With renewable energy sources like solar farms and windmills gaining traction on the East End, building facilities to store all that energy becomes vital. But battery energy storage systems (or BESS as they are called) are not without critics — especially given that some facilities around the country have experienced fires in the past.

The Southampton Town Board recently introduced the fourth version of its BESS code and board members say it will be one of the most restrictive in the state. This week, the editors are joined by senior reporter Michael Wright to discuss the issues surrounding BESS and the details of Southampton’s new code for future such facilities.

Southampton Town's Latest — and Hopefully Last — Draft of New BESS Codes

Every summer morning, a dedicated group of open-water swimmers — each over the age of 60 — gathers at West Landing in Hampton Bays to swim the calm waters of Peconic Bay. But this ritual is about much more than fitness. Over the years, these daily swims have become a source of deep friendship, connection and joy.

This week on the podcast, the editors are joined by filmmaker Doug Gallo and his mother Chris, one of the swimmers featured in his short documentary “West Landing,” which is screening at this year’s Hamptons International Film Festival. Together, Doug and Chris share how the film came to life — and reflect on the tight-knit community that’s formed in the bay, one swim at a time.

‘West Landing’: A Short Film About Swims, Friendship and Finding Community

In a few weeks, the Suffolk County Department of Public Works will institute changes in traffic patterns on County Road 39 between North Sea Road and Magee Street in Southampton to test a pared-down version of an experiment run by the county and Southampton Town last spring. Local officials said the plan, as envisioned by Charles McArdle, Southampton Town superintendent of highways, brought marked improvement in travel times for afternoon commuters and eased bypass traffic on residential back roads.
This week, the editors are joined by senior reporter Michael Wright and McArdle to talk about how the new plan will work and some of the Southampton road challenges that remain.

Testing Traffic Fixes on CR 39 — What’s Changing and What Comes Next | 27speaks

The first in a new series titled "Local Matters" focused on Southampton Village with an Express Sessions event at Union Burger Bar on October 9. Top of mind for area residents and panelists in attendance were traffic, affordable housing and the continued push to develop a sewer district in Southampton Village. 

Local Matters: Southampton | The Sessions Report

The Hampton Theatre Company has launched a new initiative to open each of its next three seasons with a female-led production. Called the Jane Stanton Celebrating Women in Theatre Project, the initiative is funded by a recent anonymous grant from a private charitable foundation and the goal is to spotlight plays written and directed by women. 


This week, the editors are joined by HTC president Rosemary Cline, vice president George Loizides and general manager Terry Brennan who discuss the details of the project as well as the first play to be produced by it — Larissa FastHorse’s “The Thanksgiving Play” which runs through November 2 at the Quogue Community Hall. 

Spotlighting Women’s Voices

Every Tuesday, an 8-year-old poodle/golden retriever mix clocks in for his shift at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. Known to staff and patients as “Dogtor” Cooper, he even has business cards made up by his owner and handler, hospital volunteer Eric Weston. 

Cooper is part of a robust therapy dog program at the hospital and one of seven dogs certified to visit patients on a regular basis. This week, the editors are joined by reporter Cailin Riley along with Weston and Robin Page, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s director of Patient Experience/Volunteer Services, to talk about the therapy dog program and the joy it brings. Also joining in is Cooper, but honestly, he stays pretty quiet because he’s a good boy.

Paging Dogtor Cooper: How One Pup Brings Comfort to Hospital Patients

This Saturday, November 8, three generations of local veterans — Angelique Williams (Navy 1997-2014), Ed German (USMC 1967-1970) and Martin Sylvester (Army 1943-1945) — will be honored at Southampton Arts Center with a screening of a trio of short films about their military service created by USA Warrior Stories, which was founded in 2017. Ahead of the screening, USA Warrior Stories founders Matt Hindra and Nick Kraus joined the editors and reporter Cailin Riley to share what they’ve learned from recording hundreds of first-hand accounts of military life.

Voices of Valor: Preserving the Stories of Veterans

On Wednesday, November 5, ICE agents swept into Hampton Bays and Westhampton, setting upon immigrant laborer gathering spots and businesses that employ or are frequented by immigrants. The officers made several arrests as part of the largest local federal immigration sweep since the start of the second Donald Trump administration.

This week, the editors talk about the operation with senior reporter Michael Wright, New York State Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni and, from OLA of Eastern Long Island, Executive Director Minerva Perez and legal advocate Erika Padilla.

Federal Immigration Sweep Shakes the East End

The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center was recently awarded $4 million from Southampton Town’s Community Preservation Fund. The money will be used for capital projects and enhancements at the historic 1932 theater.

While the CPF, a 2 percent property transfer tax, was originally used for open space purchases, in recent years its use has expanded to include preservation of important structures owned and operated by nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. In addition to the preservation of the theater’s iconic façade, the CPF agreement stipulates that WHBPAC will continue to operate as a space for diverse cultural programs, serving as a community anchor for generations to come.

This week, the editors are joined by WHBPAC Executive Director Julienne Penza-Boone and Marketing Director Heather Draskin, who talk about the history of the theater, the process that led to the CPF award and how the theater will use the funds in the future.

Preserving the Past: CPF Grant Gives WHBPAC $4 Million for a Brighter Future

The staff and volunteers at Heart of the Hamptons Food Pantry work hard year-round to feed hungry Southampton residents. But 2025 has been a particularly difficult year for those facing food insecurity. Reductions in federal funding for pantries and the added pressure of suspended SNAP benefits means the pantry is feeding more families than ever. 

This week, the editors are joined by Molly Bishop, executive director of Heart of the Hamptons Food Pantry, to talk about how she and her crew are meeting the need as they settle into their new location at 44 Meeting House Lane in Southampton Village.

Feeding Southampton: Heart of the Hamptons Responds to Rising Need

Hamptons Doc Fest is back, and from December 4 to 11 will screen 33 feature-length and short documentaries at Bay Street Theater, Sag Harbor Cinema and, new this year, Southampton Playhouse, which hosts the closing night film, “Lost Wolves of Yellowstone.”

This week, the editors talk to Jacqui Lofaro, founder and executive director of the Hamptons Doc Fest, about the festival’s 18th season and some of the highlights that are not to be missed.

Spotlight on the Hamptons Doc Fest: Films, Stories and Festival Highlights

The editors of The Express News Group talk about what news on the East End.

Southampton Town's Latest — and Hopefully Last — Draft of New BESS Codes

27Speaks

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