Buffalo news

• How having a backdoor to the iPhone could aid local investigations

  23-03-2016 23:39 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Members of local law enforcement say not being able to get into iPhones has posed a challenge for local cases, and impeded prosecutions. Now Acting Erie County District Attorney is joining other DA’s across the state to recommend policy changes.
  “To require companies which do business in New York to make their cell phones or their mobile phones accessible, again upon a lawful valid court order” said Michael Flaherty, Acting Erie County District Atto
  
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• Buffalo man pleads guilty to string of burglaries

  23-03-2016 23:09 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Following a string of thefts in Erie County, prosecutors say a Buffalo man has pleaded guilty to the crimes.
  Officials say 41-year-old Carmen Riggs pleaded guilty just months after he was indicted on charges for a string of August burglaries in January. He admitted to three counts of third-degree burglary and a count of third-degree robbery, slightly reduced charges.
  Riggs admitted to burglarizing a Delta Sonic on Aug. 21, a corner store on Aug. 24, Carmen&rsquo
  
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• Joe Garagiola, ex-player turned glib broadcaster, dies at 90

  23-03-2016 22:34 via wivb.com
  
  PHOENIX (AP) — Joe Garagiola, who turned a modest major league catching career into a 57-year run as a popular broadcaster in the sports world and beyond, died Wednesday. He was 90.
  The Arizona Diamondbacks announced his death before their exhibition game against San Francisco, and there were murmurs of shock and sadness at the ballpark. Garagiola had been in ill health in recent years.
  Growing up in the Hill neighborhood of St. Louis not far from future Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, Garagiola
  
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• Buffalo teachers narrowly avoid terrorist attacks in Brussels

  23-03-2016 21:56 via wivb.com
  
  BRUSSELS (WIVB) — Two friends from Buffalo traveling abroad departed a subway in Brussels just minutes before the last explosion ripped through the Belgian capital.
  Daniel Palumbo and Dina Ferraraccio, who teach at the Charter School for Applied for Technologies, say detailed the chaos that ensued after the explosions that left dozens dead, crippling transit in the city. At 8:30 a.m., two explosions crippled the airport, and just an hour later, another explosion tore through a me
  
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• Buffalo couple narrowly avoids terrorist attacks in Brussels

  23-03-2016 21:56 via wivb.com
  
  BRUSSELS (WIVB) — A couple from Buffalo traveling abroad departed a subway in Brussels just minutes before the last explosion ripped through the Belgian capital.
  Daniel Palumbo and Dina Ferraraccio say detailed the chaos that ensued after the explosions that left dozens dead, crippling transit in the city. At 8:30 a.m., two explosions crippled the airport, and just an hour later, another explosion tore through a metro station nearby.
  The couple took a set of flights on their trip
  
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• State Department issues Europe travel alert following terror attacks

  23-03-2016 21:15 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Thinking about taking a summer vacation in Europe? You should know that the State Department has issued a travel alert following the deadly bombings in Brussels.
  “Terrorist groups continue to plan near-term attacks throughout Europe, targeting sporting events, tourist sites, restaurants and transportation,” the State Department warned.
  U.S. citizens are urged to “exercise vigilance” when in public places and on “mass transporta
  
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• Teen father admits to shaking infant son to death

  23-03-2016 21:08 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Following the death of his infant son, a 17-year-old father pleaded guilty on Wednesday to causing the premature death.
  Officials say 17-year-old Michael Fiorentino, of Williamsville, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in front of New York State Supreme Court Justice John Michalski.
  Police have been investigating the death of 2-month-old Bradley Fagan since he died on Oct. 24, later learning the baby was shaken to death. After learning the baby&rsq
  
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• IS trains 400 fighters to attack Europe in wave of bloodshed

  23-03-2016 20:33 via wivb.com
  
  PARIS (AP) — The Islamic State group has trained at least 400 fighters to target Europe in deadly waves of attacks, deploying interlocking terror cells like the ones that struck Brussels and Paris with orders to choose the time, place and method for maximum carnage, The Associated Press has learned.
  The network of agile and semiautonomous cells shows the reach of the extremist group in Europe even as it loses ground in Syria and Iraq. The officials, including European and Iraqi intelligenc
  
