Community
A Preview of Ithaca’s Juneteenth 2020 Rally: Decriminalize, Demilitarize, Decarcerate
Local activists are observing Juneteenth with a rally taking place in downtown Ithaca at the Bernie Milton Pavillion on Friday, June 19th, 2020 at 12 pm. The theme of the rally is: Decriminalize, Demilitarize, Decarcerate. WRFI Community Radio News contributor Esther Racoosin speaks with Taili Mugambee and Savannah Gonzalez, two of the organizers of the…
Read MoreStories from Quarantine From the Lives of WRFI Volunteers: A Third Grade Tom Sawyer [AUDIO]
We’re into week 12, but still in the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic. New York state’s Southern Tier is continuing into phase two of reopening. The state is relaxing restrictions surrounding in-person gatherings, but many are still in a state of isolation. Things are even quiet at WRFI, where we’ve been closed to all but…
Read MoreNew York State Offers New Absentee Ballot Option for June 23 Primary Election
Earlier this year, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued an Executive Order mandating that the New York State Board of Elections automatically mail every New Yorker a postage-paid application for an absentee ballot. In addition, all registered voters in the state are eligible to vote by absentee ballot in the June 23rd Primary election. Stephen Dewitt,…
Read MoreNIAID Advances Drug and Vaccine Testing to Combat COVID-19 [AUDIO]
Dr. Joseph Campbell, Program Officer in the Research Resources Section of the Office of Biodefense, Research Resources and Translational Research talks about how his section is advancing drug and vaccine testing against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. (Photo: SARS-CoV-2 virus; Source: NIAID via Wikimedia Commons)
Read MoreEducator Laurie Rubin Talks About Observing the Natural World [AUDIO]
Educator Laurie Rubin talks about how and why we should take time to go outside and observe the natural world. The former elementary school teacher developed a curriculum using nature study to inspire students to develop their writing and science skills. She is the author of the book To Look Closely: Science and Literacy in…
Read MoreFoodnet Meals on Wheels Serves Clients Amid COVID-19 Pandemic [AUDIO]
Jessica Gosa, Executive Director of Foodnet Meals on Wheels, discusses how her organization is adapting amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She describes how Foodnet is changing its procedures to ensure the safety of its clients and its staff. Gosa also talks about recent innovations in their operation, such as moving to a rotating schedule and creating…
Read MoreIthaca Community Members Sew Face Masks To Meet Local Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic [AUDIO]
Local volunteers are sewing face masks in response to shortages of protective gear for health care providers, people in the service sector and community members from COVID-19. Here we speak with three people in the community who have been organizing these efforts: Carol O’Driscoll, Director of Surgical Services at Cayuga Medical Center, Ithaca Mask Makers…
Read MoreLocal Activists Establish Mutual Aid Tompkins [AUDIO]
Juliana Garcia and Josh Dolan, two of the organizers of the Tompkins COVID-19 Mutual Aid Response Facebook Group, discuss what they and other activists are doing to assist local residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. They describe components of the Facebook Group and encourage folks to join whether they need assistance or would like to provide…
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