Randy Gorbman

House Democrats have launched an investigation into Eastman Kodak’s recently announced  $765 million loan from the federal government.

This comes on the heels of an investigation reportedly already underway by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For the first time in its 141-year history, Seabreeze will not open for the summer season this year.

The Norris family, which operates the park billed as “Rochester’s only family-owned and operated amusement park,” said they had been prepared for opening during Phase 4 of the state’s reopening plan on June 26. The park operators said they had a COVID-19 safety plan ready to go.

The Trump Administration has signed a deal to give a $765 million loan to Eastman Kodak, so that the company can produce critical components for pharmaceuticals.

Trump Administration and Kodak officials say this new venture should create at least 300 jobs in Rochester, the home of the 130-year-old company which has had tough times in recent years after digital photography largely replaced film.  A new division will see Kodak produce components used in generic drugs.

A recent report from the Government Accountability Office says that the International Joint Commission, the agency that helps regulate water levels on Lake Ontario, needs to do a better job of communicating with the public.

The report was issued last week by the GAO, which is a non-partisan watchdog agency that reports to Congress. Its report focused on the way IJC has communicated elements of Plan 2014 than the controversy over the technical aspects of the plan, which regulates water levels on Lake Ontario.

Republican Chris Jacobs became the newest House member Tuesday, taking the oath of office to fill the unexpired term of Chris Collins who left Congress after pleading guilty to federal insider trading charges.

Jacobs, who has been a state senator, had the support of President Donald Trump and won a special election last month against Democrat Nate McMurray.

In remarks on the floor of the House, Jacobs said he promised to fight hard every day for the comeback of the region he represents.               

If you have Spectrum cable TV you will likely be seeing an increase in your monthly bill by next month.

The Broadcast TV surcharge will increase $2.95 a month from $13.50 to $16.45. Charter Spectrum says that increase reflects the costs incurred from local broadcast TV stations.

Customers with some of the company’s TV packages, like TV Gold, TV Silver and TV Select will see their bills increase $1.50 per month. Customers who have promotional packages may not see the incrase until the end of the promotion period.

In the latest WXXI Business Report, we hear about a company that Constellation Brands is purchasing, which focuses on selling wines direct to consumers, online.

Also, a recent Paychex report shows employment growth holding steady in June, although that data is before some states saw spikes in COVID-19.

And details about the first-ever Rochester Black Restaurant Week going on this week, to help increase sales at some Black-owned businesses.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand made a stop in Rochester Friday, joining local Congressman Joe Morelle in front of the Federal Building on State Street to talk about the need for direct aid to local governments to help deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two Democratic lawmakers are pushing for the Republican-controlled Senate to follow up on a bill passed by the House which calls for an additional $3 trillion  in aid.

Gillibrand said the pandemic has sharply reduced sales tax and other revenues to local governments.

The Finger Lakes region is on target to enter Phase 4 of the reopening process on Friday. That’s what Bob Duffy, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce president and CEO,  who also is an adviser on the region to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, said on Tuesday.

Duffy had been on a call with Cuomo administration officials earlier in the day, and he said the data looks good for entering the next phase on Friday.

However, Duffy said some businesses will not reopen right away when this region enters Phase 4.

The Rochester-Finger Lakes area and four other upstate New York regions will be entering Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plans on Friday, as part of the regulations set up by the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.

That announcement was made Thursday by Governor Andrew Cuomo at his daily briefing.  Cuomo said the data, which is reviewed by global experts, allows for Phase 3 to begin, and that phase primarily centers on restaurants and the personal care industry.