Local News: March 1, 2024

- Recent rise in overdose concerns Tompkins County officials -

There have been five overdose deaths in Tompkins County since February 18. That brings the total this year to six. The Ithaca Voice reports that’s more than occurred over the same period last year. There’s been a steady increase in overdose deaths in the county since 2019. Ithaca Police Chief Thomas Kelly says the mix of fentanyl or xylazine with other substances may be the cause of the recent deaths. A list of some resources is in the Ithaca Voice article linked on our website WRFI dot org slash news. Broome and Tioga counties reported overdose spikes earlier this month. They did not include any deaths.

- Hochul signs new congressional map -

Governor Hochul approved the new congressional map on Thursday. The Democrat made the announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter. The state legislature rejected a map drawn by the state’s bipartisan Independent Redistricting Commission on Monday. On Tuesday they proposed a different map that will likely give their party a one-seat advantage. On Wednesday lawmakers voted to approve their map. Democrats hold a supermajority in both houses of the legislature. Politico New York reports that the most significant boundary change is to the 19th congressional district represented by Republican Marc Molinaro’s district. The new map drops Tioga and parts of Cortland County and adds parts of Rensselaer and Otsego counties from Rep. Elise Stefanik's district. Molinaro’s district includes Ithaca and Binghamton and parts of the Catskills.