May 31, 2022 Daily Headlines

State Assemblymember Anna Kelles has endorsed Josh Riley in New York’s 19th congressional district. According to the Ithaca Voice, Kelles, who represents Tompkins and Cortland counties in the State Assembly, called Riley a “champion for working families.” Riley, an Ithaca resident, initially mounted his campaign in New York’s 22nd congressional district, but switched to the 19th after the State’s Congressional maps were thrown out. The new 19th stretches from Ithaca across the Catskills and towards the Massachusetts border. 

——-

Due to construction, the 800 block of West Buffalo street will be reduced to one lane of traffic beginning today. The street will only be reduced during work hours. The work is to repair the roadway that was impacted by a water main break repair during the winter. Work is expected to be completed on June 17th. 

——-

Public WiFi is now available on the Ithaca Commons. According to the Ithaca Voice, the WiFi network was introduced by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) and emanates from Center Ithaca. The DIA will pay $1,000 a month for the service, and plans to sell advertising on the network’s landing page. The network is meant to be used outside, so those living on the Commons should not expect to use the network as their main WiFi service. Public WiFi has been a goal of both the DIA and the City government for some time with multiple failed attempts to receive state funding.

——-
Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a slate of appointments to the New York State Court of Claims. Amongst the appointments was former Congressman Anthony Brindisi. Brindisi served one term in the House of Representatives representing the old 22nd district. Brindisi lost re-election in 2020 to Claudia Tenney. The election was decided by only 109 votes, one of the narrowest election results in the country. 

——-

Last Thursday a federal judge upheld a New York law which could see gun manufacturers held accountable for some deadly shootings. The law, which was passed last year, targets actors in the gun industry who either knowingly or negligently contribute to the distribution of “illegal guns” within New York State. According to the Albany Times Union, “illegal guns” are arms that make their way into the state through back channels, mainly from states with less strict gun regulation. The law could be used in a civil action if the victim can show that they were harmed by an “illegal gun” that is traced back to a negligent dealer.