Good morning, Ithaca.

On July 23, a naturalization ceremony at the College of Veterinary Medicine (Yarnell Lecture Hall) in Ithaca honored eight new citizens from six countries, including Vardan Khachatryan and Lilit Abrahayan, marking the start of a new chapter in their U.S. journey.

The Dallas Morse Coors Concert Series will launch its 2026-27 season at Bailey Hall (Ithaca) on Oct.

23 with Chucho Valdés’ 85th Birthday Celebration, followed by concerts on Nov. 21, Feb. 28, and March 20. Additional community activities will be announced closer to each date.

The Hangar Theatre’s satirical play 'Eureka Day' debuted with a preview performance (July 25–Aug.

2) and explores a school board’s heated debate on vaccination policy as it highlights educators’ responsibilities. Directed by Syracuse-based Katherine McGerr, the play uses humor to prompt fresh thinking.

Cornell researchers showed that simple, solution-processed nanoclusters can break light symmetry (published July 27), a breakthrough that may lead to nonreciprocal imaging and optical encryption in photonic devices in Ithaca.

Their work could pave the way for innovative quantum applications.

Cornell launched the Democracy Dialogues podcast series on July 10 to mark America’s 250th birthday, featuring Arts and Sciences Dean Peter John Loewen.

More episodes with deans Colleen L. Barry and Jens Ohlin will explore our democratic legacy + its future.

Cornell Bowers researchers are receiving grants from LinkedIn to drive innovations in AI, including generative artificial intelligence—linking academic breakthroughs with practical business insights.

The grant partnership, now in its final year, will support projects led from campus.

Ithaca City School District’s Board of Education began its new term and already shows a major shift in power that could affect property tax rates higher than those in both Tompkins County and the City, potentially impacting housing costs later.

John Abowd and Lars Vilhuber won the 2026 Caspar Bowden PET Award for their research on a privacy attack on the 2010 Census.

They donated the $3,000 prize to a student travel fund after the award was given at the PET Symposium in Calgary from July 20-25.

Cornell researchers introduced BINN (an AI model) that measures soil carbon processes 50 times faster than previous methods, as reported in a study published July 24.

The tool is expected to advance soil biology research and contribute to improved climate insights.

State Sen. Lea Webb announced $2.1 million in childcare funding on Tuesday, July 21 for the YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County to renovate and expand childcare spaces; the grant, managed by the Dormitory Authority, is expected to lead to groundbreaking by the end of the year.

Cornell researchers found that dietary fiber boosts digestion only when gut bacteria of the right strains break down resistant starch.

The study published July 24 used advanced techniques to pinpoint strain differences and guide future precision nutrition.

Cornell researchers have developed the Charlson Comorbidity Health Analytics (CCHA) tool using six years of data from over 27,000 patients to predict hospitalization risks and healthcare costs.

The study suggests extended primary care visits for high-needs patients may lower future expenses.

Ithaca College men’s rowing coach Justin Stangel resigned on July 24 after four seasons that saw the Bombers win three league titles and earn him three Coach of the Year honors — the program now searches for a new leader.