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Local News: May 3, 2024

Coalition Pushes for “Just Cause” Employment in Ithaca The campaign for “just cause” employment legislation in Ithaca continues. According to the Cornell Sun, the Ithaca Just Cause Coalition has been pushing Common Council to adopt their proposal and a working group on the matter is being formed. The coalition includes unions, nonprofits and businesses. The proposal would end “at will” employment in Ithaca. Under the proposed rule, employers would need to demonstrate that progressive steps were taken to address poor work performance before terminating an employee. Employers would also be able to fire people for illegal or dangerous behavior, or for economic reasons like loss of income.   Employers who violate the rule would…

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CREATIVES: Tabla Master Zakir Hussain with Monsoon Radio’s Daniel Bass

By Felix Teitelbaum

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain talks with Daniel Bass host of WRFI’s Monsoon Radio about his upcoming concert at Cornell with Deopriya Chatterjee (bansuri) & Sabir Khan (sarangi) on March 22, the three Grammys he won last month, his first show in Ithaca in 1989, and more!

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Collage of women icons.

Celebrate Women with WRFI this Month

By Felix Teitelbaum

The month of March is Women’s History Month – a time to celebrate women of all backgrounds and recognize the struggle  for equality is not over. The first celebration of the fight for women’s rights was held on February 28th, 1909. The occasion was organized by the Socialist Party of America to commemorate the 1908…

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LISTEN: Freedom of Expression at Cornell

By Celia Clarke

Cornell’s academic theme this school year is freedom of expression. It was meant to be a year of celebration of one of the university’s core values. Instead how freedom of expression is practiced or protected on campus has become a divisive issue.  The theme was announced last April months before war broke out between Israel…

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Songs Dex Romweber Taught Us – The Rocket Morton Show

By Felix Teitelbaum

Dex Romweber (left) and sister Sara Romweber with Rocket Morton Chapel Hill-based rockabilly and blues guitarist Dexter Romweber passed away on February 16, 2024 at the age of 57. Romweber influenced, inspired, and touched the lives of many-including WRFI’s own Rocket Morton. Part one of Rocket’s tribute to Dex and his influences aired on Friday,…

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Local News: May 3, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | May 3, 2024 |

Coalition Pushes for “Just Cause” Employment in Ithaca The campaign for “just cause” employment legislation in Ithaca continues. According to the Cornell Sun, the Ithaca Just Cause Coalition has been pushing Common Council to adopt their proposal and a working group on the matter is being formed. The coalition includes unions, nonprofits and businesses. The…

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Local News: May 2, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | May 2, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: May 2, 2024

Ithaca Passes Short Term Rental Ordinance, Green New Deal Plan- Ithaca’s Common Council passed to major resolutions at its regular meeting Wednesday night. The first enacts a long-discussed short term rental ordinance. Under the new regulation, a permit is required to operate a short term rental. A “short term rental” is defined as one for…

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Local News: May 1, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | May 1, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: May 1, 2024

Cornell Professors Condemn Student Suspensions On Tuesday, more than 325 Cornell professors signed an open letter condemning the University’s suspension of four students. The students were suspended for their role in the pro-Palestinian encampment on Cornell’s campus. The letter calls the suspensions “unwarranted and excessive.”  Meanwhile suspended undergraduate protestor Nick Wilson rejected a deal from…

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Local News: April 30, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | April 30, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: April 30, 2024

Chemung Sheriff’s Office Gets Boost for Door Breach Training The Chemung County Sheriff’s office has a new training tool. WETM reports that the Elmira-based manufacturer the Hilliard Corporation donated a reinforced door to the Sheriff’s Special Services Unit. The door will be used in training deputies in breaching locked, reinforced doors. The technique is used…

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