City Hall Reporter for The Buffalo News. If I’m not at work or home I’m probably at an ice rink.https://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mkq4ujsoic2nFantastic reporting from my colleague @aaronbesecker.bsky.social [contains quote post or other embedded content]30 Apr 2026 17:22 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkq4ujsoic2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mklbqoejw22oMayor Sean Ryan's pick to lead the Buffalo Police Department, Erika Shields, has been confirmed by the Common Council in a 5-4 vote.28 Apr 2026 19:06 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mklbqoejw22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mjmmpoc3l22dMayor Sean Ryan's first budget proposal is out. My latest: [contains quote post or other embedded content]16 Apr 2026 14:30 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjmmpoc3l22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mjk4oeijqc2dBudget day is here. Check out my primer on how the city got so deep in the hole and what to expect going forward. [contains quote post or other embedded content]15 Apr 2026 14:37 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjk4oeijqc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mjhljlhxzs2dMy latest: [contains quote post or other embedded content]14 Apr 2026 14:25 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjhljlhxzs2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mime3ta66c2gOptions for community fish fries, a Buffalo tradition, are dwindling. by @chessabond.bsky.social https://buffalonews.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/article_c1258dbe-2e86-4eae-b9af-b006b8b31cc9.html03 Apr 2026 18:30 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mime3ta66c2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mijkx3gpzk2gErie Basin Marina lawsuit against the city has been dismissed. My latest: https://buffalonews.com/news/local/government-politics/article_a92d2fbf-48ca-4810-9fb8-529dd9f996f1.html#tracking-source=home-top-story02 Apr 2026 15:55 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mijkx3gpzk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3miheezysqk2gState lawmakers have pushed the state budget back by at least a week, complicating the City of Buffalo's budget process. by @robertgavinbn.bsky.social https://buffalonews.com/news/local/article_74af2a88-03f3-4258-9f3e-afa161b49515.html#tracking-source=home-top-story01 Apr 2026 18:52 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3miheezysqk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mic5beprok2gBuffalo Common Council members think Mayor Sean Ryan's 25% property tax levy increase is too high for residents to absorb in one year. But they also don't see a lot of room for cuts. My latest: https://buffalonews.com/news/local/government-politics/article_17c1b6c7-a077-4943-91c0-e4d2727dde2b.html#tracking-source=home-top-story30 Mar 2026 17:01 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mic5beprok2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mhvol6yumc2gICYMI: Buffalo Police's Internal Affairs division found an officer responding to the D.J. Granville crashes had "selective recall" in giving them statements about the incident, according to documents. by @aaronbesecker.bsky.social https://buffalonews.com/news/local/crime-courts/article_9ccc0d17-1aa6-4828-8cb6-57d3ac167cc3.html25 Mar 2026 18:06 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhvol6yumc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mhsr4tim4k2gMayor Sean Ryan wants to scrap his predecessor's plans to sell city parking ramps. He will need the State Legislature's help. My latest: https://buffalonews.com/news/local/government-politics/article_8acab695-5233-4a08-9b22-5b19529afd50.html24 Mar 2026 14:14 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhsr4tim4k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mhqimi73yk2gMayor Sean Ryan's team is pushing Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature to pass a bill that would allow the city to borrow upwards of $500 million for deficit bonding through the control board. My latest: https://buffalonews.com/news/local/government-politics/article_e9f915b3-dde2-4b4c-8165-6345381347ca.html23 Mar 2026 16:37 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhqimi73yk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mhirmtpljk2xMayor Sean Ryan issues a 60-day moratorium on demolitions as his administration works on a plan to keep housing stock out of the landfill. My latest: https://buffalonews.com/news/local/government-politics/article_fc454c9c-e0e2-4517-ad9a-2d03d023a5b7.html#tracking-source=home-top-story20 Mar 2026 14:56 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhirmtpljk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mhgtfhia722vMayor Sean Ryan plans to propose a 25% increase to the tax levy in this year's budget. My latest: https://buffalonews.com/news/local/government-politics/article_c5fa7b62-b87f-42cd-944b-f263441b9e08.html19 Mar 2026 20:23 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhgtfhia722vhttps://bsky.app/profile/justinsondel.bsky.social/post/3mgxlwu6tos23The Senate includes the $40 million in aid to Buffalo proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, while the Assembly added $16.8 million to that figure, a good sign for Mayor Sean Ryan that it is likely to be included in the state spending plan. [contains quote post or other embedded content]13 Mar 2026 18:59 +0000at://did:plc:pnfa3v4eeora3kha4lw74raq/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgxlwu6tos23