Good morning, Rochester.

Rochester residents can cast ballots in the 2026 Community’s Choice Awards until Sept.

23 to help choose top local companies and nonprofits across more than 100 categories. Winners will be honored in December at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

On Tuesday, the Rochester Hispanic Business Association named Julio Sáenz of WXXI Public Media Hispanic Business Person of the Year, honoring his 20+ years of leadership in media and community advocacy during the kickoff for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Country singer Kenny Chesney will be the first to perform at the new Highmark Stadium on Saturday, June 19, 2027, with support from Eric Church, Old Dominion, and Greylan James.

Presale tickets begin today at 10 a.m. via No Shoes Nation — public sales start Sept. 25.

Laurentide Clay, an affordable ceramic studio at 4 Elton St., opened during First Friday and now offers classes, studio rentals, and a gallery to local artists and kids.

The founders Terry O’Brien, Kyle Lascelle + Jacob Dambra aim to expand art access and are asking the city for trash cans.

The ESL Rochester Fringe Festival kicked off Tuesday at One Fringe Place (Main and Gibbs) and will run through Saturday, Sept.

26. The festival features shows including circus acts, film screenings, and street performances, with free outdoor events starting Friday, Sept. 18 and a Pete Davidson performance on Sept. 25.

After eight confirmed tornadoes hit earlier this month, local school districts in the area reported posting tornado safety plans, while the Rochester City School District does not yet have a specific guideline.

Residents are encouraged to review public resources for details.

Since Dolly Parton died on Aug.

25, the Rochester chapter of her Imagination Library added 318 children to reach 5,283—42% of local preschoolers—as United Way hosts fundraisers to cover mailing fees.

New York will change high school diploma guidelines starting with students graduating in 2028 when a single statewide diploma replaces local distinctions (Regents exams will still measure achievement).

The Education Department plans to propose regulatory changes by Feb. 2027 to guide schools’ local assessment methods.

Monroe Community College opened its new Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center on Sept.

15—yesterday—replacing its old optical systems facility on West Henrietta Road. The center offers training in optics, manufacturing and semiconductor fields with support from state, county and private investors.

Early bear and antlerless deer hunting seasons began in New York on Sept.

12, with southern zones’ bear season lasting until Sept. 27 and northern zones’ starting Sept. 19, and early antlerless deer season closing on Sept. 20 (only antlerless deer may be harvested) while hunters must obtain a license.

RCSD is hosting public hearings this month to gather community input on receivership schools — upcoming sessions begin Sept.

17 and continue through Sept. 30, offering residents a chance to share suggestions to improve academic support.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said overdose deaths dropped from 512 in 2023 to 243 in 2025 after $6 million in opioid settlement funds boosted Narcan boxes, test strips and training classes; cocaine accounted for most overdose cases, prompting calls for sustained community support.

Rochester firefighter Cody Duge donated stem cells in 2024 and met Crystal Cornelius Monday at a Chicago ceremony honoring his life-saving act; Cornelius said her story is meant to inspire others to join the donor registry.