<p>State elected officials were originally denied access, but after about an hour, members of Bruce Blakeman&#39;s&nbsp;team showed up to give&nbsp;lawmakers a guided tour. NewsdayTV&#39;s&nbsp;Virginia Huie has more.&nbsp;</p>


Long Island

Politics

POJAIL250723_video

State lawmakers tour areas of Nassau jail used to hold ICE detainees

East Meadow

onecms:0a0e246c-afb9-48ff-b546-1670ab95fce4

Newsday

'To go into that facility really impacted me'

poJAIL.07.23.25.dS0032.MXF.12_43_03_05.Still001.jpg

Most Popular

Latest videos

Politics video slot

The 2026 legislative session in Albany begins Wednesday, and affordability is a big priority for lawmakers. Newsday New York State correspondent Keshia Clukey reports.

'The biggest word of this session is affordability'

Crowds cheered as Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York.

Crowds cheer as Mamdani sworn in

Jose Ortiz, aka Doctor Drum, from the Bronx, played pandeiro, a Brazilian tambourine, for crowds awaiting New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's inauguration.

Drummers set a beat for crowds ahead of Mamdani's inauguration

Members of activist group Sing Out, Louise! celebrated newly elected New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in song in frigid temperatures ahead of his inauguration.

'We'll make a brand new start of it, Zohran's New York'

Sign up for the Politics newsletter

Politics newsletter widget

Long Island Article Bottom Module

Legislators will face added pressure to deliver for their constituents with all 213 seats up for election in November.

Top issue is affordability as state Legislature returns

The governor also called for expanding a pilot program that provides mental health training for sophomores in high school.

Hochul calls for new social media, AI safeguards for kids

The new New York City mayor said a broken system has contributed to small fees charged on top of purchases such as gym memberships and concert and airplane tickets.

Mamdani signs orders targeting 'hidden junk fees'

Previous presiding officer Kevin McCaffrey's tenure ended at the end of December.

Suffolk Legislature installs Piccirillo as new presiding officer

At least 1.6 million people living in the U.S. lost their immigration status under a Trump order this year.

What to know about Trump's crackdown on immigration programs

Voting tendencies were tracked and ranked by UCLA's Voteview, a nonpartisan multidimensional scaling of congressional voting.

LI representatives' votes among most centrist in Congress

Politics Video Playlist

In his inaugural address, Mamdani said that today "begins a new era" for New York City.

'Today begins a new era'

Take a look back at the exclusive stories Newday journalists brought you in 2025, from investigations to interviews with celebrities.

Look back at NewsdayTV's top exclusives and highlights of 2025

The state Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection was meant to reimburse people who had money stolen by dishonest lawyers. With payments in those cases now surpassing $100 million over the fund's history, the fund is struggling. Newsday investigative reporter Joshua Solomon reports.

State fund that reimburses victims more often can't pay in full

Rep. Elise Stefanik has announced she is dropping out of the governor's race. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

Stefanik drops out of governor's race

The bill will allow terminally ill individuals with less than six months to live to use doctor-prescribed medication to end their lives. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'We're not talking about ending life early'

A Newsday analysis found that Nassau County violated its own agreement with ICE, detaining hundreds of immigrants longer than legally permitted.

Immigrants held longer than allowed

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman will compete with North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik for an opportunity to take on Gov. Hochul in next year's election. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'Battleground will probably be largely upstate New York'

Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is expected to announce a gubernatorial run as soon as Tuesday, sources say. NewsdayTV's Jill Wagner reports.

Sources: Blakeman to announce gubernatorial run

Homepage Trending

Weekend events guide

Newsday Investigations

Long Island Teacher Spotlights

All-Long Island teams

Newsday TV shorts

Vertical videos

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

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

The Giants held their final media availability of the 2025 season on Monday where they talked about their search for a new head coach and what they expect out of next season.

Giants clean out their lockers after a disappointing 4-win season

A Three Kings Day event took place at the Knights of Columbus in Brentwood on Sunday. The celebration provided a warm, welcoming environment in a time of uncertainty, according to some attendees. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Three Kings Day celebrated on LI

Long Islanders Newsday spoke with said what they are trying to accomplish with their resolution for 2026. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Long Islanders' 2026 New Year's resolutions 

Zohran Mamdani sworn in as NYC mayor

Long Island's top federal prosecutor said ICE will no longer hold detainees more than 12 hours or overnight at the facility. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Immigration groups urge judge to keep scrutiny on ICE holding cells in Central Islip

Paws of War rescued dogs from an illegal puppy mill in Tennessee. The animals are now going to forever homes of veterans. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

A heartwarming story that will give paws

Travel reporter Carissa Kellman experiences the luxurious perks at local hotels with no check-in required.

Daycation: You don't have to spend the night to enjoy these amenities at nearby hotels

John Sterbens is a volunteer with Splashes of Hope, in Huntington. He says the organization's mission is to brighten the world through art.

Volunteers of Long Island: Splashes of Hope

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

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

Suozzi visits ICE 'hold rooms' ... U.S. cuts child vaccines ... Coram apartment fire ... Out East: Custer Institute and Observatory

Suozzi visits ICE 'hold rooms' ... Coram apartment fire ... Out East: Custer Institute and Observatory

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

Politics - megaslot

Follow Long Island politics from local elections and races to legislation to reaction to national events.

Stay logged in.