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• A-Rod says he plans to retire after 2017 season

  23-03-2016 20:09 via wivb.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez says he plans to retire from baseball after the 2017 season.
  The New York Yankees slugger revealed his intentions Wednesday during an interview with ESPN. His plans were confirmed by spokesman Ron Berkowitz.
  Rodriguez, who returned last season from a one-year drug suspension, has 687 home runs, 75 shy of Barry Bonds’ career record. His 10-year contract with the Yankees runs through 2017.
  Berkowitz says “at the end of the contract he’s going
  
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• Veteran actress Rita Gam dies at age 88

  23-03-2016 19:44 via wivb.com
  
  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rita Gam, who had a lengthy acting career on film, television and stage, has died.
  Publicist Nancy Willen says the actress died in Los Angeles of respiratory failure. She was 88.
  Gam starred with Gregory Peck in 1954’s “Night People” and 1971’s “Shoot Out” and with Jack Palance in 1954’s “Sign of the Pagan” and she also starred in the film “Hannibal,” ”King of Kings” and “No Exit.&rd
  
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• Car and tractor trailer collide, injuring 3 in Sardinia

  23-03-2016 19:31 via wivb.com
  
  SARDINIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — First responders and police rushed to the scene of a serious accident Wednesday afternoon that closed a local road.
  Erie County Sheriff’s Deputies say a car and a tractor trailer collided on Route 16 in Sardinia just before 1:45 p.m., causing the route to be closed from Allen Road to Route 39 for several hours.
  Police are still assessing situation, but have confirmed three people inside the car were extracted and found to have injuries. First respond
  
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• Car and tractor trailer collide, closing Route 16 in Sardinia

  23-03-2016 19:31 via wivb.com
  
  SARDINIA, N.Y. (WIVB) — First responders and police rushed to the scene of a serious accident Wednesday afternoon that closed a local road.
  Erie County Sheriff’s Deputies say a car and a tractor trailer collided on Route 16 in Sardinia just before 1:45 p.m., causing the route to be closed from Allen Road to Route 39.
  Police are still assessing situation, but have confirmed three people inside the car were extracted and found to have injuries. First responders rushed the thr
  
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• Turkey: We deported Brussels attacker to the Netherlands

  23-03-2016 18:21 via wivb.com
  
  BRUSSELS (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says one of the Brussels attackers was caught in Turkey in June and deported to the Netherlands.
  Erdogan says Wednesday that the Belgian authorities released the suspect despite Turkish warnings that he was “a foreign fighter.”
  Erdogan did not name the attacker. He said the man was detained at Turkey’s border with Syria at Gaziantep and that Turkey formally notified Belgian authorities of his deportation on July 14.
  E
  
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• Personal security tips

  23-03-2016 18:07 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The deadly terror attacks in Belgium have left many evaluating their personal safety at home and overseas.
  Former Homeland Security Special Agent Steve MacMartin said you can bolster your personal security by making sure that you’re aware of your surroundings at all times.
  “Everybody’s sense of personal security should be heightened a little bit. You should be aware of what’s going on around you,” MacMartin said.
  For example, if you walk
  
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• Missing Alfred State student located

  23-03-2016 17:51 via wivb.com
  
  ALFRED, N.Y. (WIVB) — University Police located a missing Alfred State College student Wednesday afternoon.
  Matthew Munson, 22, a former football player, was declared missing on Tuesday. Munson, who is from the Wayne County village of Clyde, was last seen on campus the night before he went missing.
  Police described him as 5’10” and 210 lbs. He is a white male with an average build, blue eyes and blond hair.
  It is not clear why Munson disappeared, but police
  
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• UB Bulls football team begins spring practices

  23-03-2016 17:50 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Tuesday marked the first spring practice of the season for the UB Bulls football team. The Bulls will hold 14 sessions before playing the annual spring game on April 23rd.
  For the first time since 2012, Williamsville native Joe Licata is not the Bulls’ starting quarterback. Instead, three signal-callers will compete for the starting job.
  The candidates: Iowa State transfer Grant Rohach, sophomore Chris Merchant and redshirt freshman Tyree Jackson. All thre
  
