Local News April 15, 2024

Competing rallies were held at Cornell Sunday. One was billed as a "Jewish Unity" rally and featured speakers who decried what they say is a rise in antisemitism at Cornell and across the country. The other was organized by the Coalition for Mutual Liberation whose demands include that Cornell divest from what they call genocide and apartheid in Palestine. According to the Cornell Sun a banner reading “Jews for Divestment, No Genocide in our name” was hung from the roof of Goldwyn Smith hall and later removed. 

A student government approved referendum will be held Thursday polling student opinions on whether Cornell should call for a ceasefire in Gaza and whether Cornell should divest from 10 weapons manufacturers supplying Israel’s war efforts. According to CML all undergraduates will receive an email Thursday with a link to the anonymous voting form.

Tompkins Area Consolidated Transit or TCAT has a new General Manager. On Friday, the struggling transit operator announced that Matthew Rosenbloom-Jones had been appointed to the position. He says that before the pandemic TCAT had been regarded as one of the best systems of its size and that he’s confident heading into the position. The bus operator has been plagued by issues over the past several years including driver shortages, maintenance problems, failing electric buses, and funding challenges. Rosenbloom-Jones has served as a leader in public transit in Wisconsin, Maryland, and Kentucky. He’s replacing former GM Scott Vanderpool who retired in March.

On Saturday, New York State Senator Lea Webb announced that the Ithaca Farmers Market will receive $125,000 in state funding. WHXC reports the funds will be used to improve the parking lot at the market’s Steamboat Landing location and to make improvements to the site’s accessibility.