WRFI Community Radio News
1,148 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 18 hours ago -Original features and interviews originally aired on WRFI Community Radio News.
The show airs Monday-Friday at 6pm at 88.1 FM in Ithaca, 91.9 in Watkins Glen, and online around the world at http://www.wrfi.org/online-stream/
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Episodes
Local News: October 10, 2023
October 10, 2023 21:00- Some Ithaca first responders issue statement opposing city’s new homeless encampment policy - Over 60 Ithaca police and emergency responders have signed a letter critical of the city’s new homeless encampment policy. The policy creates a “Green Zone” where camping is legal and services like toilets, garbage collection, and phone charging stations will be… The post Local News: October 10, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: October 6, 2023
October 06, 2023 21:00- Ithaca Police reach a new contract agreement with the City - Ithaca Police and the Ithaca Common Council have unanimously voted for a new labor contract. The two-year contract will go into effect on January 1. The base pay for an officer will increase from a little over $57,000 to $74,000. The top base… The post Local News: October 6, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: October 5, 2023
October 05, 2023 21:00- Watkins Glen to begin live-streaming of village board meetings - The Watkins Glen Village Board voted to begin livestreaming their meetings. The Odessa File reports that no date was set for when the streaming will start. Only one person voted against the change. Right now, recordings of the meetings are made available on the… The post Local News: October 5, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: Cornell Faculty Issues Letter Opposing MOU
October 04, 2023 21:00- Cornell Faculty Issues An Open Letter Opposing Proposed MOU with Ithaca - Over 200 Cornell faculty members have signed a letter opposing the proposed payment agreement between their employer and the city of Ithaca. In the letter shared with WRFI on Wednesday, the faculty call Cornell’s current contributions to Ithaca, “miserly” and says “Cornell’s… The post Local News: Cornell Faculty Issues Letter Opposing MOU appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: October 3, 2023
October 03, 2023 19:00- FEMA to test national alert system on October 4 - Phones, TVs, and radios may sound alarms on Wednesday. If yours does, don’t worry. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the FCC, the Federal Communications Commission will conduct a test of the national alert and warning system at about 2:20 PM, Eastern Time.… The post Local News: October 3, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: October 2, 2023
October 02, 2023 21:00Gas Main Leak In Downtown Ithaca Forces Some Out Of Their Homes A construction crew working for the City of Ithaca ruptured a gas main near the Albany St. Bridge on Monday afternoon. Some people had to leave their homes and no one could enter a large area of the city’s Southside neighborhood. NYSEG, Ithaca… The post Local News: October 2, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 29, 2023
September 29, 2023 21:00- 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… The post Local News: September 29, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Julian Eagle: A Tribute to WRFI’s Very First Youth Radio Volunteer
September 28, 2023 22:49At 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… The post Julian Eagle: A Tribute to WRFI’s Very First Youth Radio Volunteer appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 28, 2023
September 28, 2023 21:00- A Tompkins County town’s park plan is headed to a voter referendum - Plans for the first public park in the town of Ulysses are on hold. The town includes the village of Trumansburg. Town leaders planned to purchase 30 acres of farmland on Krums Corners Road to create the park. Instead, the purchase… The post Local News: September 28, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 27, 2023
September 27, 2023 21:00Two farms in Tompkins and Schuyler Counties temporarily halt raw milk sales Raw milk sold by two small area farms has tested positive for bacteria in the past two months. No one has gotten sick but the farms won’t be selling raw milk for a while. In routine tests by the state Department of Agriculture… The post Local News: September 27, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 26, 2023
September 26, 2023 21:00- Republicans win preliminary court cast over redistricting - Republicans won the latest legal skirmish over the state’s congressional redistricting. Politico New York reports that last week a state Court of Appeals decided not to force redistricting to start while a Republican appeal is being considered. The party is challenging a July order from a… The post Local News: September 26, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 25, 2023
September 25, 2023 21:00- Budget for Slope Day more than doubled for 2024 - The Cornell Student Assembly voted to add $400,000 Slope Day budget making it $715,000 for 2024. That’s more than double the current budget. The day is an end-of-school-year celebration on the campus and headlines well-known musicians. The Cornell Daily Sun reports that the bump… The post Local News: September 25, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 22, 2023
