WRFI Community Radio News
1,158 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months 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 for Wednesday, March 29, 2023
March 29, 2023 10:00Avian Flu Confirmed at Cornell Game Farm The outbreak of avian flu that was suspected at Cornell’s Reynolds Game Farm has been confirmed. According to WSYR, 500 pheasants had died from the H5N1 virus. The remaining 6000 birds were euthanized to prevent further spread of the highly contagious virus. The outbreak is the 14th to… The post Local News for Wednesday, March 29, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Tuesday, March 28, 2023
March 28, 2023 10:00The city of Ithaca will receive 1.7 million dollars in federal funding to improve its transportation systems. According to Senator Schumer’s office, the funding will be used to develop a traffic signal priority system for school buses, fire trucks, and transit systems. The developments are aimed at making the local systems’s arrival and departure times… The post Local News for Tuesday, March 28, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Thursday, March 23, 2023
March 23, 2023 10:00Village Election Results are in for Tompkins and Schuyler Counties Area village elections were held on Tuesday. In the Tompkins County village of Dryden, Democratic incumbents won re-election in three positions. Michael Murphy was reelected mayor with 61% of the vote over his Republican opponent Thomas Corey who got 39%. Jason Dickinson and Thomas Sinclair… The post Local News for Thursday, March 23, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Wednesday, March 22, 2023
March 22, 2023 10:00Caroline Broadband Expansion Gets Boost The town of Caroline is taking steps to expand broadband access to its residents. The expansion effort was awarded more than $130,000 from the Tompkins Community Recovery Fund. Caroline is investing additional $330,000 of its American Recovery Act funds toward a feasibility study and partial buildout of broadband. At its… The post Local News for Wednesday, March 22, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Tuesday, March 21, 2023
March 21, 2023 10:00New Proposal Filed to Expand Ithaca’s Learning Farm The Learning Farm in Ithaca is planning to expand. The organization filed documents with the town’s planning board for a kitchen facility, guest housing, parking areas, and walkways. A proposed second phase would include a welcome center and a juicing and bottling building. According to the Ithaca… The post Local News for Tuesday, March 21, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Monday, March 20, 2023
March 20, 2023 10:00Cornell Hosts Debate on Urgency of Climate Crisis Cornell hosted a debate Friday on the urgency of reducing climate warming pollution. Professor Robert Socolow of Princeton argued that “climate science compels us to make rapid and large reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.” Professor Steven Koonin of New York University argued that it doesn’t. Both are… The post Local News for Monday, March 20, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Thursday, March 16, 2023
March 16, 2023 10:00New Law Enforcement Pilot Program to Start in Tompkins County A new program to divert people away from incarceration will start in Tompkins County later this year. The pilot program is a partnership between the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department and Tompkins Whole Health. It will pair a licensed clinical therapist and a specially-trained sheriff’s deputy… The post Local News for Thursday, March 16, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Wednesday, March 15, 2023
March 15, 2023 10:00Seneca Lake Fish Contaminated Thanks to a Freedom of Information Act or FOIA filing, a 2020 report from the New York DEC has come to light showing that Seneca Lake fish are highly contaminated with PFAS chemicals. According to environmental reporter Peter Manius, the samples of lake trout and yellow perch contain hundreds of times… The post Local News for Wednesday, March 15, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Tuesday, March 14, 2023
March 14, 2023 10:00New York Governor Declares Emergency for Storm Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency for today’s winter storm. All five regions of New York State, including the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes, are expected to receive heavy snowfall and high winds. Utility companies are prepared for widespread power outages from possible downed trees… The post Local News for Tuesday, March 14, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Monday, March 13, 2023
March 13, 2023 10:00New Bus Hub Sought for Tompkins County Officials from Ithaca and Tompkins County are working with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance to find a new location for an intercity bus hub. Since the bus depot in the West End shut down in 2018, intercity buses have regularly stopped at either the Seneca Street area outside Starbucks… The post Local News for Monday, March 13, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Friday, March 10, 2023
March 10, 2023 11:00Few Attend Ithaca Public Hearing About Police Reform Draft A public hearing about the draft plan from Ithaca’s Reimagining Public Safety Committee was sparsely attended on Wednesday night. According to the Ithaca Voice most of the commenters approve of the plan, though one resident criticized the plan’s intention to hire more police officers. Alderperson George… The post Local News for Friday, March 10, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Thursday March 9, 2023
