everything that’s going on in the buildings.”

22 A new million dollar alarm and communication system pinpoints the fire on any given floor in Buffalo’s major high-rise buildings. On every floor, firefighters have direct contact with the Control Center and are no longer dependent on cell phones.

23 New York State Homeland Security Chief Jim McMahon announces that $5.5 Million dollars in anti-terrorism funding is on its way to Erie County.

Some of the funds are earmarked for anti-terrorism training. Some of the training will take place on a new Public Safety Campus on Oak Street. The building is nearing completion. A top priority in spending will also go toward a new Rescue One truck for Buffalo. It will be equipped to respond to a terrorist attack. Money will also be spent on new protective gear for Buffalo firefighters responding to hazardous situations.

24 More on Homeland Security funds for Erie and Niagara counties. The state will pick up $2 Million dollars in labor costs for dispatchers.

25 Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg gives Western New York its first look at plans for a new $31 Million dollar Regional Training Center at Oak and Elm streets in Buffalo.
The first building designed to house local Homeland Security departments and a state-of-the-art forensic lab.

The new Training Center will bring in ECC criminal justice students and potentially offer anti-terrorism training for officers across the Northeast. An outdoor training facility simulating terrorist situations is another high priority.
A quarantine center is tops on the Erie County Health Department’s list.

Erie County is also looking to partner with the University at Buffalo to make Western New York a “Region of Excellence” for terrorism research.

26 New York State is ready to award a contractor to install America’s most advanced emergency communications network. It would allow first responders from different agencies to communicate with one another. Erie County Deputy Erie County Executive Carl Calabrese says the new Public Safety campus could potentially serve as the “brain center” for the new system.

27 A new approach to tracking victims of a biological attack is being developed in Erie County. A system using mobile computers at hospital bedsides would feed information into a central site for instant analysis.

Mike Moskal of the Calspan UB Research Center says it would be possible to prevent the spread of a disease further or start treating patients faster.

Paramedics would also be able to electronically record information while a patient is being transported to a hospital.

Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Anthony Billittier says health officials need information to determine if there is a disease spreading or victims are suffering from a terrorist event.

28 Western New York’s most spectacular tourist attractions, including the Maid of the Mist boat ride at Niagara Falls, have become a major security concern.
All ports and vessels must soon comply with new safety regulations.

Training sessions are held warning venue owners what to look for as tourists enter their attractions. Checking passengers for weapons on cruise vessels and tourists boats and security cameras are among the security measures taken.

29 More on anti-terrorism training sessions for tourist operators of major attractions on the Niagara Frontier.
Emphasis is placed on monitoring suspicious behavior of tourists, not their skin color, cultural attire or ethnic background. Training should be made available to the ticket-taker to the deckhand.

All of the nation’s ports and vessels must soon comply with tighter security measures. The belief is that terrorists will try to find the venue that is not protected.

30 Another major federally-funded drill has a hundred emergency responders from Western New York training for major “dirty bomb” attacks. The exercise includes the scenario of an attack on the Canadian side of the Peace Bridge. The drill takes place at the Emergency Operations Center in Cheektowaga.

Public Health agencies are notified. A decision is made to shut down traffic on the Thruway. The drill is conducted by federal emergency experts from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

In the drill, the Boulevard Mall is targeted by terrorists. There is also another threat on the New York State Thruway.

The exercise provides an opportunity for emergency responders from different agencies get to know each other. Representatives from Canadian agencies, including the Niagara Region Public Health Department, took part in the session. The exercise took a year to plan.

31 More on the above drill, testing the ability of emergency responders to handle a terrorist “dirty bomb” attack on the Peace Bridge in Buffalo and Boulevard Mall in the Town of Tonawanda. A decision is made to keep people sheltered in their homes and businesses.

The exercise includes a mock TV news anchorman who presents updates as the drill unfolds. The idea is to help define the information that citizens would need to know for protection. The lines of communication during a crisis situation is a critical element that must be considered.

32 A plan is put forward to consider a state-of-the art training center at the Niagara Falls International Airport.
The piece opens outside of Rochester, New York where a drill is underway, challenging firefighters from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to respond to a mock-up 737 plane whose cabin is on fire. It simulates a terrorist attack.

Deputy Erie County Executive Carl Calabrese attends the drill. He is considering a joint proposal that would have Erie and Niagara Counties building a training center on land at the Niagara Falls Airport. A feasibility study is underway. There is a long history of mutual aid.
34 More on the above story that includes graphic video showing response training for a terrorist attack on an airplane. It is pointed out that computers often drive training programs like this one. In this exercise, sensors show whether the firefighting techniques employed are effective.

WIVB-TV senior correspondent Rich Newberg shows viewers what it looks like inside the cabin of the mock-up plane after flames were extinguished.

The NFTA firefighters are given a good review by a training instructor.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Artist)]]> eng]]> 2001-]]> September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001.]]> Victims of terrorism -- United States.]]> Five months after the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in Lower Manhattan, Western New Yorkers were still lending support at Ground Zero.

One of the environmental cleanup experts, Steve Sherman, had found a wallet in the debris containing the Buffalo driver’s license of Sheri Leach. She had been on the 78th floor of Tower One when one of the wings of the plane that had penetrated the building made contact with her floor.

Sheri’s survival and her meeting with Steve Sherman is the basis of the first story in this collection of reports by Rich Newberg.

“Western New Yorkers Lend a Hand”
In February 2001, bodies were still being recovered from under the debris at Ground Zero.

Buffalo Salvation Army workers Barbara Janicki and Maj. June Carlson were among those giving help and encouragement to responders still on the scene.

Ron Papa of Buffalo helped assess damages to the Century 21 department store on the site. He recalls barely making his way through the cement dust following the September attack.

“Governor Pataki at Ground Zero”
In his final report in this series, Rich Newberg meets with New York Governor George Pataki at Ground Zero. The Governor was in Manhattan on 9/11 and shares his feelings after New York City firefighters brought him to the scene of mass destruction.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Artist)]]> eng]]> Aircraft accidents--New York (State)--Clarence]]>
The twin-engine turboprop belonged to Colgan Air, a regional airline company serving Continental Airlines. The flight had originated in Newark, New Jersey. It crashed only a few miles from the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport.

This composite of stories begins the night of the crash. WIVB-TV’s Lisa Flynn was the first to report that it was a commercial airliner that crashed, not a small plane, as had been first thought. The crash sent a shock wave across Western New York. Many of the victims were from the Buffalo area.

Families and friends of those who perished in the crash remembered their loved ones during grief stricken moments, and Western New York went through a period of mourning. Many questions were raised about the cause of the crash and whether the crew had been properly trained to operate this particular aircraft. Family members began attending hearings in Washington DC and closely followed the investigation.

A year after the crash, the National Transportation Safety Board determined that pilot error was the probable cause of the accident. Captain Marvin Renslow had failed to correctly respond to a stall, which is the sudden reduction in lift of an aircraft. The pilot had pulled back on the control column, tilting the nose of the plane up instead of lowering it and applying full power.

Families had begun questioning whether Federal Aviation Administration regulations for regional airlines were adequate. Critical safety issues raised included pilot training and fatigue. On the one year anniversary of the crash, family members and supporters walked from the accident site on Long Street in Clarence to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport to draw attention to their cause.

In a series of WIVB investigative reports, Rich Newberg revealed that internal emails from Colgan Airlines were obtained by lawyers representing the relatives of deceased passengers. They indicated that pilot Marvin Renslow had training problems and appeared not ready to handle the Bombardier Q400 aircraft. However, a month later he was flying the plane. When Newberg questioned an attorney representing Colgan Air, he maintained that Capt. Renslow was qualified to fly the plane.

Attorneys representing the crash victims determined that Colgan Air had been expanding air routes and moving to fifteen of the bigger models of the Q 400 planes. Attorney Hugh Russ said Colgan was “desperately looking for pilots to fly these planes.” Russ said, “These emails in our judgement prove that Colgan sacrificed safety for profits.”

