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Photo by David Yu Ithaca is the kind of place where people want to believe they can walk home from a show, meet a new friend, rent a first apartment, and begin an independent life with more excitement than fear. That is part of the promise of a college town. It feels open. It feels connected. It feels young. It is full of people arriving, leaving, studying, working, starting over, and figuring out who they are becoming. But this weekend, that feeling was shaken. The killing o

Here’s what’s on our radar for the week starting Monday, May 25: 1. Ithaca Festival kicks off ThursdayThe parade starts at 6 p.m. on Cayuga Street, followed by the kickoff party at Bernie Milton Pavilion. The festival continues through the weekend downtown with music, art, food, vendors, and plenty of community energy.More info: https://ithacafestival.org/ 2. Memorial Day changes local pickup schedulesCity offices are closed Monday, and trash collection will be delayed by one

In a world where nearly everything online gets called “news,” it can be helpful to pause and define what different kinds of local media actually do. At Life in Ithaca, we are not trying to be a breaking news outlet. We are a web magazine focused on stories, places, people, events, culture, and everyday life in and around Ithaca. That distinction matters. A traditional news source is usually built around urgency. It reports what happened, when it happened, who was involved, an

Each week, Life in Ithaca is highlighting three local updates worth knowing, from road closures and city government to arts, events, and community life. Here are three things to keep on your radar this week. 1. Stewart Avenue Bridge Closure Begins If Stewart Avenue is part of your regular route, this is the big one. The Stewart Avenue Bridge over Fall Creek is scheduled to close beginning Monday, May 4, as part of a major rehabilitation project. According to the City of Ithac

Today, Friday, April 24, is the final day of this year’s New York State Police “No Empty Chair” Teen Driver Safety Campaign, a statewide effort focused on keeping young drivers safe during one of the most exciting and risky stretches of the school year. The campaign is timed around prom, senior events, and graduation season. Its name carries the whole message: No Empty Chair. No missing student at graduation. No family left with an absence that should have been prevented. Thi

If you’ve been following local news, you know that 2026 is already a year of big shifts for Ithaca. But while we’ve been talking about housing dashboards and school closures, a major change to food security just quietly went live. As of March 1, 2026 , a longstanding New York State waiver has expired. For many of our neighbors relying on SNAP (formerly food stamps), the "rules of the game" just changed significantly due to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 . What

With all of the talk of a local AI data center, I was curious what the LLM's themselves would say about the environmental impact of AI. I asked them to present it as a student report. Gemini: As a student diving into this, the main thing I’ve realized is that AI’s environmental impact is a massive paradox. It’s essentially a "high-cost, high-reward" scenario where the technology we need to save the planet is also one of the fastest-growing threats to our energy and water st

Our recent story on the upcoming closure of Kinney Drugs on March 5, 2026, sparked a wonderful conversation among our readers. Thanks to the eagle-eyed members of the NextDoor community , several historical inaccuracies in our original piece were brought to light. To ensure the history of this neighborhood landmark is preserved accurately, we emailed staff at The Tompkins Center for History and Culture , who provided links and access to the archival materials and newspaper re

In early 2026, public attention in Ithaca City School District shifted toward a tough topic: the possibility of closing one or more elementary schools. This isn’t a decision that’s been made yet — but it’s one that’s been flagged by a recent study and raised at school board discussions. What Triggered the Discussion A demographic and financial study presented to district leaders shows that: Enrollment in the district’s elementary schools has been declining for years, wit

If you’ve looked outside in the last hour, you already know: winter has arrived in full force. A Winter Storm Warning is officially in effect for Ithaca and the surrounding Tompkins County area, lasting until 7:00 PM tomorrow (Monday) . Here is the breakdown of what to expect tonight and the critical parking rules you need to follow to avoid a ticket (or a tow). The Forecast Heavy snow is expected to continue throughout the evening. We are looking at potential accumulations

f you’ve walked down West State Street recently, you might have noticed a subtle but significant change. After eight years as a staple for noodle lovers in Ithaca, Maru Ramen has officially closed its chapter on broth and noodles. But don’t panic—they aren’t going anywhere. Owners Chris Kim and Soyong Lee have officially rebranded the space as Maru Korea , launching a completely overhauled menu that trades Japanese-style ramen for a deep dive into authentic, health-conscious

If you’ve been wondering what’s happening behind the scenes with Living in Ithaca , here’s a quick update on where things stand and what’s coming next. While the show hasn’t launched just yet, a lot of meaningful groundwork has been happening quietly in the background. Over the past several months, we’ve been balancing development of the Living in Ithaca show alongside client projects and other ongoing commitments. That behind-the-scenes work includes refining the show forma

As the government shutdown drags on, many Ithacans are feeling the effects — especially those who rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families. When those benefits pause, the gap hits hard and fast. But here in Ithaca, no one has to face hunger alone. Our community is built on connection, compassion, and practical help. Below are local food pantries, meal programs, and organizations ready to lend a hand right now. 🥫 Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard 📍 150 N. Albany Street, Ithaca �

Preview of Show Open We’re thrilled to announce that Life in Ithaca —our new magazine-style television show—is officially in the works!...

Whether you’ve just arrived or you’ve called Ithaca home for years, navigating the ins and outs of life here can be a challenge. That’s...