• Cold Weather Advisory - Click for Details
    ...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON...
    Expires: January 24, 2026 @ 1:00pm
    WHAT
    Very cold wind chills as low as 15 to 25 below expected.
    WHERE
    Portions of central New York and northeast Pennsylvania.
    WHEN
    Until 1 PM EST this afternoon.
    IMPACTS
    The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 15 to 25 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
    Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.
  • Winter Storm Warning - Click for Details
    ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM SUNDAY TO 7 PM EST MONDAY...
    Expires: January 26, 2026 @ 7:00pm
    WHAT
    Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 12 and 18 inches.
    WHERE
    Portions of central New York and northeast Pennsylvania.
    WHEN
    From 1 AM Sunday to 7 PM EST Monday.
    IMPACTS
    Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions can impact travel on Sunday along with the Monday morning and evening commutes.
    ADDITIONAL DETAILS
    Snow will overspread Northeast PA and the New York Southern Tier before daybreak Sunday morning, moving north to the I-90 corridor by the mid-morning hours on Sunday. At this time, the heaviest snowfall is forecast to be from south-central NY and areas southward into Northeast PA and the Catskills. However, further adjustments to the storm track are possible. Snowfall could be very heavy at times Sunday through Sunday night with hourly rates exceeding 2 inches per hour.
    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
    If you must go outside, dress in layers. Several layers of clothes will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Cover exposed skin to reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Gloves, a scarf, and a hat will keep you from losing your body heat. Persons should consider delaying all travel. Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary.

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HomeRegional StatewideNew Acting U.S. Attorney for Western District of NY Named

New Acting U.S. Attorney for Western District of NY Named

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New Acting U.S. Attorney for Western District of NY Named
Joel Violanti (photo: provided)

Joel Violanti became Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of New York on Tuesday. In this role, Violanti serves as the chief federal law enforcement officer for
WDNY, leading an office of approximately 120 federal prosecutors and staff, located in Buffalo and Rochester.

Violanti joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in February 1995, as an Assistant United States Attorney in the General Crimes Division, prosecuting a multitude of federal crimes involving wire
fraud, immigration, mail fraud, bank fraud, international smuggling, and telemarketing offenses.

In June 2000, Mr. Violanti became the Project Exile Coordinator, a national initiative involving the prosecution of federal firearm offenses. Under this program, Mr. Violanti coordinated the adoption of state firearm arrests for federal prosecution. He was also responsible for coordinating and attending community outreach programs for Project Exile.

In July 2005, Mr. Violanti joined the Narcotics and Violent Crimes Division, prosecuting federal narcotics offenses involving multiple-kilogram drug conspiracies, and gang-related RICO
enterprises.

In January 2018, Mr. Violanti was named Senior Litigation Counsel. In that role, he was responsible for assisting Assistant United States Attorneys with their preparation and presentation of cases, as well as coordinating and conducting office-wide training.

In August 2023, Mr. Violanti was named Deputy Chie of the Narcotics and Organized Crime Section, which involved the supervision of approximately 12 Criminal Assistant United States Attorneys who investigate and prosecute cases involving narcotic distribution, gang-related RICO enterprises, sex trafficking, and firearm-related cases.

In January 2025, Mr. Violanti was named the First Assistant United States Attorney.

Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Violanti was an Assistant District Attorney in the Erie County District Attorney’s Office from 1990-1995.

Mr. Violanti graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo in May 1986, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in August. He received his Juris Doctor in May 1989, from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan.

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