Families charged that Colgan Air had withheld the emails during the investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB then ordered Colgan Air’s parent company, Pinnacle Airlines, to produce the internal emails in question. The company said it would comply.

A former Colgan Air crew scheduler came forward and told Newberg that the airline would fly pilots who lacked sleep to cover each leg of a flight itinerary. Colgan had no comment.

Eventually, the families, after many trips to Washington, got the FAA to implement tougher regulations including more hours of flight training and a requirement that airlines keep more extensive records detailing how pilots performed during training. Measures were also implemented to cut down on pilot fatigue.

Deborah Hersman, who was chair of the NTSB, told Rich Newberg, “…the families in this accident have been simply amazing. We have seen some incredible grace come out of the people who have gone through the worst experience of their life to really come together and try to determine if there’s anything good that can come from this, to make sure that no one has to go through what they went through. They have been a strong voice. They have been aggressive. They’ve been educated on the issues, and they’ve been a great help to the safety board as we try to focus attention on the issues related to this accident.”]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Artist)]]> Walker, Jacquie (Anchor)]]> Postles, Don (Anchor)]]> Flynn, Lisa (Reporter) ]]> Macko, Rob (Reporter)]]> Moretti, Luke (Reporter)]]> Newberg, Rich (Reporter)]]> Shultz, Lorey (Reporter)]]> eng]]> Education--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Education--New York (State)--Erie County]]> Bullying]]>
In Western New York, worried parents of young victims of bullying were concerned that their school districts were not dealing effectively with the issue. A rash of incidents on school buses targeted students as young as six years old.

WIVB-TV Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg reported on young children being tormented and found that school superintendents were reluctant to go on-camera to discuss the issue. Parents said bullies were not being punished, even after repeated incidents were documented.

There was enough pubic interest in the growing problem to warrant a special WIVB-TV presentation. On March 2, 2011, large portions of the 5 and 6 o’clock newscasts were set aside to feature a panel of experts who took calls from concerned viewers. They addressed issues including whether or not a targeted child should fight back.

Parents were also advised to look for signs indicating that their child might be a victim of bullying. It was noted that victims can carry deep emotional scars. There were calls for serious interventions by school districts that had been reluctant to take direct action against known bullies.

The segments ended with high profile celebrities and politicians, including President Obama, offering words of encouragement to those who were being tormented at school. Students were urged not to remain silent and to seek help from those they trust, including parents and teachers.

Legendary Buffalo boxer “Baby Joe” Mesi told a group of public school children that he had been a victim of bullying. The former world heavyweight contender said he built up his self confidence by learning how to box.

“Too often the voice of the victim, the target of the bully, goes unheard,” said WIVB-TV General Manager Chris Musial. He added, “Young people still feel trapped, abused and tormented. We at WIVB-News 4 and CW23-WNLO are committed to digging deeper in our coverage of this important issue. Whether it begins in the schoolyard or school bus, or in cyberspace through online taunting or texting, we will continue our efforts to find solutions that lead to an end of these horrible actions by bullies.”

“The Bully Project” was honored with a national Sigma Delta Chi Public Service Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. ]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Artist)]]> George Richert (Reporter)]]> eng]]> Agent Orange]]> Herbicides--War use]]> Agent Orange--Health aspects--Vietnam]]> Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Veterans]]>
WIVB-TV senior correspondent Rich Newberg reports on progress made by Agent Orange victims who have sought medical help and disability compensation from the Veterans Administration. He features the stories of two Vietnam Veterans from Western New York who suffered the consequences of Agent Orange exposure.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Hill, Ahmir]]> eng]]> Matt, Richard]]> Sweat, David]]> Clinton Prison (Dannemora, N.Y.)]]>
On June 16, during the search, prison employee Joyce Mitchell confessed to providing Matt and Sweat with hacksaw blades, chisels, and other tools used for the escape.

WIVB-TV Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg presents a video profile of Matt and Sweat, followed by a WIVB-TV television special, "Breakout."

(Background)
Richard Matt, from Tonawanda, New York, had been serving a sentence of 25 years to life for beating, torturing, and ultimately killing his former boss, William Rickerson. After breaking his neck, Matt dismembered Rickerson's body, discarding the remains in the Niagara River.

Matt and an accomplice had kidnapped Rickerson from his North Tonawanda home with the intent to rob him. Matt then fled to Mexico, where he stabbed a man to death after trying to rob him. Matt was arrested and convicted of the stabbing death in Mexico. He was then extradited to the U.S. to stand trial for the murder of William Dickerson.

David Sweat, raised in Binghamton area of New York, shot a Broome County sheriff's deputy multiple times before running him over with a car. He and an accomplice had been spotted by Deputy Kevin Tarsia in a parking lot while in possession of stolen firearms. After Sweat ran over Deputy Tarsia, the accomplice, Jeffrey Nabinger Jr., shot the severely wounded deputy in the face, killing him. Sweat was serving a sentence of life without parole.

Matt was hunted down in Malone, New York on June 26, 2015 and killed during a confrontation with a U.S border patrol agent and a former Army Ranger. Two days later, Sweat was spotted near Constable, New York by a New York State Trooper who wanted to question him. After Sweat took off running across a hay field, Trooper Jay Cook shot him in the shoulder and arm. Sweat survived.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> eng]]> Television journalists]]> Television broadcasting of news]]>
While the first Buffalo viewers of television in 1948 may have thought the images miraculously appeared on their small screens at home, it took a coordinated effort of technicians, directors, set designers, audio and film engineers, station support personnel, and many others who worked behind the scenes, to put programs on the air.

While their expertise, for the most part, was technical in nature, some possessed incredible artistic talents worthy of the public spotlight. In this series of reports by WIVB-TV'ss Rich Newberg and Jacquie Walker, these broadcasting pioneers are recognized for their contributions to the Buffalo television industry.

Order of Presentation: WIVB-TV Behind the Scenes
John Novelli / Technical Director, Artist
Ted Patton / TV and Stage Set Designer
Frank Wald / Technician
Hal Case / Technician
Ann Deckop / Executive Assistant
Alfred Kirchhofer / First President & General Manager
Bill McKibben / Station Manager under Kirchhofer]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Photographer, editor)]]> Hill, Ahmir (Title Graphic Artist)]]> Walker, Jacquie (Reporter)]]> Buffalo Broadcasters Association]]> eng]]> Television broadcasting of news]]> Television broadcasting of news--New York (State)]]> Television broadcasting of news--United States--History.]]> When WIVB-TV (formerly WBEN-TV) celebrated its 50th anniversary with a TV special on May 14, 1998, the use of archival news film and videotape gave viewers a window into Buffalo'ss storied history. Rich Newberg, who co-produced and co-hosted the program, wrote an article for the National Television Academy, documenting the significance of the station's successful efforts to broadcast footage dating back to the birth of television in Buffalo in 1948. Buffalo is a unique television market in that the news film and videotape archives from all three major stations have been saved. WIVB-TV (Channel 4-CBS), as well as WKBW-TV (Channel 7-ABC) and WGRZ-TV (Channel 2 - NBC), have given the Buffalo Broadcasters Association (BBA) permission to digitize their archival TV news collections and bring Western New York's moving image history back to life.

Mr. Newberg, a founding member of the BBA and Hall of Fame inductee, has put together a comprehensive visual history of this extraordinary effort in Buffalo to preserve and utilize a most valuable educational resource. He served as chair of the BBA's Archive Task Force that began the process of digitizing Buffalo's TV news archives in 2011. The historical retrospective begins with excerpts from the Channel 4 documentary, "First In Western New York: 50 Golden Years on Channel 4." The featured segments are narrated by WIVB-TV former anchors Don Postles and Rich Newberg.
(Runs: 8:30)

LAUNCHING OF THE ARCHIVE PROJECT
On March 29, 2019 the Buffalo Broadcasters Association (BBA) officially launched The Archive Project. The BBA had established written agreements with WIVB-TV (Nexstar/CBS) and WKBW-TV (Scripps/ABC) to digitize their news film and early videotape archives. WGRZ-TV (Tegna/NBC) came onboard in 2024. The moving image archive is to be used for educational use only.

