Live, Local, and Commercial-Free

Listen now at 89.7FM, 88.1FM in Ithaca, or 91.9FM in Watkins Glen, using our web player.

Local News for 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 would have to make cuts like a temporary hiring freeze. The legislature’s in the early planning stages for next year’s budget.  – Ithaca College Artificial Turf Field Faces Some Opposition After Getting Planning Approval – The Town of Ithaca approved renovation plans for Ithaca College’s Butterfield Stadium last month. The plan includes installing an artificial turf. Some students…

Now Playing

Reload page to refresh.

Archive Player

CREATIVES: Helen Gillet on new Album and Ithaca Shows

By Felix Teitelbaum

New Orleans based cellist Helen Gillet chats with Felix Teitelbaum about her new album “ReBelle” and her upcoming appearances in Ithaca at the Downstairs May 24 and June 29, 2023. Photo: Jason Kruppa

Read More

This Week on The Scene: Elizabeth Anker on Paradox and the Claims of Theory

By Chantal Thomas

In this week’s episode of The Scene, literary and legal scholar Elizabeth Anker discusses the key contentions of her new book, “On Paradox: The Claims of Theory“: that faith in the logic of paradox has formed a cornerstone of left intellectualism — and that reasoning through paradox has become deeply problematic, undercutting social justice commitments. 

Read More

CREATIVES: Natasha Pickowicz on “More than Cake” and Bake Sale Fundraiser

By Felix Teitelbaum

Pastry Chef and author Natasha Pickowicz chats with Felix Teitelbaum about her book “More than Cake,” cooking, recipe creation, and the fundraiser she’s hosting at South Hill Cider on Sunday, May 7, 2023 to benefit Khuba International‘s Quarter Acre for the People project. Photo: provided.

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More