Government
Dryden Planning Board Dissolves Building Energy Subcommittee [AUDIO]
The Town of Dryden Planning Board dissolved the young Building Energy Subcommittee in April 2019. We speak with Planning Board member Joe Wilson to learn why. The subcommittee was established to direct the town of Dryden toward sustainable energy projects. It was in existence for just over a year and half. The Town of Dryden…
Read MoreCongressman Tom Reed – Town Halls: February 2019 (Audio)
Congressman Tom Reed (NY 23rd District) has started holding more frequent town halls around the district since his serious challenge three months ago from Tracy Mitrano of Penn Yann. On Saturday February 23, 2019, he met with about 50 attendees in Owego (Tioga County) and 60 attendees in Groton (Tompkins County). Attendees raised 14 major…
Read MoreCan standardized testing improve teachers? [AUDIO]
A bill detaching students’ scores on state exams from the way teachers are assessed for hiring and promotion passed the state legislature in January. This is a huge reversal in state policy — from emphasizing state tests in teacher evaluations to now, almost doing away with them. In this report by WRFI’s John Yoon, teachers…
Read MoreNew grounds for safe drug injection site bill in Albany — yet no official yes from Ithaca or Tompkins
State legislators are trying to revive a bill establishing supervised injection sites that hasn’t moved since 2017. Here‘s John Yoon reporting for WRFI. As the staggering epidemic of fatal opioid overdoses continues to rage, cities are looking for solutions. You might remember the Ithaca Plan from 2016: a comprehensive drug plan proposed by Ithaca Mayor…
Read MoreSchuyler County Legislature Deals With Potential Woodstock 50 Concert [Audio]
The 50th anniversary concert of Woodstock is scheduled to take place in Watkins Glen this summer — an event that’s mostly gotten positive attention. But at last night’s Schuyler County Legislature meeting, thirty-five residents showed up to express their concern in a standing-room only meeting. Here’s WRFI’s Fred Balfour with a report from Watkins Glen.…
Read MorePete Meyers from the Tompkins County Workers’ Center Talks About Wage Theft
The Tompkins County Workers’ Center, in partnership with the Worker Institute of Cornell University’s ILR School, will be holding a panel discussion on wage theft on February 5 at 5:30 pm at the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca.
Read MoreCornell Students Challenge Betsy DeVos’ Title IX Guidelines [AUDIO]
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is proposing changes to rules about how Title IX is dealt with at federally-funded schools. Days ahead of the end of the public comment period, there have been more than 96,000 comments — including a number from Cornell. WRFI’s John Yoon brings us this report. Students at Cornell in their own…
Read MoreA Number of Groups Appeal DEC Decision to Grant Cargill a Permit for the Salt Mine Shaft #4 Project [AUDIO]
A number of groups are appealing a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation decision. The agency granted Cargill a permit for its Mine Shaft #4 project for their salt mine beneath Cayuga Lake. The petitioners include the city and town of Ithaca, CLEAN, or Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now, the Town of Ulysses, and…
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