Through BBA fundraisers, donations, and grants from the Western New York Library Resources Council, digitized news reports and clips dating back as early as the mid-1960s began being posted on the New York Heritage website. Postings will also appear on the BBA's own website, which is currently being revamped to provide space for the archival material.

These reports that aired on WIVB-TV and WKBW-TV show viewers the scope of the project and why the initiative is a valued resource for Western New York and the nation.
(Runs: 5:30)

ACTOR ED ASNER ENDORSES THE BBA'S ARCHIVE PROJECT
On September 29, 2019, Actor Ed Asner, who played television news director Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, endorsed the BBA's Archive Project in a public service announcement. The endorsement was recorded during the time Mr. Asner was in Western New York for his performance of a one man show.

Asner endorsement: "Hello. I'm Ed Asner. You may remember me as television's no-nonsense news director, Lou Grant. If you think about it, journalists provide us with our first draft of history. Right here in Buffalo, more than 50 years of TV news coverage is being brought back to life! Local stations are working with the Buffalo Broadcasters Association to bring back the stories that helped define the Niagara Frontier. It's called The Archive Project, and I support it with all my heart! So should you."
(Runs: 60 seconds)

THE MEMORY KEEPERS
Rescuing Buffalo's Moving Image History
This update on The Archive Project was presented at the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame induction ceremony on November 4, 2021. The piece was modified in 2024 to include WGRZ-TV, which also entered into contract with the BBA for the digitization of its film and videotape archive. The progress report is written and hosted by Rich Newberg and edited by Tom Vetter. The feature lays out the challenges in preserving and utilizing Buffalo's archival TV news film and videotape.
(Runs: 7:20)

THE ARCHIVE PROJECT
Buffalo Broadcasters Association
How It All Began
(5 PARTS: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
The cornerstone project of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association (BBA) is to digitize Buffalo television archival news film and videotape from the mid-1960s to the early 1990s. The news film had been rescued on many occasions by Buffalo broadcasting pioneers whose vision was to someday create a moving image archive of Buffalo's rich and colorful history as told through the lens of broadcast journalists.

The storage of news film from all three Buffalo network affiliates began in the 1960s. Boxes were initially kept at Buffalo Historical Society. Channel 7 eventually took back its film, while Channels 4 and 2 chose not to physically reclaim their footage.

This series of features, written and produced by Rich Newberg, documents the progress and objectives of The Archive Project. The five video reports were presented during most of the BBA's Hall of Fame ceremonies between 2006 and 2011.
(Runs: 22:36)]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Buffalo Broadcasters Association]]> Mombrea Jr., Mike]]> Vetter, Tom]]> Terrenova, Michael]]> eng]]> Daredevils--Niagara Falls (N.Y. and Ont.)]]>
Munday was 48 years old when he first conquered the Falls on October 5, 1985. His second journey over the Horseshoe Falls and into the international record books took place on September 27, 1993.

Between these two incredible feats, Munday decided to challenge the treacherous currents of the Great Gorge Rapids which feed into dangerous spinning waters of the notorious Whirlpool.

In a less sophisticated 600 pound barrel made of high pressure steel pipe, Munday and his assistants eluded Niagara Parks Police and lowered the barrel into the swift currents of the rapids. His five minute harrowing journey on October 11, 1987 brought him to the Whirlpool.

The world got a little more insight into the motivations and fears of this thrill seeker during a series of reports by WIVB-TV's Rich Newberg. The most amazing revelation was Dave Munday's confession that he is terrified of the water and can't swim.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> eng]]> Poland, Solidarity Movement, Buffalo Polish Americans, Martial Law in Poland, Polish Americans]]> Refugees]]> Refugees--Poland]]> Martial law--Poland]]> Solidarity (Polish labor organization)]]>
Western New York students studying in Poland managed to flee the country and make it safely back to Buffalo. They had many stories to tell about the abuses imposed on Polish citizens as well as an economic crisis that put Poland on the brink of bankruptcy.

Buffalo, with its large Polish population, became one of the lead protest cities in the United States. They demanded that the Soviet Union loosen its grasp on Poland and allow the Polish people to choose their own destiny. President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II are often credited with helping to bring down communism in Poland.

"Flight from Poland," a WIVB-TV news special hosted and co-produced by Rich Newberg, gave Buffalo viewers a comprehensive look inside Poland during this period of great turmoil. Newberg got first hand accounts from refugees and students in Buffalo who had witnessed the abuses in their homeland.

In 1985, Newberg would report from Gdansk, the birthplace of Solidarity, as club wielding Zomos (paramilitary units) again arrested Solidarity demonstrators. Newberg and photojournalist Don Yearke met with Solidarity leader Lech Walesa and then with Pope John Paul II in Rome. (See "Hearts and Minds Together" and "Inside a Private Audience with Pope John Paul II.")

In 1999, Newberg would again travel to Poland, this time with photojournalist Mike Mombrea, Jr., to cover Pope John Paul II's triumphant return to his homeland, now free from communist rule. The pope made a special effort to meet with a Buffalo delegation on a street in Torun, Poland. He blessed every member, showing his gratitude toward the city, whose Polish Americans never wavered in their support for a free Poland. Newberg also interviewed Lech Walesa after he had served as president of Poland. (See "The People's Pope.")]]> Newberg, Rich]]> eng]]> John Paul II, Pope, 1920-2005]]> Solidarity]]> Daemen College]]> Buffalo has a large Polish population with close ties to Poland. The pope had visited Western New York when he was Cardinal Karol Wojtyla. The private audience on September 6, 1985 had been granted in advance because of an exchange program between Daemen College in Buffalo and the Catholic University in Lublin, Poland.
The pope had spent twenty-five years at the Catholic University as a professor and chairman of the Faculty of Ethics. It was the only Christian university in the Soviet Bloc. The Buffalo delegation had included a visit to the university in its travels through Poland.
One of the delegation leaders, Brian Rusk, who represented Daemen College president Robert Marshall, commented to the pope that the exchange program would carry on his "words and teachings for peace and brotherhood in the world." The pope openly expressed his gratitude for support the program was receiving.
During their journey through Poland, the delegation had revisited Buffalo's many ties to the Polish people (see "Hearts and Minds Together" in the collection). Another delegation leader, Richard Solecki, had a special security contact within the Solidarity movement. This relationship enabled the delegates to meet with Solidarity leader Lech Walesa minutes before his demonstrators took to the streets of Gdansk.
The entire private audience with Pope John Paul II was photographed by News 4 photographer Don Yearke. It can be viewed following Rich Newberg's WIVB-TV live report from outside the pope's residence. At one point, when Newberg sought comment from the pope on Solidarity's efforts to free Poland from communism, his microphone was snatched out of his hand by a papal aide.
That's when the pope took Newberg by the arm and whispered, "Without Solidarity, there can be no peace!"]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Rusk, Brian]]> Solecki, Richard]]> Rutkowski, Edward]]> Slisz, Richard]]> eng]]>
When their children came of age to be parents, the "natural" approach was applied to many aspects of life, including child birth and breast feeding, and the purchase of toys that promoted creativity and not violence.

In his series, "It's Only Natural," WIVB-TV reporter Rich Newberg, a new father whose wife gave up a teaching career to become a "stay-at-home mom," explores the norms of the 1980's. Dr. Spock is featured in his reports.

In the final segment, Spock defends himself against conservative critics who blame him for being overly permissive in his advice to parents. Some of his detractors advocate spanking as a form of discipline. Spock says was never a "permissivist." He says he was singled out by critics because of his opposition to the Vietnam War.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> eng]]> Urban & municipal planning]]> Masiello, Anthony]]> Buffalo Harbor (N.Y.)]]> Public schools--New York (State)--Buffalo--History]]> Urban development--Government policy]]>
After spending ten years on the Council, Masiello was elected to the New York State Senate. Serving from 1981 to 1993, he advanced to the positions of Minority Whip and Chair of the Democratic Conference.

