Western New York confronts radioactive legacy with calls for leadership and cleanup

Residents in western New York are pressing Gov. Hochul for an in-person meeting and stronger action as a joint state-federal investigation finds radiological waste in backyards and homes. Testing has accelerated, with more than 1,000 property access forms submitted and 726 properties screened; about 220 properties remain under review and roughly 30 referred for additional EPA screening. A few families have been offered temporary relocation, and Hochul has urged faster action from federal authorities, while critics say leadership and a clear cleanup plan are still needed.