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In an old cemetery just behind East Hill Plaza, there’s a little known secret buried just a few feet underground. As we speak, they’re sleeping underground by the millions … not zombies, not vampires, but native ground dwelling bees. Cornell researchers believe it’s the largest population of these bees anywhere in the world.

Researcher Jordan Kueneman is one of the scientists who study this population of bees … and why cemeteries, of all places, play such a big role in pollination and biodiversity.

Much of this research also depends on the efforts of citizen scientists across the world observing species and phenomena right in our backyards.

This conversation was recorded in early May, just as these bees were entering their most active, above-ground phase. While Kueneman says this particular group has retreated back underground until next spring, you can still get involved here.

Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player. For a full page transcript, click here. The transcript is auto-generated and may contain errors.

Original air date: June 30, 2026

Produced and hosted by Megan Zerez.

Cover photo by Bryan Danforth/Cornell University

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Today is Election Day in statewide primary races. While there's not as much on the ballot this primary, some of the offices up for grabs come November do come with a lot of power.

Plus, some of the other headlines we've been following.

We're trying a more "bite-sized" format this week, but next week, we'll return with a full sized episode.

Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player. For a full page transcript, click here. The transcript is auto-generated and may contain errors.

Original air date: June 23, 2026

Produced and edited by Megan Zerez.

Reported by: Megan Zerez, Hailea Potter, Jimmy Jordan and Fernando Figueroa.

Cover photo by Casey Martin.

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Energy costs are going up. From gas prices to electric bills, it’s hard not to notice. But very soon, the electric and gas bill for the average Ithaca home could see an even larger increase. And yes, there’s lots of international issues that impact costs. But one of the biggest reasons is closer to home than you think.

There’s a complex and little-known process going on right now that could have a big impact on how much we pay for electricity. New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) is asking state regulators for a rate hike that could raise the average electric and gas bill by almost $800 a year.

This week on Backstory: the NYSEG rate case.

You can submit a public comment as part of the rate case using New York State's Public Service Departments portal here. Read other filings in the case here.

Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player. For a full page transcript, click here. The transcript is auto-generated and may contain errors.

Original air date: June 16, 2026

Produced and hosted by Megan Zerez.

Reported by Jimmy Jordan

Cover photo by Casey Martin

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When Kathy Bernson moved to Ithaca, she was just looking for a quiet, artsy little town to settle down in. But like many, she soon learned that the housing market in Ithaca comes with a fair share of roadblocks. And when you’re 75 and on a fixed income, those roadblocks are even harder to get past.

It’s no secret that the housing market in Ithaca can be brutal. Renters face intense competition, ailing apartments and rents well above the regional average. For some older Ithacans, the odds are even more challenging.

This week on Backstory: how Ithaca's housing crisis is affecting older adults.

Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player. For a full page transcript, click here. The transcript is auto-generated and may contain errors.

Original air date: June 9, 2026

Produced and hosted by Megan Zerez.

Print story reported by Kate Collins

Cover photo by Kate Collins

This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and makes reference to racist and sexist slurs. Sensitive listeners may want to skip this one.

Listen and subscribe to Backstory on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Amazon Music or wherever you get podcasts.

When does an act of violence become an act of self defense? Does the use of racist, sexist slurs make a verbal threat more credible? How long should someone expect to wait for the police when they feel they’re in danger?

Last July, Kaciana Camel was walking with her then-two year old daughter on Elmira Road. They had just seen someone fleeing after stealing an electric bicycle. But now the bicycle’s owner was shouting at her. He accused her of being involved in the theft. He called her racist and sexist slurs. Camel, who told the man she was pregnant, said he threatened to “deflate” her.

Over the phone, her fiancee told her to call 911. The police didn’t respond soon enough to intervene. But her fiancee, Autreyu Massaline, did.

Massaline later told the jury he had grabbed “the closest knife” and raced over. It was a Cuisinart kitchen knife. Eight inches long. Purple.

What happened next would later become the subject of a complex criminal case touching on race, 9-1-1 response times and the question of self defense.

This week on Backstory: the trial of Autreyu Massaline.

Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player. For a full page transcript, click here. The transcript is auto-generated and may contain errors.