September 22, 2023 21:00- Health insurance costs for Cortland County employees, retirees may rise - Cortland County retirees and employees may see their health insurance contributions rise by 10% in 2024. The Cortland Voice reports the county is facing a $1.3 million gap in the 2024 budget. The insurance increase would close that gap. The legislature is set… The post Local News: September 22, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 21, 2023
September 21, 2023 21:00- Ithaca Leaders Postpone Vote on Cornell Funding, Approve Homeless Encampment Policy - The Ithaca Common Council held a special meeting Wednesday night to vote on two highly significant matters. But, they postponed a vote on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cornell until an October meeting. Mayor Lewis said that would give Alderpersons… The post Local News: September 21, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 20, 2023
September 20, 2023 21:00- Tick-borne illnesses double in Tompkins County - Tick-borne illnesses are on the rise in our region and across the country. According to The Ithaca Voice, the number of cases of Lyme disease in Tompkins County has doubled in the past year. Part of the reason is milder winters because of climate change. Ticks, especially… The post Local News: September 20, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 19, 2023
September 19, 2023 21:00Opponents of the draft payment agreement between Cornell and the City of Ithaca protested on campus Monday evening. The new proposal would require Cornell to pay Ithaca $4 million a year over the next 21 years with regular increases for inflation. That’s up from the $1.6 million currently paid. Opponents like Kay Minnix don’t think… The post Local News: September 19, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 18, 2023
September 18, 2023 21:00- Ithaca CarShare To Reopen In 2024 - Ithaca CarShare will reopen in March 2024 when a new law goes into effect that will make it possible for them to get insurance again. The nonprofit car share has been shut down since May because of a regulator problem that caused it to lose insurance coverage.… The post Local News: September 18, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 15, 2023
September 15, 2023 21:00- More details about Cornell’s New Payment Agreement with Ithaca - The new payment agreement between Cornell University and the City of Ithaca was announced on September 14. In it, the Ivy League university agrees to pay its host city $4 million dollars a year with regular increases for inflation over the next 21 years.… The post Local News: September 15, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 14, 2023
September 14, 2023 21:00- Ithaca Reaches Payment Agreement with Cornell University - On September 14, Cornell University and Ithaca Mayor Laura Lewis announced that a new voluntary payment agreement had been reached. According to a joint statement, Cornell will pay the City $4 million dollars a year for the next 21 years. The Ithaca Common Council will hold… The post Local News: September 14, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 13, 2023
September 13, 2023 21:00- Interlaken Under Mandatory Water Conservation Order - The Village of Interlaken is under a water conservation order until further notice. An order was issued on September 8 and renewed on September 10. The Finger Lakes Times reports residents using the Interlaken water system should limit water usage while maintenance of the village wells is… The post Local News: September 13, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 12, 2023
September 12, 2023 21:00- NYSEG To Hold Pop-Up Service Center In Ithaca - NYSEG customers can speak directly with representatives from the power provider on September 13. Customer service representatives will be at Southside Community Center in Ithaca on Wednesday from 9 to noon. State Assemblyperson Anna Kelles says they will be there to help with billing, shut-off… The post Local News: September 12, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 11, 2023
September 11, 2023 21:00- Schuyler County owners can buy back foreclosed property - The deadline for Schuyler County property owners to buy back foreclosed properties is next week. The legislature voted in August to allow foreclosed owners to repurchase their land before the county’s annual property tax auction. Owners must submit an offer to the county treasurer by… The post Local News: September 11, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 8, 2023
September 08, 2023 21:00Seneca Falls Town Board rejects draft host agreement for Seneca Meadows landfill The Seneca Falls town board voted 3-2 to table a proposed host agreement for the Seneca Meadows landfill. The deal is estimated to be worth $173 million for the town over the next two decades. The proposed expansion of the landfill has been… The post Local News: September 8, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
LISTEN: Memories of Lost Cat, Gavin Mahoney
September 07, 2023 22:00The 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. The post LISTEN: Memories of...
