Binghamton City Council – BROOME COUNTY NEWSWIRE ON MYBROOME.COM

MYBROOME NOW Wednesday, July 29, 2026

From the MyBroome News Team

WORLD NOW by NewsXR

U.S. and Saudi Strike Iran-Backed Forces in Iraq as White House Hosts High-Stakes Diplomacy U.S. Central Command and Saudi Arabian armed forces carried out joint precision airstrikes across eastern Iraq targeting Iran-aligned militant positions. The strikes came in direct response to over 30 drone attacks directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against U.S. military positions and regional energy infrastructure over the preceding 72 hours.

The military action coincides with escalating naval friction in the Strait of Hormuz, where the IRGC Navy reported intercepting three oil tankers over alleged transit violations. Simultaneously, Tehran announced that vessels accepting compensation from frozen Iranian assets would be barred from navigating the strategic waterway.

Against the backdrop of regional escalation, President Donald Trump hosted back-to-back White House meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Zelenskyy offered Ukraine’s operational expertise in countering Iranian- and Russian-manufactured drones in exchange for expanded U.S. Patriot air defense system deployments. Following Capitol Hill briefings, the U.S. Senate advanced a bipartisan sanctions package against Moscow by an 86-to-12 margin.

Global Headlines

West Bank Tensions: UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a sharp condemnation following Israeli settler attacks, including arson at two mosques in the West Bank. Humanitarian relief organizations have been forced to shift to remote services due to escalating movement restrictions.
Seismic Activity in Japan: A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck southwestern Japan, triggering localized coastal warnings and leaving several casualties and structural damage across affected prefectures.
European Wildfire Emergency: Fast-moving wildfires fueled by extreme heat forced over 330,000 residents and tourists to evacuate regions surrounding Bordeaux, France, and areas west of Madrid, Spain. Spain declared a national emergency as EU member states deployed firefighting aircraft.
Monsoon Flooding in South Asia: Heavy monsoon flooding in Assam, India, has impacted over 1.14 million residents and claimed 68 lives, prompting emergency military deployment for disaster relief.

LOCAL NEWS NOW

City Council Battles Over Surveillance Cameras while River Encampment Clearings Continue The Binghamton City Council hosts a crucial formal public comment session tonight regarding proposed legislation to cancel the city’s contract for automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras with Flock Safety. Supporters argue the camera network provides essential intelligence to assist police in solving violent crimes and vehicle thefts, while privacy advocates and community organizers raise persistent concerns regarding data retention, third-party sharing, and civil liberties.

The legislative clash comes as Binghamton Public Works crews, supported by police details and county outreach workers, executed clearings of unhoused encampments along the Susquehanna River near Conklin Avenue and the Washington Street Bridge. Workers loaded trucks with debris, tents, and abandoned personal property following public safety complaints regarding riverfront conditions.

Standoff Over State Immigration Mandate Moves Toward Federal Courts The constitutional showdown between Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar and Albany leadership continues to build toward the state’s August 25 deadline. Under the newly enacted Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James are requiring local law enforcement agencies to sever 287(g) agreements with federal immigration authorities.

Sheriff Akshar’s firm refusal to yield local correctional authority or release dangerous offenders has positioned Broome County at the center of a statewide legal debate over the Tenth Amendment, anti-commandeering principles, and federal supremacy under the U.S. Constitution.

State Social Media Algorithm Rules Take Effect New York State has officially implemented new enforcement rules under the SAFE for Kids Act. The legislation places strict regulatory limits on addictive algorithmic feeds and late-night notification features targeted at minors on social media platforms operating within the state.

Emergency Federal Relief Opening for Local Fruit Growers Following Governor Hochul’s USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation covering 32 New York counties, Southern Tier fruit growers affected by spring hard freezes and severe weather—which caused over $30 million in crop losses statewide—can now apply for low-interest emergency federal loans.

