WSKG Public Media

11/24/2025

WSKG is excited to announce that we've received a $40,000 grant from the York State Council on the Arts to support our work in the arts and culture sector. Through New York State’s continued investment in arts and culture, NYSCA has awarded $80.9 million in FY 2026 to arts and culture nonprofits across New York State.

11/21/2025

Democrat Christina Charuk has officially won the race for Johnson City mayor.

On Thursday, the Broome County Board of Elections recounted 2,565 ballots. Charuk narrowly beat Republican incumbent Martin Meaney by just 11 votes.

Charuk will be the first woman to serve as mayor of Johnson City.

“I’m truly grateful and proud to have earned your trust in this election. Winning by 11 votes is a beautiful reminder that every neighbor, every voice, and every hope for our village matters,” Charuk said.

Read the full story at WSKG.org

Story by Phoebe Taylor-Vuolo/WSKG News
Photo courtesy of Christina Charuk campaign

11/21/2025

Lansing’s Town Board voted to withdraw its proposal to pause large-scale development in the town Wednesday night.

The moratorium would have paused most large-scale development in the town. It likely would have stalled an AI data center on the shore of Cayuga Lake, proposed by a company called TeraWulf.

The controversy over the moratorium has fueled multiple confrontational board meetings and two write-in campaigns for the town board.

This is the second time the town board has voted on whether or not to withdraw the proposal in the past month. The withdrawal resolution specifies that the town is legally allowed to put forward other moratoriums in the future.

For the full story, visit WSKG.org

Photo and story by Aurora Berry/WSKG News

11/21/2025

Steuben County proposed a $277 million dollar budget with a nearly two percent tax levy increase for 2026 at the budget presentation Nov. 14.

The proposed budget will increase spending by approximately $17 million next year.
Major drivers of the budget include public safety, personnel costs, infrastructure and social services.

The largest increase is approximately $5 million dollars related to social services, which consist of senior and veterans programs as well as Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Medicaid accounts for $20 million in expenditures for the county.

Steuben County Legislature Chair Kelly Fitzpatrick said the county was able to keep property taxes below the state tax cap, but she is concerned about federal and state programs.

“We have a lot of constituents that take advantage of various programs that are offered, namely SNAP and HEAP,” said Fitzpatrick. “And a lot of those families, they're working families. The bills are just too expensive and they can't afford to put good food on the table.“

Read the full story at WSKG.org

Story and photo by Natalie Abruzzo/WSKG News

11/21/2025

The town of Corning will have its 2026 budget to the state on time after holding its public hearing on Nov. 18.

The town board approved the proposed $2.2 million budget Tuesday after nearly two hours of public comment, corrections and changes. Two board members were absent: Stuart Sammis and Donna Gridley.

A 0.92 percent tax cap with a nearly $4 tax rate was also approved. Officials said the tax levy is below the state tax cap.

Town Supervisor Jennifer Mullen said personnel costs are the largest share of the budget year after year, totaling more than half of the town’s costs.

To read the full article, visit WSKG.org

Story and photo by Natalie Abruzzo/WSKG News

11/20/2025

This is a developing story. It will be updated as more information is available.

The federal government has reversed its cancellation of local naturalization ceremonies in counties across New York, according to a statement from Republican Congressman Mike Lawler, who represents the Hudson Valley.

Naturalization ceremonies are the last step of the citizenship process.

Officials in a host of upstate counties, including Broome and Tompkins counties, were recently informed that their ceremonies were cancelled indefinitely.

In a statement released Thursday, Lawler’s office said “additional guidance on the restoration of naturalization ceremonies will be forthcoming from USCIS.” Lawler wrote a letter on Nov. 14 to USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, asking the agency to immediately reverse the decision to cancel the ceremonies.

New York Attorney General Letitia James also wrote a letter to the agency, calling on USCIS to reverse the cancellations and asking for clarity on the reasoning behind the move.

USCIS did not immediately respond to WSKG’s request for comment on the reversal.

To read the full article, visit WSKG.org

Story by Aurora Berry and Phoebe Taylor-Vuolo/WSKG News
Photo by Dominick Recckio/Courtesy of Tompkins County

11/19/2025

Local naturalization ceremonies in counties across New York have been cancelled by the federal government, including in Broome and Tompkins Counties.