March 09, 2023 11:00City of Ithaca Seeks Public Input for National Police Chief Search, Union Critical The city of Ithaca is pushing ahead with its second search for a permanent police chief. On Tuesday it announced two virtual meetings for members of the public to voice their priorities for the role. The two sessions will be Saturday March… The post Local News for Thursday March 9, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Monday, March 7, 2023
March 07, 2023 11:00New York state is struggling to find a new chief judge for the Court of Appeals. After Senate Democrats rejected Governor Hochul's nomination of appellate Justice Hector LaSalle last month, the number of new submissions has been fewer than expected. According to the Times Union, the Commission on Judicial Nomination is mostly reconsidering 41 initial… The post Local News for Monday, March 7, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Monday, March 6th, 2023
March 06, 2023 11:00The New York State Attorney’s Office is proposing a set of rules aimed at preventing price gouging. The rules define gouging as “any price increase over 10% during an abnormal disruption in the market.” According to the Times Union, New Jersey, California, and 8 other states already follow the 10 percent threshold definition. The office… The post Local News for Monday, March 6th, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Friday, March 3, 2023
March 03, 2023 11:00Ithaca Has a New Fire Chief Robert Covert II is the new Chief of the Ithaca Fire Department. The Common Council voted unanimously to approve his promotion during their meeting on Tuesday. Covert had been the Acting Chief since former chief Thomas Basher retired last August. He’s been a member of the department for 30… The post Local News for Friday, March 3, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Thursday, March 2, 2023
March 02, 2023 11:00State Awards Downtown Revitalization Grants The Village of Montour Falls in Schuyler County and Waverly in Tioga County will each get $4.5 million in state grants to help revitalize their downtown areas. The funding will be used for local infrastructure projects, to boost economic development, and to create jobs. The funding comes from NY Forward,… The post Local News for Thursday, March 2, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Wednesday, March 1, 2023
March 01, 2023 11:00Democratic PAC to Spend Big in NY’s 2024 Midterms A Democratic PAC will be spending big in New York next congressional races—including here in the 19th district. According to the Ithaca Voice, the House Majority PAC will spend some $45 million on races throughout the state. While the predicted “red wave” didn’t come to pass… The post Local News for Wednesday, March 1, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Monday, February 27, 2023
February 27, 2023 11:00Republicans Decry Increased Migration Into NY Migrants have been crossing into New York from Canada in increasing numbers, and the issue has become a rallying cry among some Republican lawmakers. They argue that the surge necessitates increased federal attention. Led by Representative Elise Stefanik, Republicans are launching a congressional caucus to focus exclusively on security… The post Local News for Monday, February 27, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Thursday, February 23, 2023
February 23, 2023 11:00Thousands of NY Nurses Credentials Under Scrutiny Over 900 New York nurses are being asked by the state Education Department to provide proof of their credentials. The nurses studied at Florida-based nursing schools accused of selling fake diplomas. Seven nursing programs were shut down following a multi-state federal investigation. The Albany Times Union reports that… The post Local News for Thursday, February 23, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local Headlines for Wednesday, February 22, 2023
February 22, 2023 11:00Report Says Tax Abatements Hurt School Budgets A new report from a national research group says that tax abatement programs are hurting New York’s public school budgets. According to the Ithaca Voice, the group, Good Jobs First, estimates that in 2021 the state’s schools lost as much as $1.8 billion in revenue to tax abatements.… The post Local Headlines for Wednesday, February 22, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Tuesday, February 21st, 2023
February 21, 2023 11:00According to a report by AARP, New York’s elder care facilities are routinely going uninspected. the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is responsible for inspecting nursing homes and assisted living facilities to safeguard against abuse and neglect. The report says the oversight office has regularly failed to check on elderly residents in the state. The report… The post Local News for Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Monday, February 20th, 2023
February 20, 2023 11:00Democratic state lawmakers questioned officials at a hearing about whether Governor Hochul’s proposed budget provides sufficient funding for workers who care for New York’s most vulnerable residents. According to the Times Union, Hochul’s state budget includes a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for workers in state-funded nonprofit programs providing human services to New Yorkers. The lawmakers highlighted… The post Local News for Monday, February 20th, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community R...
