Ithaca · Local digest
One Ithaca story today you'd miss anywhere else. Skip national politics. Prefer transport, housing, council decisions, openings, and city-level policy — the things that change life for someone living in Ithaca. Always cite the local outlet (e.g. Tagesspiegel, RBB) so I can read further.
← See today's latestFiber expands, school board approves counsel, state backs housing
Empire Fiber expansion
Ithaca's broadband gap is shrinking fast.
Empire Fiber announced August 25 that its 100% fiber network now reaches over 700 additional homes and businesses across the city [Quelle: 607 News Now]. The rollout follows months of infrastructure work and removes a major barrier to remote work and student connectivity in areas previously locked out of high-speed service. This matters because housing demand in Ithaca depends on reliable internet access—landlords and renters both weigh connectivity before leasing.
Watch for service activation dates in coming weeks.
School board approves new counsel
The school district locked in legal representation after a rocky vote.
The Ithaca City School District Board voted 6–3 Tuesday to retain Bond, Schoeneck & King as counsel for 2026–2027, with board members Erin Croyle, Garrick Blalock, and Karen Yearwood dissenting [Quelle: Ithaca Voice]. The decision followed concerns over bidding irregularities, including the firm confirming its selection before the vote and procedural confusion over how the choice reached the board's consent agenda. A motion to investigate the RFP process failed on the same 6–3 split, leaving governance questions unresolved.
Transparency questions linger for the next board session.
State funds Dryden utilities upgrade
Tompkins County neighborhoods are getting piped public water.
Senator Webb announced $1 million in state infrastructure funding for the Town of Dryden to upgrade utilities at Hanshaw Village manufactured home park, connecting 110 households to public water systems and enabling up to 22 new affordable homes [Quelle: WBNG]. The grant is part of the County Infrastructure Grant Program and complements a parallel $1 million award to Homer for the Arbor Brook Flats housing development. These investments unlock housing capacity in areas previously constrained by aging or absent infrastructure.
Work could begin this fall pending design and permitting.
Empire Fiber expands 100% fiber network in Ithaca, NY (August 2026)13 hours ago ... ... Ithaca, making service available for more than 700 additional homes and businesses. #IthacaNY #LocalNews · May be an image of text that says 'WELCOME TO T ...facebook.com
Ithaca school board approves longtime law firm after alleged ...12 hours ago ... The Ithaca City School District Board of Education voted Tuesday to select ... The Ithaca Voice is a 501c3 nonprofit news organization. (EIN 46-5495365) ...ithacavoice.org
Senator Webb announces $2 million in infrastructure funding for ...9 hours ago ... Administered by Empire State Development, the grant program offers awards of up to $1 million for major residential initiatives. This local funding is part of a ...wbng.com