Headlines for September 19, 2022

The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is looking to expand the number of daily flights in the coming years. According to WHCU, the airport’s goal is to triple the number of daily flights, and double the number of destinations served. Currently the airport offers daily flights to Newark, New Jersey through United Airlines and Detroit through Delta. Airport Director Roxan Noble has said the airport has had discussion with Spirit Airlines. This comes after American Airlines suspended service from the airport last week.

The Ithaca Voice reports that the DEC is facing legal challenges to a permit it issued allowing toxic material to be released into Ithaca’s wastewater treatment system. Environmental watchdog Seneca Lake Guardian is planning to challenge the permit issued to the County Line Material Recovery Facility in Cayuta. The DEC issued the permit to transfer toxic liquids to Ithaca. However, according to Ithaca alderperson Cynthia Brock, the Ithaca plant never agreed to accept the material. Ithaca’s wastewater facility argues that before accepting the waste, it would need to assess its ability to treat it. They also claim the DEC committed technical violations in issuing the permit.   

New York State is offering free online services to help immigration and naturalization efforts throughout the state. The portal, citizenshipworks.org, will provide application and virtual legal assistance to an estimated 800,000 people who are eligible for naturalization in the state. According to the Times Union, the new program will especially benefit those who live in isolated areas. In-person were required before the online service was launched and many immigrants have minimal access to public transportation. The portal was announced amidst an explosion of crises around the world that have displaced hundreds of thousands, including the influx of 2,500 immigrants from Afghanistan into the state last year.