Local News, July 13, 2023

- State To Appeal Ruling In Housing Discrimination Case -

A New York Supreme Court judge ruled in favor of Ithaca Renting and landlord Jason Fane last month. 14850.com reported that State Attorney General Letitia James took the company to court for refusing to rent to people using Section 8 housing vouchers. The AG alleged that that violated the state’s housing law against income discrimination. Attorneys for Fane argued that the inspection requirements of the federal Section 8 program violated Constitutional protections against warrantless searches. The Attorney General says the state will appeal the ruling. She made the comment during her visit to Ithaca on Thursday morning.

- Court Orders New Congressional District Mapping -

The New York Times reports that on Thursday a state appeals court ordered the congressional maps to be redrawn. The court sided with Democrats and said the districts drawn for last year’s mid-term elections were meant to be temporary. Republicans say they will appeal the decision. But, if the ruling is upheld, The Times says it’s likely Democrats in the legislature will be able to draw a new map that passes muster. That would make re-election difficult for some newly-elected Republicans. The Times says one of them might be Representative Marc Molinaro who represented the redrawn 19th congressional district. The district includes Ithaca, Binghamton, Oneonta, and parts of the Catskills.

- Jim Murphy Memorial Calls -

We at WRFI are missing Jim Murphy and we know a lot of you are too.  Many of you knew him and some were just loyal listeners to his morning program for years. We’d like to hear your favorite memory of Jim. Here’s what to do — Call us at 607-319-5445 x6. Tell us who you are and a way we can reach you. Then tell us your favorite memory of Jim. We may want to contact you to get permission to share your message on the air.