Aaron Besecker
@aaronbesecker.bsky.social
Reporter, The Buffalo News - public safety and breaking news. VP of @buffaloguild.bsky.social
• abesecker[at]buffnews[dot]com
• Signal: @AaronBesecker.01
https://buffalonews.com/users/profile/aaron%20besecker/
• abesecker[at]buffnews[dot]com
• Signal: @AaronBesecker.01
https://buffalonews.com/users/profile/aaron%20besecker/
Pinned
"He was wailing. I never heard anything like that," Rojas said. "He said, 'Would you please take care of my kids?' I told him, 'Until the day I die; it's not even a question,' " Rojas said. buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Cousin of Buffalo family devastated by fire asks for 'prayers first' as he rallies community support
A relative of the family that lost two children in a fire Saturday morning said both parents remain hospitalized and one of the family's five children remains in serious condition after suffering burn...
buffalonews.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:45 PM
"He was wailing. I never heard anything like that," Rojas said. "He said, 'Would you please take care of my kids?' I told him, 'Until the day I die; it's not even a question,' " Rojas said. buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Aaron Besecker
Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino tries to blame the rise of measles cases in the U.S. on “illegal aliens,” an extremely common strategy among fascists historically.
November 30, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino tries to blame the rise of measles cases in the U.S. on “illegal aliens,” an extremely common strategy among fascists historically.
Frank LoTempio Jr., 83, colorful attorney whose friends ranged from janitors to judges buffalonews.com/obituaries/f...
Frank LoTempio Jr., 83, colorful attorney whose friends ranged from janitors to judges
Nov. 11, 1942 – Nov. 25, 2025
buffalonews.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Frank LoTempio Jr., 83, colorful attorney whose friends ranged from janitors to judges buffalonews.com/obituaries/f...
Reposted by Aaron Besecker
$1.6bln: The amount of his fraud scheme
7: Years of his sentence
10,000: Victims of his fraud
1,000: Letters from victims to the court
13: Days he served
1: Pardon from Trump
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...
7: Years of his sentence
10,000: Victims of his fraud
1,000: Letters from victims to the court
13: Days he served
1: Pardon from Trump
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...
Trump Frees Fraudster Just Days Into Seven-Year Prison Sentence
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM
$1.6bln: The amount of his fraud scheme
7: Years of his sentence
10,000: Victims of his fraud
1,000: Letters from victims to the court
13: Days he served
1: Pardon from Trump
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...
7: Years of his sentence
10,000: Victims of his fraud
1,000: Letters from victims to the court
13: Days he served
1: Pardon from Trump
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/u...
Reposted by Aaron Besecker
Five-byline alert: 🚨
“.. the full scope of [Witkoff’s talks] went much further, according to people familiar .. They were privately charting a path to bring Russia’s $2 trillion economy in from the cold—with American businesses first in line .. to the dividends. 🇺🇦
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
“.. the full scope of [Witkoff’s talks] went much further, according to people familiar .. They were privately charting a path to bring Russia’s $2 trillion economy in from the cold—with American businesses first in line .. to the dividends. 🇺🇦
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
November 29, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Five-byline alert: 🚨
“.. the full scope of [Witkoff’s talks] went much further, according to people familiar .. They were privately charting a path to bring Russia’s $2 trillion economy in from the cold—with American businesses first in line .. to the dividends. 🇺🇦
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
“.. the full scope of [Witkoff’s talks] went much further, according to people familiar .. They were privately charting a path to bring Russia’s $2 trillion economy in from the cold—with American businesses first in line .. to the dividends. 🇺🇦
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Reposted by Aaron Besecker
Extraordinary WSJ reporting today that unveils the extent to which Trump, Witkoff, Kushner and US business executives are salivating over business deals with Russia while Putin’s forces kidnap Ukranian children and bomb civilians in their apartments.
🎁 www.wsj.com/world/russia...
🎁 www.wsj.com/world/russia...
November 29, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Extraordinary WSJ reporting today that unveils the extent to which Trump, Witkoff, Kushner and US business executives are salivating over business deals with Russia while Putin’s forces kidnap Ukranian children and bomb civilians in their apartments.
🎁 www.wsj.com/world/russia...
