Episode notes

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

Part I:

Surprise! There’s an unexpected two million dollar hole in the city budget after an accounting software error. What does that say about the city’s fiscal management? How will officials make up the deficit in what is already a tough budget year?

Part II:

In case that wasn’t scary enough for you, we’re taking a walk through Ithaca’s haunted history with the History Center in Tompkins County this Halloween. Did you know Cayuga Lake has its very own, shape-shifting, gender-bending, green-eyed lake monster?

We'll also be releasing a bonus episode with some of the spooky stories from this segment that didn't make it into the main show, so stay tuned!

Other notes:

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: Oct. 31, 2025

Produced and hosted by Megan Zerez.

Reported by Jimmy Jordan and Megan Zerez.

Cover photo by Casey Martin.