Local News for Friday, February 17, 2023
February 17, 2023 11:00Elmira Denies Info on Police Chief Dismissal The city of Elmira has denied a Freedom of Information Act request for disciplinary records of the city’s former police chief. Anthony Alvernaz, who served on the force for 27 years was suddenly dismissed in January without explanation. According to WETM the city responded to the station’s request… The post Local News for Friday, February 17, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Thursday, February 16, 2023
February 16, 2023 11:00Brock to Run for 5th Term Ithaca First Ward Alderperson Cynthia Brock says she is running for re-election in November. New ward boundaries have been drawn and the new First Ward will include part of the current Second Ward represented by Phoebe Brown and Ducson Nguyen. The Ithaca Voice reports that Brock is being challenged… The post Local News for Thursday, February 16, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Wednesday, February 15, 2023
February 15, 2023 11:00Kitchen Theater Lays Off Staff The Kitchen Theater in Ithaca is laying off its entire administrative staff including the artistic and creative directors. The Ithaca Voice reports that Board chair Matt Carcella says the mid-season changes are necessary due to low ticket sales and donations. Board member and actor Karl Gregory will serve as the… The post Local News for Wednesday, February 15, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Tuesday, February 14th, 2023
February 14, 2023 11:00Three Named to Prosecutorial Watchdog After two years of delays, Governor Hochul has named 3 of 4 potential nominees to the state’s Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct. The commission has been inactive since former Governor Cuomo resigned. He signed legislation creating the commission shortly before he left office. According to the Times Union, the commission is… The post Local News for Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Monday, February 13, 2023
February 13, 2023 11:00Tompkins Provides Incentive to First Responders At its meeting last week, the Tompkins County legislature approved a measure giving a tax break to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who own real estate. According to the Ithaca Voice, the move is aimed to boost Ithaca's emergency service volunteer rates, which have dwindled over recent years as… The post Local News for Monday, February 13, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Friday, February 10, 2023
February 10, 2023 11:00Tompkins Gets $600K for Road Safety Planning Tompkins County is getting $600,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to create a road safety plan. The money is part of the federal infrastructure bill passed last November. The Ithaca Voice reports that the grant will be matched by $150,000 from the 10 municipalities that are part… The post Local News for Friday, February 10, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Thursday, February 9, 2023
February 09, 2023 11:00Ithaca Man Receives $5 Million Child Abuse Settlement An Ithaca man has received a $5 million judgment in a civil case filed under the Child Victims Act. The 2019 law allows victims of child sexual abuse to file civil suits against people or institutions responsible for the abuse. The Ithaca Voice didn’t identify the man… The post Local News for Thursday, February 9, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Wednesday, February 8, 2023
February 08, 2023 11:00Local Developer Seeks Tax Abatement for Market-rate Apartments Ithaca-based developer Visum is seeking a tax abatement for its proposed Breeze apartments project at the site of the former Ithaca Gun factory. According to the Ithaca Voice, if the project, moves forward, Visum will be on the hook for completing lead abatement work to clean up… The post Local News for Wednesday, February 8, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Tuesday, February 7, 2023
February 07, 2023 11:00Zeldin Hints at Potential Senate Run Against Senator Gillibrand On Monday, Republican Lee Zeldin, declined to rule out a potential senate seat bid against Senator Kristin Gillibrand. Zeldin, a former New York State Senator and Congressman, narrowly lost the New York’s gubernatorial race to Kathy Hochul in November. According to the Times Union, he appeared… The post Local News for Tuesday, February 7, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Monday, February 6, 2023
