Long Island Press

01/07/2026

The Fight for Firefighters Foundation built a wheelchair ramp to help a Nassau County police detective return home safely after being injured.

About 30 children from the Pequa Ballers, a youth basketball group from Massapequa, volunteered to help with the project.

“We know how tough police officers have it," said John Vaeth, an FDNY firefighter. “Showing them support through the kids, and showing the kids to give back to the people who have helped them their whole lives, means a lot."

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01/07/2026

The Nicholas Center will partner with The Art Guild of Port Washington to present its third annual Art Showcase on Sunday, Jan. 11, celebrating three years of inclusive arts programming and creative collaboration.

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01/06/2026

Empire Offshore Wind has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's order suspending its Empire Wind project.

The White House halted wind farms due to "national security concerns."

Full story: https://www.longislandpress.com/2026/01/04/empire-trump-offshore-wind/

Empire Offshore Wind LLC has filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of the Interior’s order directing a suspension of its Empire Wind project as well

01/06/2026

Long Island Jewish Medical Center welcomed Mateo Gutierrez at 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, making him the center’s first baby of 2026.

New parents Ana Elena Gutierrez-Tavares and Luis Gutierrez welcomed their firstborn, with the help of Ana’s cousin Elizabeth Marin, who worked as a delivery nurse on the Gutierrez’s team.

Story in comments for more New Year's babies (and adorable pics!)

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01/05/2026

To close out 2025, Gov. Kathy Hochul ​​granted clemency to 13 people across the state, including a Massapequa native and a Queens native who was convicted of attempted robbery in Oceanside.

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12/31/2025

No plans for New Year’s Eve yet? Here are some ideas!

Not sure where to celebrate New Year's? Here is a guide to local festivities.

12/29/2025

Everybody is proud of their successes, and many like discussing them. But 1-800-Flowers.com founder Jim McCann is also proud of his mistakes — or at least of taking risks, recognizing errors and changing course.

These are the ups and downs of his business story.

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12/29/2025

Deliberations in the bribery trial against Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governors Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul, and resident of Manhasset, ended in a mistrial Monday, Dec. 22, after jurors said they were deadlocked on all 19 counts against Sun and her husband, Chris Hu.

Full story in comments.

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12/28/2025

Former U.S. Rep. Congressman Anthony D'Esposito was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as inspector general of the Department of Labor on Dec. 18.

The new position as the Department of Labor’s top watchdog was finalized after a nomination from Trump in March, with a 53-43 Senate vote. The Office of the Inspector General is responsible for conducting audits to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, economy, and integrity of all Department of Labor programs.

“I’ll work with career civilians and agents to enforce the law, root out fraud, waste, and abuse, and combat labor and human trafficking—protecting American workers and taxpayers,” D'Esposito wrote in a social media post. “Thank you, President Donald J. Trump, for your trust and leadership.”

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12/27/2025

After her husband, Jonah, died of cancer in June, Debra Gruda turned her grief into a movement. She is fundraising to create a research grant in his name, which will help future cancer patients receive the support that they need.

The name of her foundation? "Because Jonah Would."

Her next fundraising event on Jan. 24, 2026, at Mulcahy's Long Island, will feature music, food, an open bar, raffles and silent auctions to help get the foundation towards its $85,000 goal. So far, Debra and others have been able to raise over $33,000 for the cause.

“This is a small community where everyone knows each other and they offer a tremendous amount of help,” Debra said.

Full story in comments.

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12/27/2025

SCORES ON THE RISE: Students across Long Island made measurable gains in the ELA with Nassau County emerging as a regional leader, according to new assessment results released by state.

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12/27/2025

In a cozy corner of The Sinclair at Port Washington, a group of residents gathers every Wednesday afternoon.

They are the Knit Wits, a spirited band of knitters in their 80s and 90s. For this group, knitting isn’t just a pastime — it’s a way to connect, to create, and to give to people in need.

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