🎁 www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Reposted by Aaron Besecker
Trump keeps saying wildly inappropriate things to journalists but I’m sure he’s totally fine
“You’re a stupid person” — Trump lashes out at a reporter who presses him on the fact that the suspected DC shooter was actually thoroughly vetted before he was let in the US from Afghanistan
November 28, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Trump keeps saying wildly inappropriate things to journalists but I’m sure he’s totally fine
10 years after start of Molly's Pub lawsuits, Common Council to consider proposed settlements buffalonews.com/news/local/c...
10 years after start of Molly's Pub lawsuits, Council to consider proposed settlements
Buffalo's Common Council will consider settling two lawsuits related to the death of an Air National Guardsmen at Molly's Pub in 2014.
buffalonews.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:28 PM
10 years after start of Molly's Pub lawsuits, Common Council to consider proposed settlements buffalonews.com/news/local/c...
14-year-old faces felony charges after stolen car hits 6 vehicles in North Tonawanda buffalonews.com/news/local/c...
14-year-old faces felony charges after stolen car hits 6 vehicles in North Tonawanda
The Kenmore teen is being charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangerment, police said in a news release.
buffalonews.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:49 PM
14-year-old faces felony charges after stolen car hits 6 vehicles in North Tonawanda buffalonews.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Aaron Besecker
Trump responds to a detailed report about his waning energy and propensity to sleep through on-camera events by calling the New York Times's Katie Rogers ugly
November 26, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Trump responds to a detailed report about his waning energy and propensity to sleep through on-camera events by calling the New York Times's Katie Rogers ugly
Here comes a winter storm: Strong wind gusts across WNY; snowfall amounts will vary buffalonews.com/news/local/w...
Here comes a winter storm: Strong wind gusts across WNY; snowfall amounts will vary
The lake-effect snow will start out as rain, and the heaviest snow amounts will be further south, the National Weather Service said.
buffalonews.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Here comes a winter storm: Strong wind gusts across WNY; snowfall amounts will vary buffalonews.com/news/local/w...
Reposted by Aaron Besecker
The BBC is now so fearful of Trump that it edited a statement of opinion about Trump out of the broadcast of a speech by a respected historian. It is a measure of how dangerously pliant much of the press has become in the face of Trump's threats.
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Trump’s Fury at BBC Gets Unnerving Results with Pro-MAGA Edit Stunner
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:53 PM
The BBC is now so fearful of Trump that it edited a statement of opinion about Trump out of the broadcast of a speech by a respected historian. It is a measure of how dangerously pliant much of the press has become in the face of Trump's threats.
Reposted by Aaron Besecker
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg
November 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
State Supreme Court Justice Emilio Colaiacovo said it was "almost as if" police "were targeting this individual" because of his political beliefs.
Judge questions why UB student's political beliefs included in application to seize guns buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Judge questions why UB student's political beliefs included in application to seize guns buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Judge questions why UB student's political beliefs included in application to seize guns
Questioning the actions of University at Buffalo police, the judge said it was "almost as if" they "were targeting this individual" because of his political beliefs.
buffalonews.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:31 PM
State Supreme Court Justice Emilio Colaiacovo said it was "almost as if" police "were targeting this individual" because of his political beliefs.
Judge questions why UB student's political beliefs included in application to seize guns buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Judge questions why UB student's political beliefs included in application to seize guns buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Aaron Besecker
November 25, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Green has the same name and date of birth as a man sentenced to 20 years in prison for manslaughter and attempted burglary conviction in connection two 2004 incidents, including a fatal shooting on Genesee Street in October 2004. buffalonews.com/news/local/c...
Cheektowaga man charged with murder, robbery after woman found dead on Walden Avenue
Gary Green Jr., 37, was taken into custody Sunday following a brief chase with Buffalo police. The woman who was killed was identified as Alexis Navaroli.
buffalonews.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Green has the same name and date of birth as a man sentenced to 20 years in prison for manslaughter and attempted burglary conviction in connection two 2004 incidents, including a fatal shooting on Genesee Street in October 2004. buffalonews.com/news/local/c...
