June 15, 2022 Daily Headlines

Last Saturday, activists formed a picket line at the Starbucks located off of the Commons to draw attention to their frustration with the company and its decision to close the College Avenue location. According to The Ithaca Voice, supporters marched in front of the cafe for several hours in response to Starbucks management not guaranteeing College Ave employees jobs at other locations. Negotiations between College Ave workers and management are continuing though workers say progress is slow.

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According to WENY News, the Waterfront Festival and Cardboard Boat Regatta in Watkins Glen is returning this summer after COVID-19 stalled the festival for two years. The festival will be held this Saturday June 18th, from 11am to 8pm at Seneca Harbor Park.  Participants will attempt to build seaworthy boats from cardboard, hot glue and duct tape and compete in categories including “best theme,” “best boat name,” “people's choice”, and “best sinking”. In addition, the festival will have outdoor vendors, music, and other activities. The regatta starts at 2pm. For more information about the festival and cardboard boat registration and rules visit watkinsglen.com

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On Tuesday, New York’s Court of Appeals ruled that Happy the elephant was not a human and isn’t entitled to receive human rights. According to the New York Times, the Nonhuman Rights Group, an animal advocacy organization, argued that Happy had been detained illegally at the Bronx Zoo for the past 40 years and should be transferred to an elephant sanctuary. The advocacy organization sought the remedy of habeas corpus  on Happy’s behalf. Though elephants are known to be very social, stay in herds, and communicate with others. The court rejected the argument by a 5-to-2 vote allowing the Zoo to continue confining Happy the elephant all by herself.