Natalie Abruzzo

Nationwide “No Kings” rallies on Saturday will also be happening across the Southern Tier. The protests are in response to what some organizations are calling “authoritarian actions” by the Trump administration since taking office for a second term in January.

A $9.4 billion rescission package is now in the hands of Congress. President Trump is asking to cancel federal funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Southern Tier Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY23) supports the funding cuts.

Pride gatherings will take place this month across the region, including in Elmira, Ithaca, Binghamton, Corning and Waverly. Pride events in Elmira kickoff with an arts festival in Wisner Park on June 7.

For the first time in Corning’s history, the city passed a budget with an increase in the tax levy that exceeds the state tax cap. The city council adopted the $22.6 million budget for 2026.

President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful” bill calls for billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid. That could have serious consequences for hospitals in the Southern Tier.

The Corning-Painted Post school district will lower its proposed 2025-26 budget amount and tax levy for a revote later this month. The district was awarded a $1.8 million grant from Corning Incorporated to bridge a deficit in the reduced budget, after voters rejected the first budget proposal.

WSKG’s Phoebe Taylor-Vuolo sat down with Ithaca reporter Aurora Berry and Elmira-Corning reporter Natalie Abruzzo this week, to talk through some of the more contentious local school budget elections.

Corning-Painted Post school district voters rejected the $8.7 million increase in the proposed budget over last year. The district will decide how to move forward at its board meeting on Wednesday.

The New York State DOH shows proposed cuts to Medicaid could cost Southern Tier hospitals and the region's health care economy more than $50 million. Sen. Chuck Schumer is urging New York House Republicans to vote against any cuts.

Corning-Painted Post school district voters will decide on a $147 million budget and 8 percent tax levy this year. They will also elect board members. Some are returning for another term and others are looking to join the board for a first term.