Daily
Ithaca
Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 8th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Second Wind Cottages is expanding services by building a new 9,600 sqft community center near its Elmira Road cottages in Newfield — it will host job workshops, volunteer projects and recovery meetings while residents benefit from volunteer-run housing programs in Dryden and Ithaca. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ The Dryden Fire Department will host a food drive on Saturday, Apr. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its fire station to collect non-perishable items, pet food, and personal hygiene supplies for community members in need. 607 News Now
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Cornell’s Ignite gap funding program helped three early-stage biomed startups — including TETmedical, Romix Biosciences, and IVSonance — secure over $8 million in follow-on funds to develop fast diagnostics from lab discoveries that aim to improve patient care. Cornell Chronicle
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Cornell has begun its self-study phase for reaccreditation, with a steering committee set up to review seven standards. Community members can give input when Kathy Feith meets with the team on Thursday, Apr. 9 from 12:15 to 1 p.m. in Physical Sciences Building CR 401 (or via Zoom). Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ A Cornell-based team, with experts from Cameroon and South Africa, is using machine learning to reanalyze 15-year-old earthquake data to find additional events from the 2011 Virginia quake, supporting Cameroonian scientist Ndikum Ndoh whose career was disrupted by conflict + may improve our understanding of rare intraplate earthquakes. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ At Cornell, M.Eng. student Nandan Reddy Muthangi is partnering with Xallent & using state-of-the-art equipment at CNF in Ithaca to develop semiconductor test chips that enhance microchip production reliability. His work gives him essential, hands-on training in advanced manufacturing. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Super Bowl Champion and Cornell alum Jalyx Hunt ’23 will deliver his Last Lecture this Friday at Baker 200. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., and he will share his journey to the NFL and stress the value of mental health. The Cornell Daily Sun
- ➤ Three members of the Lansing Central School District board resigned last March amid distrust and budget concerns, and the board quickly appointed experienced replacements to manage a $2.2 million shortfall — it will address financial issues at its May 19 meeting. Tompkins Weekly
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Tompkins County is spending $50,000 on a Cornell-led study starting today at the Plumbers and Steamfitters union hall to test raising the minimum wage above the $16 state floor and gauge its impact. The study will host nine forums (covering business, worker, and nonprofit views) and report findings in August. Tompkins Weekly
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Cornell researchers in Ithaca showed that a medicine called JQ1 stopped sperm production in mice for three weeks while normal function returned after treatment ended. The breakthrough study published April 7 will lead to further tests and company plans to develop a safe, reversible nonhormonal male contraceptive. Cornell Chronicle
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ On March 4, 2026, residents at Asteri Ithaca were told to vacate after safety problems were found in the stairwell during a fire alarm call, and some refused to leave until they were allowed back on March 20. The complex has dealt with management issues and now offers $2,000 for full vacancy through its cash for keys program. The Cornell Daily Sun
- ➤ An iconic building at 224 E. State St. in the Commons changed hands in a $2M sale on April 1, now owned by a Massachusetts-based LLC linked to property investor Steven Wells. The historic landmark, once home to Simeon’s Bistro, is expected to see further local redevelopment. The Ithaca Voice
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Kahlen Cornell (Dryden native) has joined the Ithaca College softball team's pitching staff after a challenging season. She transferred after a shoulder injury and a year as a student manager, and the Bombers aim to repeat their Liberty League success while reaching regionals this season. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ Julia Blakeslee, a junior midfielder at Le Moyne, led the Dolphins to a 10-2 record after a turnaround from a 4-13 season—she credits off-season work and new team chemistry with boosting her draw controls and leadership as they aim for a conference title. Tompkins Weekly
-
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.
-
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.
-
John Butler Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket prices vary — Experience the rhythmic brilliance of John Butler live as he showcases his latest album PRISM.
-
One Night With You: Elvis Dinner Show
6-8 p.m. — K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub — $35 per person — Enjoy an evening of Elvis' classic songs and storytelling paired with a delicious dinner in an intimate setting.
-
The Steel Wheels Concert
7-9:30 p.m. — Hangar Theatre — Ticket details available online — Enjoy an evening of live music by The Steel Wheels.
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
Start with repetition, not perfection.
~ James Clear
About 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