Rochester
Morning News
Thursday, May 21st, 2026
Good morning, Rochester. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 21st of May.
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Irondequoit firefighters rescued a dog & two cats from a house on Ranch Drive near the 104-590 interchange at around 5:21 p.m. on Wednesday when a kitchen fire started; no one was home and the first floor suffered heavy damage. News 10
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Barilla will expand its Avon pasta factory with a $145 million investment in a two-phase plan that adds 52,000 sqft of facility space and a new production line. The project is expected to create 90+ jobs by March 2028 and receive $2.75 million in tax credits from Empire State Development. WXXI News
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ On Wednesday, May 20, Flower City Food Tours previewed its Park Ave Food Tour by sampling flavors from tea to candy to burgers along Park Avenue, and the recurring event will run every Wednesday at 11 a.m. for three hours for groups of 2 to 12. ABC 13
- ➤ St. John Fisher grad Fran DiClemente spoke at ARC Rochester on Wednesday about his memoir 'Stunted: A Memoir of Delayed Manhood' detailing how a rare hormonal disorder affected his journey into manhood. The book is available for order. FOX Rochester
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Published at 5:28 a.m. on May 20, 2026, a WalletHub study ranked Rochester No. 36 for career starters while New York City ranked No. 182 because of lower job opportunities and less affordable housing, as the study compared 182 cities on factors like entry-level jobs and starting salary. Democrat & Chronicle
- ➤ Twenty-three downtown projects in Canandaigua, Brockport, and Phelps will receive nearly $19 million from state programs to boost business, housing, and public spaces throughout the Finger Lakes region. Rochester Beacon
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Eighth grader Jeneral Shelton (from Bird/Morgan School in East Rochester) was honored for helping a bus driver break up a fight last fall when he grabbed the driver’s phone to call for help. The award celebrates his quick thinking and care for others. News 10
- ➤ State officials plan more funding after 47 Monroe County daycares closed despite a $60 million investment, leaving families with fewer childcare spots. The new plan will work to restore local childcare services. News 10
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ A group of Buffalo Bills players will compete in the Greg Rousseau Charity Softball Game at ESL Ballpark in Rochester on June 7. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. with live music, tailgate games, and a home run derby to support the Rousseau Family Foundation. ABC 13
- ➤ Today, the 34th annual J.P. Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge will take place downtown, starting at 7:15 p.m. on Plymouth Avenue and finishing on Morrie Silver Way; over 4,300 runners from more than 200 companies, including L3Harris (230), will join the event. News 10
- ➤ The Rochester Red Wings defeated the Worcester Red Sox 7-6 Tuesday night at Polar Park — the win featured a middle-inning surge and key hits from Trey Lipscomb and Yohandy Morales that held off a late rally by Worcester. Democrat & Chronicle
- ➤ The 34th annual J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge begins today at 7:15 p.m. at ESL Federal Credit Union Stadium with a 3.5-mile race through downtown Rochester as streets close; companies will host post-race parties + fireworks will launch at 9:15 p.m. weather permitting. Democrat & Chronicle
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Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra: Broadway In Hollywood
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Eastman Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience a musical journey from Broadway to Hollywood with your RPO featuring hits from iconic stage-to-screen sensations.
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Don McLean Concert
7:30-11:30 p.m. — West Herr Auditorium Theatre / RBTL — Ticket prices vary — Experience the timeless music of a GRAMMY Award-winning legend known for 'American Pie'.
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Toddler Time at Winton Library
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Winton Branch Library — Free entry — An engaging hour of songs, rhymes, and stories to boost early literacy for toddlers.
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Cupid's Boomerang: Infrared Radiation Orchestra
8:00 p.m. — Bug Jar — Tickets starting at $12.30 — Experience an electrifying night of music with Cupid's Boomerang and Infrared Radiation Orchestra.
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Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra: Spring Concert
7:30-9 p.m. — Eastman Theatre — Pay-what-you-want — Experience the RPYO's final concert of the season featuring young talent and community support.
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Ismael Loutfi Live
7:30-9 p.m. — Kodak Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the vibrant energy of Ismael Loutfi's performance.
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RHVCC Cars & BBQ
5 p.m. — Big Daddy BBQ & Lounge — Free entry — Enjoy a classic car show, tasty BBQ, and live jazz music in a vibrant atmosphere.
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The Music Man
2:00 p.m. — Blackfriars Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a classic musical filled with catchy tunes and charming characters.
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Suffs
7:30-10:30 p.m. — West Herr Auditorium Theatre — Tickets from $86 — Experience a can't-miss live performance in Rochester.
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10th Anniversary Celebration for A Girl Named Genny
7-10 p.m. — Three Heads Brewing — Ages 21+ — Celebrate a decade of A Girl Named Genny and the Three Heads Tasting Room with an unforgettable party.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
~ Beverly Sills
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