Dec. 23, 2025 — Stories from (nearly) a decade in Ithaca news

June 30, 2026 — Something's alive under East Hill Cemetery ... millions of native bees

Listen and subscribe to Backstory on: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/backstory-an-ithaca-voice-podcast/id1823160226], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3ajHvqXHc6GvDs0x7usqR7?si=5a5e56ddaa174aab], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1823160226], Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3dda9eaa-1234-4ec6-b03e-37e7f3e99f77/backstory-an-ithaca-voice-podcast], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheIthacaVoice/podcasts] or wherever you get podcasts. 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 [https://www.gnbee.org/]. Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player. For a full page transcript, click here [https://rss.com/podcasts/ithaca-backstory/2935509/#transcript]. 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

June 23, 2026 — New York's Primary Elections

Listen and subscribe to Backstory on: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/backstory-an-ithaca-voice-podcast/id1823160226], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3ajHvqXHc6GvDs0x7usqR7?si=5a5e56ddaa174aab], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1823160226], Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3dda9eaa-1234-4ec6-b03e-37e7f3e99f77/backstory-an-ithaca-voice-podcast] or wherever you get podcasts. 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 [https://rss.com/podcasts/ithaca-backstory/2876126/#transcript]. 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.

June 16, 2026 — Why your energy bill is so high ... and how it might get even worse

Listen and subscribe to Backstory on: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/backstory-an-ithaca-voice-podcast/id1823160226], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3ajHvqXHc6GvDs0x7usqR7?si=5a5e56ddaa174aab], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1823160226], Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3dda9eaa-1234-4ec6-b03e-37e7f3e99f77/backstory-an-ithaca-voice-podcast] or wherever you get podcasts. 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 [https://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/Comments/PublicComments.aspx?MatterCaseNo=25-e-0375]. Read other filings in the case here [https://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/MatterManagement/CaseMaster.aspx?MatterCaseNo=25-e-0375]. Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player. For a full page transcript, click here [https://rss.com/podcasts/ithaca-backstory/2876115/#transcript]. 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

June 9, 2026 — What the housing crisis looks like for Ithaca's older adults

Listen and subscribe to Backstory on: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/backstory-an-ithaca-voice-podcast/id1823160226], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3ajHvqXHc6GvDs0x7usqR7?si=5a5e56ddaa174aab], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1823160226], Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3dda9eaa-1234-4ec6-b03e-37e7f3e99f77/backstory-an-ithaca-voice-podcast] or wherever you get podcasts. 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 [https://rss.com/podcasts/ithaca-backstory/2876113/#transcript]. The transcript is auto-generated and may contain errors. Original air date: June 9, 2026 Produced and hosted by Megan Zerez. Print story [https://ithacavoice.org/2026/05/high-rents-dangerous-conditions-long-waitlists-how-tompkins-countys-housing-crisis-is-impacting-older-adults/] reported by Kate Collins Cover photo by Kate Collins

June 2, 2026 — The trial of Autreyu Massaline

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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/backstory-an-ithaca-voice-podcast/id1823160226], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3ajHvqXHc6GvDs0x7usqR7?si=5a5e56ddaa174aab], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1823160226], Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3dda9eaa-1234-4ec6-b03e-37e7f3e99f77/backstory-an-ithaca-voice-podcast] 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 [https://rss.com/podcasts/ithaca-backstory/2857586/#transcript]. 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