After Limo Tragedy, Schumer Pushes For Stricter Regulations - Oct. 18, 2018

$3.1 Billion Nassau County Budget Approved - Nov. 29, 2018

After Gunpowder Explosion, Islip To Educate Residents On Safe Recycling - Nov. 1, 2018

Restoration Begins On LI's Forge River Peninsula - Oct. 26, 2018

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Plans for the Islanders Arena at Belmont Racetrack cleared several
hurdles this week. Rebecca Liebson  reports.

The Empire State Development agency unanimously approved the
environmental impact study for the a 1.2 billion dollar project.

The ESD also announced that the Long Island Rail Road will provide two trains for game days and other events held at the stadium.

In the lead up to the vote, community members expressed concerns that the stadium would increase traffic in the area. 

Public hearings on the
environmental impact study will be held in January.

Rebecca Liebson, WSHU News.

Islanders Stadium Approved In Belmont - Dec. 6, 2018 .WAV

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On Long Island, Huntington Town Supervisor Chad Lupinacci has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by
his former aide. Rebecca Liebson reports.

A lawsuit filed by Brian Finnegan on Tuesday alleged that when Lupinacci served as a state assemblyman, he made repeated inquiries about his sex life over the course of three years.

Last December, Finnegan travelled with Lupinacci to Albany on official government business. He said he was required to share a hotel room with Lupinacci due to budgetary reasons. Here’s Finnegan.

“There this predator was able to take advantage of me and perform forcible, non-consensual and unwanted sexual acts on me in the middle of the night while I was sleeping.”

According to the suit, Finnegan fled the hotel room and resigned from his position shortly after.

Lupinacci’s attorney, Brian J. Griffin, said the allegations are “unequivocally false.”

Rebecca Liebson, WSHU News

Huntington Town Supervisor Accused Of Sexual Assault - Dec. 5, 2018 .WAV

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Suffolk County Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency took down a major drug trafficking ring in Huntington Station on Long Island. Law enforcement officials say they found cocaine stashed directly next to a bassinet where a one month old baby slept. Rebecca Liebson  reports 

The baby’s father, Adrian Bonilla, was arrested for selling and supplying powder and crack cocaine. He was already on probation for federal drug trafficking charges. The mother, Jennifer Perez Cordero was arrested for packaging and distributing the drugs. 

Suffolk County District Attorney, Timothy Sini,

“Not only did they have no regard for other people’s lives by virtue of the fact that they were selling this poison in our communities, but they clearly had no regard for their own child.” 

Neftali Camacho Hernandez was also arrested for selling the drugs. Police say he and Bonilla are alleged members of the Latin Kings gang. It’s still unclear if the drug sales were gang-related. 

Sini says the ring took in nearly $300,000 a year 

Rebecca Liebson, WSHU News

Suffolk Police Bust Huntington Station Drug Ring - Nov. 14, 2018

A bipartisan group of members of congress want to break the gridlock in Washington. They say they will start with the  next Speaker of the House or Representatives. Rebecca Liebson reports. 

The House Problem Solver caucus says they’ll only vote for a Speaker of the House who signs off on a list of reforms aimed at tackling political polarization. 

The group includes Congressman Tom Suozzi from New York and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty from Connecticut.

Esty says the caucus will look for a Speaker who will break the stronghold that house leadership has on what bills get brought to the floor.

“We want a serious commitment to empower every member of Congress and to return power to the committees. And many of us believe that that will respect democracy better and allow the institution to function.” 

The group has also met with several former Congressman to get ideas on how to increase discussion between the two parties.

Members Of Congress Band Together To Fight Gridlock - Sept. 28, 2018

Thanks to a appellate court ruling, state and local police in New York can no longer arrest and detain people on behalf of ICE. Rebecca Liebson reports.  

The case, filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union, dealt with Suffolk County resident, Susai Francis, an Indian national who overstayed his visa.

Francis pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct charges in 2017, and should have been released. Instead, he was re-arrested and placed in an ICE holding cell. 

Irma Solis from the NYCLU blamed former Suffolk County sheriff Vincent DeMarco. 

“After this current administration came into power, the Sheriff's office reversed course. He pretty much decided to begin to honor these ICE detainer requests.” 

Current Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon has ordered that the practice stop immediately. Francis remains in custody.

Rebecca Liebson WSHU News

NY Judge's Ruling Restricts Cooperation Between ICE And Local Police - Nov. 15, 2018

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Homeowners in the Bayport-Blue Point library district on Long Island will soon decide whether to buy the Ursuline Convent and turn it into a new library facility. Rebecca Liebson reports.

The 16.85 million dollar project would double the size of the current library, which hasn’t been renovated in nearly 30 years.

Michael Firestone is Director of the Bayport-Blue Point Public Library.

“You know we’re making due but we could do so much more. And you know there’s a frustration for a lot of patrons, when they come in they can’t find a seat.” 

Firestone says the proposed building would allow them to expand programs for children, teens and seniors, add public meeting rooms and make the library 100 percent handicap accessible. 

Residents will vote whether or not to approve the plan on December 6. If they approve it, homeowners could see their taxes go up by at least 200 dollars a year.

Rebecca Liebson, WSHU News.