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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 deer ticks survive in warmer winters. However, researchers say there’s no one cause for the recent rise in illnesses and it may take a few more years for them to understand all the reasons for the increase in tick-caused diseases. – Interlaken takes public stance against landfill expansion – The Village of Interlaken Board voted unanimously at its…

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LISTEN: Memories of Lost Cat, Gavin Mahoney

By Celia Clarke

The Ithaca artist known as Lost Cat died in April. His name was Gavin Mahoney and he was 55. Mahoney was best known for the many stick cat figures he painted around the city. Shortly after his death friends, admirers, and fellow artists put on a memorial art exhibition. And in July, a sculpture was installed downtown in his memory. I spoke with a few of his friends at both events. Here’s some of what they said about Mahoney’s life and how they will remember him.

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LISTEN: Interview with Dareth Glance, New York Department of Environmental Conservation Director, Region 7

By Celia Clarke

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation divides the state into nine regions. Dereth Glance is the new Region 7 Director. It covers Onondaga, Tompkins, Cortland, Chenango, Oswego, Madison, Cayuga, Tioga, and Broome counties. Glance most recently oversaw the DEC Environmental Remediation, Materials Management, and Mineral Resources divisions. Before joining the DEC, she served…

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CREATIVES: Quintron and Miss Pussycat [AUDIO]

By Felix Teitelbaum

Felix Teitelbaum interviews New Orleans-based artists Quintron and Missy Pussycat on August 24, 2023. They’ll be appearing in Ithaca at the Cherry Arts, Sept. 11. The show is a benefit for WRFI. You can learn more about the duo and get tickets to the show here.

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This Week on The Scene: Desiree LeClercq on the Battle for Workplace Democracy at Starbucks

By Chantal Thomas

In this week’s episode of The Scene, international labor law expert Desiree LeClercq breaks down the 2023 National Labor Relations Board proceeding that held three Ithaca store closures by Starbucks to be in violation of federal protections for organizing workers, and discusses the larger contexts in national and international worker rights.

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Latest from the WRFI News Team

Daily features and interviews from our community

WRFI volunteer checks-in about her experience covering Super Tuesday for NPR in Memphis [AUDIO]

By WRFI News Staff | March 3, 2020 | Comments Off on WRFI volunteer checks-in about her experience covering Super Tuesday for NPR in Memphis [AUDIO]

One of our own volunteers, Lauren Leone, covered the Super Tuesday Tennessee primary election for WKNO, an NPR station in Memphis, through the Ithaca College journalism program. WRFI’s Michayla Savitt caught up with Lauren over the phone early Tuesday morning, before she left for the polls.

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Initiating a Food Systems Plan for Tompkins County

By Esther Racoosin | March 3, 2020 | Comments Off on Initiating a Food Systems Plan for Tompkins County

A large group of stakeholders involved in some aspect of food policy came together on February 26 2020 for a community conversation to kick off the development of a food system plan for Tompkins County. The plan will be informed by all residents and will guide future actions by Tompkins County to improve food security…

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anna kelles

Tompkins Legislator Anna Kelles discusses her candidacy for NY Assembly 125th District [AUDIO]

By WRFI News Staff | February 28, 2020 | Comments Off on Tompkins Legislator Anna Kelles discusses her candidacy for NY Assembly 125th District [AUDIO]

Tompkins Legislator Anna Kelles is one of seven democrat who has thrown their hat into the ring to take Lifton’s seat. She joined WRFI News Director Michayla Savitt on air to discuss her campaign.

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Matthew McIntyre of Cortland discusses his candidacy for NY Assembly 125th District [AUDIO]

By WRFI News Staff | February 27, 2020 | Comments Off on Matthew McIntyre of Cortland discusses his candidacy for NY Assembly 125th District [AUDIO]

Barbara Lifton, Assemblywoman for Ithaca and the 125th district announced on Friday January 31st that she will not be seeking re-election for a tenth term. Cortland County Libertarian Chair Matthew McIntyre* is one of many people who has thrown their hat into the ring to take Lifton’s seat. He joined WRFI Contributor Anna Lamb live…

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