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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 maintain the town’s “rural character.” – Elmira building collapse highlights city’s problem with “zombie” properties – The collapse of a neglected building in downtown Elmira on March 7 has city officials considering the fate of similar structures. WSKG Public Radio says zombie properties are abandoned to deteriorate by often absentee owners. Elmira’s mayor says city officials are working…

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LISTEN: WRFI News Feature — Pulling Invasive Wild Water Chestnut in the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

By Celia Clarke

Invasive species continue to change our ecosystems. Recently I went to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge at the top of Cayuga Lake to help pull wild water chestnuts. It’s been in New York for a while but it just showed up in the Refuge this year. I’m going to share an audio postcard from that…

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WRFI Special: Jim Murphy Remembered [AUDIO]

By Celia Clarke

Jim Murphy died on June 29th. He was a big part of WRFI’s growth starting a decade ago. For many years he hosted the Ithaca-Watkins Glen Morning Show every weekday from 7-8 AM. It’s through Jim that many people got involved with the station. I’m one of those people. Jim’s generosity and encouragement were an…

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WRFI PRESENTS: Quintron and Miss Pussycat, Sept. 11, BUY TICKETS

By Felix Teitelbaum

WRFI is proud to announce we’re bringing New Orleans artists Quintron and Miss Pussycat to Ithaca for our first-ever “WRFI Presents” event, Monday, September 11, 2023 at the Cherry Arts at 102 Cherry St in Ithaca. The Johnny Dowd Trio will be opening. Come out for some mind-bending, hip-shaking mayhem and support your community radio…

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GrassRoots Winners Announced! Read listeners GrassRoots Stories!

By Felix Teitelbaum

Check out some of these great GrassRoots stories submitted by our Instagram followers! Many congratulations to our winners Rachel Behling, and Kaleigh Grey! We had a GREAT response to this year’s GrassRoots giveaway! Thanks so much to everyone who participated! We love hearing from you all-especially all the stories people shared! Stay safe, stay hydrated,…

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Latest from the WRFI News Team

Daily features and interviews from our community

Local News: March 27, 2024

By Celia Clarke | 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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Local News: March 25, 2024

By Celia Clarke | March 25, 2024 | Comments Off on Local News: March 25, 2024

– Early voting for presidential primaries has begun – Early voting in New York’s presidential primaries began this past Saturday. Tompkins County has two early voting sites. They are in the Town of Ithaca town hall on Tioga Street in downtown Ithaca and the Finger Lakes Library System building on Dryden Road in Ithaca. To…

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Local News: March 22, 2024

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

A new report says wage growth in Ithaca is the slowest among 30 similar college towns. Peter Meyers of the Tompkins County Workers Center told WHCU the report highlights what he called a “perfect storm of worker suffering.” Ithaca’s wage growth between 2017 and 2022 was just 16.9%. The top wage growth reported by the…

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