Local News: September 7, 2023
September 07, 2023 21:00- Ithaca Negotiations For New Host Payments With Cornell Breakdown - Ithaca Mayor Laura Lewis issued a statement on September 7 saying that negotiations with Cornell University for a new voluntary payment agreement had failed. Lewis says negotiations ended on August 11. In her statement, Lewis says Cornell owns almost half of Ithaca’s assessed property… The post Local News: September 7, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 6, 2023
September 06, 2023 21:00Ithaca Schools Cancel Outdoor After-School Activities Because of Heat After-school outdoor activities in the Ithaca City School District were canceled on September 6 because of the extreme heat. Wednesday marks the third day in a row that the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the region. Temperatures reached the mid-90s in parts of… The post Local News: September 6, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 4, 2023
September 04, 2023 21:00New Heat Advisory Issues A second heat advisory has been issued for parts of the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier. The first advisory ends at 7 PM on September 4. The second advisory is for September 5 noon to 7 PM. The advisories cover ten counties including Tompkins, Schuyler, Broome, and Steuben. The National Weather… The post Local News: September 4, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: September 1, 2023
September 01, 2023 21:00- A Fifth Ward Candidate Is Staying In Race For Ithaca Common Council - An Ithaca Common Council candidate is staying in the race as an Independent. Jason Houghton lost the Democratic primary to Clyde Lederman by ten votes in June. Houghton told The Ithaca Voice he’s still running for the 2-year seat in the… The post Local News: September 1, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
LISTEN: Interview with Dareth Glance, New York Department of Environmental Conservation Director, Region 7
August 31, 2023 22:00The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation divides the state into nine regions. Dereth Glance, Region 7 Director, NYS DEC (Photo: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) 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… The post LISTEN: Interview with Dareth Glance, New York Department of Environmental Conservation Director, Reg...
Local News: August 31, 2023
August 31, 2023 21:00- Tompkins County Legislator To Challenge Webb For State Senate Seat - Republican Tomkins County Legislator Mike Sigler plans to challenge Democratic State Senator Leah Webb in next year’s election. Webb represents the 52nd district which includes Tompkins, Cortland, and part of Broome County. Sigler is in his fourth term representing Lansing in the Tompkins… The post Local News: August 31, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 30, 2023
August 30, 2023 21:00- Ithaca Wastewater Facility To Get $6.2 M For Upgrades - The Ithaca Wastewater Treatment Facility will get funding for needed repairs. The Ithaca Times reports that the Common Council unanimously approved $6.2 million for the repairs. They include $2.7 million for a new boiler system. The facility serves the City and Town of Ithaca,… The post Local News: August 30, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 29, 2023
August 29, 2023 21:00- Twelve Cases and One Death Caused By Respiratory Infection in Tompkins County - Tompkins Whole Health reports that 12 people in the City and Town of Ithaca have contracted Legionellosis. The health department announced on August 28 that one person had died of the disease. It’s commonly called Legionnaire’s Disease, Pontiac Fever, or Extrapulmonary… The post Local News: August 29, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 28, 2023
August 28, 2023 21:00- Trumansburg Asks Public for Comment on Draft Short-Term Rental Law - Residents of Trumansburg can now review the village’s draft short-term rental law. The announcement from the Village’s Comprehensive Plan committee says the proposed law would require permits and registration of units as well as fire and building inspections. A public forum will be… The post Local News: August 28, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 25, 2023
August 25, 2023 21:00- Steuben County Residents Warned of Possible New Scam - Residents of Steuben County are being warned of a possible scam. The Sheriff’s Department says someone may be posing as a county Board of Elections employee. A person went to an Urbana area home, said they worked for the Board of Elections and asked for… The post Local News: August 25, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 24, 2023
August 24, 2023 21:00- Corning, Inc. Agrees To $150,000 Settlement In Federal Sex Discrimination Suit - Corning, Inc. will pay $150,000 and meet other conditions to settle a federal sex discrimination lawsuit. The suit was brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the EEOC. It alleged that the company failed to promote female machine operators in its… The post Local News: August 24, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 23, 2023
August 23, 2023 21:00NOTE: This first item is about suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis please call 988. - Ithaca College Announces Death of A Student - An Ithaca College senior died by suicide last week. Tyler Scerbo was 22. The Ithacan reports he was a member of the Track and Field team and… The post Local News: August 23, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 22, 2023
August 22, 2023 21:00- TC3 Childcare Center Investigated By State After Complaints - The on-campus daycare center at Tompkins Cortland Community College was recently investigated by the state. CNY Central reports the state Office of Child and Family Services conducted the investigation after receiving several complaints. The agency was able to confirm three allegations. One was that a… The post Local News: August 22, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 21, 2023
