Opening arguments began in Riverhead on Tuesday in the trial of Thomas Murphy, 60, charged with driving drunk and mowing down a row of Boy Scouts on a hike after a morning of drinking vodka on a golf course. Murphy's attorney, Steve Politi, met with the media to talk about the defense.


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A South Setauket father, Vincent DiStasi, was sentenced to 17 years in prison on Thursday for beating his infant son to the point where he needed brain surgery. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

The infant was 5 weeks old

John Pilaccio pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges in the fatal stabbing of CVS employee Edeedson Cine Jr. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'A violent criminal record'

Authorities are looking for a thief who stole a statue of baby Jesus from a Nativity scene displayed outside the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge last week. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Baby Jesus stolen from Nativity scene

Nassau County police said Tasabbir Hossain, 32, of Ronkonkoma, was westbound on the eastbound lanes of Sunrise Highway near Louden Avenue in Massapequa when he collided with the other driver's 2015 Acura.

Crash leaves two hospitalized

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Amir Sitafalwalla, 73, did not express remorse for his actions before he was sentenced by Judge Gia Morris, who also ordered Sitafalwalla to register as a sex offender.

Ex-doctor from Manhasset sentenced to 6 years' probation for sexual abuse of patients

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The officials also acknowledged troublesome trends in assaults on public officials and a rise in youth violence.

Mamdani, Tisch highlight NYC's reduction in violent crime in first NYPD news conference

On one side of Baxter Street were backers of the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, on the other, a larger group assailing the move.

Street debates outside Manhattan court show divide over Maduro arrest

The deposed Venezuelan leader and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in federal court for the first time since U.S. forces arrested them and brought them to New York.

'I am a decent man,' proclaims Maduro, saying he is innocent of narco-terrorism charges

Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores will be arraigned on multiple charges.

Maduro set to appear in Manhattan federal court today

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch highlighted some added precautions at a news conference on Tuesday.

What to know about Times Square security for New Year's Eve

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is taking over amid a drop in homicides but a slew of NYPD challenges will test his ability to keep New Yorkers safe.

Policing experts take wait-and-see approach to Zohran Mamdani

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Toys of Hope is asking for donations after the organization says several hundred toys from its holiday drive were stolen Saturday.

'A holiday nightmare'

Andrew Dykes, 66, has been indicted for the 1997 murder of Tanya Jackson, whose killing was a mystery for nearly 30 years. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'A violent and horrifying act of violence'

Ex-Suffolk police officer George Trimigliozzi on Monday was sentenced to two years in prison for managing brothels in Holbrook and West Babylon. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'We do not stand for corruption'

Suffolk prosecutors say postal worker Jovanni Jamieson-Lewis stole gift cards and used them to shop at TJ Maxx. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'There definitely was a brazenness to it'

According to police, two men were arrested in connection with a secret gambling room at Silver Shears Barber Shop in Uniondale. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed has more.

'A secret room with gambling machines'

A Kings Park man, Brian Blackford, has been charged with robbing two banks in a 48-hour period. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed has more.

'Fled on foot'

Four teenagers have been arrested in connection with an alleged gang assault stabbing that seriously injured another teen. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed has more.

'Stabbed multiple times last month in a parking lot'

Austin Lynch, 18, who is charged with murder in the shooting death of Emily Finn, requested the exam at a court hearing to determine if he is mentally competent to stand trial. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

Teen charged with murder requests psychiatric exam

What began as a desperate hunt for Shannan Gilbert in the marshes near Gilgo Beach became, in three astonishing days in December 2010, the unmasking of a possible serial killer. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed has more.

'We had absolutely no idea what happened to her'

A son is now facing charges after a fatal stabbing at a Plainedge deli. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Son accused of fatally stabbing parents

A man and woman were found dead at A&A Italian Deli & Pizza in Plainedge. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

'I stabbed my parents'

Andrew Dykes, 66, of Tampa, was indicted on a murder charge in Nassau County on Wednesday. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Arrest made in 'Peaches' case

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New York became the first state to require health insurers to cover scalp cooling treatments, which help to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Health insurers must cover scalp cooling treatments

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano joins Newsday food writer Marie Elena Martinez at Hometown Bakeshop in Centerport to try customizable bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches.

Bacon, egg and cheese with a twist at this LI bakery

Commuters are expressing frustration over a new MTA policy that imposes an $8 surcharge for activating mobile tickets after boarding. Newsday's Alfonso Castillo reports.

Last-minute ticket surcharge irks LIRR riders

Port Washington's Rapid Response Network aims to prevent or stop federal officials from making arrests by warning immigrants of ICE sightings. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has more.

Rapid Response Network tracks ICE presence in Port Washington 

I.FLY opens its first Indoor trapeze school at Samanea in Westbury. NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano reports.

Flying high: New indoor trapeze school opens

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes us to the Custer Institute and Observatory in Southold for an up close look at the stars.

Out East: Custer Institute and Observatory

Each semifinalist will receive $2,000 and their school will receive a matching amount. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

33 LI students named Regeneron Science Talent Search semifinalists 

Newsday Washington reporter Billy House describes the chaos of the Jan. 6 insurrection from inside the U.S. Capitol, and how he sheltered in the House chamber.

Newsday reporter recounts being inside Capitol during Jan. 6 insurrection

After 44 years, the Oak Chalet Restaurant in Bellmore closed its doors. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed talked to Gisela Wedel and her family about their restaurant.

One of LI's oldest German restaurants closes

Brooke Stern, of Northport, is a volunteer with America's VetDogs and the Guide Dog Foundation. She says helping these dogs eventually change somebody's life for the better is a "very special thing."

Volunteers of Long Island: America's VetDogs

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

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A Newsday investigation revealed that Grumman Aerospace knew toxic chemicals were leaking into the ground in Bethpage. Newsday Associate Editor Paul LaRocco and Deputy Editor David Schwartz explain.

'It's depressing, it's frustrating'

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