Daily
Ithaca
Thursday, May 21st, 2026
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 21st of May.
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Cornell’s Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) held a daylong event on April 29 that brought together researchers and industry to spark new collaborative projects (including competitive $75K grants), and the next proposal deadline is May 22. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Jane Lynch, a Cornell alum and Golden Globe and Emmy winner, will speak at Senior Convocation today at 1pm in Barton Hall. The event will feature student performances and remarks from university leaders with tickets initially available to undergraduate students. 14850
- ➤ The 38th annual Merrill Scholars luncheon (held May 19 at Willard Straight Hall) honored high school and Cornell mentors who helped 31 students succeed at Cornell. The event celebrated the lasting impact of educators on the scholars’ academic journeys. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ A Cornell study from the Yang-Tan Institute showed that people with disabilities and criminal records were 11 percentage points less likely to be employed than others, with white women facing the largest gap. Local policymakers are now exploring tailored support options. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Cornell engineers have developed a robotic collective called the Cross-Link Collective that flows and reshapes by using small modules with motors and Velcro—each module changes shape and binds with others to improve movement on inclines and over obstacles. Their research was published Tuesday, May 20 in Science Robotics. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Voters in the Ithaca City School District approved a $177.6M budget (tax rate $15.49 per $1,000) with a 5.1% spending increase, a $43.9M bond for school repairs, and measures for propane buses and reserve funds, electing Sara Garner, Jill K. Tripp, and Garrick Blalock. Polls closed Tuesday showing strong support. The Ithaca Voice
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Ithaca’s plan to bypass utility companies in buying energy is on hold as state regulators review community choice aggregation programs. The Tompkins Green Energy Network, set to launch this fall, paused after energy suppliers stopped bidding amid new state rules while the Own Your Power program continues to help customers adopt green systems. The Ithaca Voice
- ➤ The Danby board is reviewing a draft plan for a public skate park (including picnic tables, parking, playground, street course, and bowl) at 15 Bald Hill Road. The public hearing starts at 7 p.m. tonight at Danby Town Hall for residents to share their feedback. 607 News Now
- ➤ Citizen Preparedness Corps is hosting emergency training sessions in Tompkins County with one on June 3 at Brooktondale Community Center and another on June 9 at the Museum of the Earth in Ithaca. Pre-registration is required + each family will receive a free NYS Disaster Preparedness Kit from the New York National Guard and local responders. WENY
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Researchers from the Northeast gathered at Cornell University April 30 to May 1 for the Tri-State Symposium on Reproductive Sciences, discussing infertility, embryo development, and reproductive aging, and Rutgers professor Karen Schindler delivered the keynote lecture highlighting funding challenges + support for emerging scientists. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ New York state health officials say that three residents from the MV Hondius were treated at a Nebraska quarantine unit on May 11 and that no confirmed cases of the Andes strain have been recorded locally. They stress the virus does not spread easily and advise proper hygiene to prevent infection. WENY
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Corning’s track and field teams swept the STAC championships on Wednesday, May 20 at Vestal High School — the girls clinched their seventh title and the boys their eighth while senior Cella McLaughlin won four events — beating runners-up from Ithaca and Oneonta. Ithaca Journal
- ➤ Cornell senior Eli Fastiff reflects on three seasons covering women’s hockey for The Sun. He began with weekly game recaps and now serves as a senior editor, adding ESPN+ commentary and special features that highlight the campus sports media community. The Cornell Daily Sun
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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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