Live, Local, and Commercial-Free

Listen now at 89.7FM, 88.1FM in Ithaca, or by using our web player.

Local News: September 19, 2023

Opponents of the draft payment agreement between Cornell and the City of Ithaca protested on campus Monday evening. The new proposal would require Cornell to pay Ithaca $4 million a year over the next 21 years with regular increases for inflation. That’s up from the $1.6 million currently paid. Opponents like Kay Minnix don’t think that’s nearly enough. She was painting a sign near the school’s iconic bell tower. She was one of about one hundred people who came to the rally.  “Cornell has a $10 billion endowment. If they just gave Ithaca a portion of the interest they are making annually it would be enough for us to uplift this community,” she…

Now Playing

Reload page to refresh.

Archive Player

CREATIVES: New Voices Literary Festival Preview with Raul Palma [AUDIO]

By Felix Teitelbaum

Listen to author Raul Palma in conversation with student organizers April Morales, Emily Trage, Riley Rhoder and Professor Jacob White. The 2024 New Voices Festival runs from April 24-26 at Ithaca College and in your community.  

Read More

Tune in, Turn on, and Take Part! Join Us for WRFI’s Spring “Fun” Drive and Be Part of this Community-Powered Radio Revolution!

By Felix Teitelbaum

What does community radio mean to you? We think this commercial-free, free-form, independent station helps make our listeners lives-and life in our communities-just a little better. We strive to make programing that opens ears, opens hearts, and leads us to ask important questions about our world. Even if it’s just to ask yourself, “What in…

Read More

LISTEN: Freedom of Expression at Cornell – Academic freedom

By Celia Clarke

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 More

CREATIVES: Frank London of the Klezmatics [AUDIO and TRANSCRIPT]

By Felix Teitelbaum

Photo: Adrian Buckmaster for the Klezmatics Frank London of the Klezmatics talks with Felix Teitelbaum and Aron Gutman ahead of their show at Cornell, Saturday April 13, 2024. He discussed the cultural significance of klezmer music and Yiddish culture with its roots in Ashkenazi Jewish traditions and influences from Eastern Europe. He reflected on the…

Read More

Latest from the WRFI News Team

Daily features and interviews from our community

Local News: April 23, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | April 23, 2024 |

Cornell Undergrad Vote Supports Gaza Ceasefire, Divestment Last week Cornell undergraduate voted in a referendum polling their views on a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from 10 military contractors supplying Israel. According to the Cornell Sun, nearly 50% of eligible students voted. And votes for a ceasefire and divestment outweighed those against by nearly two…

Read More

Local News: April 22, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | April 22, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: April 22, 2024

Public Hearing on ICSD Budget Announced Ithaca City School District has announced a public hearing on its proposed 2024-2025 operating budget. The meeting will take place May 14 at 5:30 p.m. at York Hall at Ithaca High School. Last week we reported on a 5-hour meeting during which the board heard from taxpayers concerned with…

Read More

Local News: April 19, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | April 19, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: April 19, 2024

Case Against Day Hall Protestors Conditionally Dismissed A case against Cornell student and staff protestors will likely be dismissed. Twenty-four members of the Coalition for Mutual Liberation who staged a sit in at Day Hall in March appeared before Judge Seth Peacock Wednesday. The charges will be dropped  provided the defendants don’t commit further violations…

Read More

Local News: April 17, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | April 17, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: April 17, 2024

ICSD Board Cuts Proposed Budget Ahead of May 21 Vote The Ithaca City School Board has made cuts to their proposed budget. According to the Ithaca Times, the adjustment was made after a 5-hour meeting with the public. Board members heard from a range of homeowners who spoke to the effect of rising taxes on…

Read More