Headlines for Friday October 28th, 2022

Ithaca’s Department of Public Works is facing staffing shortfalls and is considering using private companies to pick up the slack. According to the Ithaca Voice, Superintendent of Public Works Mike Thorne spoke at Common Council saying the department has lost 30 employees and briefed the Council on projects the department’s workers will be covering in the coming months. Thorne outlined major projects including a water and sewer main replacement on Meadow street, a pumping station project, and other seasonal repairs. The department has been in conversation with Casella Waste Systems, a Vermont based company, to fill in gaps if needed.

A report by FactCheck.org says that an ad attacking 19th congressional district Democratic nominee Josh Riley distorts his position on criminal justice. The ad was put out by the Congressional Leadership Fund, a Republican SuperPAC and features a quote from Riley advocating “Help not handcuffs” for criminals. However that quote wasn’t referring to criminals, as the ad suggests, but instead to people in mental health crisis. Riley is running against Republican candidate Marc Molinaro who has sought to make crime a focal point of the campaign.

The Semiconductor Manufacturer Micron is investing over $100 million over 20 years into a new chip plant in Onondaga county. According to Spectrum News, the company will also be investing $250 million into an “community investment fund” to support education, affordable housing, workforce development, and community groups. Yesterday, President Joe Biden appeared in Onondaga to tout the new investments. Biden was joined by Senator Chuck Schumer and Governor Kathy Hochul.