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Local News: October 18, 2023

Tompkins County Legislature tabled resolution in support of Israel and to fly Israeli flag in chamber The Tompkins County legislature was set to vote on a resolution in support of Israel at its meeting on Tuesday night but Legislator Greg Mezey from Dryden withdrew the resolution when the meeting started. Mezey says he started the resolution shortly after the October 7 attack in Israel by Hamas. Today he spoke with WRFI about some of his thoughts. “When I wrote it, I felt strongly that it was where it needed to be, as the situation continued to evolve, you know, my thought process changed. And I think as a elected officials, in many levels…

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Fund Drive Update: With Your Help, WE DID IT!

By Felix Teitelbaum

WE DID IT! Thanks to the incredible support of over 80 donors in the Finger Lakes and beyond, we raised over $10,000 in the past week! Your generosity ensures that we can continue opening ears, minds, and hearts across the Southern Finger Lakes. THANK YOU for making a real impact! Your contribution supports: Amplifying the…

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FEATURE: Conversation with Interfaith Leaders

By Celia Clarke

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,…

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WINO, Watkins Glen is Off the Air

By Felix Teitelbaum

We’re sorry to announce to our Watkins Glen listeners that we have gone off the air on 91.9FM as of Friday, November 10. This change will not affect our signals at 88.1FM in Ithaca, or 89.7FM across the Southern Finger Lakes. Nor will it affect our webstream heard here at WRFI.ORG. In fact many Watkins…

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ELECTION FEATURE: Ithaca Common Council Ward 5 Candidate Jason Houghton

By Celia Clarke

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…

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Local News: December 8, 2023

By Celia Clarke | December 8, 2023 |

Man accused of setting fire that killed 30 horses at Tioga Downs pleads not guilty The man charged with setting a fire that killed 30 racehorses in Tioga County was in court on Friday. Fenton Boyd is charged with arson, burglary, criminal mischief, and assault for the fire at Tioga Downs race track in November.…

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Local News: December 7, 2023

By Celia Clarke | December 7, 2023 | Comments Off on Local News: December 7, 2023

– Republican businessman announces challenge to Gillibrand in 2024 election – A Republican businessman announced he is challenging incumbent Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in 2024.  WRVO Public Radio reports Josh Eisen previously ran for the House in  2020. He suspended his campaign after it was reported that he was sanctioned by judges twice for harassing…

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Local News: December 6, 2023

By Celia Clarke | December 6, 2023 | Comments Off on Local News: December 6, 2023

– Cornell changes admissions application essays because of overturn of affirmative action – Cornell University’s undergraduate application has changed. The Cornell Daily Sun reports the change was made in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of affirmative action. But, Cornell officials did not give the paper a reason for the change. The application for…

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Local News: December 5, 2023

By Celia Clarke | December 5, 2023 | Comments Off on Local News: December 5, 2023

– Residents of Ulysses to vote in special election on land purchase for recreational area – Voters in the Town of Ulysses will decide whether to buy 30 acres to become a recreational area in a special election on December 6. The town includes Trumansburg and is a few miles north of Ithaca. The town’s…

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