53°CloudyHigh 59° · Low 41°

  1. 6 a.m.Cloudy.53°
  2. NoonCloudy.58°
  3. 6 p.m.Cloudy.53°
  4. MidnightCloudy.45°

Sunrise 6:52 a.m. Sunset 4:55 p.m.

Forecasted byThe Weather Channel

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  1. 6 a.m.Cloudy.53°
  2. NoonCloudy.58°
  3. 6 p.m.Cloudy.53°
  4. MidnightCloudy.45°
  1. TodayCloudy. High 59° Low 41°
  2. SatCloudy. High 52° Low 43°
  3. SunPartly cloudy. High 56° Low 45°
  4. MonShowers. High 52° Low 44°
  5. TuePartly cloudy. High 62° Low 40°

Sunrise 6:52 a.m. Sunset 4:55 p.m.

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Today’s edition · Fri., Nov. 6

Phoenix Tailings lands $54.2M for Eastman Business Park plant

Plus, RTS will end On Demand service in Monroe County starting with four zones on Jan. 22.

The Rochester Morning News team2 stories18 sources4 min read

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Barefoot Dreams cardigan | $125 | They’ll never want to take off this top-rated cardigan made with the brand's famously soft yarn.

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Oh My Mahjong Amethyst mat | $90 | The perfect gift for the mahjong lover in your life, this unique mat “is a whimsical ode to twilight skies and shimmering gemstones.”

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Tea bag organizer | $29.64 | This eight-box bamboo compartment with a clear lid will show off their coziest tea bag collection — bonus points if you fill it for them.

Carhartt beanie | $19.99 | Choose their favorite color of this best-selling hat that’s sure to become their winter go-to.

Softies waffle lounge set | $170 | Featured in “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” this set features the brand’s famously soft marshmallow waffle fabric.

Candle warmer lamp | $22.99 | This stylish warmer doubles as a chic accent piece.

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BusinessTop story

Phoenix Tailings secures $54.2 million in incentives for its Eastman Business Park plant

Most of the $54.2 million is tax savings and power funding

Sources: WHEC.com, markets.businessinsider.com

View as table
AmountShare
Tax savings and power funding$35.3 million65.1%
State investment tax credits$15.9 million29.3%
Excelsior Jobs tax credits (up to)$3 million5.5%

If you've been watching , here's news: Phoenix Tailings' rare earth separation plant has secured about $54.2 million in state and local infrastructure incentives. A news release says the package is subject to eligibility and performance requirements, approvals and final award terms.

CEO and co-founder Nick Myers said Phoenix chose the site "because of Kodak’s lush, rich history there." He said the company isn't mining in Rochester but processing material into final products. Rep. Joe Morelle said the project is about making sure "the next generation of American innovation is built right here in Rochester, by American workers."

  • Production ramps in 2027, with full production planned for 2028
  • County programs are expected to help with equipment and training
  • Builds on a previously announced conditional U.S. Department of War loan

The Freedom Project by the numbers

18,000 tons
of rare earth feedstock processed a year
4,400 tons
of separated rare earth oxides at full capacity
200+
direct New York jobs when fully operational
90
jobs at launch

Source: WHEC.com

Transportation

RTS will phase out its On Demand service in Monroe County, starting Jan. 22 in four zones

If you ride On Demand, mark these dates. Regional Transit Service announced Wednesday it will end the service within five months. RTS says On Demand takes 14% of its budget while RTS faces a $30 million deficit. CEO Miguel Velázquez called it "a very difficult decision to make."

On Demand uses 14% of RTS's budget for 3% of its riders

Sources: WHEC.com, 13WHAM-TV

View as table
Value
Share of budget14%
Share of riders3%

Riders are feeling it. Pedro Caquias, who broke his leg in a June crash, says Uber to his 5 a.m. job would be $100 a day. Bryan O'Malley of the Center for Disability Rights said "the alternatives are few and far between." RTS says new commuter routes will serve the Lexington Avenue/Lee Road area and Greece.

  • Cost: reportedly 6.5 times more per customer than regular bus routes
  • Route 97 Elmwood Commuter: extended in Henrietta
  • Route 50 Fairport/Penfield: starts and ends at RTS Transit Center
  • Greece: ADA service area expands, with details before April

On Demand zones will go dark in two rounds

  1. End 2026 will end the Route 91 Newark/Lyons commuter route in Wayne County at the end of 2026.
  2. Jan. 22On Demand will end in the Brockport, Irondequoit, Pittsford and Webster zones.
  3. April 2On Demand will end in the Greece, Henrietta and Lexington Avenue zones.
  4. April 5Fixed-route service will replace On Demand in Greece, Henrietta and Lexington Avenue.