PUBLIC SAFETY NOW

North Side Fire Investigation Leads to Attempted Murder Charge A Binghamton man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly setting fire to an occupied multi-family house at 16 Emmett Street on the city’s North Side. Neighbors spotted heavy smoke and flames pouring from the first floor of the two-story wooden structure early Monday. Responding firefighters rescued a dog from a second-floor window and multiple cats from the interior. Between eight and ten residents were displaced by the blaze.

Tractor-Trailer Rollover Forces Hours-Long Closure of Interstate 81 A Pennsylvania truck driver was cited following a jackknife and rollover crash that shut down northbound lanes of Interstate 81 near mile marker 22.1 in the Town of Barker. The crash forced state police to detour heavy interstate traffic through the Village of Whitney Point, causing significant local gridlock before lanes were cleared.

Endwell Shooting Probe Underway State Police continue investigating a mid-day shooting incident in front of Lupo’s Char Pit on East Main Street in Endwell. Investigators recovered shell casings in the roadway between North Street and Moore Avenue after witnesses reported hearing three to four gunshots fired near a retail plaza.

Doubleday Street Stabbing Arraignment Dominic L. Rought, 23, of Binghamton, remains held without bail at the Broome County Correctional Facility following his arraignment in Binghamton City Court on charges of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree tied to a four-time stabbing on Doubleday Street.

Lisle Search Warrant Yields Meth and High-Capacity Rifle Mag Kyle S. Dixon, 38, faces felony charges including Second-Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Third-Degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon after the Broome County SIU Task Force executed a search warrant on Watts Road in Lisle, seizing 84.4 grams of methamphetamine and a high-capacity rifle magazine.

Felony Drug Traffic Stop in Kirkwood Rayner A. Casilla, 30, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, was remanded following a Broome County Sheriff’s Office traffic stop on I-81 in Kirkwood that led to three felony counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell.

Court Actions of Interest

Federal Drug Indictment: Robert Scott, 60, of Binghamton, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine, facing up to 40 years in federal prison if convicted.
Child Exploitation Prosecution: Thomas Murray, 24, of Binghamton, faces a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison following a federal indictment for distribution of child pornography.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Editor’s Note: NewsXR generally releases only a first name and city or town for misdemeanor cases, violations and quality-of-life offenses. We reserve the right to weigh additional factors on a case-by-case basis, including public safety, repeat conduct, official charging level, community impact and the public’s right to know.

WEATHER NOW from NewsXR

Heavy Downpours and Active Severe Thunderstorms Target the Region The Southern Tier faces an unsettled, humid day with heavy rain and active thunderstorms likely throughout Wednesday. Flash flooding in low-lying spots and localized wind damage remain risks given saturated soil conditions from earlier storm tracks.

Today (Wednesday): Heavy rain and active thunderstorms, high 72°F / low 64°F, 90% chance of precipitation.
Thursday: Partly cloudy with a spotty afternoon shower, high 75°F / low 61°F, 50% rain chance.
Friday: Clearing skies and pleasant summer sunshine, high 81°F / low 62°F, 20% rain chance.
Saturday: Mostly sunny and warm, high 83°F / low 63°F.

Weather 100 Years Ago Today On July 29, 1926, the Southern Tier enjoyed a warm, clear midsummer day. Official Binghamton station records logged a high of 84°F, a crisp morning low of 54°F, and 0.00 inches of rainfall, giving local farm crews clear conditions for late-July hay harvesting.

SPORTS NOW from NewsXR

Rumble Ponies Host Portland Sea Dogs at Mirabito Stadium The Binghamton Rumble Ponies continue their Eastern League homestand tonight against the Portland Sea Dogs at Mirabito Stadium, with first pitch set for 6:35 PM. Top New York Mets prospects continue drawing regional fans as the club pushes for position in the Northeast Division.

