New Leader at ECMC
The Erie County Medical Center has a new leader. Jody Lomeo has been named CEO. He has been serving as interim CEO since the departure of Michael Young who accepted a job in Atlanta over the summer. Lomeo is a former board chairman and has spent 8 years at ECMC. The selection ends a six month national search. Lomeo appeared at news conference Friday morning at the Hospital. Lomeo says he wasn't even a candidate when the search process started. There were four semi-finalists from outside Buffalo. Lomeo was praised by members of the search committee and the County Executive as someone who can lead the hospital into the future. Lomeo is promising citizens there will be changes, but says it will take some time. Lomeo takes over as ECMC and Kaleida Health must merge under the Great Lakes Health System.

Hauptman Scientist Discovers Breast Cancer Breakthrough
A Hauptman-Woodward scientist has discovered what is being considered a breakthrough for a breast cancer cure. Dr. Debashis Ghosh is a senior research scientist and principal investigator at Hauptman and Roswell Park. Ghosh says his lab has been working for some time on a molecule that produce estrogen. He says this can cause breast cancer tumors. His discovery could lead to the creation of new drugs to treat and possibility even prevent of breast cancer. Ghosh's work is featured in this the current edition of the science journal Nature.

Marinelli Continues as Legislature Chair
Lynn Marinelli will head up the Erie County Legislature for another year. County lawmakers voted unanimously Thursday to return Marinelli as Legislature chair. Buffalo Democrat Maria Whyte was re-elected majority leader while Orchard Park Republican John Mills will continue to head up the minority. Marinelli said it's likely to be another tough budget year. Also Thursday, the newest legislator was sworn in. Amherst Republican Raymond Walter succeeds Michael Ranzenhofer, who is now serving in the State Senate.

UB Has $1.7 Billion Economic Impact
A new study finds that the University at Buffalo pumped $1.7 billion into the local and state economy during the 2006-2007 fiscal year. The study was prepared by policy analysts at the UB Regional Institute. For every dollar New York State spends on UB, $4 are generated in economic activity.

Buffalo Zoo Reports Death of Lion
One of the mopst popular animals at the Buffalo Zoo has died. Simba, a 19 year old African lion died Friday morning. Zoo officials say male lions rarely live past 16 years in the wild but can survive longer in captivity. Simba was being treated for age related osteoarthritis for more than a year, but his health continued to decline. Zoo staff made the decision to euthanize the animal. Simba was born at the Buffalo Zoo in 1989.

Albright Knox to Hike Admission
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is increasing the price of admission. Starting January first, adult admission to the gallery will increase from $10 to $12. Seniors and students will continue to pay $8 and children under 12 will be let in free. Albright-Knox Director Louis Grachos blames the increase on rising operating costs. The popular Gusto At The Gallery series will continue, which allows free admission on Friday nights.

Buy Local
A brand new all-local coupon book was unveiled by Buffalo First -- a non-profit organization committed to building the local economy. The book costs $10 and has more than $2,500 in savings. Buffalo First Director Amy Kedron says it's more than just coupons. She says the book is also an educational resource. "Every page of the book has tips on on how to be green and build the local economy by making small changes in consumer habits," Kedron said. Kedron says all 150 businesses in the book are independently owned and unique to Buffalo. She says when consumers shop locally, three times more of their money stays in the local economy. Kedron says this is an important factor in keeping Buffalo strong during the national recession. The book is on sale at 80 retail locations in the Buffalo area. More information is available at Buffalo First.

Buffalo Ends Fiscal Year with Increased Surplus
The City of Buffalo ended the fiscal year with a surplus of nearly $16 million. City Comptroller Andrew San Filippo says final numbers show a third consecutive year of balanced budgets without borrowing assistance from the city's control board. The total fund balance now stands at more than $133 million. The comptroller says that's good news given the shape of the state economy and likely cutbacks in aid to cities like Buffalo. San Filippo credits Brown administration policies and the role the control board has played in getting the city back on solid fiscal ground. But he says the positive results show it may be time for the control board to downshift to an advisory role, rather than the "hard" board that is now in place.

UB 20/20 Tops Regional Agenda
Expansion of the University at Buffalo leads the regional agenda prepared by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. The U-B 20/20 plan calls for expanding the upgrading the school, increasing student enrollment by 10,000 and adding another 2,500 faculty and staff. This is the eighth-year the Partnership, the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and Erie and Niagara counties have listed priorities for the region which will be pushed in Washington and Albany. Rudnick says the agenda is being released almost two-months earlier than usual because New York's budget is being released in just a few weeks. Mayor Brown says the goals in the agenda are for the entire region. The regional agenda seeks nearly $250-million in funding for various projects in Erie and Niagara counties.

Quicker Border Travel at Inspection Plaza
New technology is now in place at Western New York border crossings. It is called Radio Frequency Identification technology. It works with new travel documents to make the borders more secure and efficient. By June 1st, citizens crossing the border into Canada will be required to use a passport card, enhanced drivers license or traditional passport. New passport cards or an enhanced New York State drivers license will allow quicker travel through the customs plaza.

UB Plans Shifts Medical School Downtown, South Campus to House Professional Schools
The University at Buffalo is unveiling its draft plan for redesigning its three campuses. Details are being presented at a day-long forum in Harriman Hall on the South Campus. The ambitious plan calls for moving the UB Medical School to the new downtown campus. UB President John Simpson says the South Campus would become a center of professional education in various disciplines, including Law, Social Work and Architecture. The parking lots along Main Street on the South Campus would be replaced by green space,and a new amphitheater would be tucked into the escarpment on the Main Street lawn. Multi-story ramps would be built for parking. The North Campus is envisioned as the "academic heart" of the university. Transportation improvements would be made, including what's described as a high-capacity transit service, linking downtown Buffalo with Amherst.