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CNA Staff, May 21, 2025 / 14:01 pm

A Catholic health care system in New York state has agreed to pay a multimillion-dollar settlement over allegations that it violated federal Medicare reporting laws.

The U.S. attorney’s office for the western district of New York said in a press release that Catholic Health Systems agreed to pay nearly $3.3 million in order to resolve allegations that the network “knowingly submitted or caused to be submitted false claims to the Medicare program” in violation of federal law.

The government had alleged that the Catholic hospital system violated the Stark Law, a federal rule that prohibits health care entities from receiving Medicare payments for services referred by a physician with “a financial relationship to the health care entity.”

The prosecutor’s office claimed that the Catholic health provider “had financial relationships with nonemployee physicians” who “referred health services, such as laboratory testing, hospital services, or medical supplies, to CHS and its affiliated hospitals.”

“The Stark Law is designed to protect Medicare by ensuring that physician referrals are not influenced by financial interest,” U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said in the press release, stating that his office “is committed to holding health care providers accountable who engage in such conduct.”

Though the Catholic medical system will pay more than $3 million over the claims, the payout does not establish the guilt of the hospital, the government said.

“The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability,” the press release stated.

Federal authorities were originally tipped off to the alleged violations by Gary Tucker, a former executive in the Catholic Health Systems network. Under whistleblower provisions, Tucker “will receive a share of the settlement,” the government said.

In a statement provided to CNA, Leonardo Sette-Camara, the general counsel of the hospital system, said: “Defending these types of subjective allegations requires an unsustainable and unacceptable allocation of Catholic Health resources.”

“This investigation was never about the quality of care provided to our patients. By resolving the case now, we can move forward and remain fully focused on delivering the highest standard of care,” he said.

This report was updated on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 3 p.m. with a statement from the hospital.

One UB grad carried his infant across the stage, sparking cheers — and a response from the university.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — It’s the video that’s been viewed more than six million times on TikTok — a University at Buffalo graduate, sprinting across the stage with his infant son in his arms, as the crowd cheers him on.

Jean Paul Al Arab, originally from Lebanon, graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminology. But the moment that’s captured so much attention wasn’t about the diploma. Instead, it was about a promise.

Al Arab said the idea to bring his son on stage started at a pre-commencement prep session, where he said he asked if it would be okay to walk with his baby.

"I asked last semester in a commencement prep session if I could walk with my baby, and they were like, ‘Yeah, no one's gonna tell you no,’" Al Arab said.

But on the day of the ceremony, things changed. Al Arab said he was stopped by event staff, who cited a rule listed on UB’s website that says only graduates are allowed on stage.

"They said it was a safety hazard. They don't want the baby on stage," Al Arab said.

That’s when Al Arab made a decision.

"I won’t walk then. I won't be walking," he said. "And I ran, that's what I did. I had to. I promised him I was gonna walk with him on the stage."

In a statement shared with 2 On Your Side, the University at Buffalo responded with the following comment: "Commencement rules are in place for the safety of all those in attendance and to avoid disruptions in the venue, ensuring each graduate is equally provided with a well-deserved moment to individually cross the stage and be recognized for their outstanding accomplishments at UB."

The university added that Al Arab had apologized in an email to commencement officials the following afternoon.

Still, Al Arab says he has no hard feelings toward UB.

"I have nothing against UB. I love UB. I graduated from UB, I'm getting my master's at UB. It's a great college. I love my professors — everyone."

As for his son, the tiny “graduate” who stole the spotlight, the university added a final note:

"The infant, despite crossing the stage in a cap and gown, has not yet earned enough credits to receive a diploma. We hope to see him back on stage in about 20 years so he can follow in his dad's footsteps."

All but one school budget vote passed in WNY, Oakfield-Alabama's budget vote failed.

Posted 6:28 PM, May 20, 2025

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Western New Yorkers voted on school district budgets Tuesday. 7 News will provide results as they come in.

