Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 4th of December.
Good morning, Ithaca.
🏘️ Community
A winter holiday bash will take place at the Commons on Dec.
6th, featuring Santa’s Arrival from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (with live music, festive food and drink), an Elf Hop Kids Silent Disco from 4:30 to 5:30, and a Family Silent Disco from 6:00 to 8:00.
💼 Business
In 2025, four companies from Cornell labs were acquired by global partners.
SafetyStratus, Bactana, Guard Medical and Halo Labs will expand their market reach — each acquisition connects Cornell research with businesses eager to boost innovation.
🎭 Culture
A book co-edited by professor Caitie Barrett and Jennifer Carrington from the College of Arts and Sciences won the 2026 James R.
Wiseman Book Award from the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA), which announced the honor on Nov. 25. The award will be presented in January.
🎓 Education
Congressman Josh Riley introduced the Boosting the Rural STEM Pipeline Act on Dec.
2 to help rural school districts recruit STEM teachers. The bill (it removes a matching funds barrier from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Foundation) aims to expand grant access to colleges.
On Dec. 1, Ithaca College Student Governance Council met at the Campus Center for financial aid updates from Barbie Bargher, who noted a 3.9% tuition increase and introduced a new scholarship matching system.
The council confirmed cochairs for an artificial intelligence ad hoc committee meeting Dec. 10.
A Cornell-led study published Dec.
3 found that even minor video call glitches create an eerie mood and reduce trust in telehealth, hiring and parole decisions + the research used archived recordings and experiments to show that glitches can lower parole grants by 12 percentage points.
🌲 Environment
Cornell's new fieldhouse protects red-tailed hawks with etched windows—designed to lessen bird collisions—and modern building methods.
The structure will open in spring 2026, reinforcing campus efforts to create a safer, bird-friendly environment.
📰 Finance
Three institutions announced a new Resilient Agriculture Finance and Insurance Research Collaborative to support finance and insurance innovations for U.S. farmers plus agribusinesses.
The initiative features an interactive webinar on Dec. 11 at 2 pm EST and will open proposal submissions on Jan. 15, 2026.
🏛️ Government
Social Security retirement benefits will be deposited on Dec.
3, 10, 17, and 24 while SSI recipients receive two payments, one on Dec. 1 and another on Dec. 31 (the extra payment covers January’s deposit because New Year's Day is a holiday). Local offices in upstate New York, including Ithaca, can help with questions.
🏥 Health
Scientists at the College of Veterinary Medicine found that tiny vesicles from embryonic stem cells kept mouse cells from aging by blocking damage from stress.
They will next test the vesicles in mice and then on human cells made from reprogrammed adult cells (a step toward longer healthy lives).
Mondelez Global LLC recalled 70 cases of Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker sandwiches sold in New York and seven other states after discovering mislabeling that could threaten those with peanut allergies.
Consumers are advised not to eat the products and to discard them (recalled on Dec. 3).
On Wednesday, nurses at Cayuga Medical Center launched a union drive to organize about 350 staff amid staffing shortages and low pay - 73% have signed union cards.
The campaign with Communications Workers of America plans an NLRB election soon after the Christmas holiday.
🎉 Ithaca Events
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Béla Fleck Concert
8:00-9:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets required — Experience an evening of innovative music featuring Béla Fleck and his talented ensemble.
The Wood Brothers Concert
8:00-9:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets available — Experience the soulful folk sounds of The Wood Brothers in the heart of Ithaca.
A Very Merry Classic Christmas with Jessica Lynn
7:00-8:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a festive holiday concert featuring award-winning artist Jessica Lynn.
An Evening with Evan Horne
8-10 p.m. — Kitchen Theatre Company — $20 — Experience the immersive sounds of cinematic-folk artist Evan Horne in an intimate setting.
New Year's Eve Dance Party
8:30 p.m. — Foundation of Light — Check event page for ticket details — Celebrate the new year with a night of games, raffles, and festive fun.
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