February 06, 2023 11:00Governor Hochul Faces New Obstacles for Proposed State Bail Reforms Governor Hochul is facing pushback from progressives and public defenders against her proposed reforms to state bail laws. At the same time, she’s contending with pressure from Republicans and prosecutors over perceived increases in crime. According to the Times Union, Hochul’s proposed changes would remove… The post Local News for Monday, February 6, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Friday, February 3, 2023
February 03, 2023 11:00Ithaca Fifth Ward Gets New Alderperson Residents of Ithaca’s Fifth Ward have a new representative on the Common Council. Kris Haines-Sharp was unanimously approved by the Council during a Wednesday meeting. She fills the position left vacant when Mayor Laura Lewis officially took office last December. The Ithaca Voice reports that seven candidates applied to… The post Local News for Friday, February 3, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Thursday, February 2, 2023
February 02, 2023 11:00Newfield Board Chair Asked to Resign The chair of the Newfield school board was asked to resign during a January 19th meeting. The Ithaca Times reports that board member Melissa Rynone accused board chair Christina Ward of violating policies on communication outside of board meetings. The accusation involves emails and other communications from the chair… The post Local News for Thursday, February 2, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Wednesday, February 1, 2023
February 01, 2023 11:00Ithaca Rents Ninth Highest in Country According to the rental real estate listing service Dwellsy, Ithaca has the highest rent of any small city in the US. The study shows that the average price to rent a one bedroom in Ithaca was $1908 per month in 2022 up 4.5% over 2021. Only eight cities in… The post Local News for Wednesday, February 1, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Tuesday, January 31, 2023
January 31, 2023 11:00Tompkins County Hiring Homeless Services Coordinator In its effort to address homelessness, Tompkins County is hiring a Homeless Services Coordinator. A 2022 study reported that the county has the third highest rate of homelessness in the state. It also pointed to slow progress toward the county’s goal of adding 100 beds of supportive housing. The… The post Local News for Tuesday, January 31, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Monday January 30, 2023
January 30, 2023 11:00Gillibrand Anticipates Challenge from Zeldin Senator Kristin Gillibrand of New York is expecting a challenge from Lee Zeldin in 2024 who ran a competitive race for New York Governor in November. According to the Times Union, the two-term Democratic incumbent sent fundraising emails cautioning her supporters that “Zeldin very nearly won the New York governorship.”… The post Local News for Monday January 30, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Thursday, January 26, 2023
January 26, 2023 11:00BorgWarner Manufacturing Facility On Warren Road To Close BorgWarner announced it is closing one of its facilities in Lansing. The automotive parts manufacturer told the Ithaca Voice the company will close a valve part production site on Warren Road by the end of 2024.It is also closing a technical center at the same location. It’s… The post Local News for Thursday, January 26, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Tuesday, January 24, 2023
January 24, 2023 11:00New York Says More Must be Done to Protect Bees A state audit of the 2016 Pollination Protection Plan found that more action is needed to protect bees and other pollinators from disease, parasites, and pesticides. The plan, created in 2016 by the joint efforts of the Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the DEC,… The post Local News for Tuesday, January 24, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Wednesday, January 25, 2023
January 24, 2023 11:00Ithaca and Tompkins County Looks to Diversify Police Force The Community Justice Center announced a new effort yesterday to recruit and retain a diverse pool of police officers and sheriff’s deputies. Monalita Smiley is the director of the center which is charged with implementing Tompkins County and City of Ithaca’s joint Reimagining Public Safety Initiative.… The post Local News for Wednesday, January 25, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for January 23, 2023
January 23, 2023 11:00State Senate Democrats Push Funding for New York’s Climate Plan Progressive lawmakers and environmentalists have called on Governor Hochul to divert $10 billion—or about 4%— of her state budget proposal to help ensure New York meets its ambitious climate plans. According to the Times Union, the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act committed the… The post Local News for January 23, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Friday, January 20th, 2023