On January 1, 1994, Masiello was sworn in as Buffalo 61st mayor. He served three terms. In an interview with WIVB-TV Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg, Masiello looked back with pride on his accomplishments as mayor. He said his administration boosted Buffalo's image nationally by building up the city's medical corridor and changing Buffalo's "economic fabric."

In particular, he mentioned cultural tourism and the attraction of the city's developing Inner Harbor. He also said developers were converting old historic buildings into attractive places to live, providing an incentive for people to rent or buy property downtown. During the Masiello years, eighty year old school buildings were renovated with state-of-the-art "learning laboratories." It was a ten year, state funded, billion dollar project. Masiello said, when it came to education, his one regret was that he was unable to appoint three members to the Buffalo School Board.

Directly addressed the people of Buffalo, Masiello said, "I thoroughly enjoyed being your mayor." He added, "I know we've had some tough times but I never gave up on our city. I never gave up on its people, and I never gave up on its future." Because of his positive approach to governing, he said, "I think we're in a really good position to do great things as a city and as a people." Tony Masiello won twenty-three elections to public office during the span of his political career.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> eng]]> Kemp, Jack, 1935-2009]]> Reagan, Ronald--Assassination attempts]]> Presidents--Assassination--United States]]> Hinckley, John W. (John Warnock), Jr.]]> D’Amato, Alfonse]]> Rich Newberg reported from the nation's capital and got reaction and updates from Senator Alfonse D'Amato and Congressman Jack Kemp.

On March 30, 1981, just after Ronald Reagan was waving to a crowd outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., shots rang out from a .22 caliber revolver fired by John Hinckley, Jr. who was only fifteen feet away.

The 70 year old president, who was about two months into his first term, took a bullet that ricocheted off his limousine and lodged in his chest, just missing his heart. His press secretary James Brady was shot in the head and suffered brain damage. Police officer Thomas Delahanty was hit in the back. Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy was wounded in the chest. McCarthy had positioned himself between Hinckley and the president. President Reagan's life was saved by the medical team at George Washington University Hospital.

Hinckley, who would later be found not guilty by reason of insanity, had fantasized that his attempt on the life of President Reagan would somehow impress actress Jodie Foster, who appeared in the movie Taxi Driver. In that movie the character played by Robert De Niro plots to assassinate a presidential candidate. Hinckley was committed to a psychiatric hospital and released in 2016.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> eng]]> Buffalo (N.Y.). Office of the Mayor]]> Griffin, Jimmy]]>
His followers respected the fact that he always said what was on his mind, regardless of the consequences. He was often critical of the news media when his policies were challenged. At times he got physical with his opponents, once punching a former aide in the face, yanking the tie of a Buffalo councilman and challenging another city lawmaker to a fist fight. In an interview with WIVB-TV senior correspondent Rich Newberg, Griffin admitted he was "pugnacious," but added that he was always true to himself.

"Remembering Mayor Jimmy Griffin" begins with his obituary on November 6, 2003. He was raised in Buffalo's rough and tumble Irish Old First Ward and scooped grain out of Great Lakes freighters as a teenager. He fought in the Korean war and entered Buffalo politics in 1961, winning a seat on the city's Common Council. He was elected to the New York State Senate in 1966.

Griffin blamed the local news media for negative stories about his Parks commissioner Robert Delano, who ended up spending more than two years in federal prison for theft and extortion.

During his one-on-one interview with Rich Newberg, Griffin looks back on his accomplishments as mayor. A new downtown baseball stadium and housing and commercial buildings on the Erie Basin Marina are among them.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> eng]]> Refugees]]> Refugees--Poland]]> Catholic Charities of Buffalo]]> St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr Parish (Buffalo, N.Y.)]]> Saint Mary's School for the Deaf (Buffalo, N.Y.)]]>
WIVB-TV reporter Rich Newberg flew with Casey to JFK Airport in New York the day he was reunited with his family. They all embraced. His wife Katrina is also deaf and worked as a tailor in Gdansk to make ends meet.

Daughter Kataryna was able to speak for the family through an interpreter. She said, "Without father there is no life." In Buffalo, Catholic Charities and St. Mary's School for the Deaf were prepared to help the family start life over again.

In a follow-up report almost a year-and-a half later, we see Katrina working as a seamstress. Daughters Katrina and Monica learned to speak English at St. Stanislaus School in Buffalo. Monica had become best friends with a fellow student. Katrina was having a harder time adjusting to life in America.

The Catholic Church continued to play a major role in their lives. Msgr. John Gabalski of St. Stanislaus Church said of the Wrobel family, "They preach a better sermon by their behavior than I can preach orally." Monica had just celebrated her first communion.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Gabalski, John]]> eng]]> Refugees--Syrian--United States--2000-2020]]>
In 2015, a media studies graduate of the University at Buffalo produced a message to the world about Syrian citizens fleeing oppression in their country. Documentary filmmaker Akrom Shipley, a Syrian American, had accompanied his father and sister on a journey to refugee camps in Jordan.

These two reports by WIVB-TV senior correspondent Rich Newberg deal with Shipley's plea for Americans to understand the plight of Syrian children who lost fathers in the Syrian civil war. "With losing their fathers," he said, "they lost a sense of their childhood."

Rebel groups. with support from NATO, had taken up arms fighting the oppressive regime of Bashar al-Assad. Russia and Iran were providing arms to Assad. The death toll of the Syrian civil war is estimated to be as high as 617,910. Civilian deaths alone are believed to number more than 306,000.

Shipley said the ultimate goal of the Syrian migrants "isn't just to flood our borders and take our jobs." He said their goal is to "rebuild hope and return home."

Rich Newberg also presented a story of two Syrian brothers who made it to Buffalo and were able to bring their wives and children to safety in the Queen City. They said their city in Syria had been leveled by bombs and fighting.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Hill, Ahmir]]> eng]]> Childbirth]]> Blizzards--New York (State)--Buffalo]]>
Two miles away from the hospital, Bethany Hojnacki went into labor. Her husband Jared began a desperate search for help, trudging through the snow while carrying his 19 month old son to the boy's anxious grandparents a mile away.

Jared spotted a Buffalo fire crew assisting stranded motorists. Against all odds, one of them, Denise Perry, happened to be a labor nurse! Another close by was Stacey Braymiller, a maternity nurse!

The firehouse was reachable and Bethany was transported there with contractions four minutes apart. With the help of the nurses, Bethany gave birth to Lucy Grace after just two pushes.

Bethany explains that Lucy means "illuminated." She says her baby's name represents "grace illuminated," which she says "really does capture how she came into the world." Nurse Denise Perry believes it was divine intervention.

WIVB-TV senior correspondent Rich Newberg revisited the Hojnacki's for Lucy Grace's first birthday. Bethany says Lucy is "very passionate and spunky and also kind of dramatic." The parents liken her personality to her birth. In Jared's words, "very dramatic and full of life!"]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Root, Kim]]> Hill, Ahmir]]> eng]]> Escaped prisoners]]> Phillips, Ralph James ]]> Fugitives from justice.]]> Ralph "Bucky" Phillips had appeared on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

Background
On April 2, 2006, Ralph "Bucky" Phillips escaped from the Erie County Correctional Facility by using a can opener to cut through the metal roof of the kitchen.

He had been arrested on a parole violation following a burglary conviction in 2005. Although his criminal record also included grand larceny and other crimes,
he was initially not considered to be a violent person by friends and relatives, according to early reports.
Some believed he was intent on patching up his relationship with his daughter and grandchildren.

