Daily
Ithaca
Thursday, September 25th, 2025
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 25th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Cornell hosts more than 50 Greek groups that run local service events like the ShamROCKing Into School 5k, while Ithaca College students make their own groups to help with local causes—such as the Children’s Garden and community drives. Groups like Gamma Delta Pi and Zeta Phi Beta work hard to serve Ithaca and break old ideas about Greek life. The Ithacan
- ➤ The 10th Annual Ithaca Cupcake Baking Contest will take place on Oct. 18 at Bernie Milton Pavilion in Ithaca Commons where local home bakers and students must submit trays of six cupcakes with recipes and brief stories between 10 a.m. and noon—entries judged by local professionals will compete for prizes including a $250 Grand Prize and a $100 Youth Award while mental health awareness is highlighted. Tompkins Weekly
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Former Ithaca College student Jonathan D’Agostino—last seen leaving campus on Sept. 7 at Buttermilk Falls State Park with his belongings and a note—has been found safe in Pennsylvania over the weekend, police confirmed. The Ithaca Voice
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Ithaca’s inaugural Mural Invitational will take place at SouthWorks on Oct. 4 and 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., where 10 local, regional, and national artists will create outdoor murals and lead community paint sessions and workshops — marking a new chapter for the historic site. Tompkins Weekly
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Oven Fresh Jobs Live Job Fair will be held on November 5th from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. at the Ithaca Mall and is free to attend. Employers — including Cayuga Health, TSA, Ithaca City School District and others — will offer job opportunities along with prizes and giveaways throughout the event. 607 News Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Ithaca City School District and Ithaca Teachers Association will resume contract talks Oct. 9 as teachers work under an expired contract. ITA President Kathryn Cernera said salary charts—family leave and insurance are key priorities, and meetings will continue until Thanksgiving. 607 News Now
- ➤ Cornell will celebrate 100 years of Willard Straight Hall with a yearlong series of events—kicking off with a flower-themed crafting event on Sept. 26 and a centennial celebration on Nov. 21 that invite both the campus and the public to share memories of the historic building. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ Cornell alumnus Lawrence M. Wein, a Stanford professor, will return on Oct 7 to present his new algorithm that speeds up forensic genealogy—identifying suspects 25 times faster than standard methods—at a public lecture in Gates G-01 from 4:15–5:15 p.m., with a livestream and reception to follow. Cornell Chronicle
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ New York’s fall foliage report shows that leaves are changing at different rates across the state, with Broome, Chenango, and Delaware counties reporting up to a 75% shift while Ithaca has only seen a 20% change. Residents in the Southern Tier will not see peak colors soon—changes will continue through Sept. 30. Ithaca Journal
- ➤ On September 24, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation declared 12 counties, including Steuben, Cortland, Chemung, Broome and Tioga, under drought warnings or watches—leaving almost all of New York affected except Westchester and New York City—and urged residents to conserve water. WSKG
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ At Tuesday’s meeting, the Ithaca Planning and Development Board approved construction permits for a Collegetown midrise and delayed a small business signage plan due to low board attendance—members said the board needs more representatives to avoid future delays. The midrise project will move forward while the board plans to revisit the signage matter next month. The Ithaca Voice
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ NYS Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said there is no evidence linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism — he criticized claims from federal officials as scientifically inaccurate. The commissioner noted that autism is a complex disorder with multiple contributing factors. 607 News Now
- ➤ A Cornell-led study found that deadly pancreatic cancer spreads when the ALK7 receptor helps cancer cells move and break blood vessel walls—scientists used organ-on-chip models to mimic human tumors and showed that early blocking of ALK7 slowed the spread. The research offers a promising target for new treatment options. Cornell Chronicle
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Today, local restaurants mark National Lobster Day by offering a variety of dishes including bisque, ravioli, and lobster rolls—options range from casual takeout to upscale dining. Residents can enjoy this culinary event at various local spots—each celebrating lobster’s journey from common fare to modern delicacy. 14850
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Notorious Stringbusters Concert
5:30-8:30 p.m. — South Hill Cider — Free entry — Experience the earth quakin', hip brakin' sounds of the Notorious Stringbusters in a vibrant community setting.
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Blues Traveler Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets from $75 — Enjoy a night with the iconic Blues Traveler, famous for their high-energy performances.
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Calya Lea
7 p.m. — The Downstairs — $10/pwyc — Experience a cozy evening with live music in a vibrant venue.
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Jazz Mondays with Dave Davies RhythmMakers
5:30-8:30 p.m. — South Hill Cider — $5 suggested donation — Experience live jazz with local favorites while enjoying cider and food.
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