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Local News for June 7, 2023

– Air Quality Warning Stays In Effect – The state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued another air quality warning for today. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is causing hazy skies and poor air quality across most of New York state including the southern Finger Lakes.   Joanne Labounty is with the Binghamton office of the National Weather Service. She says, “It’s probably going to be at least another day or two. And we’ll have to see what happens with fires and our northwest flow changing a bit over us as well.” Labounty says smoke is in the upper and lower atmosphere because it’s from fires in western Canada, as well as Quebec and Ontario.  The DEC…

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This Week on The Scene: The Future of the Cayuga Nation, Part II

By Chantal Thomas

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,…

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This Week on The Scene: The Future of the Cayuga Nation, Part I

By Chantal Thomas

Sachem 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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Creatives on WRFI: Karan Casey and Ellen Grady

By Felix Teitelbaum

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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Latest from the WRFI News Team

Daily features and interviews from our community

Local News for June 7, 2023

By Celia Clarke | June 7, 2023

– Air Quality Warning Stays In Effect – The state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued another air quality warning for today. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is causing hazy skies and poor air quality across most of New York state including the southern Finger Lakes.   Joanne Labounty is with the Binghamton office of the National…

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Local News for June 6, 2023

By Celia Clarke | June 6, 2023

– Ithaca Police Expand Search For Missing Man – Ithaca Police expanded their search for a missing man to include part of Newfield on Friday. Police say Thomas Rath went missing on May 19 under suspicious circumstances. Rath was first reported missing from the encampment known as “The Jungle” along Ithaca’s inlet.  He is 6…

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Local News for June 5, 2023

By Celia Clarke | June 5, 2023

Tompkins County Announces $700,000 In Grant Funds For Nonprofits Tackling Opioid Crisis   Tompkins County nonprofits can now apply for some of the opioid settlement funds. The County’s Opioid Task Force will distribute $700,000 in grants for work related to the opioid crisis. The money comes from settlements paid by drugmakers and distribution companies. Information about…

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Local News for June 2, 2023

By Celia Clarke | 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

By Celia Clarke | 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

By Celia Clarke | 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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