Author: REWIRED

LANSING, N.Y. — A proposed data center by Maryland-based company TeraWulf in the Town of Lansing has encountered a zoning dispute that has delayed the project and sparked opposition from environmental groups.In October, Lansing Code Enforcement Officer Scott Russell determined that data centers are not an allowed use within the town’s industrial zones, effectively halting TeraWulf’s plans. The company contends that the facility’s primary purpose is “scientific and educational research,” a use permitted under current zoning regulations. However, this claim has been challenged by local environmentalists who argue it is a workaround to build the data center.TeraWulf has pointed to…

: NEWFIELD, N.Y. — A new mother-and-daughter-owned business has opened its doors in Newfield, bringing fresh baked goods and a community-focused coffee shop to town. Morning Moon Coffee & Bakery, located at 7 Bridge St., is run by Amy and Shea Heffron. The shop offers a full menu of coffee drinks, breakfast sandwiches on croissants, bagels or biscuits, and daily toast options such as avocado and peanut butter. The bakery case features staples like plain, chocolate and almond croissants, along with rotating homemade treats. Hours are Monday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.,…

ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff extended condolences to the Brown University community following the Dec. 13 campus shooting that left two people dead and nine injured. Kotlikoff acknowledged the tragedy came at a sensitive time, as students and staff were preparing for the end of the semester and the holiday season. He said it is natural for Cornell students to feel stressed and worried in the wake of violence at a fellow institution. The president urged students not to hesitate to seek emotional and mental health support, emphasizing that no one should feel alone during this difficult…

A federal jury ruled on December 11 that Dustin Parker and Nora Weber operated an illegal smokeshop in Cayuga County, rejecting their claims of tribal affiliation. The verdict, delivered in Seneca Falls, found Parker and Weber liable under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. The pair had run a business called Pipekeepers, presenting it as legally affiliated with the Cayuga Nation. Jurors determined that claim was false and that the operation violated federal law. No physical injuries were reported, but the Cayuga Nation said the illegal business harmed its citizens and undermined tribal authority. The Nation and its…

Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam made an unannounced visit to downtown Ithaca on Thursday, stopping at the Handwork Gallery to purchase local crafts.

NEW YORK — A federal judge has upheld a New York state law that largely prohibits immigration arrests at state and local courthouses, dismissing a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice challenging the rule. The law, known as the Protect Our Courts Act, was enacted in 2020 and bars law enforcement officers from making civil arrests of individuals attending, leaving, or going to court proceedings as parties or witnesses, unless authorized by judicial warrants or orders. It also extends protections to family and household members of those attending court. U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino ruled against…

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Binghamton University has been awarded $203,000 as part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s $40 million clean energy workforce development initiative to support advanced nuclear energy training in Upstate New York. The funding will be used to develop and instruct two new courses—Systems Dynamics and Simulation and Fundamentals of Power Systems—and to expand experiential learning opportunities and paid industry internships for students. These efforts aim to prepare the next generation of engineers and scientists for high-demand careers in the advanced nuclear energy sector. University President Anne D’Alleva expressed enthusiasm about the transformative impact of the funding, highlighting the hands-on…

Five Ithaca College professors have received AI Mini-Grants to explore ways of integrating artificial intelligence into their classrooms.

ITHACA, N.Y. — Ithaca City Manager Deb Mohlenhoff is set to resign at the request of the Common Council, receiving a severance package equivalent to a full year of her $170,000 salary. Under the terms of her resignation agreement, Mohlenhoff will remain on the city’s payroll through April 30, 2026, continuing to receive her salary and benefits. Additionally, she will receive a lump sum payment of $120,926.40 shortly after leaving the payroll, though that amount is subject to taxes. Mohlenhoff’s last day of operational oversight will be December 31, 2025. Deputy City Manager Dominick Recckio will assume the role of…

Texas-based RealPage, a leading provider of AI real estate software, has filed a federal lawsuit against New York Attorney General Letitia James, challenging a new state law that bans the use of algorithms to set rent prices.