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Local News for April 11, 2023 Cayuga Nation Gets Federal Approval To Create Land Trust The Cayuga Nation can now put over 100 acres of land in its territory into a land trust. The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs granted permission last week for the federally-recognized Cayuga government to create the trust. The Ithaca Voice reports that land in the trust will be exempt from local and state taxes. The decision comes after about twenty years of legal disputes between the federally-recognized Cayuga government and traditionalists who say the current Cayuga government is illegitimate.     Tompkins County To Get More Funding from Opioid Settlements Tompkins County is expecting more money from settlements of lawsuits…

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Voices: Ithaca CarShare Members on Life with Car Access

By Celia Clarke

It’s been over a week since Ithaca CarShare temporarily closed. The nonprofit stopped operating on May 19 because of an insurance problem that can only be solved with new state legislation.  I called Ithaca CarShare members – Ellie Santoro, Jayne Soulman, and Marybeth Michelson-Theiry to find out how not having access to the car share…

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INTERVIEW – Liz Field, Ithaca CarShare

By Celia Clarke

Ithaca CarShare is closing down today. They intend for this to be a pause but they are facing insurance problems that can only be solved by the state legislature. I spoke with Executive Director Liz Field about the situation, how it’s affecting their members, and what comes next. We talked on the day before the…

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This Week on The Scene: Dan Torop on the Science, Technology, and Art of Images

By Chantal Thomas

In this week’s episode of The Scene, photographer and art professor Dan Torop discusses his recent work in the exhibitions Falling Water and Three Rainbows; the science and technology that he has used in rendering images of the physical world; and the social and cultural histories that accompany and shape tools of photography and other forms of visual rendering.

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Latest from the WRFI News Team

Daily features and interviews from our community

Local News for June 2, 2023

By Celia Clarke | June 2, 2023

– Tompkins County Considering A 2 Percent Tax Levy Increase – Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes is proposing a 2 percent tax levy increase in the 2024 budget. She says it’s necessary to cover rising energy costs and emergency services. It would cost the average homeowner about $50 more. To pay for it the county…

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Local News for June 1, 2023

By Celia Clarke | June 1, 2023

– State Regulators Vote To Settle Lawsuit Preventing Marijuana Retail Licenses In Finger Lakes – Retail marijuana licenses can now be issued in the Finger Lakes Region. The state’s Cannabis Control Board agreed to settle a lawsuit during their meeting on Tuesday.  The Albany Times Union reports a Michigan resident sued New York because he…

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Local News for May 30, 2023

By Celia Clarke | May 30, 2023

– Ithaca Common Council Members Introduce Gun Storage Legislation – The Ithaca Common Council is considering a gun storage law. It would require gun owners to lock up or disable their firearms in their homes. The issue was discussed at last week’s City Administration Committee meeting. The Ithaca Voice reports the legislation would carry fines…

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Voices: Ithaca CarShare Members on Life with Car Access

By Celia Clarke | May 29, 2023

It’s been over a week since Ithaca CarShare temporarily closed. The nonprofit stopped operating on May 19 because of an insurance problem that can only be solved with new state legislation.  I called Ithaca CarShare members – Ellie Santoro, Jayne Soulman, and Marybeth Michelson-Theiry to find out how not having access to the car share…

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Local News for May 26, 2023

By Celia Clarke | May 26, 2023

State Health Department Ending COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate For Healthcare Workers New York State is ending its COVID-19 vaccination mandate for healthcare workers. The state health department made the announcement on Wednesday. Officials say the mandate is no longer necessary because of the drop in cases of the virus and rise in vaccinations. The mandate faced…

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Local News for May 25, 2023

By Celia Clarke | May 25, 2023

– Former IPD Acting Chief Sues City For Racial Discrimination – Ithaca’s former acting police chief John Joly is suing the City for racial discrimination. The Ithaca Voice reports Joly says city officials didn’t appoint police chief because he’s white. The suit names Mayor Laura Lewis, five Common Council members and Human Resources Director Schelley…

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