Good morning, Ithaca.

The Y We Ride cycling event is scheduled for Oct.

11 at Tompkins Cortland Community College and offers ride options of 26, 54, and 102 miles through Tompkins and Cortland counties, with proceeds supporting YMCA scholarships for child care, swim lessons and food programs.

Major retailers now offer Labor Day weekend savings on household essentials like mattresses, appliances, and cookware, with discounts up to 70% at stores including Lowe's, Best Buy + Home Depot.

Local shoppers in Ithaca can take advantage of these deals before fall begins.

Ithaca poet and longtime Ithaca College writing professor Katharyn Howd Machan won third place in the 2026 New York State Fair Poetry Contest and will perform her prize-winning sonnet Vineyard at 2 p.m. Sunday at Empire Theater (Wegmans Creative Arts Center) in Syracuse.

The Ithacan released its Fall 2026 Orientation Insert on Aug.

28 to help new students navigate campus and learn about local resources at Ithaca College. The guide asks for donations to support student journalism (covering hosting costs and conference travel).

College columnist Ezra Galperin urged Cornell to act after student Austin Franco used Handshake (Cornell’s platform) for antisemitic remarks that targeted a Jewish peer, and noted that the university has not yet disciplined him.

Thirty-two scholars will meet at Cornell from Sept.

10-12 for the Just Ocean and Coastal Futures Conference to create reparative frameworks for ocean studies. Sponsored by the Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the event includes presentations, roundtables and public activities.

Tompkins County's Minimum Wage Study shows that rising living costs outpace the state minimum wage and many workers earn below the local living wage (half of county earners).

Legislators will review the study on Sept. 2 and Sept. 15 to consider a local wage increase.

Senators from Pennsylvania and New York are proposing a bill to prioritize research against the invasive spotted lanternfly that threatens vineyards (including local wineries) and agriculture as infestations spread.

Tompkins County Board of Elections announced winners of its annual ‘I voted’ sticker contest (169 submissions were received) featuring creative entries by Leo Walsh and Lansing Middle School students, celebrating the U.S.' 250th anniversary.

Cornell women’s soccer blanked Lafayette 2-0 on Thursday as sophomore Raya Leikin scored both goals, improving their record to 2-1; the team will host Pittsburgh at 1 p.m. on Sunday.