During the initial phases of his escape, the public became fixated on Phillips' ability to allude police, who at times were hot on his trail. Feeding into his "folk hero" status, one restaurant established the to-go "Bucky Burger," for those "On the Run." T-shirts were marketed saying "Run, Bucky, Run!" A song with the same title was written.

The Bucky Phillips saga turned dark when he shot and wounded New York State Trooper Sean Brown near Elmira on June 10, 2006. Trooper Brown was approaching a stolen Ford Mustang Phillips was driving.

A second shooting took place in the Chautauqua County town of Pomfret on August 31st. State Troopers Donald Baker Jr. and Joseph Longobardo were hit during a house stakeout of a relative of Phillips. Longobardo later died from his wounds.

Phillips was captured by Pennsylvania State Police on September 8, 2006. He surrendered in a wooded area with his hands raised. While in custody and taken in for processing, there were still supporters who cheered him on, much to the disgust of troopers.

On November 29, 2006, Phillips pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder. He was sentenced in Chautauqua County Court to life without parole.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> eng]]> Humanitarian aid workers--Afghanistan]]> Mercer, Heather]]> Taliban]]> Shelter Now (Organization)]]>
Heather Mercer and her friend and co-worker Dayna Curry, were American aid workers arrested in Afghanistan by the Taliban on August 3, 2001. They were part of the Antioch International Movement of Churches and employed by a German-based Christian aid organization called Shelter Now International.

Following their arrest, six other Western aid workers and sixteen co-workers from Afghanistan were taken into custody and charged with preaching Christianity, a crime potentially punishable by death under Taliban law.

The workers were initially held as prisoners in Kabul. When Northern Alliance forces took control of Kabul on November 13, 2001, the aid workers from Afghanistan were freed. The Western aid workers, however, were moved by the Taliban to a prison in Ghazni. There, anti-Taliban forces freed those prisoners as well. They were airlifted to safety in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Heather Mercer grew up in suburban Virginia, outside of Washington. Her parents were divorced. Heather's mother, Deborah Eddy from Lewiston, and her grandmother, Norma Anderson from Niagara Falls, worked tirelessly for Heather's release.

Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry were welcomed home by President Bush and invited to join him at the White House.
The president said, "They had a calling to serve the poorest of the poor." Heather commented, "We know we're here because of the prayers of people all over the country, all over the world!"]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Hill, Ahmir (Graphic artist)]]> eng]]> Goodell, Lyndon]]> Drunk Driving]]> Trials (Manslaughter)--New York (State)]]>
The jury had to determine that it was 23 year old Goodell behind the wheel. His passenger, Carol Rokicki, was with him at the time of the accident. She had been granted immunity by the prosecution in exchange for her testimony.

Defense attorney Fern Acomb said it was Rokicki who supplied the alcohol and had the keys to the car, and that she was driving at the time of the crash. However, it was Goodell's chest injuries that convinced the jury that he was in the driver's seat.

The manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter convictions of Goodell were based on the belief that he knew, or should have known that his reckless drunken driving had the potential to kill. District Attorney Robert Noonan said, "...a guilty verdict on all counts was the only verdict that I would have been happy with."

The victims' relatives comforted each other after the two week trial ended with a guilty verdict. Tricia Collins, whose husband Patrick was killed in the accident, expressed the hope the trial would serve as a powerful lesson that drinking and driving can lead to tragic consequences.

Genesee County Judge Glenn Morton sentenced Goodell to 7 1/2 to 15 years in state prison. A wrongful-death settlement totaling $340,000 dollars was paid out by insurance companies to the families of all four of the victims. Goodell kept maintaining that he was not driving, but lost subsequent appeals.]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Reeve, Richard (Reporter)]]> eng]]> Curtin, John T., 1921-2017]]> Affirmative action programs]]> Race discrimination]]> U.S. District Court Judge John Thomas Curtin (August 24, 1921 - April 14, 2017) was interviewed by WIVB-TV Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg on April 18, 1995. The subject was affirmative action.

 

Judge Curtin issued rulings establishing minority hiring quotas in Buffalo’s police and fire departments and within the Buffalo School District. He believed minorities lacked opportunities for jobs and a quality education, resulting in what he once called “a poorly trained underclass” that became reliant on welfare. 

 

Born in Buffalo, Curtin served as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York from 1961 to 1967 before being nominated by President Lyndon Johnson for a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. He had been recommended by New York Senator Robert Kennedy. John Curtin was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 14, 1967.

 

In 1976 Judge Curtin ordered that Buffalo public schools be desegregated. He ruled that minority students in Buffalo had been denied equal protection under the law, and that a segregated school system in Buffalo had been intentionally maintained. 

 

His rulings led to the hiring of more minority teachers and the creation of academically strong magnet schools that would encourage students of all races to accept being bused to these high level schools. 

 

Though Judge Curtin was targeted for criticism and sometimes even death threats by those who felt his rulings were overreaching, he consistently ruled in favor of removing barriers  that had been built on “unfairness, bigotry (and) bias” against minorities, women, children, and those with special challenges.

]]> Newberg, Rich (Reporter, Interviewer)]]> Root, Kim (Photographer, Editor)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> eng]]> Terrorism--United States
]]> Yemeni Americans--New York(State)--Lackawanna
]]> Muslims--Civil rights--New York (State)--Lackawanna]]>
Discussions centered on whether or not the six friends from Lackawanna, New York, just outside of Buffalo, were actually part of a terrorist “sleeper cell.” Questions were raised about the practice of what has been called “preemptive justice,” meaning the arrest of individuals who were considered possible threats for violent acts that were never committed.

Prosecutors argued that attendance at a terrorist training camp and failure to disclose the fact to the FBI, were grounds for the arrests. All the defendants ended up pleaded guilty to “providing material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization.” They were given sentences ranging from seven to ten years.

Defense attorneys maintained that their clients were lured into attending the training camp and realized too late what they had gotten into. They accepted plea bargain agreements that limited their prison terms. They agreed to cooperate with the U.S. government regarding information they had obtained during their time in the Middle East.

During their stay at the camp in Afghanistan the men from Lackawanna had been addressed by al-Qaeda leader Osama bin-Laden who said the United States would be a target of terrorist activity. Most of the defendants, according to their attorneys, decided they wanted to leave the camp early and have nothing to do with any attacks on America.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hochul said the defendants were told by bin-Laden that “forty to fifty men (would be) enroute to attack America,” but chose to remain silent when they returned home in the summer of 2001.
He questioned whether that information might have helped avert the attacks on 9/11.

Defense attorney John Molloy said all six had remained silent “out of fear.” He said they “were petrified” on 9/11 and that “they were afraid that they were next.”

]]> Newberg, Rich (Guest on “At Large with Geraldo Rivera”) ]]> Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (publisher of digital)
]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Artist)]]> Terrorism--United States--Prevention.
]]> Yemeni Americans--New York(State)--Lackawanna.
]]> Muslims--Civil rights--New York (State)--Lackawanna.
]]> Civil rights--United States.
]]> Bush, George W. (George Walker), 1946-]]>
President Bush maintained that The Patriot Act had been instrumental in the arrests of the so-called “Lackawanna Six,” a group of friends from a small city outside of Buffalo, New York who attended a al-Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan just months before the 9/11/2001 terror attacks on the United States.

While President Bush had referred to these men as belonging to a “terrorist cell,” their defense attorneys said the six had been lured to attend the camp, not realizing what it was all about. After being addressed by al-Qaeda leader Osama bin-laden, most tried to leave the camp early. According to their attorneys, they wanted nothing more to do with al-Qaeda.

Faced with a trial and potentially lengthy prison sentences, they all pleaded guilty to “providing material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization.” They received sentences of seven to ten years in prison and agreed to share information with the US government.

WIVB-TV senior Correspondent Rich Newberg reports on President Bush’s visit to Buffalo and the Patriot Act support he received from US Attorney Michael Battle and Buffalo FBI Agent In Charge Peter Ahearn.