Story updated w/ statement from University at Buffalo Police buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Judge questions why UB student's political beliefs included in application to seize guns
Questioning the actions of University at Buffalo police, the judge said it was "almost as if" they "were targeting this individual" because of his political beliefs.
buffalonews.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Story updated w/ statement from University at Buffalo Police buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Aaron Besecker
Social media could work differently. We teach digital literacy, but ppl often can’t apply those lessons w/in systems that obscure where info comes from & how it gets to them. What might social media look like if users had better signals of information provenance? www.rawstory.com/maga-foreign...
Internet erupts as MAGA influencers exposed for being based in other countries
A large number of MAGA social media influencers were exposed over the weekend as being being based in other countries.Podcaster Matt Binder posted screenshots showing that Charlie’s Voice Rising, a po...
www.rawstory.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Social media could work differently. We teach digital literacy, but ppl often can’t apply those lessons w/in systems that obscure where info comes from & how it gets to them. What might social media look like if users had better signals of information provenance? www.rawstory.com/maga-foreign...
Reposted by Aaron Besecker
ICYMI: Richard J. Fox II, who has admitted to killing two women over the span of nearly two decades, is believed to have "other victims," Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone said.
Sheriff says Richard Fox responsible for 'at least two or three' more killings
After Fox's sentencing Thursday, Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone said the suspected serial killer is responsible for "at least two or three" other slayings.
buffalonews.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:19 AM
ICYMI: Richard J. Fox II, who has admitted to killing two women over the span of nearly two decades, is believed to have "other victims," Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone said.
Reposted by Aaron Besecker
What a headline:
US Senators Say They Spoke With Rubio About Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan Who Denied It Is a US Plan
(This as other US officials are still saying it is the US plan)
US Senators Say They Spoke With Rubio About Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan Who Denied It Is a US Plan
(This as other US officials are still saying it is the US plan)
November 23, 2025 at 1:50 AM
What a headline:
US Senators Say They Spoke With Rubio About Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan Who Denied It Is a US Plan
(This as other US officials are still saying it is the US plan)
US Senators Say They Spoke With Rubio About Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan Who Denied It Is a US Plan
(This as other US officials are still saying it is the US plan)
Man charged with teens in Canisius University robbery pleaded guilty to misdemeanors 10 days earlier buffalonews.com/news/local/c...
Man charged with teens in Canisius robbery pleaded guilty to misdemeanors 10 days earlier
Demario A. Wells, 22, has two other open cases in Buffalo City Court. He was on probation at the time of an arrest in July, according to court records.
buffalonews.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Man charged with teens in Canisius University robbery pleaded guilty to misdemeanors 10 days earlier buffalonews.com/news/local/c...
Man, 4 youths charged after gunpoint robbery at Canisius University buffalonews.com/news/local/c...
Man, 4 youths charged after gunpoint robbery at Canisius University
A 22-year-old Buffalo man and four youths between the ages of 12 and 16 have been charged following a gunpoint robbery at Canisius University, police said.
buffalonews.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Man, 4 youths charged after gunpoint robbery at Canisius University buffalonews.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Aaron Besecker
Most Americans — and a third of Republicans — are worried about the balance of powers tipping too much toward the White House. www.ms.now/opinion/msnb...
November 21, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Most Americans — and a third of Republicans — are worried about the balance of powers tipping too much toward the White House. www.ms.now/opinion/msnb...
Kids vandalized the Terrace. But a 39-year-old woman allowed them to do it, police say buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Kids vandalized the Terrace. But a 39-year-old woman allowed them to do it, police say
It was children who vandalized the Terrace at Delaware Park restaurant several times in October, according to Buffalo police. But it was an adult who enabled the vandalism, police said.
buffalonews.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Kids vandalized the Terrace. But a 39-year-old woman allowed them to do it, police say buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Estate of Buffalo 5 member Darryl Boyd awarded $80 million in wrongful conviction case buffalonews.com/news/local/c...
Estate of Buffalo 5 member Darryl Boyd awarded $80 million in wrongful conviction case
A federal jury in Rochester has awarded $80 million to the family of the late Darryl Boyd, a Buffalo man who spent 27 years in state prisons for a 1976 murder that he swore he did not commit. “From ou...
buffalonews.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Estate of Buffalo 5 member Darryl Boyd awarded $80 million in wrongful conviction case buffalonews.com/news/local/c...