January 25, 2022 Daily Headlines
Yesterday, New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission announced it would not be able to come to a consensus on a new congressional map. The commission had until today to submit a new proposal to the state legislature, which rejected two proposals two weeks ago. According to the Troy Record, the process will now move to the state legislature, which will be tasked with drawing the state’s congressional maps for the next 10 years. Democrats have a supermajority in both chambers of the state legislature.
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On Monday, Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick announced his endorsement of State Senate candidate Lea Webb. Webb, a former Democratic Binghamton City Councilor, is running to face incumbent republican Tom O’Mara in the 58th Senate District. Longtime candidate Leslie Danks Burke has already announced her own campaign for the democratic nomination. Danks Burke faced O’Mara in 2020 losing by over 12 points. New York hasn’t finished it’s redistricting process, which could change the make-up of Ithaca’s Senate district.
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On Friday, local religious leaders, and community members gathered at the Bernie Milton Pavillion, in response to the recent hostage incident during a Shabbat service in Colleyville, Texas. The crisis was eventually resolved, and all 4 hostages were released alive and safe. According to the Ithaca Voice, Rabbi Shifrah Tobacman of the Ithaca Reform Temple, opened the event saying the community gathered “...in the freezing cold, for the sake of healing and in the name of solidarity.” President of the Muslim Community of Ithaca Mahmud Burton and Pastor Debbie Bennet Reynolds of Ithaca’s First Baptist Church also spoke, saying all religious communities should be able to worship without fear.
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The Tompkins County Health Department will host two COVID vaccine booster clinics this Saturday at the Ithaca Mall Vaccine Site. The first clinic will be from 10:00 A.M to 1:00 P.M. and will offer the Moderna booster to all residents 18 years and older. The second clinic will be from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. and will offer the Pfizer booster to all residents 12 and older. To receive either booster, residents must have received their second dose of the vaccine at least five months ago, or a one dose vaccine at least two months ago. For more information visit the county website at tompkinscountyny.gov/health