Hundreds in Ithaca rally against ICE after Minneapolis crackdown

By Eamon Corbo, Isabella Edghill, and Sydney Martin • February 4, 2026

Over the past week, Ithaca residents came together as a community to protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. From an anti-ICE rally on The Commons, to a general strike on the Ithaca College campus and fundraising programs by small businesses, Ithaca has been mobilizing. 

Community holds vigil on The Commons in remembrance of Charlie Kirk

By Kaeleigh Banda and Eamon Corbo • October 15, 2025

About 15 residents of the greater Ithaca area held a vigil in remembrance of Charlie Kirk on the evening of Oct. 14 at the Bernie Milton Pavilion on The Commons.

Ithaca community marches against Trump amidst national ‘Hands Off!’ protests

By Julian DeLucia and Eamon Corbo • April 8, 2025

On April 5, thousands gathered on the Ithaca Commons to march against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The march was organized by Indivisible Tompkins as part of the national “Hands Off!” protests held on the same day. 

Photo Essay: Ithaca community members organize three rallies against ICE and in support of sanctuary status

By Lucia Iandolo, Photographer • February 13, 2025

On Jan. 30, Jesus Romero-Hernandez was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Tompkins County Department of Social Services. Community members came together to promote unity and protest against ICE’s presence in Ithaca. There were three demonstrations, two taking place on The Commons and one in City Hall. 

Local entrepreneurs reinvent bar space

By Kellyanne Kearney, Contributing Writer • October 30, 2024

Tavern on The Commons is a new bar that opened Oct. 2. It is still in its opening phase, but with its team’s vast experience with bars and nightlife entertainment, they hope to bring a new bar experience to The Commons for the different demographics of downtown Ithaca. The bar took over the space on Seneca Street previously occupied by Kilpatrick’s Publick House.

Buffalo Street Books turns another page with its fourth annual Ithaca is Books festival

By Eva Leon, Assistant Life and Culture Editor • September 18, 2024

On Sept. 12, downtown Ithaca was transformed into a haven for book lovers of all ages to explore the vibrant local literary scene. Over the next four days, crowds gathered under a blue, sunny sky to enjoy indie bookstore pop-ups, Purity ice cream and conversations about their favorite books. Buffalo Street Books kicked off its fourth annual Ithaca is Books Festival on The Commons and brought illustrious authors, poets, teachers and storytellers to share their work with the community.  

Hupstate Circus: A local weekend of international talent

By Nolan Sheehan, Staff Writer • September 9, 2024

For Labor Day weekend, Hupstate Circus came to Ithaca, bringing talent from all across the world. Performers and performances inspired by Canadian, Australian and Ecuadorian cultures are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the mass appeal brought on by Hupstate. The members of the Hupstate Circus Board of Directors introduced every show, speaking on their passion for the performers and the art of circus. Four years ago, the Hupstate Circus was born with the goal of bringing circus art to the United States. Emerging as a not-for-profit organization in 2023, the circus’s board gained sponsorships from a multitude of organizations around Ithaca.

Take Back the Night

May 3, 2023

On Friday April 28, students, faculty and staff from Ithaca College, Cornell University, Lehman Alternative Community School and members of the Ithaca community gathered on The Commons for the annual Take...

Store closures and openings create retail instability

By Noa Ran-Ressler, Managing Editor • February 22, 2023

Since 2019, the City of Ithaca has seen fluctuations in the number of businesses opening and closing.

Fall on Film

By The Ithacan Photo Staff, The Ithacan Photo Staff • November 2, 2022

To commemorate 90 volumes of publication, The Ithacan photo staff decided to honor traditional photography practices and capture the autumn season on film. Taking photographs of hiking trails, life on...

Burglary reported at Ithaca College off-campus location

By Clare Shanahan, Former Opinion Editor • October 17, 2022

A burglary occurred between 2 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Oct. 16 at the Ithaca College Physician Assistant Studies instructional site located off-campus on The Commons.

40th annual Apple Harvest Festival unites Ithaca community

By The Ithacan Photo Staff, Ithacan Photo Staff • October 4, 2022

The Ithaca community gathered together to celebrate the 40th annual Apple Harvest Festival on The Commons from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. After its triumphant return last fall from the hiatus of the COVID-19...