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• NY sees ‘surge’ in registration before presidential primary

  23-03-2016 17:30 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — More than 20,000 first-time voters have registered with New York state in what state officials are calling an “unprecedented surge” of voter interest ahead of the state’s April 19 presidential primary.
  Nearly 41,000 individuals filed online voter registration applications between March 10th and 20th. The online registration system set a record on Friday with almost 14,000 registration applications received.
  Voters must register by March 25 in order to
  
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• Shareholders overwhelmingly approve of First Niagara-KeyCorp merger

  23-03-2016 17:13 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Shareholders with investments in First Niagara as well as those with investments in KeyCorp overwhelmingly showed their approval of the two companies’ proposed merger following a Monday vote.
  Back in October, it was announced that First Niagara would potentially be bought by Cleveland-based rival KeyCorp, which operates KeyBank locations across the nation. KeyCorp made a $4.1 billion offer for First Niagara.
  The merger would potentially make KeyC
  
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• Rochester woman gets 20 years for role in death of Medina comic collector

  23-03-2016 15:02 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A western New York woman has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in the death of a comic book collector who died of a heart attack shortly after a home invasion and robbery.
  The U.S. Attorney’s office says 31-year-old Arlene Combs of Rochester helped three men who broke into the Medina home of 78-year-old Homer Marciniak in 2010 to steal his comic books. Prosecutors say one robber struck the homeowner in the face, sending him to the hospital for sti
  
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• Seneca Resorts & Casinos holding 10th annual job fair

  23-03-2016 14:51 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Seneca Resorts & Casinos has announced a number of opportunities for anyone looking for employment.
  At their tenth annual Spring Career Job Fair on March 23, managers and representatives will seek to fill positions in a variety of departments. These include full-time, part-time and casual positions in gaming, hotel operations, food, marketing and more.
  Employees receive paid training, medical and dental benefits, holiday pay, tuition reimbursement and
  
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• Deputies accuse Genesee Co. man of illegally possessing 11 weapons, marijuana

  23-03-2016 14:35 via wivb.com
  
  BYRON, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office says a Byron man is facing a slew of criminal weapon possession counts after a search of his residence.
  Gregory Vogt, who is on probation, was found to illegally be in possession of 11 weapons and some marijuana, according to deputies.
  Deputies say the weapons included knives, rifles and a shotgun. Vogt had previously been convicted of a felony, limiting his ability to legally possess weapons.
  In addition to char
  
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• Vans Warped Tour returns to Darien Lake

  23-03-2016 13:36 via wivb.com
  
  DARIEN CENTER, N.Y. (WIVB) — The popular Vans Warped Tour will be back at Darien Lake once again on July 14.
  The Tuesday concert will feature a multitude of bands and stages. Some of the artists featured are Yellowcard, 3OH!3, Good Charlotte and Reel Big Fish.
  Darien Lake will begin letting in attendees at 11 a.m. that day.
  Tickets for the show cost $41.50 and are available online at LiveNation.com or Ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
  Darien Lake also offering concert t
  
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• Jeb Bush endorses Ted Cruz for President

  23-03-2016 12:11 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (WIVB) — Former Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush has endorsed Ted Cruz for president in the 2016 election.
  The endorsement came Wednesday morning, with Bush saying, “Ted is a consistent, principled conservative who has demonstrated the ability to appeal to voters and win primary contests. Washington is broken, and the only way Republicans can hope to win back the White House and put our nation on a better path is to support a nominee who can articulate how conser
  
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• Brussels bombers identified, search ongoing for third

  23-03-2016 11:31 via wivb.com
  
  BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian authorities were searching Wednesday for a top suspect in the country’s deadliest attacks in decades, as the European Union’s capital awoke under guard and with limited public transport after 31 were killed in bombings on the Brussels airport and a subway station.
  Police conducted raids into the night and circulated a photo of three men seen in the airport suspected of involvement in Tuesday’s attacks.
  Belgian state broadcaster RTBF has identified
  
