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This week on the podcast, a public spending double feature!

Part I: It's everyone's favorite time of year again: county budget season. Tompkins County is looking to tighten the belt. So what’s on the chopping block? What’s behind the budget crunch? And what's the best way to get involved?

Part II: Leaky roofs. Asbestos. A faulty heating system. Those are some of the issues that the Ithaca City School District says it needs to fix in its schools soon … if voters approve. There's a separate, off-cycle election this December. Will people come out to vote? And what's the price tag?

Stay tuned to the end for music from local country alternative band, The Dart Brothers.

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: Sept 26, 2025

Produced by Megan Zerez.

Hosted and reported by Megan Zerez and Matt Butler.

Photo illustration by Megan Zerez.

Additional music this episode from Ithaca-based band, The Dart Brothers, recorded live from Porchfest 2025. Follow them on Instagram or Spotify.