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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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Daily features and interviews from our community

Dryden Town Supervisor Jason Leifer discusses his candidacy for NY Assembly 125th District [Audio]

By Fred Balfour | February 7, 2020 | Comments Off on Dryden Town Supervisor Jason Leifer discusses his candidacy for NY Assembly 125th District [Audio]

We’re joined in the studio by Dryden Town Supervisor Jason Leifer. Jason recently announced his bid to represent the 125th district in the New York State Assembly. Current assembly person Barbara Lifton announced her resignation late last week after 18 years representing Tompkins and part of Cortland county.

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Ithaca City Alderperson Seph Murtagh discusses his candidacy for NY Assembly [AUDIO]

By WRFI News Staff | February 5, 2020 | Comments Off on Ithaca City Alderperson Seph Murtagh discusses his candidacy for NY Assembly [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. Days later, Ithaca Common Council Alderperson Seph Murtagh, who serves as Communications Coordinator for Representative Lifton, announced his bid for Lifton’s seat. WRFI’s Michayla Savitt reports.

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Finger Lakes for New York Health on “Power to Heal” documentary screening [AUDIO]

By WRFI News Staff | January 29, 2020 | Comments Off on Finger Lakes for New York Health on “Power to Heal” documentary screening [AUDIO]

Carolyn Kenyon of “Finger Lakes for New York Health” joined WRFI’s Michayla Savitt live in-studio on “Your Morning” to talk about The Power to Heal, a documentary looking at the relationship between medicare and desegregation. The film screens at 7pm on Wednesday, January 29th at Cinemapolis. The pair discuss the gap in health coverage that…

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The Ripple Effect Radio Project Part 3: Monitoring Cayuga Lake’s Water Quality [AUDIO]

By Park Scholars | January 28, 2020 | Comments Off on The Ripple Effect Radio Project Part 3: Monitoring Cayuga Lake’s Water Quality [AUDIO]

Our new public affairs series “The Ripple Effect” dives into the local effects of climate change on our area’s cherished waterways. This project is made in collaboration with the Ithaca Voice, Cornell University, the Community Science Institute, and the Ithaca College Park Scholars. We dive into water hazards affecting the Finger Lakes region, and explore…

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