Headlines

– Ithaca Tompkins airport among projects getting part of over $18 million new federal funding – Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is getting $1.5 million of federal funding for a new facility. A joint statement from New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand says the new building will bring the airport’s fire, rescue and snow…

– State Assembly passes bill banning CO2 gas mining – The State Assembly banned permitting for a proposed new natural gas mining practice by a vote of 98-50. The bill was introduced after a Texas-based company, Southern Tier Solutions began approaching landowners about leasing their property using a new process. The company said it would…

– Cornell makes changes to controversial Interim Expressive Activity Policy, faculty hold rally calls for it to be scrapped – Cornell University has made changes to its controversial “Interim Expressive Activity Policy”.  A statement issued on Monday addressed three aspects of the policy that have been widely criticized. Candles shorter than 6” will be permitted…

– Common council Wed meeting short-term rental policy – The Ithaca Common Council will hold a work session this week to hear about two special topics. The Council will get an update about the Reimagining Public Safety plan. They will also be hearing from staff about the draft short-term rental (STR) policy. The public agenda…

– Ithaca Common Council approves permanent cease-fire resolution – The Ithaca Common Council approved a resolution calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza at its March 6 meeting. The Ithaca Times reports the vote came after over an hour of public comments and sometimes heated debate among the Council members. The resolution condemns the killing…

– A congressional committee subpoenas Cuomo in COVID-19 investigation – A congressional subcommittee investigating the coronavirus pandemic has subpoenaed former governor Andrew Cuomo. The Albany Times Union reports that a focus of the Republican-led committee’s inquiry is a 2020 order issued by Cuomo to nursing homes. It required facilities to allow residents with COVID-19 to…

– State law saving Ithaca Carshare goes into effect – The Ithaca Carshare bill became law on March 1. The new law resolves a technical insurance regulatory issue that resulted in Ithaca Carshare and other nonprofits losing insurance coverage for their vehicles. Ithaca Carshare stopped all operations last May. The carshare will reopen sometime this…