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– Tompkins County Considering A 2 Percent Tax Levy Increase – Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes is proposing a 2 percent tax levy increase in the 2024 budget. She says it’s necessary to cover rising energy costs and emergency services. It would cost the average homeowner about $50 more. To pay for it the county would have to make cuts like a temporary hiring freeze. The legislature’s in the early planning stages for next year’s budget. – Ithaca College Artificial Turf Field Faces Some Opposition After Getting Planning Approval – The Town of Ithaca approved renovation plans for Ithaca College’s Butterfield Stadium last month. The plan includes installing an artificial turf. Some students…
Michael Sliger, attorney for Sachem Sam George, discusses the context of the Halftown dispute over the leadership of the Gayogohó:nǫˀ (Cayuga) Nation, and the challenges of defending tribal sovereignty under federal Indian law. Find The Scene’s episode, “The Future of the Cayuga Nation, Part I,” here. Michael Sliger Listen to the episode: (original air date: March 24,…
Read MoreSachem Sam George discusses the challenge that he and other Gayogohó:nǫˀ (Cayuga) Nation elders have mounted to the leadership of Clint Halftown, currently recognized by the the Gayogohó:nǫˀ (Cayuga) Nation’s authorized representative; Attorney Michael Sliger provides additional background. Listen to the episode: (original air date: March 10, 2023; updated March 23, 2023) Read more on the Halftown…
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Felix Teitelbaum interviews Irish singer-songwriter Karan Casey and Ellen Grady of the Ithaca Catholic Worker. Casey will be performing a benefit for the Catholic Worker on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the Community School of Music and Arts. Casey is a founding member of the American/Irish supergroup Solas and has released 9 albums of her…
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Daily features and interviews from our community
Local News for June 2, 2023
– Tompkins County Considering A 2 Percent Tax Levy Increase – Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes is proposing a 2 percent tax levy increase in the 2024 budget. She says it’s necessary to cover rising energy costs and emergency services. It would cost the average homeowner about $50 more. To pay for it the county…
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Local News for June 1, 2023
– State Regulators Vote To Settle Lawsuit Preventing Marijuana Retail Licenses In Finger Lakes – Retail marijuana licenses can now be issued in the Finger Lakes Region. The state’s Cannabis Control Board agreed to settle a lawsuit during their meeting on Tuesday. The Albany Times Union reports a Michigan resident sued New York because he…
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Local News for May 30, 2023
– Ithaca Common Council Members Introduce Gun Storage Legislation – The Ithaca Common Council is considering a gun storage law. It would require gun owners to lock up or disable their firearms in their homes. The issue was discussed at last week’s City Administration Committee meeting. The Ithaca Voice reports the legislation would carry fines…
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Voices: Ithaca CarShare Members on Life with Car Access
It’s been over a week since Ithaca CarShare temporarily closed. The nonprofit stopped operating on May 19 because of an insurance problem that can only be solved with new state legislation. I called Ithaca CarShare members – Ellie Santoro, Jayne Soulman, and Marybeth Michelson-Theiry to find out how not having access to the car share…
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Local News for May 26, 2023
State Health Department Ending COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate For Healthcare Workers New York State is ending its COVID-19 vaccination mandate for healthcare workers. The state health department made the announcement on Wednesday. Officials say the mandate is no longer necessary because of the drop in cases of the virus and rise in vaccinations. The mandate faced…
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Local News for May 25, 2023
– Former IPD Acting Chief Sues City For Racial Discrimination – Ithaca’s former acting police chief John Joly is suing the City for racial discrimination. The Ithaca Voice reports Joly says city officials didn’t appoint police chief because he’s white. The suit names Mayor Laura Lewis, five Common Council members and Human Resources Director Schelley…
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