DICK’S Open Preparations Accelerate Course crews and tournament officials at En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott are finalizing grandstand construction, volunteer scheduling, and spectator logistics as the PGA Tour Champions DICK’S Open approaches.

PGCBL Playoff Race The Oneonta Outlaws enter a crucial final stretch of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League regular season tonight at historic Damaschke Field as East Division playoff seeding tightens.

Section IV Football Summer Workouts High school football programs across Section IV—including perennial powers Tioga Central, Chenango Forks, and Maine-Endwell—are conducting voluntary summer passing academies and conditioning sessions ahead of mandatory fall practices beginning August 17.

EVENTS NOW

151st Broome County Fair Underway in Whitney Point Day 2 of the 151st Broome County Fair is active at the Whitney Point Fairgrounds. Today’s highlights include 4-H animal showcases (featuring the Cavy & Rabbit Show), midway rides, agricultural exhibits, demolition derby preparations, and regional food stands. Fairgrounds open at 9:00 AM.

Happy Together Tour Hits Veterans Memorial Arena Tonight Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in downtown Binghamton hosts the Happy Together Tour tonight at 7:30 PM, featuring classic 1960s and 70s acts including The Association, The Troggs, Jason Scheff of Chicago, Gary Puckett, The Fortunes, Ron Dante, The Vogues, and The Cowsills.

This Week’s Local Calendar

TCRC Track Meet #4: Tonight at Vestal High School’s Dick Hoover Stadium. Open registration starts at 5:30 PM ($5 non-member fee).
WSKG Silent Reading Party: Tonight at HomePLUS in Oakdale Commons, Johnson City, from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Live Music at McGirk’s: Rick Hine performs live tonight at McGirk’s Irish Pub in Chenango Bridge at 7:00 PM.
Discovery Center Wonder Labs: Interactive youth science sessions held today at 10:45 AM and 1:30 PM at 60 Morgan Road, Binghamton.

Now Playing in Regional Theaters Regal Binghamton, AMC Vestal Town Square 9, and the Tioga Theater in Owego feature weekend and weekday slates including The Odyssey, Moana, Minions & Monsters, Toy Story 5, Hadestown: The Musical, Young Washington, and Motor City.

COMMUNITY NOW

Broome County Land Bank Completes Southside Affordable Home Rehabilitation The Broome County Land Bank Corporation has officially announced the completion of its first fully renovated residential property of 2026, located at 27 Columbia Avenue on the Southside of Binghamton. Executive Director Robert O’Donnell was joined by Land Bank Board Chairman Aaron Martin, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, and local officials to unveil the completed single-family home rehabilitation.

Funded through a City of Binghamton American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant alongside Broome County government partnership, the project marks the seventh completed home under the Affordable Homes Program. The initiative targets blighted properties for full rehabilitation to provide safe, move-in-ready homeownership opportunities for income-qualified families. The Land Bank and the City of Binghamton plan to complete 10 to 12 single- and two-family home rehabilitations across local neighborhoods under the ongoing municipal funding partnership.

MyBroome™ Then – 100 Years Ago Today in Broome County

Court House Square Renovation Proposals Reports in The Binghamton Press detailed municipal discussions regarding upgraded pedestrian lighting and stone walkway repair around Court House Square in downtown Binghamton to accommodate growing summer foot traffic.

Rail Freight Traffic Surges Through Binghamton Yards Erie Railroad dispatchers reported heavy freight movement through the Binghamton yards, with coal trains heading north and regional agricultural shipments bound for Atlantic ports.

Summer Dairy Production Peaks across Southern Tier Regional agricultural cooperatives reported peak summer milk production across Broome and Chenango counties, with daily iced rail shipments dispatched to New York City markets.

Endicott-Johnson Summer Outings Endicott-Johnson shoe factories operated on full summer production schedules while announcing employee family picnic dates at EJ Victory Park and George F. Johnson Park.

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MYBROOME NOW – Wednesday, July 29, 2026