Live, Local, and Commercial-Free

Listen now at 89.7FM, 88.1FM in Ithaca, or by using our web player.

Local News: April 25, 2024

Student Protestors Occupy Cornell’s Arts Quad- Activists at Cornell set up an encampment Thursday morning in the university’s arts quad. The Coalition for Mutual Liberation (or CML) called the encampment a “liberated zone” meant to further pressure Cornell to divest from what they call the university’s complicity in genocide in Gaza.  Malak, a fourth year undergrad explained why she is participating: “So I’m a student here at Cornell. But I’m also Palestinian. And I have family in Gaza that has been surviving this genocide for like the past, what is it, 200 days? I’ve lost family members. I have uncles that were killed in their homes because they were bombed. Others that are…

Now Playing

Reload page to refresh.

Archive Player

Juneteenth Rally: Decriminalize, Demilitarize, Decarcerate Tompkins [AUDIO]

By WRFI News Staff

On Friday, June 19th, a rally called “Decriminalize, Demilitarize, Decarcerate Tompkins” was held at the Bernie Milton Pavilion in downtown Ithaca. Speakers and artists addressed local injustices within the criminal justice system, including incarceration, the court system, immigrant detention and policing. The rally was held on Juneteenth, which commemorates the June 19th 1865 announcement of…

Read More

Anti-Racism at WRFI

By Felix Teitelbaum

Since the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and countless other Black, Indegenous and People of Color (BIPOC), and the recent mass mobilizations for racial justice, WRFI’s Board of Directors recommitted the organization to diversity and inclusion and pledged that all board and staff members would engage in anti-racism trainings in order to…

Read More

The Singing Notes & Slinging Jokes Duo Discuss Performing Amid the Pandemic [AUDIO]

By WRFI News Staff

Kenneth McLaurin and SingTrece, the comedy and music duo known as Singing Notes and Slinging Jokes, talk about how the pandemic has affected their creative process and how their online live events have both challenges and silver linings.

Read More

Educator Laurie Rubin Talks About Observing the Natural World [AUDIO]

By Esther Racoosin

Educator Laurie Rubin talks about how and why we should take time to go outside and observe the natural world. The former elementary school teacher developed a curriculum using nature study to inspire students to develop their writing and science skills. She is the author of the book To Look Closely: Science and Literacy in…

Read More

Latest from the WRFI News Team

Daily features and interviews from our community

Local News: April 25, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | April 25, 2024 |

Student Protestors Occupy Cornell’s Arts Quad- Activists at Cornell set up an encampment Thursday morning in the university’s arts quad. The Coalition for Mutual Liberation (or CML) called the encampment a “liberated zone” meant to further pressure Cornell to divest from what they call the university’s complicity in genocide in Gaza.  Malak, a fourth year…

Read More

Local News: April 24, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | April 24, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: April 24, 2024

Pilot Program in Tompkins Adds Emergency Responders- Emergency response times in Tompkins County should be getting shorter. State Senator Lea Webb was in Ithaca Tuesday to announce additional state funding for the county’s Rapid Medical Response program. The two-year pilot program operates three emergency response vehicles and employs nine EMTs. According to Webb, emergency response…

Read More

Local News: April 23, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | April 23, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: April 23, 2024

Cornell Undergrad Vote Supports Gaza Ceasefire, Divestment- Last week Cornell undergraduate voted in a referendum polling their views on a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from 10 military contractors supplying Israel. According to the Cornell Sun, nearly 50% of eligible students voted. And votes for a ceasefire and divestment outweighed those against by nearly two…

Read More

Local News: April 22, 2024

By Felix Teitelbaum | April 22, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: April 22, 2024

Public Hearing on ICSD Budget Announced- Ithaca City School District has announced a public hearing on its proposed 2024-2025 operating budget. The meeting will take place May 14 at 5:30 p.m. at York Hall at Ithaca High School. Last week we reported on a 5-hour meeting during which the board heard from taxpayers concerned with…

Read More