The Ithaca Voice
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The Ithaca Voice
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The primary news source for Ithaca, NY and Tompkins County. Always free, always local.

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Cornell University has reached a deal with the federal government to end Justice Department investigations at the school and restore federal funding. The school will pay $30 million to the government, along with other stipulations in the agreement.
Cornell reaches deal with DOJ, will pay $30 million to end investigations and restore federal funding - The Ithaca Voice
This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information becomes available. ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University has reached an agreement with the United States Department of Justice […]
ithacavoice.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Kat Savage will take over as interim director of the Tompkins County Public Library as the search for a permanent director continues.
New interim library director appointed as search continues
ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) remains without a permanent leader as a second interim director takes the reins for the next three months. The library’s last permanent director, Leslie Tabor, resigned in February amid controversy and division over major changes implemented during her time heading the organization. Youth services librarian Kat Savage began her role as interim director on Oct.
ithacavoice.org
October 16, 2025 at 5:41 PM
From New York Focus: New York counties thought they had months to prepare to implement SNAP work requirements. Now, they have weeks.
Surprise Trump move will upend New York food stamps
This story originally appeared in New York Focus, a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York. Sign up for their newsletter here. ALBANY, N.Y. — A surprise move by the Trump administration could result in hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers losing their food assistance benefits as soon as November — disrupting one of the country’s oldest safety net programs months earlier than expected.
ithacavoice.org
October 14, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Weather: Monday rain, but dry & cool for rest of week

ITHACA, N.Y. -- For those seeking more fall-like conditions, this week will be favorable. Following a coastal system that will impact the Ithaca area tonight and tomorrow, a cool but dry pattern will take hold for the remainder of the week,…
Weather: Monday rain, but dry & cool for rest of week
ITHACA, N.Y. -- For those seeking more fall-like conditions, this week will be favorable. Following a coastal system that will impact the Ithaca area tonight and tomorrow, a cool but dry pattern will take hold for the remainder of the week, with no rain expected from about sunrise Tuesday through about next Sunday afternoon. It'll be good weather for some warm cider and chunky sweaters, …
ithacavoice.org
October 12, 2025 at 5:16 PM
With nighttime temperatures growing colder, Tompkins County has reached an agreement with Volunteers of America to operate the Code Blue shelter this year — when it opens.
County selects Volunteers of America to run Code Blue shelter
ITHACA, N.Y. — Volunteers of America Upstate New York (VOA) will operate Tompkins County’s emergency cold-weather shelter this year, adding those duties to their existing agreement to run the county-owned permanent housing shelter when it is constructed.  The contract with Rochester-based VOA was unanimously approved by the Tompkins County Legislature on Tuesday. VOA will operate the shelter out of the Cherry Street location soon to be vacated by Found in Ithaca, a vintage and antique marketplace, which is moving elsewhere.
ithacavoice.org
October 10, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Cornell University is set to acquire the Breazzano Family Center property in Collegetown as its real estate acquisitions in the neighborhood continue.
Cornell set to purchase another Collegetown building
ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University's spending spree in Collegetown doesn't appear to be over yet, as the university moved forward with plans to purchase the property at 209-215 Dryden Road, just steps from the Big Red's campus. The Breazzano Family Center is a six-story, 76,200 square-foot office and academic building, purposely built for Cornell's use by developers John Novarr and Phil Proujansky in 2017…
ithacavoice.org
October 9, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Ithaca Common Council member David Shapiro shares his thoughts on this year's budget constraints as the city begins its public budget process.
Opinion: Choosing our priorities in a year of tight budgets
This is an opinion piece written by Ward 3 Alderperson David Shapiro. It was not written by The Ithaca Voice. To submit opinion pieces, please send them to Matt Butler at mbutler@ithacavoice.org. Every year when budget season arrives, we face the same dilemma: our city has more needs than it has dollars. This year, two proposals in particular highlight that tension.
ithacavoice.org
October 8, 2025 at 5:46 PM
A slew of threatening emails were sent to various public officials, schools and other organizations in Tompkins County Monday morning. Police are investigating.
Wave of threatening emails against local officials spurs investigation
ITHACA, N.Y. — Local officials and public schools received a spate of threatening emails Monday morning, spurring an investigation from federal and local law enforcement. Tompkins County Sheriff Derek Osborne said in a press release that the threats appear to be part of a larger campaign, as several other counties reported similar incidents Monday morning. Osborne said local law enforcement is investigating the threats, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
ithacavoice.org
October 6, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Weather: Warm to start, more fall-like by midweek

ITHACA, N.Y. -- It feels uncannily summer-like right now, other than the early sunsets and late sunrises. However, this heat will be replaced with more autumnal conditions following a sharp cold front Tuesday night, which will also be our only…
Weather: Warm to start, more fall-like by midweek
ITHACA, N.Y. -- It feels uncannily summer-like right now, other than the early sunsets and late sunrises. However, this heat will be replaced with more autumnal conditions following a sharp cold front Tuesday night, which will also be our only chance for significant rain this week. If you're waiting for sweater weather, hang on, it's coming. Dry conditions continue into Sunday.
ithacavoice.org
October 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM