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Part I: The Ithaca City School District and the union that represents its roughly 600 teachers have been on a nearly four month hiatus from labor negotiations. Ithaca Teachers Association members have been without a contract since June. Meanwhile, the rhetoric has been heating up.

Part II: Local mental health provider Families and Children’s Services of Ithaca is ending its auxiliary programming, which includes programs that serve some of Ithaca’s most vulnerable children. It’s an example of how local service providers are navigating current funding struggles and the trickle down effects of federal funding cuts.

Original air date: Oct. 3, 2025

Produced by Megan Zerez.

Hosted and reported by Megan Zerez and Matt Butler.

Cover photo by Casey Martin.