Daily
Ithaca
Friday, March 20th, 2026
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 20th of March.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Cornell Fashion Collective Spring Runway Show will take place on March 21 at Barton Hall and feature 180 student models showcasing diverse collections from design majors and others (ticket prices range from $12 to $50). Cornell Chronicle
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ At the March 11 Faculty Senate meeting, President Michael Kotlikoff and Provost Kavita Bala detailed revisions to the Student Code of Conduct (open for comment until April 20, with changes planned for July 1) and updates on Resilient Cornell’s financial measures along with upcoming resolutions. The Cornell Daily Sun
- ➤ Gilles Brassard, a Cornell alum, received the Turing Award for his pioneering work in quantum information science with Charles Bennett, advancing encryption and digital communication through the BB84 protocol; the award carries a $1 million prize from the ACM. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Cornell researchers published a study on March 19 that narrowed over 6,000 exoplanets to prime targets for life detection (including 45 rocky worlds) to help astronomers plan future observations using the JWST and upcoming telescopes. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Sahil Raut (a junior in Industrial and Labor Relations) says expanding City Bucks to all meal plans will let more students dine off campus in Collegetown and downtown, helping local restaurants. The planned modest increase may encourage students to explore more Ithaca eateries while keeping meal plan costs low. The Cornell Daily Sun
- ➤ Jinhua Zhao has been reappointed as dean of the Dyson School for a second five-year term starting July 1; his reappointment was announced on March 19. He will lead over 900 students and support hands-on programs + research that benefit the local community. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Cornell University's Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures has named five faculty fellows from three colleges and five departments to support projects on social justice and community engagement. The fellows will work on research, host events, and create discussion opportunities — reinforcing Cornell's mission for innovative education. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Julia Choi ’29 explains that Cornell’s master’s programs cost over $83,000 per year but provide immersive learning + tailored career support that helps students develop strong skills in business and public policy. The report shows that the educational investment offers practical value for those studying in Ithaca. The Cornell Daily Sun
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A Cornell AgriTech study published March 12 shows that milkweed evolves a defense against monarch butterflies by adding a ring with nitrogen and sulfur to its toxins, a method that sheds light on chemical evolution (which may guide monarch conservation). Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ The Town of Ithaca Planning Board started reviewing Nexamp's proposed Bomber Heights Solar project on Mar. 3— a 31-acre community solar farm on Troy Road— as part of its environmental review process. Nexamp expects an eight-month lead time before construction once permits are secured. Ithaca.com
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Tompkins County will hold a public conversation on its minimum wage study next Tuesday, March 24 at the Whole Health building on Brown Rd—where workers, businesses and residents will share views on raising wages above the $16 rate. Approved in 2024, the study runs through Dec. 2026 with $50,000 cap. 607 News Now
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Cornell researchers found that allowing short outdoor breaks + adding seating in workspaces may reduce staff stress and boost well-being. The March study suggests that local employers might improve productivity by adopting simple policy changes that encourage time outside during the workday. Cornell Chronicle
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Stefanie Chen says Hot Pot Meets BBQ (722 S Meadow St. Suite 800 in Downtown Ithaca) is best for lunch since quality meats, vegetables, and broth make the $24 meal worth it despite higher dinner costs; it is open noon to 10:30 p.m. on weekdays with a two-hour limit. The Cornell Daily Sun
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Cornell's women's gymnastics scored 190.500 in a dual meet at West Chester, Pennsylvania. After a shaky performance on bars, the team improved on vault and floor events and will host the Gymnastics East Conference Championships tomorrow at Newman Arena. The Cornell Daily Sun
-
Raclette for Lunch
12-4 p.m. — South Hill Cider — Cost varies — Enjoy a cheesy alpine tradition paired with refreshing cider at this popular local event.
-
Paint & Sip with Bob Ross
4-6 p.m. — South Hill Cider — 2 drink minimum — Enjoy painting along with Bob Ross while sipping cider on a Saturday afternoon.
-
Skunk Cabbage Classic Half Marathon
Time not specified — Barton Hall — Registration fee applicable — Participate in Ithaca’s iconic spring tradition featuring 10K and half-marathon courses through the scenic Cornell campus.
-
The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring Screening
6:00 – 11:59 PM — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket information not provided — Experience the epic journey of a meek Hobbit and his companions to save Middle-earth.
-
Ithaca D.I.Y. Festival
5:30-11:30 p.m. — Ithaca — Free entry — Celebrate the local music scene with performances from vibrant local and college bands.
-
Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana
7:30-9:00 p.m. — Bailey Hall — Check event page for pricing — Experience the vibrant fusion of cultures through Flamenco in a captivating new production.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Ithaca
Welcome to the Daily Ithaca, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Ithaca, New York community. If you like the Daily Ithaca, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Ithaca.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Ithaca and across New York. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Ithaca
A free Ithaca community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyithaca.com/sitemap