Four days after the president’s visit, Fox News journalist Geraldo Rivera conducted a debate on the Patriot Act during a live Fox News Channel cablecast originating from Buffalo’s City Hall. “At Large with Geraldo Rivera” took a second look at the case of the The Lackawanna Six.

In reviewing the case, Rivera reports that the FBI had been tipped off by an anonymous letter that a group of Arab Americans that had traveled to Afghanistan was there to “meet bin-Laden and stay in his camp for training.” Rivera states that the men had told their neighbors they were going to Pakistan for religious instruction.

President Bush had stated that the Patriot Act “helps us to be able to connect the dots.” However, University at Buffalo constitutional law professor Dr. Lee Albert maintained that The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 had already allowed the CIA and FBI to cooperate in the Lackawanna Six case. “I don’t think the Patriot Act had a lot to do with this case,” he said.

FBI Special Agent Peter Ahearn disagreed and said, “The dots were connected” through the Patriot Act. He said shared information between the CIA and FBI led to the connection to a foreign terrorist organization. He said it had started as a criminal investigation but that the “spin of this case” changed. He added that seeing “the whole picture” helped reveal “how al-Qaeda operated overseas.”

During the debate, Patriot Act proponent Heather MacDonald of the Manhattan Institute maintained that there had been “utter paralysis in the country’s intelligence community before 9/11.” She added, “For months after 9/11 the political community, the media, was railing against our failure to connect the dots. The Patriot Act solved that.”

Patriot Act critic, former US attorney Bob Barr, said there has never been a federal law that prohibits intelligence agents and prosecutors to talk with each other. He said there is a danger that the Patriot Act could be used “as a subterfuge to undermine the Bill of Rights.” He added, “If we say, well prosecutors should be able to get anything, anytime, anywhere that they want simply because they say it’s to fight terrorism, then we might as well just throw the Bill of Rights, and especially the 4th Amendment (the right against unreasonable searches and seizures) out the window, and I don’t think we ought to do that as a country.”
]]> Newberg, Rich (Guest on “At Large with Geraldo Rivera”) ]]> Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (publisher of digital)
]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Artist)]]> Chemical plants -- Waste disposal -- Environmental aspects -- New York (State) -- Niagara Falls
]]> Love Canal Chemical Waste Landfill (Niagara Falls, N.Y.)]]>
Mr. Brown had begun covering toxic waste dumpsites in Niagara County. That became his journalistic focus. He managed to stir up a lot of controversy in the process.

While covering a public hearing, a woman in her early 20s from the Love Canal neighborhood broke down in tears when describing her concerns about potential health issues associated with chemicals believed to be leaking into her and her neighbors’ homes.

The city of Niagara Falls had initiated an assessment of the issue and considered covering the old dumpsite with clay. In 1977, Mr. Brown talked with a city engineer who felt the situation was very serious and could effect future generations if not properly addressed.

A period of silence by the city followed. Brown decided to follow up but said he got no answers from the County Health Department. He had become the Niagara Falls City Hall reporter for the Gazette. His journalistic intuition prompted him to go door-to-door, talking with Love Canal families. His goal was to determine whether the presence of toxic chemicals may have been having an effect on their health.

Rich Newberg’s interview with Michael Brown takes us back to that initial period of discovery and what followed next. At the time of the interview, more than four decades had passed since the Love Canal disaster became a “journalistic obsession” for Mr. Brown.

Viewers will learn of the obstacles he faced and how his reporting for the Niagara Gazette led to the rise of Lois Gibbs, leader of the Love Canal Homeowners Association, whose tireless efforts not only ended in victory for her neighbors, but served as the beginning of the environmental justice movement for people exposed to toxic chemicals in their communities.

Portions of the Brown and Gibbs interviews appear in the 2021 documentary, “The Buffalo Story: History Happens Here.” The segment entitled “A Toxic Nightmare: The Awakening,” won a New York Emmy award in 2022 in the category of Science/Environment.]]> Newberg, Rich (Interviewer)]]> Brown, Michael (Interviewee)]]> Vetter, Tom (Producer)]]> Terranova, Michael (Editor)]]> A Toxic Nightmare: The Awakening [The Story of Love Canal Pt. 1] 

Love Canal: Neighborhood of Fear [The Story of Love Canal Pt. 2]

Turning Anger Into Action [The Story of Love Canal Pt.3]

What Have We Learned? [The Story of Love Canal Pt. 4]

An Interview with Lois Gibbs [Her Battle and Victory on Behalf of Love Canal Homeowners]

]]> eng]]> ]]> Chemical plants -- Waste disposal -- Environmental aspects -- New York (State) -- Niagara Falls]]> Love Canal Chemical Waste Landfill (Niagara Falls, N.Y.)]]>
She says that her son, who had been “perfectly healthy,” suddenly got “sicker and sicker and sicker.” He developed epilepsy. Lois began reading articles by Michael Brown in the Niagara Gazette, questioning whether a disproportionate number of health issues in the community could be attributed to toxic chemical exposure.

Mrs. Gibbs, who said it was “terrifying,” began her search for answers by going to the Niagara Falls school board, City Hall, and the offices of state senators and other representatives. She says no one offered to help. She says Mayor Michael O’Laughlin told her Michael Brown was a “troublemaker,” and that she should “go home and take care of my child.”

In her interview with Rich Newberg, Lois Gibbs reflects on the strategies employed to finally get the president of the United States to come to Niagara Falls and sign legislation benefitting Love Canal families wishing to move out of the neighborhood. It also created a Superfund to assist other communities across the country dealing with the hazards of toxic chemical exposure.

Portions of the Lois Gibbs interview appear in the 2021 documentary, “The Buffalo Story: History Happens Here.” It is part of the Rich Newberg Reports Collection. The Love Canal segment entitled “A Toxic Nightmare: The Awakening,” won a New York Emmy award in 2022 in the category of Science/Environment.]]> Newberg, Rich (Interviewer)]]> Gibbs, Lois (Interviewee)]]> Vetter, Tom (Producer)]]> Terranova, Michael (Editor)]]> A Toxic Nightmare: The Awakening [The Story of Love Canal Pt. 1] 

Love Canal: Neighborhood of Fear [The Story of Love Canal Pt. 2]

Turning Anger Into Action [The Story of Love Canal Pt.3]

What Have We Learned? [The Story of Love Canal Pt. 4]

An Interview with Michael Brown

]]> eng]]> Jasen, Carol]]> Walker, Jacquie]]> Postals, Don]]> Miller, Van]]> Paul, Don]]> WIVB-TV (Television station : Buffalo, N.Y.)--History]]> Television stations--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, News Anchor, Host)]]> Baker, Vic (Producer)]]> Musial, Chris (Producer)]]> Schlaerth, Joseph (Producer)]]> Jasen, Carol (News Anchor, Co-host)]]> Walker, Jacquie (News Anchor)]]> Postles, Don (News Anchor)]]> Miller, Van (Sports Director)]]> Paul, Don (Chief Meteorologist)]]> Baxter, Tim (Photographer-editor)]]> Mombrea, John (Photographer-editor)]]> Schrodt, Roy (Photographer-editor)]]> Root, Kim (Photographer-editor)]]> Summerville, Dan (Photographer-editor)]]> Vetter, Tom (Photographer-editor)]]> Swan, Ray (Photographer)]]> Goldschlag, Dave (Photographer)]]> Beauchamp, Steve (Photographer)]]> Gabalski, Ron (Photographer)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Mike Van Horn (Graphic Artist)]]> Kaufman, Ken (Music Composer)]]> Wolter, Carrol (Researcher)]]> McCall, Kawanza (Researcher)]]> Tamutus, Andrew (Researcher)]]> eng]]> Colored Musicians Club (Buffalo, N.Y.)]]> Jazz--New York (State)--Buffalo--History and criticism]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Tinney, Al.
]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo--Social conditions
]]>
The club was organized in 1918 and chartered in 1935. The building on Broadway and Michigan Avenue was purchased in 1944. It provided rehearsal space and social opportunities for Buffalo’s Black musicians who belonged to Local 533 of the American Federation of Musicians. Club members recall being denied entry into the white musicians union, Local 43. The two locals merged in 1969 but the Colored Musicians Club is still thriving. The building now features an interactive museum and is scheduled to undergo a multi-million dollar renovation and expansion.

