Politics
Nicole LaFave, Candidate for Tompkins County Legislature District 1
Nicole LaFave is running for election to get onto the Tompkins County Legislature. She seeks to represent District 1. In the conversation you can listen to here, LaFave goes over the main points of his platform: Living Wage for All Quality Housing for All Union Strong Ithaca Green New Deal End the School-to-Prison Pipeline Systemic…
Read MoreTravis Brooks, Candidate for Tompkins County Legislature District 1
Short version: Long version: Travis Brooks is running for the District 1 seat on the Tompkins County Legislature. He spoke to WRFI News Director Jimmy Jordan in late April. In the conversation, Brooks goes over the main points of his platform: Affordable housing–gentrification has removed our most vulnerable people from their communities and placed them…
Read MoreRedistricting New York State- An Introduction
New York’s state senate and assembly districts are redrawn every 10 years, after the census. In 2014, New York joined two other states with a constitutional amendment to move redistricting to an independent committee but requiring legislative approval which opens the process to potential gerrymandering. To report on how this process is proceeding, WRFI news…
Read MoreShifting Immigration Policy and its Impact on the Ithaca Community
With the shift in presidential administrations, how immigration policy will change is one topic of concern not only on a national level, but also in local communities like Ithaca. In the past week, the Biden administration has taken some initial steps in changing immigration policy. WRFI News Team Intern Maia Noah has the story.
Read MoreInterview: The Reverend Billy Talen on shopping, activism, and the end of the world
It’s black Friday, and, as the coronavirus spikes around the country, retailers closely eye holiday spending. Radical performers Reverend Billy Talen and the Church of Stop Shopping blend activism, music, and humor to trace the connections between consumerist culture, climate crisis, and the coming “shopacalypse.” “Reverend Billy Radio – Preacher for the Planet” makes it’s…
Read MoreLocal Social Justice Organizations Co-Sponsor “Defund the Ithaca Police Department” Car and Bike Rally [AUDIO]
David Foote, Chair of the Ithaca chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, talks about the upcoming car and bike rally, called, “Defund the Ithaca Police Department!” It is taking place Saturday, July 11th from 2 to 5 pm. The rally is co-sponsored by Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America, Ithaca Sciencenter Workers Union, Tompkins County…
Read MoreAnna Kelles Wins 125th Assembly District Democratic Primary Nomination [AUDIO]
In a crowded field in the race for the 125th District Assembly Seat to replace Barbara Lifton, who is retiring this year, Anna Kelles emerged as the victor for the Democratic nomination. Kelles, a Tompkins County legislator, won the primary by a margin of 2,000 votes over Seph Murtagh, Sujata Gibson, Jordan Lesser, Jason Leifer,…
Read MoreMatt van Houten Narrowly Wins NY Primary Election for Tompkins County DA Race [AUDIO]
On July 6, final tallies for the local political races were announced in the time since the Tompkins County Board of Elections finished counting thousands of ballots in the midst of COVID-19 restrictions. In the Tompkins County District Attorney Race, incumbent Matt van Houten has secured the position once again, winning the race over his…
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