Daily
Ithaca
Thursday, October 30th, 2025
Good morning, Ithaca. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 30th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Gadabout, a nonprofit transportation service in Tompkins County, is asking riders for feedback to improve service for older adults and people with disabilities. The online survey is available until November 15 — and the Tompkins County Office for the Aging will temporarily move to 31 Dutchmill Road in Lansing. 607 News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Cornell University Library will open a new exhibit at Mann Library gallery on Nov. 6 that explores plant-human communication through smart agriculture and projects from Cornell and partner institutions. The exhibit will include live demonstrations — such as a device that texts when a plant is injured — and interactive panels that answer questions about how plants signal stress. Cornell Chronicle
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Ithaca teachers are working under an expired contract after talks resumed on Oct. 9 and are now negotiating a new three-year deal with planned salary increases and improved benefits — including a step-and-lane pay system to address pay variances and proposals for extended leave and work hours adjustments. The tentative offer, aimed at reducing high teacher turnover, will be discussed further at a public session on Nov. 20. Tompkins Weekly
- ➤ Ithaca City School District received a $25,000 donation from an anonymous donor to fund teacher grants in the Arts for All program — letting arts teachers get extra training and support. The gift follows a $100,000 donation last month that upgraded the high school auditorium. 607 News Now
- ➤ Christopher P. Dunn, PhD, the executive director of Cornell Botanic Gardens (retiring December 31) will end 11 years of service; he led the renaming and shift in mission toward conserving plants and cultures (securing a stable budget and growing endowment) that set the stage for future educational programs in our community. Cornell Chronicle
- ➤ The Trumansburg school district voters approved two capital improvement projects for school facilities yesterday with Proposition 1 receiving 476 votes to 96 and Proposition 2 receiving 434 votes to 138 for a combined cost of nearly $18.4 million. The board of education will now begin plans to upgrade security, air conditioning, and other facilities using reserve funds, future tax levies, and state aid — aiming to improve conditions across the schools. 607 News Now
- ➤ Cornell's endowment reached $11.8 billion by June 30 as it earned a 12.3 percent return and contributed $439 million to financial aid, research and faculty expenses. For FY26, the university will budget a record $463 million for grant and scholarship aid — a step that makes Cornell more affordable for aided students than it was two decades ago. 607 News Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Low-income residents in Tompkins County will face delays in receiving food stamps and heating aid as the federal shutdown that began Oct. 1 continues—forcing November SNAP disbursements to be pushed back and HEAP funds to start no earlier than Nov. 17. Local officials say rising demand at food banks makes it harder for families to get help during the cold weeks. The Ithaca Voice
- ➤ Two new officers, Jordan Sawatzky and Alexander Honness, graduated from the Syracuse Police Academy on October 28 at Onondaga Community College and have joined the Ithaca Police Department to serve the community — the department is excited for the positive impact they are expected to make. Additional graduates from nearby counties also marked their completion of the academy in related news. 607 News Now
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Centralus Health is cutting 38 jobs at Cayuga and Arnot Health in response to current healthcare and economic challenges—impacted workers will receive a severance package as part of the reduction, which affects less than 1% of its staff. 607 News Now
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Ithaca College women’s rowing team competed in the Head of the Charles regatta on Oct. 19 in Cambridge and finished 13th out of 37 boats. Their top-half finish secured re-qualification for 2026 — head coach Beth Greene said the crew executed with pride. The Ithacan
- ➤ Section 4 high school football is set for its final regular season weekend from Oct. 30—Nov. 1, featuring matchups on Thursday and Friday along with the Ithaca game at Watkins Glen on Saturday at 6 p.m. Ithaca Journal
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Princeton vs. Cornell Football Match
1:00–11:59 p.m. — Schoellkopf Field — Tickets start at $62 — Experience an exciting college football showdown with the Princeton Tigers facing off against the Cornell Big Red.
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Shadows Dance Troupe Fall Step Performance
7:30-10:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket prices vary — Witness the artistry of Cornell University's largest dance collective showcasing their fall semester performances.
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The Crane Wives Live Concert
8:00-9:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets available — Experience the energetic sounds of The Crane Wives as they fuse indie folk with rock and roll.
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Today Is The Day Concert
7-11:30 p.m. — Angry Mom Records — Check ticketing for details — Today is The Day returns to Ithaca for an electrifying night of music.
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Blackberry Smoke Concert
8-9:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets required — Experience the soulful sounds of Blackberry Smoke honoring Georgia’s musical legacy.
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New York Voices Performance
7 p.m. — Ford Hall — Free entry — Experience the internationally acclaimed jazz vocal group New York Voices as part of the Chamber Music Series.
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Trombone Shorty Concert
7-9 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket prices vary — Experience the electrifying sounds of Trombone Shorty, a New Orleans legend in the jazz scene.
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AG, Food and Environmental Systems In-Service
9 a.m.-6 p.m. — Cornell University — Check Official Website for entry fees — Engage with experts on sustainable agricultural practices and innovative food systems.
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Absolute Queen - A Tribute to Queen
8-9:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets available online — Rock out to the legendary hits of Queen with Almost Queen.
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Pink Talking Fish Live Performance
7-9:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets available — Experience a unique fusion of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, and Phish in one unforgettable concert.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Life is a single-player game. You compete with your previous self.
~ Naval Ravikant
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