What Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown is doing – and not doing – to avoid a budget crisis

A financial crisis is looming for the city of Buffalo, the city comptroller, Common Council members and the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority are all warning.

In less than 12 months, the city will face a budget deficit of at least $41 million, but it could exceed $55 million.

Mayor Byron W. Brown admits it’s inevitable that the city — which raised its taxes by 7.5 percent this year — will have to raise property taxes again starting next year.

But Brown says he’s not willing to lay off city workers or cut services to residents.

And he says his administration will continue to hire new workers to fill vacancies on its workforce.

Brown is instead counting on Erie County, New York State or the federal government to save Buffalo from this financial crisis.

How should teachers intervene in student fights? In Buffalo, the issue reaches a boiling point: How should teachers intervene in a fight between students? Buffalo School Board President Sharon Belton-Cottman said teachers should do “whatever it takes” to keep students safe. BTF President Rich Nigro explained why teachers are advised not to physically intervene when students are fighting. Learn more

Erie County lawmakers debate granting raises: Erie County lawmakers received a brief presentation Thursday on proposed salary increases for all elected officials in the county. But what most interested lawmakers was the 53 percent pay increase recommended to them. Learn more

As Ellicott Creek Bark Park grows in popularity, efforts are underway to keep it from shrinking: Located in the town of Tonawanda, the dog park is located on Ellicott Creek Island, which has made the park vulnerable to water erosion due to heavy use by dogs and boats, according to Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper. Learn more

The Diocese of Buffalo is recommending the closure of 13 other churches in Erie, Genesee and Wyoming counties: Thirteen churches in eastern Erie County and Genesee and Wyoming counties would be closed under seven parish mergers recommended Wednesday by Buffalo Diocese officials. Learn more

Diocese recommends closing 13 more suburban Erie County churches; in total, 80 to close: The Diocese of Buffalo concluded a series of church closure announcements Thursday by recommending the closure of 13 of 30 Catholic churches in Erie County’s eastern and southern suburbs. Learn more

Don Paul: A good weekend; high confidence for heat from Monday: It will be a wonderful start to the weekend, with afternoon highs reaching the 70s on Saturday, writes Don Paul. Learn more

Six weekly food truck events in Buffalo to try this summer: Food trucks offering a sampling of cuisine from around the world park at various locations throughout the Buffalo area almost every day of the week, often accompanied by live musicians. Learn more

$4 million Graycliff Welcome Center moves forward: The Welcome Center will benefit from a nearly 2,800 square foot addition – a bright and airy lobby that will host rotating exhibits, workshops, lectures, presentations, meetings and special events. Learn more

The Four Seasons cinema is transformed into an automobile parts factory: A proposal by the president of Joe Cecconi’s Chrysler complex in the city of Niagara to turn the vacant Four Seasons movie theater into a wholesale auto parts facility and service center has secured $821,880 in tax breaks from from the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency. Learn more

Flag Day: Threats against journalists and cartoonists abroad should make us stop and think about what our flag represents. See the latest Adam Zyglis cartoon here

The Editorial Board: These Western New Yorkers are leaving their mark on the region and the world: The final words of wisdom come from a woman who has lived a full and very long life gracefully: Brunette Washington, whose credo for living life well includes: “Don’t hate.” Learn more

Minicamp observations: Key takeaways as the Bills finish spring practice: The progress of Keon Coleman, the sharp mechanics of Josh Allen, Chase Claypool and Damar Hamlin are discussed in Mark Gaughan’s concluding observations of the Buffalo Bills minicamp. Learn more

Continuation of the minicamp, projection of the Buffalo Bills 53-player roster: With voluntary spring practices and minicamp now complete, here’s the Buffalo News’ first look at what the team’s 53-man roster could look like ahead of the season opener on Sept. 8 against the Arizona. Learn more

Sabres’ Jiri Kulich named to AHL Top Prospects Team for second straight year: Kulich’s roller coaster season with the Rochester Americans earned the Buffalo Sabers prospect another distinction. The 2022 first-round pick produced 27 goals and 45 points in 57 regular-season games, then added two assists in the Amerks’ North Division semifinal playoff series against the Syracuse Crunch. Learn more

Photos: Runners compete in the 42nd JP Morgan Corporate Challenge Buffalo: Have you participated or know someone who has? Check out this photo gallery from the annual event.

#EveryDayAPhoto: Check out our photo series each morning to see our favorite image of the day.

See more photo galleries here.

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