Original air date: June 2, 2026

Produced and hosted by Megan Zerez.

Reported by Hailea Potter

Cover photo by Casey Martin

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The Commons is the heart of downtown Ithaca. But some say that its heartbeat is a bit irregular. It’s a common complaint from some business owners and visitors, though not everyone agrees.

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance, the organization representing businesses downtown, came out with a multiyear study on the “health” of the Ithaca Commons. There's also crime data to consider. But how does it all line up with the public's perception?

Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player. For a full page transcript, click here. The transcript is auto-generated and may contain errors.

Original air date: May 26, 2026

Produced and hosted by Megan Zerez.

Reported by Hailea Potter.

Cover photo by Casey Martin.

Listen and subscribe to Backstory on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Amazon Music or wherever you get podcasts.

Earlier this month, a man in rural Cayuga County was arrested by what are likely federal immigration officers. The incident was at least the third such arrest in the tiny hamlet of King Ferry in the past two months. Agriculture is one of the biggest economic driver for that area. Migrant workers — though not always seen – drive the heartbeat of that community. Today on Backstory, Trump’s immigration crackdown in dairy country. Plus, the challenges and considerations of reporting in vulnerable communities.

Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player. For a full page transcript, click here. The transcript is auto-generated and may contain errors.

Original air date: May 19, 2026

Produced and hosted by Megan Zerez.

Reported by Megan Zerez and Fernando Figueroa.

Cover photo by Megan Zerez

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Two years ago, voters in the Ithaca City School District rejected a proposal for a sweeping school district renovation project ... and by staggering margins.

Meanwhile, the issues have only continued to pile up: Leaky roofs. Overheated classrooms. Science labs that are no longer fully usable due to safety issues.

But now, in exactly one week, that project goes back in front of voters again — albeit at a third of its original size.

This week on Backstory: the plan to fix Ithaca’s ailing school buildings, plus a look ahead at the other things at stake in this year’s school district elections on May 19.

For more on how to vote in the Ithaca City School District elections, click here. If you don't live within the boundaries of ICSD, school districts across New York hold elections on May 19 too. Visit your school district's webpage to find polling places and other information. If you're not sure what school district you live in, find out here.

Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player. For a full page transcript, click here. The transcript is auto-generated and may contain errors.

Original air date: May 12, 2026

Produced and reported by Megan Zerez.

Hosted by Jimmy Jordan

Cover photo by Megan Zerez

Listen and subscribe to Backstory on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Amazon Music or wherever you get podcasts.

We're back!

For this inaugural episode of the second season, we’re returning to an issue that we’ve covered several times on Backstory: Flock cameras. Last spring, dozens of the artificial intelligence (AI) powered cameras began to pop up at intersections around the county. These cameras — and the software that powers them — allow law enforcement to track the path of a specific vehicle as it travels through the network of cameras. The idea, manufacturer Flock Safety says, is to help police officers respond quickly to crime.

But activists have been pushing back. And now elected officials are reversing course, less than a year since the first cameras were installed. But as we're finding out, there's still a ways to go before the cameras are completely gone.

Stay tuned until the end for additional news from this week.

Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player. For a full page transcript, click here. The transcript is auto-generated and may contain errors.

Original air date: May 5, 2026

Produced and hosted by Megan Zerez.

Reported by Jimmy Jordan and Megan Zerez

Cover photo by Casey Martin.

Listen and subscribe to Backstory on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Amazon Music or wherever you get podcasts.

Editor’s Note: This bonus episode of Backstory was originally scheduled for Dec. 19, but a technical issue prevented it from being released until today.

Former Ithaca Voice editor Matt Butler has been living and reporting in Ithaca for nearly a decade. This week, he's behind the mic one last time for this bonus episode looking back at a few of the thousands of stories he's reported in the past nine years. Plus, some musings about sports, local government and the future of news.

We’re also going to be taking a break from our regular release schedule after this episode: there are some big changes underway at The Ithaca Voice and we want to make sure it all goes as smoothly as possible. But stay tuned, we'll be back next year.

Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player or a full screen transcript here. The transcript is auto-generated and may contain errors.