Buffalo Daily Brief: City deficit talks, stadium vandalism update, a brewery closing, and cows on the Thruway
Buffalo, NY – February 25, 2026 – Budget deficit talks heat up at City Hall as stadium vandalism probe continues; a brewery sets closing date.
City Hall: $21M deficit and overtime pressures
Buffalo Common Council members are zeroing in on a budget deficit a little over $21 million, with police and fire overtime emerging as a major pressure point. With nearly 400 vacant city positions, departments have leaned on overtime to keep services running, a strategy that can cost two to three times a regular hourly rate.
Council leadership also pointed to the need to better understand how outside support funds are being used to help cover certain salary costs as the new mayoral administration settles in.
Stadium project: suspects identified in graffiti vandalism
Construction managers at the new Highmark Stadium site say two suspects have been identified after graffiti was found in multiple areas of the job site. Officials say tips and law enforcement help led to the identification, and the investigation remains active.
Work that was paused has since resumed, and the construction team emphasized that the incident does not reflect the thousands of workers who have been on the project.
Hertel Avenue: Steel Leaf Brewing sets a closing date
Steel Leaf Brewing announced it will close on Feb. 28 at its Hertel Avenue location, calling it a difficult decision amid shifting business conditions. The brewery said it plans a final farewell celebration that day.
Steel Leaf opened in 2022, first operating at the Eastern Hills Mall before moving to Hertel.
Roads: loose cows briefly snarl Thruway traffic
Drivers on I-90 near Exit 56 (Blasdell) saw an unusual slowdown after cows wandered onto the Thruway. Authorities and bystanders worked to corral the animals, and traffic cleared with no reported injuries.
Weather quick look
Snow from overnight tapered early Wednesday, but lake-enhanced snow showers and gusty winds (near 40 mph at times) could keep driving conditions tricky in spots through the day.
Sources
- https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/politics/2026/02/24/city-budget-deficit-top-of-mind-for-buffalo-common-council
- https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/sports/2026/02/22/suspects-identified-after-graffiti-found-at-new-highmark-stadium-job-site-
- https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/news/2026/02/23/steel-leaf-brewing-company-to-close-at-end-of-february
- https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2026/02/24/loose-cows-snarl-thruway-traffic-near-buffalo/
- https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/morning-briefing/2026/02/25/morning-briefing-in-buffalo–feb–25