August 21, 2023 21:06-New York Farmers Can Get Emergency Declaration for May Freeze- Farmers affected by this year’s May freeze can now get federal relief. The USDA is making emergency loans available to farmers in thirty-one counties in New York including in the Finger Lakes. The Albany Times Union reports that grapes, apples and some berries were most… The post Local News: August 21, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 18, 2023
August 18, 2023 21:00- Ithaca Draft Homeless Encampment Policy To Be Revised - Ithaca’s draft homeless encampment policy will be revised before being voted on by the Common Council’s Planning Committee. The Ithaca Voice reports that as it is, the policy lacks the votes to pass the committee. The policy would create new zones where camping would be… The post Local News: August 18, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 17, 2023
August 17, 2023 21:00- Cornell will not renew its agreement with Starbucks - Cornell University says it will not continue to carry Starbucks products after its current contract ends in 2025. The announcement was made in an email from the administration to the student body on August 16. Students, current and former Starbucks employees have been pressuring the… The post Local News: August 17, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 16, 2023
August 16, 2023 21:00- Ithaca Encampment Vote Postponed - The draft encampment policy in Ithaca will not be voted on during the August 16 of the planning committee. The agenda for the Planning Committee of the Ithaca Common Council was changed this afternoon. The draft policy is now in the discussion section of the meeting. Another change is… The post Local News: August 16, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 15, 2023
August 15, 2023 21:00COVID-19 Cases Are On The Rise In New York State, Tompkins County Cases of COVID-19 are increasing in Tompkins County. The county health department, Whole Health, has issued a community alert about the rise. In the past four weeks, Whole Health reports the average number of new cases daily has gone from 1 to 3… The post Local News: August 15, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 14, 2023
August 14, 2023 21:00Ithaca Planning To Vote on Encampment Policy The Planning Committee of the Ithaca Common Council will vote on a homeless encampment policy at its August 16 meeting. Residents are welcome to attend and speak about the policy or other issues on the agenda. A link with more information go here. Attorney General and Education Commissioner… The post Local News: August 14, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News Postcard: August 11, 2023
August 11, 2023 21:00- [AUDIO POSTCARD] Whale Watching In Alaska - In today’s newscast, we have something special. Earlier this month our intern JT Stone went to Alaska with his family. During their trip, they went whale watching in Juneau. They got to see something incredibly rare and he brought back this audio postcard. Check out this video… The post Local News Postcard: August 11, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 10, 2023
August 10, 2023 21:00- STAP To Hold Free MPox Clinic In Ithaca On Thursday - INTRO: The World Health Organization no longer considers MPox, formerly called “monkey pox” an international health emergency but it’s still a health threat. Tompkins County has the highest number of Mpox cases in the Southern Tier. To stop its spread the So. Tier… The post Local News: August 10, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 9, 2023
August 09, 2023 21:00- Brock Announces She’s Staying In Race For Common Council - Ithaca City Alderperson Cynthia Brock announced she’s staying in the race to keep her seat on the Common Council. Brock made the announcement on Tuesday evening at Steamboat Landing as it began to rain. She’s represented the First Ward for twelve years. Brock lost… The post Local News: August 9, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 8, 2023
August 08, 2023 21:00- Ithaca Carshare Demands Governor Hochul Sign Bill To Prevent Permanent Closure - Ithaca Carshare says it will permanently close unless Governor Kathy Hochul immediately signs a bill solving its insurance problems. The nonprofit paused its services on May 19th due to regulatory issues that made it unable to get insurance. The bill has been… The post Local News: August 8, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 4, 2023
August 04, 2023 21:00- Molinaro Supports New Food Supply Chain Bill - Congressman Marc Molinaro is part of a bipartisan group who’s introduced a bill to lower food costs. The House Republican represents the 19th Congressional district that includes Ithaca, Binghamton, and part of Catskills. The bill is called the Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act. It… The post Local News: August 4, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
LISTEN: WRFI News Feature — Pulling Invasive Wild Water Chestnut in the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
August 03, 2023 22:00Invasive 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… The post LISTEN: WRFI News Feature — Pulling Invasive Wild Water Chestnut in the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News: August 3, 2023
August 03, 2023 21:00- A Celebration of Democracy in Ithaca This Weekend - The Federal Voting Rights Act was signed into law on August 6, 1965. It outlawed discriminatory practices in the South that made it impossible for many Black people to vote. This weekend, a coalition of groups in Tompkins County is hosting a democracy festival to… The post Local News: August 3, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.