Albion CSD

PASSED:Yes 231No 48

Alden CSD

PASSED:Yes 559No 174

Alexander CSD

PASSED:Yes 75 No 24

Allegany - Limestone CSD

PASSED: Yes 260No 44

Akron CSD

PASSED: Yes 408No 118

Amherst CSD

PASSED

Andover CSD

PASSED:Yes 87No 43

Barker CSD

PASSED:Yes 213No 207

Belfast Central School

PASSED: Yes 124No 52

Byron Bergen CSD

PASSED: Yes 266 No 90

Cattaraugus - Little Valley Central School

PASSED: Yes 156No 49

Cheektowaga CSD

PASSED: Yes 184No 95

Cheektowaga - Maryvale UFSD

PASSED: Yes 174No 72

Cheektowaga - Sloan UFSD

PASSED:Yes 267No 101

Clarence Central School

PASSED: Yes 989No 203

Cleveland Hill UFSD

PASSED:Yes 142No 42

Clymer CSD

PASSED: Yes 196No 79

Depew UFSD

PASSED:Yes 235No 88

Dunkirk City School District

PASSED:Yes 159No 78

East Aurora UFSD

PASSED:Yes 952No 461

Elba CSD

PASSED Yes 94No 17

Falconer CSD

PASSED Yes 110 No 7

Fillmore Central School

PASSED:Yes 100No 29

Franklinville CSD

PASSED: Yes 199No 72

Friendship CSD

PASSED:Yes 64No 13

Frontier CSD

PASSED: Yes 827No 368

Genesee Valley Central School

PASSED: Yes 236No 66

Geneseo CSD

PASSED:Yes 415No 78

Gowanda CSD

PASSED:Yes 77No 23

Grand Island CSD

PASSED

Hamburg CSD

PASSED: Yes 1,212No 328

Hinsdale CSD

PASSED:Yes 74No 56

Holland CSD

PASSED:Yes 267No 82

Holley CSD

PASSED: Yes 260No 88

Iroquois CSD

PASSED: Yes 862No 285

Kendall CSDPASSED: Yes 175No 61

Kenmore - Town of Tonawanda UFSD

PASSED:Yes 994No 247

Lackawanna City School District

PASSED

Lake Shore Central School

PASSED:Yes 376No 130

Lancaster CSD

PASSED:Yes 1,164No 463

Le Roy CSD

PASSED:Yes 275No 92

Letchworth Central School

PASSED:Yes 173No 43

Lewiston - Porter CSD

PASSED: Yes 532No 159

Lockport - City School District

PASSED: Yes 723No 259

Lyndonville CSD

PASSED:Yes 216No 103

Newfane CSD

PASSED:Yes 258No 116

Niagara Falls City School District

PASSED: Yes 1,281No 257

North Collins CSD

PASSED:Yes 144No 38

Oakfield-Alabama CSD

FAILED:No 198Yes 171

Orchard Park CSD

PASSED:Yes 1,136No 248

Panama Central School

PASSED:Yes 152No 34

Pine Valley CSD

PASSED:Yes 130No 43

Pioneer CSD

PASSED: Yes 408No 192

Portville Central School

PASSED: Yes 174No 20

Randolph Central School

PASSED:Yes 170No 28

Royalton - Hartland CSD

PASSED:Yes 156No 38

Salamanca City CSD

PASSED:Yes 182No 21

Scio Central School

PASSED:Yes 69No 46

Sherman Central School

PASSED: Yes 227No 85

Silver Creek CSD

PASSED: Yes 228No 74

Southwestern CSD

PASSED: Yes 217No 64

Springville - Griffith Institute CSD

PASSED: Yes 364No 121

Starpoint CSD

PASSED:Yes 510No 213

Sweet Home CSD

PASSED:Yes 790No 223

Tonawanda City School District

PASSED:Yes 287 No 99

Warsaw CSD

PASSED:Yes 131No 92

Wellsville CSD

PASSED: Yes 400No 158

West Seneca CSD

PASSED: Yes 1,583No 626

Whitesville CSD

PASSED:Yes 55No 48

Williamsville CSD

PASSED:Yes 1882No 593

Wilson CSD

PASSED: Yes 203No 83

Wyoming CSD

PASSED: Yes 71 No 34

Copyright 2025 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Caregivers at five Western New York nursing homes begin a strike over wages and staffing.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — After failing to reach an agreement with Nursing Home managers before Tuesday, May 20 at 6 a.m., caregivers at five Western New York nursing homes have now gone on strike.