January 20, 2023 11:00Council searches for fifth ward Alderperson The Ithaca Common Council is conducting its search for a new fifth ward alderperson. The seat was left vacant after Laura Lewis was elected mayor in November. The council has formed a Vacancy Committee made up of Lewis, the 5th ward’s other alderperson Robert Cantelmo, and Alderperson Robert Gearhart… The post Local News for Friday, January 20th, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Thursday, January 19, 2023
January 19, 2023 11:00Tompkins County Legislature to Make Housing Priority Shawna Black, chair of the Tompkins County Legislature, says it’s time to do something about the County’s growing housing needs. Black made the statement during her annual state of the County address on Tuesday. She said housing and economic development are her top priorities this year,and according to… The post Local News for Thursday, January 19, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Wednesday, January 18, 2023
January 18, 2023 11:00Lavine, Myrick Say County Ethics Chair Should Step Down Disputes between the Tompkins County Ethics Board and the City of Ithaca continue. According to the Ithaca Voice, in December former Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick and current City Attorney Ari Lavine called for the County ethics committee chair Rich John to resign. The committee is currently… The post Local News for Wednesday, January 18, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Tuesday, January 16, 2023
January 17, 2023 11:00Ithaca’s 2023 Elections Could Mark Real Change Significant changes could be coming to Ithaca’s city government. This year, all Common Council seats and Ithaca’s mayor office will be up for election. The new Mayor will also appoint the city’s first ever City Manager. The Manager will replace the current Chief of Staff role and hold… The post Local News for Tuesday, January 16, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Monday, January 16, 2023
January 16, 2023 11:00Early Morning Blaze Stifled by IPD The Ithaca Fire Department battled a home fire yesterday on Aurora St at around 7:45 AM. Fire Department spokesperson Jim Wheal reported that there was “a significant amount of fire,” and several walls and ceiling had to be broken through to open space within the home and control the… The post Local News for Monday, January 16, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Friday, January 13, 2023
January 13, 2023 11:00Nguyen Running for Reelection; Won't run again. The Ithaca Voice reports that second ward Common Councilor Ducson Nguyen will seek re-election to another four year term on Common Council, but, if elected, the term will be his last. Nguyen’s district will change along with the rest of the common council following last year’s redistricting process.… The post Local News for Friday, January 13, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Thursday, January 12, 2023
January 12, 2023 11:00Rural Broadband Feedback Due Friday Tomorrow is the deadline to let the FCC know if your access to broadband internet is as good as the agency thinks it is. According to the Ithaca Voice, Senate Majority leader Schumer was in Dryden on Wednesday to urge residents to give the FCC feedback on its broadband map.… The post Local News for Thursday, January 12, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for Wednesday, January 11, 2023
January 11, 2023 11:00Early Voting Begins for Tompkins County District Three Special Election Early voting begins Saturday in the special election to fill the seat for Tompkins County Legislature’s third district. The vacancy was created when former third district rep Henry Granison resigned and later passed away. Democrat Susan Currie—the former director of Tompkins County Library—is the sole… The post Local News for Wednesday, January 11, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.
Local News for for January 10, 2023
January 10, 2023 11:00Hochul to Address Housing in State of State Today Governor Hochul’s first State of the State Address is planned for 1pm today. According to the Times Union she’s expected to highlight her vision for solving New York’s recent exodus of residents. Hochul is aiming to develop 1 million new living units throughout the state over… The post Local News for for January 10, 2023 appeared first on WRFI Community Radio.