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Local News: September 22, 2023

– Health insurance costs for Cortland County employees, retirees may rise – Cortland County retirees and employees may see their health insurance contributions rise by 10% in 2024. The Cortland Voice reports the county is facing a $1.3 million gap in the 2024 budget. The insurance increase would close that gap.  The legislature is set to vote on the resolution at their September 28 meeting. – State mandates push Tompkins County budget up – Tompkins County’s 2024 budget recommendations were presented to the legislature earlier this week. County Administrator Lisa Holmes submitted the $254 million budget includes a 2% tax levy increase. It also contains increases of several million dollars because of state…

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Centennial Celebration of the End of WWI at Cornell’s Risley Hall [AUDIO]

By WRFI News Staff

Grady Owens, an archeology student at Cornell University, is the organizer of the Centennial Celebration of the end of the First World War. The celebration is taking place in the Risley Great Hall on the Cornell campus on Saturday, November 10th, starting at 5 pm.  The event will include speeches from students and university officials,…

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WRFI’s 2018 Fundraiser Marathon – SPECIAL PROGRAMMING!

By Domenic Gagliano

Also, show your pledge and vote for WRFI Community Radio! Please support our station and help us continue to grow. We have new premiums and daily prizes each day of the marathon running now through November 15. Here is a rundown of some of the special programming happening during the marathon. Tune in, show your…

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Two Ithacans Raise $12,500 to Forgive over $1.5 Million in Family Medical Debt (AUDIO)

By Fred Balfour

During the summer of 2018, two Ithacans, members of the Finger Lakes Chapter of the New York Health Campaign, raised $12,500 to forgive and erase over $1.5 million in medical debt held by low-income families. They worked through RIP Medical Debt (Medical Debt Resolution, Inc.), a not for profit corporation that locates, buys, and forgives…

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Fundraising Marathon Special Programming: Matt Kadane (The New Year / Bedhead) To Interview with Dusty Visions – Sun 11/11 12pm

By Domenic Gagliano

Matt Kadane (along with his brother Bubba Kadane) co-founded the bands Bedhead (1991-1998), and more recently The New Year and Overseas. He’s also a history professor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva while also publishing a book titled The Watchful Clothier (Yale University Press) in 2013. He’s collaborated with David Bazan and Will Johnson…

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Local News: September 22, 2023

By Celia Clarke | September 22, 2023 |

– Health insurance costs for Cortland County employees, retirees may rise – Cortland County retirees and employees may see their health insurance contributions rise by 10% in 2024. The Cortland Voice reports the county is facing a $1.3 million gap in the 2024 budget. The insurance increase would close that gap.  The legislature is set…

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Local News: September 21, 2023

By Celia Clarke | September 21, 2023 | Comments Off on Local News: September 21, 2023

– Ithaca Leaders Postpone Vote on Cornell Funding, Approve Homeless Encampment Policy – The Ithaca Common Council held a special meeting Wednesday night to vote on two highly significant matters. But, they postponed a vote on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cornell until an October meeting. Mayor Lewis said that would give Alderpersons…

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Local News: September 20, 2023

By Celia Clarke | September 20, 2023 | Comments Off on Local News: September 20, 2023

– Tick-borne illnesses double in Tompkins County – Tick-borne illnesses are on the rise in our region and across the country. According to The Ithaca Voice, the number of cases of Lyme disease in Tompkins County has doubled in the past year. Part of the reason is milder winters because of climate change. Ticks, especially…

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Local News: September 19, 2023

By Celia Clarke | September 19, 2023 | Comments Off on 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…

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