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News Notes · More

Brockport

SUNY Brockport President Dawn Meza Soufleris says the university is exploring options as On Demand ends. She called the cuts "devastating," and WHAM reports night and weekend service was already eliminated over the summer. Spectrum News says she is concerned about students' internships and clinical nursing positions downtown. WHEC.com13WHAM-TVSpectrum News Rochester

Nursing homes

The closure of Waterview Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center forced more than 160 residents to find new homes. WHEC reports 115 Strong patients and 48 Highland patients are now waiting for nursing home beds. WHEC.com

115 Strong patients and 48 Highland patients wait for nursing home beds

Source: WHEC.com

View as table
Value
Strong patients waiting115
Highland patients waiting48

Toy Hall

Care Bears, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, bingo and the playground slide are the National Toy Hall of Fame's Class of 2026, chosen from 12 finalists. If you want to meet them, The Strong National Museum of Play hosts a celebration Sun., Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. WAERSyracuse.com13WHAM-TVThe Strong National Museum of Play

Amerks

The Rochester Americans beat the Cleveland Monsters 4-1 Wednesday night at Blue Cross Arena for their second straight win, improving to 6-4-0-1. Jason Polin scored twice and Matt Villalta made 23 saves. Rookie Liam Valente had two assists. Democrat and Chronicle13WHAM-TV

Food shelf

The Perinton Food Shelf has opened a new pantry on Pittsford Palmyra Road that volunteers say is nearly double the size of its former Turk Hill Road location. 13WHAM-TV

Home

Two cute home finds: This elegant, patterned entry rug that’s under $19 and comes in three charming patterns to match your decor, and this double picture frame for $9.99 that’s perfect for displaying family memories on your mantle. Advertising from Amazon.

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French Rd.

“Pittsford 🦌”

— A neighbor, Elmwood Ave
Photo from the neighbor’s post

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The Wrap

November isn't supposed to feel like patio season, but this week's warm-up has Park Avenue acting like it is. Cafe Sasso had a line out the door as early as 8 a.m. Thursday, and barista Mia says it's busier than the same stretch in previous years. Latte lovers, thank the weather.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? RTS will end On Demand service in Monroe County by April 2

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Every source in this edition18 links · 11 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. WHEC.comwhec.com
  3. markets.businessinsider.commarkets.businessinsider.com
  4. WHEC.comwhec.com
  5. 13WHAM-TV13wham.com
  6. RochesterFirstrochesterfirst.com
  7. WHEC.comwhec.com
  8. 13WHAM-TV13wham.com
  9. Spectrum News Rochesterspectrumlocalnews.com
  10. WHEC.comwhec.com
  11. WAERwaer.org
  12. Syracuse.comsyracuse.com
  13. 13WHAM-TV13wham.com
  14. The Strong National Museum of Playmuseumofplay.org
  15. Democrat and Chronicledemocratandchronicle.com
  16. 13WHAM-TV13wham.com
  17. 13WHAM-TV13wham.com
  18. Rochester events calendarrochestermorning.com

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Rochester Morning Newsto me · Fri., Nov. 66:00 a.m.

Phoenix Tailings lands $54.2M for Eastman Business Park plant

Plus, RTS will end On Demand service in Monroe County starting with four zones on Jan. 22.

The TLDR

  1. Phoenix Tailings secures $54.2M in incentives for Eastman Business Park
  2. RTS will end On Demand in Monroe County, starting Jan. 22
  3. SUNY Brockport's president calls the RTS cuts devastating
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Rochester Morning News’ other editions

All the news

Around Rochester

From Big Frog 104, Syracuse.com and 5 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news
  1. Big Frog 1042 hours ago

    Four Toys You Grew Up With Are Now Hall of Famers, on Big Frog 104

    Four childhood favorites are getting their place in history. Bingo, Care Bears, Pokémon trading cards and playground slides have been inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester.

    Also reported bySyracuse.comWHEC.com

  2. Democrat and Chronicle2 hours ago

    How Hilton closed the gap on Section V's best field hockey teams, on Democrat and Chronicle

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  5. 13WHAM-TV6 hours ago

    Perinton Food Shelf expands to meet rising demand as more families face food insecurity, on 13WHAM-TV

    As more families across the Rochester region struggle to afford groceries and other essentials, the Perinton Food Shelf has opened a significantly larger pantry

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