More and more Republicans are voicing opposition to President Donald Trump's plan to impose new tariffs on Mexico if it doesn't do more to stop illegal immigration on America's southern border....  

One of them, local Congressman Tom Reed, says it's "not realistic" to impose tariffs on a trading partner who has agreed to a new trade pact.  Reed says Congress needs to deal with the immigration problem and, says Mexico and Canada are ready to implement the new U.S., Mexico, Canada agreement.

Reed also says that Congress needs to vote on the USMC trade agreement.  He says that should be the first order of business, because our trading partners are moving ahead on the agreement in good faith.  Reed says he's especially pleased with how the agreement takes care of suspending the '232-Steel and Aluminum' tariffs.  If the new tariffs on Mexico go into effect, they could increase to 25-percent by October.  Reed made his comments during his weekly telephone conference call with Southern Tier Media.

With the 2020 census count less than a year away, a new report says minority populations and small children are especially vulnerable to being undercounted.....  

The report released Tuesday by the Urban Institute says anywhere from 900,000 to 4-million people living in the U.S. could be undercounted, with blacks, Hispanics and children younger than 5 most likely to being overlooked.  The states most at risk include Florida, California, Georgia, New York, Nevada, Texas and New Mexico.  Power and money are at stake because the 2020 census determines the allocation of more than $675 billion in federal spending.  The once-in-a-decade count also will determine which states gain or lose U.S. congressional seats.  The prospect of a citizenship question could further chill people's willingness to be counted.  The U.S. Supreme Court is currently weighing its constitutionality.

Leaders of the Democratic majority in the New York State Senate remain optimistic about legalizing recreational marijuana, but Governor Andrew Cuomo doesn't think it will happen this year.... 

Cuomo told reporters on Monday that the Senate doesn't have the votes.  Local Assemblyman Andy Goodell says the sticking point is with new Senators from Long Island, where the plan is unpopular.

Goodell also reiterated that he continues to oppose legalizing pot.  Cuomo says that he backs the legalization of marijuana but that the issue remains controversial for many legislators.  And he says recent failure of legalization efforts in New Jersey sapped some momentum in New York.  Lawmakers insist they're not giving up on passing legalization before they adjourn June 19th. 

 
The village of Celoron will be a busy place over the next four days as the 10th annual Rib Fest gets underway near Lucille Ball Memorial Park....  

The Celoron Rib Fest is one of the first major Summer events in Chautauqua County and, Mayor Scot Schrecengost says set-up for the vendors and, other activities are well underway.  Schrecengost says there is a lot that new in the village as well.

Village officials say the main entrance to the Harborfront Hotel will be closed off to make room for the ribbers, and vendors.  The Rib Fest gets underway from 3 to 10 PM Wednesday, and, will have the same hours on Thursday.  The hours will be 3 to 11 PM Friday, and 11 AM to 11 PM on Saturday.  Saturday will feature the Classic Car Crusin'.  On Friday, Schrecengost says they'll have their annual Bike Night.  He says they have a nice array of familiar ribbers, and new ones this year. 

New York's Legislature has passed a bill that would make the state the first in the U.S. to ban cat declawing operations.... 

The bill would subject veterinarians to one-thousand dollar fines for performing the procedure, which involves amputating a cat's toes back to the first knuckle.  It now heads to the desk of Governor Andrew Cuomo.  He hasn't said whether he'll sign it into law.

A man from the Jamestown-area is jailed for allegedly harassing a person who had an order of protection against him in the village of Falconer....  

Ellicott Town Police say they were called to a domestic incident at 15 East Elmwood Avenue, and upon investigation, arrested Christopher Rock.  Town Police say they charged Rock with second-degree harassment, and criminal contempt.  He was taken to the Chautauqua County Jail pending arraignment.