Remembering Bishop Cecil A. Malone

SUMMARY Juneteenth is now officially a federal holiday. President Biden signed it into law on Thursday, making today Juneteenth’s first federal recognized celebration. Businesses are closed. Many Government employees have the day off. The day celebrates the emancipation of black men and women from enslavement in the United States.  But that  passage of history is…

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The Cherry Arts Presents the Headphone Walking Play, “Trap Door”

WRFI Community Radio News contributor Esther Racoosin speaks with Cynthia Henderson and Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon. They are the director and lead writer, respectively, of the Cherry Arts new headphone walking play, “Trap Door”. Participants will be able to contemplate and meditate on the experiences of local African American freedom fighters as they listen to the…

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The Public’s Opinion on Reimagining Public Safety

On this episode of Which Way Forward, we explore many, many opinions and views on the Reimagining Public Safety process. All these comments and thoughts are from the public feedback period of the Reimagining Public Safety Draft Report. This ranged from early February 2021, to March 31st 2021. In that fast-moving span of time, community…

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2021 Virtual Spring Writes Literary Festival Presents Variety of Panels and Workshops

The 2021 Spring Writes Literary Festival, organized by the Community Arts Partnership (CAP) of Tompkins County, begins Wednesday, May 5th and continues to Sunday, May 16.  Thirteen different writing workshops will be offered to the public starting in late May, continuing into September. Artistic Director Jen Tennant and CAP Program and Grant Director Robin Schwartz…

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Cornell Engaged Grant to support opioid use research project

Each year, Cornell University awards engaged research grants to community centered projects. This year, they awarded four grants totaling 192,000 dollars to community centered projects. One of the projects that received this public service grant is working to address opioid use in the greater Ithaca community. WRFI news intern, Maia Noah reports.     

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With Code Blue Coming to an End, Homeless Services Shift Gears

The warm days of mid-April bring a new feeling of assurance and excitement to many, but it also spells uncertainty for New York’s Homeless. In New York State, Code Blue is in effect anytime the temperature reaches 32 degrees or lower. December 1st through April 15th is considered a mandatory Code Blue period. During these…

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Which Way Forward: What the Plan is Made of

On April 1st, Ithaca and Tompkins County submitted their plans for reforming public safety. Although the Common Council and the County Legislature have committed to the points of their plans, they still have a long way to go before they’re realized. The recommendations don’t have the mechanics and power of policy behind them yet, and…

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