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• Trump and Clinton pad leads in race for party nominations

  23-03-2016 11:13 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — A clash of worldviews is intensifying as the presidential contenders in both parties fight to convince voters they can best protect the nation from a renewed threat of Islamic extremism.
  As the world grappled with a new wave of attacks in Europe, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton traded wins with their chief rivals on Tuesday in primary contests across three Western states. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for blasts in Brussels that left dozens dead and many
  
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• BPS students heading to NYC with Success Looks Like Me program

  23-03-2016 10:27 via wivb.com
  
  CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) – The Success Looks Like Me program is once again sending a local group of students on a trip of a lifetime that could help set them up for a lifetime of success.
  Ten minority male students from across the Buffalo Public Schools system are getting on a plane at Buffalo Niagara International Airport Wednesday morning, to begin a trip to New York City.
  The students have a packed schedule over the next few days, as they explore the GM Cadillac Headquarters and facilit
  
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• Governor Cuomo disappointed in State Senator Marc Panepinto

  23-03-2016 05:30 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- News 4 is working to find out if the NYS Joint Commission on Public Ethics will launch an investigation into State Senator Marc Panepinto.
  Senator Panepinto decided last week not to run for re-election, citing personal reasons.
  The JCOPE met Tuesday and went into executive session for about three hours. Spokesperson Walt McClure said when they came out, they authorized staff to investigate a number of matters. He wouldn’t confirm or deny whether Panepinto is amon
  
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• NFTA phone app can be used to report suspicious activity

  23-03-2016 05:13 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- NFTA is cautioning travelers to keep their eyes and ears alert, despite no immediate threat to our region. The warning comes after terror attacks in Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday.
  “Be aware of your surroundings, anything could happen,” said Douglas Hartmayer, the NFTA spokesperson. “If you see something amiss, and it really looks amiss, bring it to the attention of a law enforcement officer.”
  Hartmayer told News 4 people can also report susp
  
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• Clinton, Trump add to delegate leads with Arizona victories

  23-03-2016 04:29 via wivb.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Under a fresh cloud of overseas violence, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton added to their delegate troves on Tuesday with victories in Arizona as the 2016 presidential contest turned into a clash of would-be commanders in chief.
  Long lines and high interest marked primary elections across Arizona, Utah and Idaho that were largely an afterthought for much of the day as the world grappled with a new wave of bloody attacks in Europe. The Islamic State group claimed responsib
  
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• Terrorism expert: ‘They don’t want our attention. They want our death’

  23-03-2016 03:21 via wivb.com
  
  DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – When Mark Ensalaco woke up to news of another terrorist attack by ISIS, he sadly, wasn’t surprised.
  “My first reaction was what took them so long? We knew this was coming,” he said.
  Ensalaco is the Director of Research at the University of Dayton’s Human Rights Center and has been studying terrorists for years.
  “It’s terrifying. I don’t think Al Qaeda was this well organized,” he said.
  Ensalaco said while these attacks a
  
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• Coping with the reality of terrorism

  23-03-2016 03:19 via wivb.com
  
  HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The reality of terrorism, like the attacks in Belgium, affects all of us. But knowing when to walk away from the wall-to-wall news coverage can ease our anxiety.
  “It has to do with moving away from the information, looking at other pieces of information and then refocusing with what you do have control over, looking at your own life. What can you do to improve your own life, to connect more with your community,” says Child Psychologist Dr. Laura Saunder
  
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• Inmate convicted of assaulting, injuring corrections officers

  23-03-2016 03:06 via wivb.com
  
  ALDEN, N.Y. (WIVB) — A 51-year-old man serving time in the Wende Correctional Facility in Alden will spend more time behind bars after being found guilty of assaulting corrections officers.
  Officials say Elijah Bell, who is serving 12-years-to-life for second-degree assault after stabbing a New York City subway passenger, assaulted corrections officers in Alden with a homemade shank.
  Bell eventually injured two officers before they subdued him, charging him with two counts of second-d
  
