Good morning, Buffalo.

The Buffalo Bills invested over $4 million in local community initiatives over the past year, though some oversight group members say much of that spending was in-kind support — a point they believe could be improved to better benefit residents.

WUFO is holding its annual back-to-school backpack giveaway on Wednesday, Aug.

19 at 5 p.m. at 161 Vermont Street in Buffalo, where over 300 families will receive backpacks filled with school supplies along with music, food, and free haircuts (a community gathering to ease rising supply costs).

Otto will host its first Freedom Fest on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

Visitors will enjoy food, music, family activities & fireworks on Main Street with donated flags honoring local military families.

SUNY Reconnect now expands free tuition programs in high-demand fields including emergency management and aviation for New Yorkers ages 25-55 at local community colleges, with nursing scholarships now for college grads and $12.5 million state funding (Dr. King says enrollment remains open for the upcoming semester).

University at Buffalo President Caroline Attardo Genco is meeting with students, faculty & staff today to learn about campus life, and she plans to gather feedback as she settles into her new role.

The NYSDEC and EPA expanded radiological assessments into Erie County’s southtowns starting Tuesday after measurements prompted deeper testing.

The agencies will hold drop-in sessions at Niagara Falls Convention Center on Thursday, Aug. 20, and at Lewiston Library on Monday, Aug. 24.

Murky water at Buffalo’s outer harbor is due to a 14.8 million dollar project turning Slip Three into a coastal wetland using dredged sediment.

Funded by the EPA + the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, sediment placement will repeat every two years until around 2034 when planting begins.

Erie County Sheriff's Lt. Jeremy Lehning advised local motorists to plan for heavy traffic and limited parking during Bills practice on Tuesday.

Investigators from the DEC and EPA will soon contact homeowners in nine Erie County towns for surveys of possible radioactive contamination.

County Executive Mark Poloncarz said screenings in Grand Island have come in clean — officials will update residents if any concerning results emerge.

A study from The Action Network found that a Bills game at Highmark Stadium is now the NFL’s most expensive venue for a family, with costs averaging $2,193.95 for bundled tickets, food, and parking.

Prices jumped 21% since last year—fueled by new personal seat licenses and high parking fees.

Over 41,000 Bills fans attended an open practice at the new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday as the team prepared for its preseason game on Aug.

27 and regular season opener on Sept. 17.

Highmark Stadium's new grass field held up during Saturday's preseason win despite showing signs of wear due to immature roots.

Bills officials said the field will improve as further tests and adjustments are planned with upcoming practice and seasonal changes.

On Saturday, Bills fans cheered during the Return of the Blue & Red practice as they got their first look at the new $2.2 billion Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.