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Local News: March 28, 2024

– State DOT to hold info session about upcoming road work in Ithaca – Residents in Tompkins County learn about some upcoming state road repairs on April 3. The State Department of Transportation is holding an information and feedback session about work it will be doing on State Routes 13/34/96 in the City of Ithaca. The Ithaca Voice reports people can see the preliminary plans, ask questions, and give feedback at the event. It will be at Ithaca High School, on April 3, 5-7 PM. – Overdoses go up in Steuben County during February – Steuben County is the latest in the region to report a rise in overdoses. The county health department…

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Local Activists Establish Mutual Aid Tompkins [AUDIO]

By Esther Racoosin

Juliana Garcia and Josh Dolan, two of the organizers of the Tompkins COVID-19 Mutual Aid Response Facebook Group, discuss what they and other activists are doing to assist local residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. They describe components of the Facebook Group and encourage folks to join whether they need assistance or would like to provide…

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The Animal Itself: Interview with Ithaca storyteller Jay Leeming [AUDIO]

By WRFI News Staff

WRFI’s Roger Smith interviews Ithaca storyteller and poet Jay Leeming, who talks about his career in the arts and why stories are like wild animals. Leeming also gives a sample of his performance style with an excerpt from the ancient Mesopotamian epic of Gilgamesh. Interview first aired on WRFI’s “Your Morning,” March 13, 2020. Jay…

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GIAC hosts 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast [AUDIO]

By JT Stone

The Greater Ithaca Activities Center hosted its annual Martin Luther King Jr. community breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 18. Gathered in the Beverly J. Martin Elementary School gymnasium, community members enjoyed a meal, musical performances and guest speakers, primarily focusing on the themes of empowerment and racial justice. Photo and reporting by WRFI news contributor J.T.…

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Diane Morton, President of Cayuga Bird Club, talks about the 2020 Christmas Bird Count

By Esther Racoosin

Diane Morton, President of the Cayuga Bird Club, talks about the 2020 Christmas Bird Count.  Starting in the wee hours of New Year’s Day, volunteer birders will venture out to count birds in a 15 mile diameter area around Tompkins County.  This will be the 58th year that the local birding club will take part…

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LISTEN: Freedom of Expression at Cornell – Student views

By Celia Clarke | March 28, 2024 | Comments Off on LISTEN: Freedom of Expression at Cornell – Student views

The academic theme at Cornell this year is “Freedom of Expression.” A few weeks ago we reported on the general mood around free speech at Cornell. Today, we’re sharing students’ opinions about their free speech rights. WRFI asked to speak to someone in Cornell’s administration about free speech on campus. The request was denied. The…

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Local News: March 28, 2024

By Celia Clarke | March 28, 2024 |

– State DOT to hold info session about upcoming road work in Ithaca – Residents in Tompkins County learn about some upcoming state road repairs on April 3. The State Department of Transportation is holding an information and feedback session about work it will be doing on State Routes 13/34/96 in the City of Ithaca.…

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Local News: March 27, 2024

By Celia Clarke | March 27, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: March 27, 2024

– The Town of Caroline approves its first zoning law – The Caroline Town Board approved its first comprehensive zoning law by a vote of 3-1 during its meeting last Wednesday. WSKG Public Radio reports the decision comes after about four years of sometimes contentious community debate. The law was designed to limit development and…

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Local News: March 26, 2024

By Celia Clarke | March 26, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: March 26, 2024

– State Senate passes bill banning permits for new gas extraction method – The New York State Senate voted to ban permits for natural gas extraction using carbon dioxide. The bill was introduced by Senator Lea Webb of the 52nd district which includes Binghamton and Ithaca. It came after a Texas-based company, Southern Tier Solutions…

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