The first video is a compilation of segments by Rich Newberg, drawn from the 2003 WIVB-TV documentary, “Buffalo Soul: The Legacy Plays On.” The second piece is a WIVB-TV report by Jordan Williams marking the 80th anniversary of the Colored Musician’s Club. It aired on July 24, 2015.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)
]]> Vetter, Tom (Producer, Photographer, Editor)
]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Photographer, Editor)]]> Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (publisher of digital)]]> Mombrea, John (Post-production Editor)]]> Baxter, Tim (Post-production Editor)]]> Dady, Kelly (Director)]]> Clemons, Michael (Tape Operator)]]> Benzel, Gary (Tape Operator)]]> Young, Matt (Audio Engineer)]]> Dawkins, Don (Researcher)]]> Newberg, Rich (Researcher)]]> Vetter, Tom (Researcher)]]> Hairston, Mylous (Researcher)]]> Musial, Chris (Researcher)]]> eng]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo--History]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo--Social conditions]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo--Economic conditions]]> African American churches]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Vetter, Tom (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Hairston, Mylous (Producer, Co-host)]]> Ersing, Rich (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Musial, Chris (Executive Producer)]]> Dawkins, Don (Photographer)]]> Schrodt, Roy (Post-production Editor)]]> Mombrea, John (Post-production Editor)]]> Battilana, Tony (Director)]]> Clemons, Michael (Technical Director)]]> Brown, Dave (Technical Crew)]]> Ayers, Don (Technical Crew)]]> Lawrence, John (Technical Crew)]]> Sanders, Greg (Technical Crew)]]> Newberg, Rich (Researcher)]]> Hairston, Mylous (Researcher)]]> Vetter, Tom (Researcher)]]> Ersing Rich (Researcher)]]> Musial, Chris (Researcher)]]> eng]]> Mentally ill--New York (State)]]> Mental health services--New York (State)]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Vetter, Tom (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Musial, Chris (Executive Producer)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Vanhorn, Mike (Graphic Artist)]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Creative Consultant, Contributing Photographer)]]> Schrodt, Roy (Non-linear Editor)]]> Kaufman, Ken (Composer of original score)]]> Mombrea, John (Contributing Photographer)]]> Csortan, Peter (Contributing Photographer)]]> Hutchinson, Dave (Contributing Photographer)]]> McIntyre, Don (Contributing Photographer)]]> eng]]> Shea's Buffalo Theatre]]> Shea, Michael.]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Mombrea Jr., Mike (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Musial, Chris (Executive Producer)]]> Ersing, Rich (Contributing Photographer)]]> Dee, Joe (Contributing Photographer)]]> Swan, Ray (Contributing Photographer)]]> Beauchamp, Steve (Contributing Photographer)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Vinciguerra, Jerry (Graphic Artist)]]> Bray, John (Announcer)]]> Mombrea, John (Post-production Editor)]]> Diavastes, Jim (Post-production Editor)]]> Schrodt, Roy (Post-production Editor)]]> Newberg, Rich (Researcher)]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Researcher)]]> Musial, Chris (Researcher)]]> Kocher, Michael (Researcher)]]> eng]]> Operation Desert Shield, 1990-1991]]> Iraq-Kuwait Crisis, 1990-1991]]> United States--Armed Forces]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Mombrea, Mike, Jr. (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Nolf, Neil (Public Affairs Officer -- Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station)]]> eng]]> Pan-American Exposition (1901 : Buffalo, N.Y.)]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo--History]]> Abolitionists--New York (State)--Buffalo--History]]> Underground Railroad--New York (State)--Buffalo--History]]> Fugitive slaves--New York (State)--Buffalo--History]]> African Americans--Civil rights--New York (State)--Buffalo--History]]> New York (State), Western--African Americans--History]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Vetter, Tom (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Dawkins, Don (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Musial, Chris (Executive Producer)]]> Hairston, Mylous (Reporter)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Contributing Photographer)]]> Root, Kim (Contributing Photographer)]]> Dee, Joe (Contributing Photographer)]]> Greene, Terry (Contributing Photographer)]]> Mombrea, John (Post production Non-linear Editor)]]> Battilana, Tony (Director)]]> Clemons, Michael (Technical Director)]]> Benzel, Gary (Audio Engineer)]]> Griswold, Jason (Tape Operator)]]> Brown, Dave (Font Operator)]]> Serio, Sam (Master Control Operator)]]> Sanders, Greg (Master Control Operator)]]> Dawkins, Don (Researcher)]]> Newberg, Rich (Researcher)]]> Vetter, Tom (Researcher)]]> Hairston, Mylous (Researcher)]]> Musial, Chris (Researcher)]]> Buscaglia, Jennifer (Researcher)]]> eng]]> Colored Musicians Club (Buffalo, N.Y.)]]> Jazz--New York (State)--Buffalo--History and criticism]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Tinney, Al.]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo--Social conditions]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Vetter, Tom (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Dawkins, Don (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Hairston, Mylous (Producer, Reporter)]]> Musial, Chris (Executive Producer)]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Photographer, Editor)]]> Mombrea, John (Post-production Editor)]]> Baxter, Tim (Post-production Editor)]]> Dady, Kelly (Director)]]> Clemons, Michael (Tape Operator)]]> Benzel, Gary (Tape Operator)]]> Young, Matt (Audio Engineer)]]> Dawkins, Don (Researcher)]]> Newberg, Rich (Researcher)]]> Vetter, Tom (Researcher)]]> Hairston, Mylous (Researcher)]]> Musial, Chris (Researcher)]]> eng]]> Capozzi, Anthony]]> Sanchez, Altemio C.]]> Judicial error--United States--Cases]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Moretti, Luke (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Schlaerth, Joseph (Executive Producer)]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Photographer, Editor)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Vinciguerra, Jerry (Graphic Artist)]]> Root, Kim (Contributing Photographer)]]> Hutchinson, David (Contributing Photographer)]]> Carroll, John (Contributing Photographer)]]> Paszkowsky Danylo (Contributing Photographer)]]> Summerville, Dan (Contributing Photographer)]]> eng]]> Carpenter's Hand]]> Developmentally disabled--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Vetter, Tom (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Musial, Chris (Executive Producer)]]> Baxter, Tim (On-line Editor)]]> Mombrea, John (On-line Editor)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Kaufman, Ken (Composer of original score)]]> Newberg, Rich (Lyricist and Composer of lullaby _Let Me Cradle Your Dreams_)]]> Sunday, Bonnie (Lyricist)]]> Moriarty, Kathy (Musical Performer)]]> Giovenco, Joseph (Field Assistant -- Ukraine)]]> Buscaglia, Jennifer (Research Assistant)]]> Dadey, Kelly (Director)]]> Foster, Joseph D. (Tape Operator)]]> eng]]> September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001.]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Vetter, Tom (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Musial, Chris (Producer)]]> Schlaerth, Joseph (Executive Producer)]]> Lent, Pamm (Contributing Producer)]]> Schlaerth, Joe (Contributing Producer)]]> Flynn, Lisa (Contributing Reporter)]]> Richert, George (Contributing Reporter)]]> Beauchamp, Steve (Photographer, Editor)]]> Ersing, Rich (Photographer, Editor)]]> Baker, Boe (Contributing Photographer)]]> Root, Kim (Contributing Photographer)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Vinciguerra, Jerry (Graphic Artist)]]> Baxter, Tim (Imix Editor)]]> Mombrea, John (Imix Editor)]]> Battilana, Tony (Director)]]> Dadey, Kelly (Director)]]> Clemons, Michael (Technical Director)]]> Masse, Dave (Videotape Operator)]]> Benzel, Gary (Audio Engineer)]]> Brown, Dave (Chyron Graphics)]]> Serio, Sam (Master Control Operator)
