Samantha Christmann
@samchristmann.bsky.social
Amateur human. First-time adult. Reporter for The Buffalo News.
Reposted by Samantha Christmann
STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING EVERYONE (or everyone who is a FOIA nerd): There's a public records request advent calendar.
h/t Cam Rodriguez docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
h/t Cam Rodriguez docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
The Very Official 2025 FOIA Advent Calendar
docs.google.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM
STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING EVERYONE (or everyone who is a FOIA nerd): There's a public records request advent calendar.
h/t Cam Rodriguez docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
h/t Cam Rodriguez docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
George & Co. used to supply my favorite store when I was little, Four Jokers Magic Shop on Main Street in the City of Tonawanda.
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
Saying 'So long' to George & Co., a Buffalo institution for more than a century
George & Co − a novelty store that has been delighting magicians, actors, pranksters and other consumers in the Buffalo market since 1901 − will close its brick-and-mortar store in the Transitown Plaz...
buffalonews.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:20 PM
George & Co. used to supply my favorite store when I was little, Four Jokers Magic Shop on Main Street in the City of Tonawanda.
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
"The so-called audit of the foundation was a manufactured inquiry — engineered to attempt to discredit me. It is important to understand that this is not simply an attack on me as chair. It is Unilever’s attempt to undermine the authority of the Board itself."
Exclusive: Ben & Jerry's board chair does not plan to resign as pressure mounts from Unilever unit
Magnum is inheriting a deepening corporate feud between Unilever and Ben & Jerry's.
www.reuters.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:30 PM
"The so-called audit of the foundation was a manufactured inquiry — engineered to attempt to discredit me. It is important to understand that this is not simply an attack on me as chair. It is Unilever’s attempt to undermine the authority of the Board itself."
ICYMI: Can you believe it took more than a decade for Trader Joe's to put a second store here?
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
After 12 years, Buffalo area will get its second Trader Joe's
The region's second Trader Joe's grocery store will open in Clarence on Friday.
buffalonews.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:59 PM
ICYMI: Can you believe it took more than a decade for Trader Joe's to put a second store here?
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
Reposted by Samantha Christmann
Buffalo lawmakers are exploring a progressive tax or fees and fines for property owners who sit on property without maintaining or improving it. My latest: buffalonews.com/news/local/g...
Vacant properties are a problem in Buffalo. Some city officials think a new tax could help
Buffalo lawmakers are exploring a new tax as one way to force the hand of property owners and speculators who sit on real estate while their lots and buildings cause blight and reduce property values ...
buffalonews.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Buffalo lawmakers are exploring a progressive tax or fees and fines for property owners who sit on property without maintaining or improving it. My latest: buffalonews.com/news/local/g...
Have you ever wondered what happens to Santas when their malls close? Fortunately, it looks like they're doing just fine.
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
A trip to the mall might be mostly a thing of the past. But a visit with Santa Claus endures
Santa Claus may not have as many malls for his helpers to call home this holiday season, but new professional opportunities are helping Santa performers expand their earning potential with
buffalonews.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Have you ever wondered what happens to Santas when their malls close? Fortunately, it looks like they're doing just fine.
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
Reposted by Samantha Christmann
Enjoy a shopping trip down memory lane with photos of stores that are no more, from downtown Buffalo institutions including Hens & Kelly, Hengerer's and AM&As to Gold Circle and Two Guys.
buffalonews.com/multimedia/c...
buffalonews.com/multimedia/c...
Photos: Stores we loved and miss
Enjoy a shopping trip down memory lane with photos of stores that are no more, from downtown Buffalo institutions including Hens & Kelly, Hengerer’s and AM&As to Gold Circle and
buffalonews.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Enjoy a shopping trip down memory lane with photos of stores that are no more, from downtown Buffalo institutions including Hens & Kelly, Hengerer's and AM&As to Gold Circle and Two Guys.
buffalonews.com/multimedia/c...
buffalonews.com/multimedia/c...
I've never spent $28 on socks, but I think they're going to make amazing Christmas presents.
$692 penny loafers? Timeless style, classic service make O'Connell's a global destination
O'Connell's Clothing on Main Street has been recognized as one of the top 50 clothing stores in America by the New York Times. It's easy to see why.
buffalonews.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I've never spent $28 on socks, but I think they're going to make amazing Christmas presents.
Reposted by Samantha Christmann
Being a dancer means your focus is on the paying audience, 87-year-old Jean Widlicka says. "You have to be able to go anywhere, do anything, at any time," she said. "And you don't dare say, 'Oh, this hurts.'"
buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Ex-Rockette, 87, still teaching dance to Amherst seniors
Jean Widlicka doesn't go easy on the students in her three weekly fitness classes at the Amherst Center for Senior Services.
That's why they call the 87-year-old Snyder resident "Mean Jean."
