Buffalo, NY | Local News, Weather, Traffic, Sports | WGRZ.com

Fact-checking Top Headlines: the end of 3G, HBCU budgets and whistleblower immunity

VERIFY

Fact-checking Top Headlines: the end of 3G, HBCU budgets and whistleblower immunity

Money

Yes, South Dakota is a tax haven, but it's not the only state that offers protection and privacy

The Pandora Papers release shone a spotlight on South Dakota as a tax haven. VERIFY researched why the state and others have that reputation.
Business

There is no evidence that Southwest Airlines cancellations were caused by workers protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Southwest Airlines, the union representing Southwest Airlines pilots and the FAA said the cancellations were not caused by workers protesting the vaccine mandate.
Government

Yes, the US will start missing payments, including on Social Security, if it doesn’t raise the debt limit

If the government runs out of cash before raising the debt limit, it would be unable to pay all of its bills on time, including to programs like Social Security.
Government

No, whistleblowers are not guaranteed immunity, but do have some protections

A VERIFY viewer asked if whistleblowers get immunity. They do get some protections, but are not guaranteed immunity.
Environment

Yes, 23 species would be the most declared extinct from Endangered Species Act

Just 11 species have ever been removed from the Endangered Species Act for extinction prior to the recent Fish and Wildlife Service proposal to remove 23 species.
National

No, the number of conservatorships in the US is not tracked

Britney Spears’ case has brought new attention to conservatorships -- a legal arrangement that affects many people but is not tracked at a national level.
Elections

No, a draft of the Maricopa County election audit didn’t say the results should not be certified

A firm hired to audit the Maricopa County elections confirmed there is a false version of their executive summary circulating online.
Coronavirus

Yes, COVID-19 is the leading cause of death for on-duty law enforcement officers so far in 2021

A nonprofit that tracks law enforcement line-of-duty deaths says there have been more than 300 deaths so far in 2021. Nearly 200 have been linked to COVID-19.
Money

No, a government shutdown will not stop or delay Social Security payments

Social Security payments do not require annual funding like some other government programs. However, the SSA can’t issue new cards during a shutdown.
Immigration

Yes, photos of US Border Patrol agents on horseback chasing migrants are real

Photos and videos shared on social media have raised concerns about the treatment of the migrants, who are primarily Haitian, at a border point in Texas.
Scams

Yes, scammers do try to impersonate AT&T and many other companies in text messages

Scammers may offer prizes, claim there are issues with your accounts or notify you of delivery updates in attempts to get you to click on phony links.

Letitia James visits Buffalo, pickets with CWA workers and announces opioid settlement funds

Nashville Bills fans prepare for Monday Night Football

Storm Team 2 Weather Forecast

Severe weather rolls across parts of Western New York

Buffalo, NY | Local News, Weather, Traffic, Sports | WGRZ.com

Fact-checking Top Headlines: the end of 3G, HBCU budgets and whistleblower immunity

Yes, South Dakota is a tax haven, but it's not the only state that offers protection and privacy

There is no evidence that Southwest Airlines cancellations were caused by workers protesting COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Yes, the US will start missing payments, including on Social Security, if it doesn’t raise the debt limit

No, whistleblowers are not guaranteed immunity, but do have some protections

Yes, 23 species would be the most declared extinct from Endangered Species Act

No, the number of conservatorships in the US is not tracked

No, a draft of the Maricopa County election audit didn’t say the results should not be certified

Yes, COVID-19 is the leading cause of death for on-duty law enforcement officers so far in 2021

No, a government shutdown will not stop or delay Social Security payments

Yes, photos of US Border Patrol agents on horseback chasing migrants are real

Yes, scammers do try to impersonate AT&T and many other companies in text messages

WGRZ would like to send you push notifications about the latest news and weather.