]]> eng]]> Communism--China--History]]> China--Economic conditions]]> China--Social conditions]]> China--Social life and customs]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Mombrea, Mike, Jr. (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> eng]]> Solidarity (Polish labor organization)]]> Labor unions--Poland]]> Poland--History]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Yearke, Don (Photographer, Editor)]]> Battilana, Tony (Director)]]> Case, Hal (Technical Crew)]]> Clemons, Michael (Technical Crew)]]> Elkan, Mike (Technical Crew)]]> Foster, Joseph D. (Technical Crew)]]> Kocic, Mike (Technical Crew)]]> Rusk, Brian (Trip Organizer)]]> Solecki, Richard (Trip Organizer)]]> eng]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Ersing, Rich (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Schlearth, Joseph (Executive Producer)]]> Musial, Chris (Executive Producer)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Vinciguerra, Jerry (Graphic Artist)]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Consulting and Contributing Photographer)]]> Cornwell, Craig (Contributing Photographer)]]> Summerville, Dan (Contributing Photographer)]]> Woodson, Paul (Contributing Photographer)]]> Ivancic, Paul (Contributing Photographer)]]> Baker, Boe (Contributing Photographer)]]> Paszkowsky, Danylo (Contributing Photographer)]]> Phillips, Shane (Contributing Photographer)]]> Dee, Joe (Contributing Photographer)]]> Carroll, John (Contributing Photographer)]]> Root, Kim (Contributing Photographer)]]> Swenson, Scott (Contributing Photographer)]]> Carroll, John (Contributing Photographer)]]> Vogel, Mike (Historical Consultant)]]> Tielman, Tim (Historical Consultant)]]> Blanchard, Tom Jr. (Historical Consultant)]]> Newberg, Rich (Researcher)]]> Ersing, Rich (Researcher)]]> Schlaerth, Joseph (Researcher)]]> Musial, Chris (Researcher)]]> Yeomans, Doug (Musical Performer for "The Stringmen")]]> Perry, Geoffrey (Musical Performer "The Stringmen")]]> eng]]> Communism--Cuba--History]]> Cuba--Economic conditions]]> Cuba--Social conditions]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Yearke, Don (Photographer, Editor)]]> Musial, Chris (Executive Producer)]]> Baxter, Tim (Post-production Editor)]]> Rusk, Brian (Trip Organizer)]]> Solecki, Richard (Trip Organizer)]]> eng]]> McVeigh, Timothy]]> Terrorists--United States--Biography]]> Oklahoma City Federal Building Bombing, Oklahoma City, Okla., 1995.]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Vetter, Tom (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Musial, Chris (Executive Producer)]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Contributing Photographer)]]> Carroll, John (Contributing Photographer)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Van Horn, Mike (Graphic Artist)]]> Baxter, Tim (On-line Editor)]]> Giovenco, Joseph (Director)]]> Clemons, Michael (Technical Director)]]> Benzel, Gary (Audio Engineer)]]> Foster, Joseph D. (Tape Operator)]]> Brown, David (Font Operator)]]> Griswold, Jason (Master Control Operator)]]> eng]]> Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)]]> World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Poland.]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Mombrea Jr., Mike (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Kaufman, Ken (Composer of original score)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Newberg, Lori (Field Assistant)]]> Mombrea, John (Imix Editor)]]> Bacon, Yehuda (Artist, Holocaust Survivor)]]> eng]]> Dougherty, Thomas J. (Thomas John), 1933-2018]]> Cancer--Research--United States]]> Cancer--Treatment--United States]]> Cancer--Research--China]]> Cancer--Treatment--China]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Mombrea Jr., Mike (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Vandivort, Dave (Director)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Christian, Roger (Music Coordinator)]]> Cunningham, Mike (Video Production Editor)]]> Root, Kim (Video Production Editor)]]> Binis, Mike (Audio Engineer)]]> Case, Hal (Technical Staff)]]> Elkan, Mike (Technical Staff)]]> Novelli, John (Technical Staff)]]> Pels, Gordon (Technical Staff)]]> Rozek, Dan (Technical Staff)]]> Walkowski, Brian (Technical Staff)]]> Schneider, Lawrence (Historical Consultant)]]> Nersinger, Janice (Historical Consultant)]]> Bergman, Randy (CBS News Researcher)]]> eng]]> Erie County (N.Y.)--Defenses]]> Niagara County (N.Y.)--Defenses]]> Terrorism--Prevention]]> September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Vetter, Tom (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Musial Chris (Executive Producer)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Ersing, Rich (Contributing Photographer, Editor)]]> Mombrea, John (On-line Editor)]]> Flynn, Lisa (Contributing Reporter)]]> Rice, Marie (Contributing Reporter)]]> Le, Lani (Contributing Reporter)]]> Beauchamp, Steve (Contributing Photographer)]]> Root, Kim (Contributing Photographer)]]> Woodson, Paul (Contributing Photographer)]]> Goldschlag, Dave (Contributing Photographer)]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Contributing Photographer)]]> Swan, Ray (Contributing Photographer)]]> Dawkins, Don (Contributing Photographer)]]> Greene, Terry (Contributing Photographer)]]> Ersing, Matt (Contributing Photographer)]]> Battilana, Tony (Director)]]> Masse, Dave (Audio Engineer)]]> Palmatier, Scott (Videotape Operator)]]> Brown, Dave (Chyron Operator)]]> eng]]> Newberg, Rich]]> Television journalists--United States--Biography]]> Television journalists--New York (State)--Buffalo--Biography]]>
Mr. Newberg’s video memoir is co- produced and edited by his long-time colleague and friend, Mike Mombrea Jr., WIVB-TV’s chief Photographer.]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Mombrea, Mike, Jr. (Producer, Editor)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Artist)]]> Jeromos, Kelly (Director)]]> Mullen, Sara (Special Projects Manager)]]> Morales, David (Contributing Editor)]]> Roy, Josh (Contributing Editor)]]> eng]]> Slepian, Barnett]]> Operation Rescue (Organization)]]> Common Ground (Organization)]]> Pro-choice movement--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Pro-life movement--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Vetter, Tom (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Musial, Chris (Executive Producer)]]> Baxter, Tim (Post-production Editor)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Van Horn, Mike (Graphic Artist)]]> eng]]> Waterfronts--New York (State)--Buffalo--Planning]]> Urban renewal--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Buffalo (N.Y.)--Economic conditions]]> City planning--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Originally aired on WIVB-TV.]]> Newberg, Rich (Producer, Writer, Host)]]> Ersing, Rich (Producer, Photographer, Editor)]]> Moretti, Luke (Investigative Reporter)]]> Schlaerth, Joseph (Executive Producer)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Richert, George (Reporter)]]> Flynn, Lisa (Reporter)]]> Walker, Jacquie (Reporter)]]> Root, Kim (Photographer, Editor)]]> Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Photographer, Editor)]]> Ersing, Matt (Photographer, Editor)]]> Hutchinson, Dave (Contributing Photographer)]]> Swenson, Scott (Contributing Photographer)]]> Dee, Joe (Contributing photographer)]]> Gabalski, Ron (Contributing Photographer)]]> Carroll, John (Contributing Photographer)]]> Ivancic, Paul (Contributing Photographer)]]> Murphy, Kurt (Graphic Arts Director)]]> Vinciguerra, Jerry (Graphic Artist)]]> Tielman, Tim (Historical Consultant)]]> Blanchard, Tom Jr. (Historical Consultant)]]> Goldman, Mark (Historical Consultant)]]> Tobe, Rich (Historical Consultant)]]> Newberg, Rich (Researcher)]]> Ersing, Rich (Researcher)]]> Moretti, Luke (Researcher)]]> Schlaerth, Joe (Researcher)]]> eng]]>