February 23rd, 2022 Daily Headlines

Yesterday, Ithaca resident, and environmental activist Vanessa Fajans-Turner formally launched her campaign for congress in New York’s 22nd District. Fajans-Turner joins a crowded field of democrats with 7 candidates already launching their campaigns. Fajans-Turner is the first Ithaca resident to jump into the race, which has so far been dominated by Syracuse and Onondaga County residents. Fajans-Turner currently works for Bank FWD, an environmentalist group advocating for banks to divest from fossil fuels.

——-

The Ithaca City School District will drop it’s outdoor mask mandate at the end of the month. According to the Ithaca Voice, beginning February 28th, masks won’t be required outside during the school day regardless of distance. The indoor mask mandate will remain in place. Tompkins has seen a sharp drop in active cases of COVID-19 since the winter surge in December and January. 

——-

Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to create a Conditional Adult-use Cannabis Cultivator license to allow hemp farmers to grow cannabis in the coming growing season. According to WGRZ, the bill requires farmers to meet certain conditions including environmental sustainability and participation in a social equity program. Growers will also be required to come to a “labor peace agreement with a bona fide labor organization.” The state legalized consumption and possession of marijuana in small amounts last year.

——-
Republican businessman Harry Wilson has joined the race for New York’s Governor. According to Fox News, Wilson pledged $12 Million of his own money towards his campaign. Wilson joins a number of Republican candidates including Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin, 2014 Republican nominee Rob Astorino, and Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor and Trump official Rudy Giuliani.