Daily
Ithaca
Friday, May 15th, 2026
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 15th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ On April 29, the Tompkins Chamber of Commerce and Visit Ithaca honored five local businesses and community leaders at their annual awards celebration in Ithaca. Recipients included YMCA+Tompkins County for Not-For-Profit, Canopy by Hilton for Distinguished Business, and Clark Young of Uncle Marty’s for Entrepreneur of the Year. Ithaca.com
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Ithaca locals can try wineries this summer as Finger Lakes venues offer tastings and scenic views, with events like grape stomping and live music. Check each winery’s website for hours and tour details. 607 News Now
- ➤ Students in a college practicum created an installation called 'Indonesia Embodied: Performing the Space Between' on display until fall at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art’s Southeast Asia gallery. It complements the ongoing 'Hum of Life' exhibition. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Ithaca Concert Band will perform several times while conductor Art Carichner said the group’s 80 dedicated members — including many younger players — point to a promising future. 607 News Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Cornell researchers created an AI tool to help users rank choices like job applicants and films; the tool was presented on April 16 at CHI and is now used in computer graphics classes to improve consistent evaluations + users can disable the AI for sensitive decisions. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Several Ithaca College faculty retired at the end of Spring 2026 and shared reflections on long teaching careers — highlighting student connections and decades of service. Retirees include Bob Sullivan, Hormoz Movassaghi, Zenon Wasyliw, and Diane Gayeski. The Ithacan
- ➤ Cornell will hold two Commencement ceremonies — one at 10 a.m. and another at 2:30 p.m. — at Schoellkopf Field on Saturday, May 23 for more than 8,000 graduates, where President Michael I. Kotlikoff will deliver addresses as livestreams capture the academic processions. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ A $1.25M gift from James and Rebecca Morgan will fund a new AI fellows program at Cornell that aims to boost operational and administrative transformation in its early stages (targeting improved campus operations). The program will recruit four to five recent graduates for hands-on projects and training. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Ithaca College will host its annual Commencement Eve Concert on May 16 at 8:30 p.m. at Glazer Arena (Athletics and Events Center); the free event will feature ensembles and soloists followed by fireworks, and commencement will begin at 10 a.m. on May 17. 607 News Now
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ At Cornell, students from the living lab have surveyed dining hall leftovers and worked with chefs to cut food waste while donating untouched meals to local nonprofits+ their efforts support campus sustainability and provide hands-on learning. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Trumansburg elementary students made a wooden porcupine sculpture (dubbed Mr. Bristles) using plastic from a new street sweeper on Earth Day. The art project highlighted environmental concerns and was given to the Department of Public Works to encourage better snow removal methods. The Ithaca Voice
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ On Thursday, May 14, Watkins Glen High School hosted the IAC softball championship where the merged Schuyler Storm clinched a 7-6 win over Lansing with a two-run hit by Amy Field in the sixth inning—this win builds on a tiebreaker and sets them up for Section 4 playoffs. Ithaca Journal
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Eileen Ivers & The Brigideens
8-10:30 p.m. — Hangar Theatre — Ticket required — Experience the fiery sounds of Grammy-winning Eileen Ivers and her all-female band, The Brigideens.
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Leading with Intention Workshop by Amber Alpizar
1:30-4:30 p.m. — Tompkins County Public Library — Registration required — Equip yourself with tools to lead with compassion and accountability amidst uncertainty.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Ithaca
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