Good morning, Ithaca.

On Dec. 4, graduate students in a philanthropic leadership class awarded $60,000 to 19 Tompkins County nonprofits — including Ithaca Public Education Initiative, Women’s Opportunity Center and Ithaca Health Alliance — after a semester of research and community visits.

Ithaca Ballet Nutcracker returns to the State Theatre Dec.

12—14 with over 70 dancers— including guest artists— performing roles from Clara to the Snow Queen. The shows start at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14.

Ithaca City School District is reviewing a new safety plan that includes updated temperature rules and after-school event details—Superintendent Dr. Luvelle Brown discussed the revisions on Dec.

9, and the Board of Education will hold a public hearing on Jan. 6 at 4:30 p.m. in the board room at 400 Lake Street.

Cornell’s Global Radio Explorer telescope repurposes cake pans on the roof of the Space Sciences Building to capture fast radio bursts.

The project is testing today as terminals at other sites worldwide join to expand its sky coverage — a cost-effective design to track fleeting cosmic signals.

After a Dec. 9 session, Ithaca College officials confirmed that planned cuts to RA board expenses will not go forward for the 2026–27 academic year, ensuring RAs receive full board coverage.

Earlier meetings had raised concerns over the proposed changes.

Cornell’s Center for Vertebrate Genomics hosted a CVG Stories lecture where President Michael I.

Kotlikoff recounted his early research and described how his work helped shape the university’s approach to genomics — the talk reinforced links among faculty and trainees for future discoveries.

Cornell researchers made OriStitch (a software and fabric system) that turns 3D models into fabric designs which fold when heated.

The tool is a faster alternative to manual embroidery and may soon work with many types of fabric.

The Communication Workers of America filed charges with the NLRB against Cayuga Medical Center after nurses announced unionizing plans last week, alleging that staff were reprimanded for supporting the union during a mandatory meeting.

The hospital said it would not comment on the action.

On December 9, Governor Hochul announced nearly $46 million in awards for supportive housing projects across New York.

Local groups such as The Village at Ithaca, The Reach Project, and Catholic Charities of Tompkins & Tioga received funds to support operating expenses for over 8,300 housing units statewide.

The Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management announced fee changes effective Thursday, Jan.

1. Residential fees rise from $82 to $85 (+$3), the disposal fee reaches $110 per ton with a $20 minimum, and tire fees increase to $5 per tire and $350 per ton.

The YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County and Cortland County Family YMCA will expand cancer survivorship programs with a $165k grant from the Saint Agatha Foundation.

The new LiveSTRONG and Laurie’s Legacy programs will launch early 2026 to offer free year-long support to cancer patients and survivors.

14850 Dining released holiday hours for local eateries, noting Ithaca Bakery and Collegetown Bagels are taking pre-orders for Chanukah dinners on Dec.

14–15 while Kiely’s Cooking is accepting online orders for its Christmas menu. Other venues plan early closures or extended hours for the season.

Host Johnny Lisi sat down with past and present ICTV Sports Directors Melanie Heim and Jenna Johnson on Wednesday, Dec.

10 — discussing national and Bombers athletic highlights from 2025.

IC Athletics and DICK'S Sporting Goods announced a corporate partnership on Nov.

4 to offer varsity, club, and intramural athletes discounted sports gear through upcoming Shop with the Bombers events in spring at South Meadow Square (a community connection for local youth athletes).

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.

Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks at Cornell Big Red Men's Hockey

7-8:30 p.m. — Lynah Rink — Tickets starting at $15 — Catch an exciting NCAA hockey matchup as the Nanooks take on the Big Red in Ithaca.