If you had your naturalization ceremony cancelled—or if you’ve gone through the naturalization process in Broome or Tompkins County—WSKG’s News Team wants to hear from you. Share your thoughts by emailing us at [email protected].

11/19/2025

WSKG's series, Shattering the Myths About Su***de will be discussed on a free national webinar tonight at 7:30 EST. Register at:
https://tinyurl.com/USWebinarPowerofStory.

Watch the series at:

https://www.wskg.org/shows/shattering-the-myths-about-su***de/

Thank you to the incredible folks from the Southern Tier who courageously shared their stories of hope and recovery .

Lived experience expertise is critical for systems, policy and cultural change to prevent su***de and promote overall mental health and wellbeing in our communities. Real change can occur when people with lived experience share their stories and provide guidance on how changes can be made. Local sto...

11/19/2025

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sent letters to at least seven county clerks, including in Broome and Tompkins counties, informing them that scheduled naturalization ceremonies would be halted indefinitely.

The ceremony is the last step in the U.S. citizenship process.

In a statement, USCIS Spokesperson Matthew J. Tragresser said the agency had determined that the counties “do not meet the statutory requirements to conduct naturalization ceremonies.”

Tragresser said the agency would transition from “judicial” naturalizations carried out by the courts to “administrative” ceremonies by USCIS officials. He added that people whose naturalization ceremonies were canceled will be rescheduled.

Tompkins County Executive Deputy Clerk Rachel Graham has been involved with planning naturalization ceremonies for 18 years. She said her office received an email cancelling all further ceremonies last Friday, including the three scheduled for 2026.

“There’s a lot of unanswered questions.”

Graham said that USCIS has not communicated with her office about any unmet requirements.

Read the full story at WSKG.org

Story by Aurora Berry and Phoebe Taylor-Vuolo/WSKG News
Photo by Monika Salvage/Courtesy of Tompkins County

11/18/2025

The Corning town supervisor was arraigned in Steuben County Court last month and pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges.

Jennifer Mullen entered a plea of not guilty to falsifying business records, offering a false instrument and grand larceny.

Mullen was arrested in June. The charges allege she provided false information to the New York State Department of Labor to file for unemployment benefits earlier this year.

She has served as the elected town supervisor since January 2024.

Ahead of Mullen’s arraignment, some residents and colleagues expressed concern.

“Somebody better do something for this town, because she’s not,“ said Town Clerk Kathleen Morrow-Olmstead.

“I just want justice to be served," said Carol Ferratella, town resident and outgoing Steuben County legislator for District 13. “If she has done something wrong, I think she shouldn't be let off and walk out.“

Town boards have no authority to remove an elected official or place them on administrative leave withholding pay. But New York public officers law states if an elected official is convicted of a felony, the official is automatically removed from office.

Mullen is due back in court on Dec. 2. The town’s 2026 budget hearing is Nov. 18.

For the full story, visit WSKG.org

Story and photo by Natalie Abruzzo/WSKG News

11/18/2025

MAKING Episode 2. Binghamton-based jewelry artist Sophia Sophia, talks about finding her unique style, why she won’t compromise her artistic vision, starting a business, and the importance of being part of the “handmade” community.

Available now on the WSKG YouTube channel.

11/18/2025

MAKING Episode 2
Sophia Sophia: Shape and Color
Binghamton-based jewelry artist Sophia Sophia, talks about finding her unique style, why she won’t compromise her artistic vision, starting a business, and the importance of being part of the “handmade” community.

Visit Sophia’s website for more information: https://www.studiosophiasophia.com/

For more information about this series or to make a contribution in support, visit https://wskg.org/making

Making is presented by The Coal Yard Cafe, in Ithaca, NY
https://www.thecoalyardcafe.com/
Making is supported by Beer Properties in Ithaca, NY
https://beerproperties.com/

MAKING Episode 2 Sophia Sophia: Shape and ColorBinghamton-based jewelry artist Sophia Sophia, talks about finding her unique style, why she won’t compromise ...