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Local News: September 29, 2023

– Ithaca’s 2024 budget to be presented minus Cornell funding – It’s municipal budget season. Ithaca Mayor Laura Lewis will present the city’s proposed 2024 budget at the October 4 Common Council meeting. It’ll be the first budget in over 20 years that will not include a contribution from Cornell. The Common Council postponed a vote on the negotiated annual pay agreement until October 11. On October 5, the Tompkins County budget will be presented at a public forum. The public can attend either meeting in person or view them live online. – Ithaca workers’ group says the working class will be hurt if Cornell doesn’t give city more in new funding agreement…

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Julian Eagle: A Tribute to WRFI’s Very First Youth Radio Volunteer

By JT Stone

At fourteen, Julian Eagle started working at WRFI as the station’s very first Youth Radio volunteer. This week would have been his 21st birthday and this month was the one-year anniversary of his death from Fentanyl poisoning. WRFI’s JT Stone got his start in radio working with Julian. He filed a tribute to a young…

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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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Local News for April 17, 2023

By Celia Clarke | April 17, 2023 | Comments Off on Local News for April 17, 2023

Virginia Officials Confirm Abducted Ithaca Woman’s Cause Of Death WRFI has confirmed that Tatiana David died of multiple gunshot wounds. The Virginia Medical Examiner’s office says her death was a homicide. Police say their investigation is ongoing. David was abducted in Ithaca on April 5 and died that night in Virginia. Michael Davis is charged…

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Local news for April 14, 2023

By Celia Clarke | April 14, 2023 | Comments Off on Local news for April 14, 2023

Local News for April 14, 2023 Cornell Student Found Dead In His Dorm  Cornell student Matthew Friedman was found unresponsive in his residence hall on Wednesday. He was pronounced dead a while later. He was a first year student from Marlboro, New Jersey. The Cornell Daily Sun reports that Friedman planned to become a doctor.…

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Local News for April 13, 2023

By Celia Clarke | April 13, 2023 | Comments Off on Local News for April 13, 2023

Local News for April 13, 2023   SUNY Ends COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate For Students  SUNY students are no longer required to get the COVID-19 vaccine to attend classes. SUNY Chancellor John King announced the end to the mandate on Tuesday. SUNY will continue to encourage students, staff, and faculty to get the COVID-19 vaccine and…

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Local News for April 12, 2023

By Celia Clarke | April 12, 2023 | Comments Off on Local News for April 12, 2023

Local News for April 12, 2023 Webb Staff Holding Community Office Hours In Lansing Today The constituent staff for State Senator Lea Webb is holding community office hours today in Lansing. Staff members will be at the Lansing Community Library from noon to 3 PM. The library is next to the town hall. Constituents can…

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