Daily
Ithaca
Tuesday, March 24th, 2026
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 24th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ A donation drive is underway at Ithaca Tompkins International Airport to support TSA staff working without pay amid the government shutdown. Donations of food and gifts can be dropped off from March 23 to 27 at airport administration (72 Brown Road) or curbside at the terminal. WENY
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Ciao! Wood-Fired Pizza & Pasta reopened weekday lunch on Monday, March 23, with a simplified menu of pizzas, salads, paninis and pasta. Located off North Triphammer Road (2 Hickory Hollow Lane), the restaurant now opens at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and stays until 9 p.m. daily. 14850
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Cornell Fashion Collective held its 42nd annual runway show on Saturday at the campus in Ithaca, drawing over 3,000 attendees and featuring four design levels with themes such as a grayscale look and technology highlights. The Cornell Daily Sun
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A recent study of Ithaca’s Commons — showing 23 empty storefronts — noted a 16% vacancy rate and a 12.5% drop in foot traffic, with 71% of visitors rating the retail mix as poor; Phase II began early 2026 to address these issues. The Ithaca Voice
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Scientists at Cornell saw a new behavior in gallium nitride, a material used to make lights and electronics, using strong magnetic fields to study how tiny moving holes act — a finding that may help build better devices. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Professors at Cornell formed a committee to explore reforms in public engagement + highlighting its unique role as the only land-grant Ivy. The group plans to build on the university’s longstanding mission to connect research and teaching with real-world community needs. The Cornell Daily Sun
- ➤ Today, Cornell's Board of Trustees approved 2026-27 budget parameters setting tuition, housing and dining rates. Out-of-state endowed college tuition will be $73,946 while state contract tuition is $49,816 and housing and dining costs reach $21,348—reflecting inflation-driven increases. Cornell Chronicle
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Hunters in New York’s Southern Zone set a record in 2025 by harvesting 1,759 black bears statewide, including two heavy bears from Steuben and Chemung counties — wildlife officials credit strong management plans for the high numbers. Ithaca Journal
- ➤ A Cornell-led project Dynamic Atlas of Riverine Ecosystems and Infrastructure (DARE) is underway to track 75 years of river changes by using satellite data and modeling; funded by a $5M grant from Schmidt Sciences, it will study rivers like the Amazon and Mekong to guide restoration efforts. Cornell Chronicle
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A new state law now requires businesses to accept cash for in-person purchases (bills over $20 and online orders are exempt), as Attorney General Letitia James explained on March 23. Ithaca shoppers can expect the rule to be enforced with penalties for violations. Ithaca Journal
- ➤ On March 19, the EEOC emailed current and former Cornell employees to gather details on antisemitic incidents as part of a federal investigation. Cornell confirmed it provided employee data (from files as of Aug. 2025) and is cooperating with the inquiry. Ithaca.com
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Trader Joe’s has expanded its recall to include chicken shumai dumplings + chicken fried rice after contamination from carrots was detected. Affected products have best buy dates from Mar. 5 to Oct. 23, so shoppers should check labels before purchase. 607 News Now
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Tompkins Girls Hockey Association's 14U team will compete in the Chipotle-USA Hockey Girls Tier II National Championships starting tomorrow in Rochester, Mich. The team from Elmira, Skaneateles and surrounding areas has worked hard for this historic milestone — a true test of their teamwork and dedication. 607 News Now
- ➤ Senior Grace Murray won the NCGA floor exercise championship on March 20 in Cortland with a 9.850 — she became the first Bomber in seven years to secure a national title and tied for fifth on vault in her final competition. The Ithacan
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Kendall Street Company Concert
7-11:30 p.m. — The Nocturnal Café — $15 adv/$20 dos — Experience an eclectic rock show filled with humor and musical improvisation.
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
Other people's opinion of you does not have to become your reality.
~ Les Brown
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