Good morning, Ithaca.

X Ambassadors, an Ithaca-formed band, will kick off their 2025 tour with two concerts on Sept.

19 and 20 at the State Theatre; floor and balcony tickets remain available while VIP packages are sold out.

Tompkins County Quilts is hosting the Years of Traditions show on Sept.

20—21 at Tompkins Cortland Community College Field House in Dryden where local quilters and visitors will see live quilting competitions, 15 vendors, a silent auction of 100 quilts and a raffle for a special show quilt. The benefit fundraiser charges a $10 entry for adults while children are free and supports the Tompkins County Quilters Guild.

A Cornell study by Dawn Chen and colleagues found that the two spermathecae in female fruit flies store and release sperm differently—one originates from cells carrying the wingless gene while the other comes from a different cell lineage, a finding that may explain evolutionary benefits. The research, which used special genetic techniques, involved collaborators from New York University and Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

A Cornell study published Sept.

16 found that bird lovers are more likely to treat their windows with safe coverings when messages stress effectiveness—while the general public responds better to emotional appeals highlighting bird harm. Researchers surveyed nearly 5,000 Americans and Canadians to learn which messages can change behavior and reduce fatal bird collisions.

The Cornell Yang Center for Wildlife Health has awarded seed grants to faculty and researchers at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine to spur conservation efforts.

The grants support projects testing new methods for monitoring wildlife—such as eastern rockhopper penguins—and provide rapid funding during urgent disease outbreaks.

Rep. Josh Riley said on Monday, Sept.

15, that rising utility costs have led him to plan a bill that will ban foreign companies from owning local utility companies—he noted that a Spanish firm owns NYSEG while a British company owns National Grid.

Anthony G. Bellamy, who served over 21 years and was Cornell’s first Black police chief, will become the new deputy chief of the Ithaca Police Department — effective Oct.

2 — after retiring from the Cornell University Police Department; he will participate in a ceremonial walk-out on Sept. 19.

Tompkins County has launched the Amplify grant to support local leaders and small businesses from underserved communities with up to $5,500 for projects that create community impact—applications are due October 15 and winners will be announced during the GARE Local Meeting from October 20 through 22 in Ithaca.

Fernando de Aragón ended his 27-year tenure as head of the Ithaca Tompkins County Transportation Council today and highlighted his work balancing car traffic with safer walking and biking alternatives—Tom Knipe is taking over to continue funding projects and improve local roads and sidewalks.

Today, asphalt repair begins at the intersection of W.

Court and N. Albany streets, which will be closed to traffic for two days. Westbound vehicles should follow Buffalo St and eastbound drivers should use N. Geneva St—the project will be completed by September 19.

The Tompkins County Health Department reported that out of 16 restaurants inspected last month, 10 had no violations, one had a critical violation, and five had non-critical issues carried over from previous inspections.

Ithaca eateries such as New Delhi Diamond’s must fix critical issues immediately to prevent possible foodborne illness.

On September 12, three Wegmans-brand canned fruit products were recalled due to lead levels above safe standards from Pacific Coast Producers—customers can return the items at Wegmans for a full refund.

Trumansburg boys soccer started the season with five wins as coach Jason Hodge celebrated his 200th career win on September 5—his milestone came with a 5-0 victory over Dryden.

X Ambassadors Concert

8:00-9:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket prices vary — Experience the electrifying sounds of X Ambassadors on their North American tour.

X Ambassadors Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets from $58 — Experience an electrifying evening with X Ambassadors at this iconic venue.

Jazz Mondays with Dave Davies RhythmMakers

5:30-8:30 p.m. — South Hill Cider — $5 suggested donation — Enjoy live jazz and uplifting vibes while sipping on local cider.

Celtic Thunder: An Evening of Music

7:30-9 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket information not specified — Experience the greatest songs of Celtic Thunder with a heartfelt reunion.

Apple Harvest Festival

Sep 26-28 — Downtown Ithaca Alliance Office — Free entry — Celebrate the fall with locally grown apples, crafts, food, and entertainment at this beloved community festival.

The Front Bottoms Live

7-10 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticketed event — Celebrate a decade of music with The Front Bottoms alongside Sincere Engineer.

Dart Brothers Live Concert

7-11 p.m. — Bike Bar — No cover charge — Experience the unique fusion of original rock and alt-country by Ithaca's own Dart Brothers.

Dancing on The Patio

8-10 p.m. — South Hill Cider — $5 - $10 donation suggested — Dance on the patio to DJ Evermix while enjoying cider and food.

Sammy - Strides for a Cure

11 AM – 3 PM — Stewart Park — Registration closed — Run, walk, and gather to raise awareness for a cure to Alzheimer's Disease regardless of the weather.

Behavioral Economics Workshop with Canishk Naik

11:40 AM - 12:55 PM — Sage Hall - Johnson Graduate School of Management — Check official website for fees — Explore the intersection of psychology and economics with expert insights.