Workers are on strike at Absolut Care of Gasport, Elderwood at Lockport, Elderwood at Williamsville, Garden Gate Manor in Cheektowaga and North Gate Manor in North Tonawanda.

The union has also filed charges against Absolut Care of Aurora Park and Absolut Care of Allegany, alleging bad faith bargaining.

Workers say they are on the picket line fighting for better wages, more staffing and better health insurance. They say they are prepared to strike every day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Tuesday May.27.

"We're sticking together, and I hope that we are able to show them we mean what we say, and we're going to do what we have to do to stay strong and get what we need," said Renee Vernon, who's been a nurse at Garden Gate Manor for 29 years.

She said, "We fought for a few weeks now for fair wages benefits other a bunch of other homes have settled were fighting for scraps at this point all we want is respect and appreciation we sat down yesterday hoping to get somewhere and unfortunately they don't wanna budge."

The McGuire Group, which oversees operations at Garden Gate Health Care Facility, Northgate Health Care Facility and Absolut Care of Gasport issued this statement.

"Today, members of 1199SEIU initiated a strike at three of our facilities, Garden Gate Health Care Facility, Northgate Health Care Facility, and Absolut Care of Gasport. We want to reassure our residents, their families, and the broader community that we are fully prepared and committed to maintaining the highest standards of care during this time.

Staffing levels remain strong and stable. Our team has proactively implemented staffing plans that leverage our dedicated non-union nursing staff, as well as experienced personnel from our other facilities across Western New York and throughout the state.

Our residents' well-being remains our top priority. As negotiations continue, we are looking forward to reaching an agreement with 1199SEIU — one that fairly recognizes the dedication of our employees while maintaining the financial sustainability required to continue our mission of delivering high-quality, person-centered care.

We thank our staff, residents, and families for their support and understanding during this period."

The Buffalo Bills are getting the Hallmark holiday treatment this season as they huddle up with an ’80s heartthrob for a new Christmas movie set in Upstate New York.

The MVPs of seasonal rom-coms have announced their starting lineup for “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story," which features “Who’s the Boss?” and “Taxi,” star Tony Danza. The film will premiere in the Hallmark Channel’s 16th annual Countdown to Christmas.

Also joining the cast is fellow ’80s sitcom star Tracy Pollan, known for playing Ellen Reed, Alex P. Keaton’s love interest on “Family Ties." Pollan has been married to her former co-star, Michael J. Fox, since 1988.

Rounding out the Hollywood cast are Holland Roden (“Teen Wolf”,) Matthew Daddario (“Shadowhunters”,) Caroline Aaron (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”,) Steve Schirripa (“The Sopranos”) and Broadway star Patti Murin.

The movie recently cast Buffalo locals as extras, and is filming in the Western New York area during May and June.

The film also features an all-star roster of real-life Bills figures, including head coach Sean McDermott and players Ray Davis, Damar Hamlin, Dion Dawkins, Dawson Knox, Reid Ferguson, DeWayne Carter and Joshua Palmer.

Bills legend Jim Kelly is also in the mix and will be joined by former teammates and other sideline staples.

In the movie, Roden and Daddario star as Morgan and Gabe, two lifelong Buffalo neighbors and die-hard Bills fans. As they search for an anonymous gifter who once helped Morgan’s family, the best friends find something more, with a little help from the Bills and a whole lot of holiday spirit.

Production begins today in the "City of Good Neighbors," at locations throughout the region including Highmark Stadium and Oishei Children’s Hospital.

“Holiday Touchdown” is the second Hallmark movies in partnership between Hallmark Media, the NFL, and Skydance Sports. It’s also one of two holiday movies filming in Buffalo this year. “Saved By the Bell” and “Access Hollywood” star Mario Lopez was recently seen filming in Tonawanda for a separate Hallmark Channel project titled “Newport Christmas.”