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Local News: December 5, 2023

– Residents of Ulysses to vote in special election on land purchase for recreational area – Voters in the Town of Ulysses will decide whether to buy 30 acres to become a recreational area in a special election on December 6. The town includes Trumansburg and is a few miles north of Ithaca. The town’s board voted unanimously in June to buy the property on Krums Corners Road.  But enough residents signed a petition for the special election to be scheduled. Tompkins Weekly reports supporters of the purchase say the town needs a recreational area. Some residents oppose it and say the $210,000 price tag is too high and almost double the price…

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Fund Drive Update: With Your Help, WE DID IT!

By Felix Teitelbaum

WE DID IT! Thanks to the incredible support of over 80 donors in the Finger Lakes and beyond, we raised over $10,000 in the past week! Your generosity ensures that we can continue opening ears, minds, and hearts across the Southern Finger Lakes. THANK YOU for making a real impact! Your contribution supports: Amplifying the…

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FEATURE: Conversation with Interfaith Leaders

By Celia Clarke

Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October there have been several separate rallies in Ithaca supporting Palestine or Israel. Public emotions ran high when the Tompkins County Legislature briefly considered a resolution in support of Israel and flying the Israeli flag in the legislative chamber.  It was around that time,…

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WINO, Watkins Glen is Off the Air

By Felix Teitelbaum

We’re sorry to announce to our Watkins Glen listeners that we have gone off the air on 91.9FM as of Friday, November 10. This change will not affect our signals at 88.1FM in Ithaca, or 89.7FM across the Southern Finger Lakes. Nor will it affect our webstream heard here at WRFI.ORG. In fact many Watkins…

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ELECTION FEATURE: Ithaca Common Council Ward 5 Candidate Jason Houghton

By Celia Clarke

WRFI Community Radio and The Ithaca Voice are bringing you conversations with candidates in the contested Ithaca Common Council races and the mayoral race. Tonight Matt Butler interviews Ward 5 candidate Jason Houghton. Houghton is running on the Ithacans for Progress ballot line. His opponent is Clyde Lederman, running on the Democratic Party and Working…

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Latest from the WRFI News Team

Daily features and interviews from our community

Ithaca Southside Community Center’s 2020 Virtual Juneteenth [AUDIO]

By WRFI News Staff | June 12, 2020 | Comments Off on Ithaca Southside Community Center’s 2020 Virtual Juneteenth [AUDIO]

Juneteeth commemorates the June 19th 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas, and the emancipation of enslaved black people throughout America. Every year Ithaca’s Southside Community Center holds a festival to celebrate Juneteenth, and this year the festival will be held online, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WRFI News Director Michayla Savitt spoke…

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New York Congressman Tom Reed (R) comments on proposed laws combating police brutality [AUDIO]

By Fred Balfour | June 12, 2020 | Comments Off on New York Congressman Tom Reed (R) comments on proposed laws combating police brutality [AUDIO]

It’s been two weeks since George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis policeman. Worldwide protests continue and federal and state governments are moving quickly to consider reform legislation. Congressman Tom Reed, who represents New York’s 23rd district, commented on the bills during a call with media. WRFI News Contributor Fred Balfour reports.  

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Coronavirus Update, June 11, 2020

By WRFI News Staff | June 11, 2020 | Comments Off on Coronavirus Update, June 11, 2020

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday that the Finger Lakes, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, North Country and Southern Tier will all be entering phase three of reopening tomorrow, June 12th. Phase three allows indoor restaurants and food services to reopen at 50% capacity, and allows personal care services, such as tattoo and piercing shops and…

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New local podcast “Unexpected Undertaking” on WRFI News [AUDIO]

By WRFI News Staff | June 11, 2020 | Comments Off on New local podcast “Unexpected Undertaking” on WRFI News [AUDIO]

On Thursday, June 11, WRFI News’ main feature was a selection of a new local podcast Unexpected Undertaking. Monique and Aaron have been dating for two years, and are raising their kids together in Upstate New York. They are an interracial couple, and in this pilot episode of the podcast the pair discuss how that…

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