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• Larsson scores late, Sabres rally to beat Hurricanes 3-2

  23-03-2016 02:58 via wivb.com
  
  RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Johan Larsson scored with 2:49 left and the Buffalo Sabres rallied to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 on Tuesday night.
  Larsson’s winner came a minute after Evander Kane tied it, and Carlo Colaiacovo also scored to help the Sabres earn their third win in five games.
  Joakim Nordstrom gave the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead with 6:20 remaining. Chris Terry also scored for Carolina, which has lost five straight.
  Chad Johnson stopped 25 shots for the Sabres, while Cam Ward m
  
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• Officials to tear down, rename two miles of Robert Moses Parkway

  23-03-2016 02:30 via wivb.com
  
  NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — A road that cuts the City of Niagara Falls off from its waterfront will be torn from the sky, officials said as they spoke to the public on Tuesday afternoon.
  Governor Andrew Cuomo stood with Congressman Brian Higgins, Mayor Paul Dyster and more as they announced the parkway will be removed from Main Street to Findlay Drive, aiming for easier access to the Niagara River.
  The removal will be costly, with the government expecting to spend $42 million to star
  
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• KeyBank commits to more banking services on the East Side

  23-03-2016 01:11 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A broad coalition of community leaders gathered in a vacant lot across from Buffalo’s oldest black Pentecostal church to announce the dawning of a new day on the East Side:KeyBank committing money and resources to neighborhoods that the “Buffalo Billion” has passed over.
  John Washington of PUSH Buffalo said the partnership between KeyBank and the Buffalo Community Reinvestment Coalition is would do for underserved neighborhoods what Governor Andrew
  
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• Team copes with tragedy amid incredible season

  23-03-2016 01:10 via wivb.com
  
  GENESEO, N.Y. (WIVB) — SUNY Geneseo senior Matthew Hutchinson, or “Hutch” as he was known around campus, excelled on the ice for the Knights until his life was cut short in a violent double-murder suicide in January.
  And though he’s no longer physically a part of this team, his spirit has guided the Knights to what’s been a miraculous season.
  “We’ve banded together and we’re playing good hockey right now,” said men’s hockey coach Chris
  
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• Gov. Cuomo celebrates progress in construction of new UB medicine buildingath

  23-03-2016 01:04 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — New York’s governor came to town on Tuesday to celebrate a major milestone in construction of the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
  Crews raised a steel beam with Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signature on it to the top of the eight-story facility, which should be completed in 2017. When finished, the state of the art facility will bring more than 2,000 students, faculty and staff to downtown Buffalo.
  “Five year
  
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• Gov. Cuomo celebrates progress in construction of new UB medicine building

  23-03-2016 01:04 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — New York’s governor came to town on Tuesday to celebrate a major milestone in construction of the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
  Crews raised a steel beam with Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signature on it to the top of the eight-story facility, which should be completed in 2017. When finished, the state of the art facility will bring more than 2,000 students, faculty and staff to downtown Buffalo.
  “Five year
  
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• Student reacts to terrorist attacks after Brussels trip is canceled

  23-03-2016 00:26 via wivb.com
  
  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) –  News 4 is hearing from a group of Canisius College students who were planning to spend their spring break in Brussels.  News 4 spoke with Makayla Santiago, 23, via Skype Tuesday.She was visibly upset for the people of Belgium,  But also disappointed that this tragedy and these terrorists ruined this trip.
  She said, “Because were all scared we decided that I will not be going.” Santiago booked her flight to Brussels righ
  
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• NY clears way to allowing professional mixed martial arts

  23-03-2016 00:20 via wivb.com
  
  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York’s Assembly voted Tuesday to legalize mixed martial arts, clearing the way for fights late this year and expanding the combat sport into the last state to still prohibit it.
  Gov. Andrew Cuomo supports legalizing the combination of wrestling, kickboxing and judo. The state Senate has already passed the identical measure.
  Critics call MMA too violent and like football and boxing prone to causing concussions and head injuries, but provisions were added to red
  
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