WRFI Community Radio News

Governor Hochul Faces New Obstacles for Proposed State Bail Reforms Governor Hochul is facing pushback from progressives and public defenders against her proposed reforms to state bail laws. At the same time, she’s contending with pressure from Republicans and prosecutors over perceived increases in crime. According to the Times Union, Hochul’s proposed changes would remove…

Ithaca Fifth Ward Gets New Alderperson Residents of Ithaca’s Fifth Ward have a new representative on the Common Council. Kris Haines-Sharp was unanimously approved by the Council during a Wednesday meeting. She fills the position left vacant when Mayor Laura Lewis officially took office last December. The Ithaca Voice reports that seven candidates applied to…

Newfield Board Chair Asked to Resign The chair of the Newfield school board was asked to resign during a January 19th meeting. The Ithaca Times reports that board member Melissa Rynone accused board chair Christina Ward of violating policies on communication outside of board meetings. The accusation involves emails and other communications from the chair…

Ithaca Rents Ninth Highest in Country  According to the rental real estate listing service Dwellsy, Ithaca has the highest rent of any small city in the US. The study shows that the average price to rent a one bedroom in Ithaca was $1908 per month in 2022 up 4.5% over 2021. Only eight cities in…

Tompkins County Hiring Homeless Services Coordinator In its effort to address homelessness, Tompkins County is hiring a Homeless Services Coordinator. A 2022 study reported that the county has the third highest rate of homelessness in the state. It also pointed to slow progress toward the county’s goal of adding 100 beds of supportive housing. The…

Gillibrand Anticipates Challenge from Zeldin Senator Kristin Gillibrand of New York is expecting a challenge from Lee Zeldin in 2024 who ran a competitive race for New York Governor in November. According to the Times Union, the two-term Democratic incumbent sent fundraising emails cautioning her supporters that “Zeldin very nearly won the New York governorship.”…

BorgWarner Manufacturing Facility On Warren Road To Close BorgWarner announced it is closing one of its facilities in Lansing. The automotive parts manufacturer told the Ithaca Voice the company will close a valve part production site on Warren Road by the end of 2024.It is also closing a technical center at the same location. It’s…

New York Says More Must be Done to Protect Bees A state audit of the 2016 Pollination Protection Plan found that more action is needed to protect bees and other pollinators from disease, parasites, and pesticides. The plan, created in 2016 by the joint efforts of the Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the DEC,…