Blog

Organizers of the Park Avenue Summer Stroll in Rochester, New York, have responded to public concerns regarding the absence of the traditional Summer Arts Festival. The festival was discontinued before 2023 primarily due to financial challenges and the retirement of its key promoter in 2020. Feedback from festival-goers indicated that the event had shifted from […]

Over the weekend, Rochester, New York, experienced a surge in violent crime resulting in six homicides, as reported by Mayor Evans and the Rochester Police Department (RPD). The violence began on Friday night when 54-year-old Jose Caraballo was fatally shot during a domestic altercation on Avenue D. The following day, a shooting on Lyell Avenue […]

Opal Lee, often referred to as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” has been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. This accolade comes as recognition of her tireless efforts in activism, particularly her pivotal role in making Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. At 96 years old, Lee’s remarkable […]

Boeing is gearing up for a pivotal moment with the first crewed launch of its Starliner space capsule, scheduled for late Monday evening from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This significant step comes after several setbacks, including previous test flight failures and design flaws. The Starliner’s journey has been marred by issues such as an incorrectly set […]

A few weeks ago, we mentioned there was an issue across a few states having problems with calling 911. Now Verizon customers in Monroe and Ontario Counties were having the same issue over the weekend. The issue has been resolved in Ontario and Monroe Counties. Verizon customers experienced 911 call issues Saturday (rochesterfirst.com)

The documentary “Disco’s Revenge,” directed by Omar Majeed and Peter Mishara, delves into the rich history and enduring impact of disco music. Premiering this week at the Hot Docs Festival in Canada, the film explores the genre’s vilification and revival, using extensive archival footage and interviews with pivotal figures such as Nile Rodgers and Nicky […]

A group of Black Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey, reintroduced the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation, which has been blocked in the Senate in the past, seeks to ban discrimination based on hairstyle or hair […]

After a mild winter with fewer snow days, some school districts in the Rochester area are giving back the unused days by granting additional days off or ending the school year earlier. Brighton students received an extra day off during the April 8 eclipse, and Gates-Chili announced an extra day off on May 23, creating […]

Slum Village is making a comeback with their new album “F.U.N.,” nearly a decade since their last full-length album in 2015. In an interview with BET, members Young RJ and T3 discussed the album and the group’s enduring legacy in hip-hop. The album, described as fun and engaging, aims to bridge generational gaps within the […]

Amazon, Walmart, and Target have recently discontinued sales of weighted infant sleepwear following safety concerns raised by federal regulators and medical experts. These products, such as swaddles and sleep sacks with added weights, have been scrutinized for potentially endangering babies by impeding their movement and breathing. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other safety advocates […]