Features
LISTEN: Freedom of Expression at Cornell – Academic freedom
This is the last of my three stories about freedom of expression at Cornell University this year. Here are links to the first and second stories. The academic theme at Cornell this year is “Freedom of Expression.” In earlier stories, we reported about the general mood at Cornell around free speech, and students’ opinions about…
Read MoreLISTEN: Freedom of Expression at Cornell – Student views
The academic theme at Cornell this year is “Freedom of Expression.” A few weeks ago we reported on the general mood around free speech at Cornell. Today, we’re sharing students’ opinions about their free speech rights. WRFI asked to speak to someone in Cornell’s administration about free speech on campus. The request was denied. The…
Read MoreLISTEN: Freedom of Expression at Cornell
Cornell’s academic theme this school year is freedom of expression. It was meant to be a year of celebration of one of the university’s core values. Instead how freedom of expression is practiced or protected on campus has become a divisive issue. The theme was announced last April months before war broke out between Israel…
Read MoreFEATURE: Governor’s budget plan could cost rural schools millions of dollars in state aid
Rural school districts across New York face a significant loss in state funding this year. Governor Hochul’s 2024 executive budget proposal would change the allocation of “foundation aid”. That’s the money the state gives each school district to close the gap between what a community can afford to pay and what is needed to provide…
Read MoreThe value of rural libraries: A look inside Odessa’s public library
Public libraries have been in the news a lot over the past few years. There have been calls to ban books, pull funding, or cancel certain events. But not all events or books are controversial and not all libraries are dealing with efforts to censor their collections. Odessa Library in Schuyler County is that kind…
Read MoreFEATURE: A new call to address harmful algal blooms in Cayuga Lake and beyond
This interview has been edited for clarity. Harmful algal blooms, HABS, occur in the summer months in waterbodies across the country. But winter is when researchers and activists review the data and assess the impact of the season’s blooms. The toxins are dangerous to human and animal life. More of them are showing up in…
Read MoreFEATURE: Conversation with Interfaith Leaders
Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October there have been several separate rallies in Ithaca supporting Palestine or Israel. Public emotions ran high when the Tompkins County Legislature briefly considered a resolution in support of Israel and flying the Israeli flag in the legislative chamber. It was around that time,…
Read MoreELECTION FEATURE: Ithaca Common Council Ward 5 Candidate Jason Houghton
WRFI Community Radio and The Ithaca Voice are bringing you conversations with candidates in the contested Ithaca Common Council races and the mayoral race. Tonight Matt Butler interviews Ward 5 candidate Jason Houghton. Houghton is running on the Ithacans for Progress ballot line. His opponent is Clyde Lederman, running on the Democratic Party and Working…
Read More