Local News: October 24, 2023

- Cornell professor faces backlash and support after comments about Hamas October 7 attack -

There’s been a flurry of petitions, letters of support, and condemnation of Cornell history professor Russell Rickford since he spoke at a pro-Palestine rally on October 15. The rally took place on the Ithaca Commons. Supports say his statement was taken out of context. 

The controversial comments can be read in The Cornell Daily Sun. Since the rally, Rickford tried to explain and then apologize for his choice of words in the Daily Sun.  Cornell president Martha Pollock and the president of the University’s board of trustees issued a joint statement identifying Rickford and calling his comments “reprehensible”. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has said Rickford should be fired. Rickford asked for and was granted a leave of absence.

- Guthrie Health warns of scam calls -

The healthcare provider Guthrie is warning people about a phone scam. The Cortland Standard reports Guthrie says it’s received complaints from people in the Cortland and Ithaca area about phone calls asking for credit card information. The callers tell people they have won a prize and request credit card information to process the award. Guthrie says they do not conduct contests and healthcare providers. They ask that anyone who received a questionable call should contact local police.