Local News for April 11, 2023

Cayuga Nation Gets Federal Approval To Create Land Trust

The Cayuga Nation can now put over 100 acres of land in its territory into a land trust. The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs granted permission last week for the federally-recognized Cayuga government to create the trust. The Ithaca Voice reports that land in the trust will be exempt from local and state taxes. The decision comes after about twenty years of legal disputes between the federally-recognized Cayuga government and traditionalists who say the current Cayuga government is illegitimate.    

Tompkins County To Get More Funding from Opioid Settlements

Tompkins County is expecting more money from settlements of lawsuits relating to the growth of the opioid epidemic. Frank Kruppa, head of Tompkins Whole Health told WHCU a one-time payment of about $800,000 is coming to the mental health division of his department. Kruppa also says several smaller recurring amounts will come to the county but those have not yet been finalized. Tompkins County has already gotten one settlement of about $700,000.

Cornell Officials Reject Student Proposal For ‘Trigger Warnings’ In Classrooms

Cornell officials have rejected a student resolution that would have required professors to include content warnings on sensitive course materials. The resolution received some national media attention. The Cornell Daily Sun reports that University President Martha Pollack and Vice Provost Michael Kotlikoff explained their decision in an email to Student Assembly members. They said they understand the intent behind the resolution but it would place an “unreasonable burden” on faculty and restrict academic freedom. The students who sponsored the resolution say they will re-write it and try again to get it approved.