Good morning, Rochester!
Welcome to the first full week of 2026! We’re kicking off the year with a little weather whiplash—starting with snow showers today, swinging up to a slushy 41° tomorrow, and then freezing back down—so make sure those scrapers are in the car before you head out. Whether you’re back to the grind or easing into the new year, we’ve got everything you need to get smart and ready for the week ahead.
Flu/RSV Update: Cases are finally dropping (but don't ditch the hand sanitizer yet).
Civic Shift: City Council makes a surprising move on pay raises.
Wildcard Job: The University of Rochester will pay you to act sick.
THE BIG SCOOP
Flu & RSV Cases Finally Drop
After a rough holiday season, there is a silver lining for parents and seniors alike: data from the last few days shows a decline in flu and RSV cases across the Finger Lakes. Health officials are cautiously optimistic but remind us that hospitalizations are still steady, so keep safe out there as schools ramp back up! Read the full report.
City Council Rescinds Pay Raise
In a surprisingly positive civic pivot that comes as a win for local taxpayers, the Rochester City Council voted over the weekend to rescind a previously proposed pay raise for its members. This decision not only keeps those funds available for other city needs but also signals that leadership is actively listening to community feedback as the new legislative session begins. Read more.
New Childcare Center at Hall of Justice
Navigating the court system just got a little easier for families. A newly renovated childcare center has officially opened at the Monroe County Hall of Justice. The facility provides a safe, supervised space for children while their guardians attend to legal matters, removing a major barrier for access to justice in our community. More details here.
CIVIL & CIVIC NEWS
School Bus Electric Mandate Pushback
If you’ve been following the green energy transition, here is a major update: The Monroe County School Boards Association is formally calling for a "pause" on the state mandate requiring new school buses to be electric by 2027. District leaders are citing significant concerns over grid infrastructure and the feasibility of such a rapid timeline for our region. Read the full statement.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
MONDAY (1/5)
The Strong Museum | Storytime Club: Feelings and Friends | A gentle, cozy reading session perfect for grandparents and little ones to start the week. | 10:30 AM
Marshall Street Bar and Grill | Pub Trivia with Nicole | Shake off the Monday blues and test your knowledge at one of the city's most popular trivia nights. | 7:00 PM
TUESDAY (1/6)
Rochester Brainery | Paper Marbling Workshop | Learn the mesmerizing art of Suminagashi (Japanese paper marbling) in this creative class. | 6:30 PM
The Old Toad | Pub Quiz Night | Gather a team for pints and prizes at Rochester’s original British pub. | 8:00 PM
Dice Versa | Geeks Who Drink Trivia | If you prefer a board game lounge vibe over a pub, grab a craft drink and test your knowledge here. | 7:00 PM
WEDNESDAY (1/7)
Highland Park | Lamberton Conservatory Holiday Show | It’s your last chance to see the holiday botanical display before it closes on Jan 11; perfect for a warm, colorful walk. | 10:00 AM
RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium | Planet Spectacular | A guided tour of the planets in our solar system, great for science lovers of all ages. | 3:15 PM
THURSDAY (1/8)
UR Medicine Fitness Science | Fueled & Fit! Wellness Event | A workshop focused on nutrition, fitness, and health specifically for women. | 5:30 PM
Kodak Hall | RPO: Romance & Revelation | Conductor Andreas Delfs leads the RPO in a stirring performance of Schumann and Bruckner. | 7:30 PM
WHO’S HIRING (WITH SALARIES)
High Earner
Nurse Manager @ UR Medicine | Pay: $101,254 - $131,685/yr | A leadership role for a clinical pro ready to oversee patient care and staff at Rochester's largest employer. | Learn More
Community Backbone
Office Clerk IV @ Rochester City School District | Pay: $19.12/hr | Keep the daily operations running smoothly at School #33 (Dr. Iris J. Banister School) in this essential civil service support role. | Learn More
Wild Card
Standardized Patient @ URMC | Pay: $17.43 - $24.40/hr | Get paid to act out symptoms for medical students—no acting degree required, just a convincing cough! | Learn More
LIVE MUSIC LOW DOWN
Monday
The Little Theatre Café | Jackson Cavalier (Indie Folk) | 7:00 PM
Boulder Coffee Co. | Open Mic Comedy & Music | 7:00 PM
Tuesday
Christ Church | Tuesday Pipes (Organ Recital) | 12:10 PM
Lovin’ Cup | Open Mic Night | 7:00 PM
Wednesday
Record Archive | Happy Hour with The Fornieri Bros (Rock/Roots) | 6:00 PM
The Little Theatre Café | Margaret Explosion (Psych/Jazz) | 7:00 PM
ROCHESTER SPORTS
It was a tough start to 2026 for the pro teams, but the college kids held it down. The RIT Tigers secured a massive shutout win against Penn State, while the Amerks and Knighthawks both stumbled in high-scoring affairs.
RIT Men's Hockey
Jan 3 vs. Penn State | W 1-0
Rochester Amerks
Jan 3 vs. Toronto Marlies | L 4-6
Rochester Knighthawks
Jan 3 vs. Colorado Mammoth | L 13-18
WEATHER
Monday (Jan 5)
32°F 🌡️ 22°F | 🌨️ Snow Showers | 35% Precip | 💨 SE 8 mph (7 knots)
Tuesday (Jan 6)
41°F 🌡️ 29°F | 🌧️/🌨️ Rain to Snow | 45% Precip | 💨 E 9 mph (8 knots)
Wednesday (Jan 7)
37°F 🌡️ 34°F | ☁️ Cloudy | 20% Precip | 💨 W 14 mph (12 knots)
THANK YOU!
Have a great week! Forward this to someone who needs to know what's happening in Rochester this week.