radioNOVO News NY News Roundup for June 18, 2026

Good morning. Turning to the top headlines from across the Empire State on this Thursday morning.We lead with a massive regulatory freeze on high-tech developments across Western New York. The city of North Tonawanda has officially extended its moratorium on artificial intelligence data centers for another full year. The unanimous council vote effectively halts plans to convert a massive crypto-mining facility into an A-I data hub, amid heavy local pushback over noise pollution and zoning oversight. This comes as the neighboring town of Allegany passes a local law completely banning future data centers, while a statewide moratorium bill now sits on Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk awaiting a signature.In New York City, massive crowds are expected to flood Manhattan today for a historic celebration. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the official launch of a logistical website ahead of the New York Knicks championship parade, which kicks off this morning. The parade will travel down the world-famous "Canyon of Heroes" from Battery Park along Broadway before finishing up with a ceremony at City Hall. The city has launched a dedicated portal at N-Y-C dot gov slash knicks to handle intense foot traffic and transit updates.Meanwhile, a devastating investigation is underway in Saratoga Springs after a fast-moving barn fire claimed the lives of at least seventeen horses. Fire crews rushed to the scene on Nelson Avenue on Wednesday, arriving to find the facility completely engulfed in heavy smoke and flames. Trainers at the nearby harness track were able to pull multiple horses to safety before the structure collapsed, but the losses are historic. No human injuries were reported, and officials have not announced when local harness racing will resume.Turning to state court news, the high-profile state trial of alleged insurance C-E-O killer Luigi Mangione is moving forward in a Manhattan courtroom today. The hearing was originally scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed due to a clerical paperwork error. Mangione is charged with the two- those-and-twenty-four sidewalk murder of healthcare chief Brian Thompson. His state trial is officially locked in for September eighth.And finally, if you are looking to secure cheap tickets to this year’s New York State Fair, you are in luck. The fair's annual "Spring Into Summer" flash sale launches at nine o'clock this morning. Single-day admission tickets will be up for grabs online at just six dollars, representing a twenty-five percent discount. The promotional sale will run through this Monday.For more news from across the state, download the radioNOVO app. I’m Codi Gaboff, radioNOVO News.