"If I d...
buffalonews.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Being a dancer means your focus is on the paying audience, 87-year-old Jean Widlicka says. "You have to be able to go anywhere, do anything, at any time," she said. "And you don't dare say, 'Oh, this hurts.'"
buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Samantha Christmann
Margaret Sullivan discusses the abysmal ethics of NYT's Epstein coverage, including the paper's radio silence following disclosure of the fact that its lead Epstein correspondent was seeking money from Epstein. The corruption goes far in explaining NYT's editorially deranged Epstein coverage.
Three lessons in unethical media behavior
Plus: Some moments that made me proud to be a journalist
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Margaret Sullivan discusses the abysmal ethics of NYT's Epstein coverage, including the paper's radio silence following disclosure of the fact that its lead Epstein correspondent was seeking money from Epstein. The corruption goes far in explaining NYT's editorially deranged Epstein coverage.
Reposted by Samantha Christmann
ICYMI: Deidre Williams details the progress on the African American Heritage Corridor. buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
Buffalo's African American Heritage Corridor making progress on becoming tourist destination
Progress continues on making the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor a destination with cultural and historical significance.
buffalonews.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:12 PM
ICYMI: Deidre Williams details the progress on the African American Heritage Corridor. buffalonews.com/news/local/a...
I've loved talking to people about their memories of Terrapin Station. Would love to hear more!
It's the end of an era as Terrapin Station goes up for sale
Turns out even the area's well-known head shop is not immune to the effects of the internet, big box stores and a post-pandemic economy.
buffalonews.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I've loved talking to people about their memories of Terrapin Station. Would love to hear more!
Reposted by Samantha Christmann
The mayor described his administration as “the unfortunate recipients or victims” of a local newspaper that he said “simply doesn’t want to present the best of our city.”
www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_n...
www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_n...
Restaino 'ignoring' newspaper's request for public information
In his latest update from inside Niagara Falls City Hall, Mayor Restaino once again donned his newspaper publisher’s cap to tell the Niagara Gazette what stories it should be printing
www.niagara-gazette.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The mayor described his administration as “the unfortunate recipients or victims” of a local newspaper that he said “simply doesn’t want to present the best of our city.”
www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_n...
www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_n...
Reposted by Samantha Christmann
"I don't have full access to all the books yet, but I wanted to put everyone on notice and let them know that we've some problems and that we can start working on some collective solutions," Ryan said.
buffalonews.com/news/state-r...
buffalonews.com/news/state-r...
Buffalo is in a deep financial hole. In Albany, Ryan asks state officials to help shovel
"I don't have full access to all the books yet, but I wanted to put everyone on notice and let them know that we've some problems and that we can start working on some collective solutions," Ryan said...
buffalonews.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:36 PM
"I don't have full access to all the books yet, but I wanted to put everyone on notice and let them know that we've some problems and that we can start working on some collective solutions," Ryan said.
buffalonews.com/news/state-r...
buffalonews.com/news/state-r...
Reposted by Samantha Christmann
Starbucks workers are striking at more than 65 stores today, but none of those stores are in Buffalo. They're looking to settle terms on pay, staffing and what the National Labor Relations Board has deemed unfair labor practices.
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
Starbucks workers are striking today – but not in Buffalo
Starbucks workers are striking at more than 65 stores today, but none of those stores are in Buffalo. They're looking to settle terms on pay, staffing and what the National Labor Relations Board has d...
buffalonews.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Starbucks workers are striking at more than 65 stores today, but none of those stores are in Buffalo. They're looking to settle terms on pay, staffing and what the National Labor Relations Board has deemed unfair labor practices.
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
Reposted by Samantha Christmann
Pro tip: Organizations with revenue generation staff had median revenue “700% higher than those without.” www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/want...
Want to build a sustainable local newsroom? These 21 steps will help you get there, a new report finds
“Having dedicated staff to generate revenue was transformational to an organization’s chances of sustainability.”
www.niemanlab.org
November 12, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Pro tip: Organizations with revenue generation staff had median revenue “700% higher than those without.” www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/want...
I don't know about you, but these three BFFs are living my dream, too.
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
A dream come true: 3 BFFs open a bookstore in Tonawanda
Three best friends have opened The Velvet Bookmark at 50A Main St. in the City of Tonawanda.
buffalonews.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:30 PM
I don't know about you, but these three BFFs are living my dream, too.
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
The boutique retailer focuses on small, independent and local wine and spirits.
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
Noble Root has reopened
Noble Root Wine and Spirits is back open, after the shop was forced to shut down abruptly last month for emergency repairs at its Main Street building downtown.
buffalonews.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The boutique retailer focuses on small, independent and local wine and spirits.
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
There are only 30 Spirit Christmas locations, but Amherst has one of them.
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
Spirit Christmas is now open in Amherst
Spirit Christmas, sister store to Spencer's and Spirit Halloween, is now open in Amherst.
buffalonews.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:26 PM
There are only 30 Spirit Christmas locations, but Amherst has one of them.
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...
buffalonews.com/news/local/b...