An overflow crowd at a Suffolk Legislature hearing witnessed a spirited debate Monday night over marijuana legalization, with supporters predicting a financial windfall for New York State and opponents saying legal pot sellers will unfairly profit off minority communities.


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Gov. Kathy Hochul told Newsday that raising the minimum wage in New York gradually would be better for businesses. Newsday senior business writer James T. Madore reports.

'What businesses need is predictability'

Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke about immigration enforcement at her State of the State address on Tuesday. She spoke about proposals to curb what she called abusive tactics of immigration enforcement officers. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

'Not allow the use of state resources'

Affordability, child care and crime were some of the topics touched on by Gov. Kathy Hochul during her 2026 State of the State address, which was met by both praise and criticism. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed has more.

'Universal Pre-K for every single 4-year-old'

In her address, Hochul discussed affordable child care, protecting the offshore wind industry and lowering car insurance costs. NewsdayTV's political analyst Joye Brown reports.

Newsday's Joye Brown: 'It was a call to arms'

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While experts say some tried-and-true tactics are transferrable, others are not.

'Fundraising and foot soldiers': What Nassau's GOP is bringing across NY as it fights to get Bruce Blakeman elected

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado is also far behind the governor in funding as he seeks the Democratic nomination in the June primary.

Hochul has big money edge on Blakeman in reelection quest

James Bessell Sr. and his transportation company pleaded guilty to collecting kickbacks from fraudulent Medicaid appointments.

AG: Shirley business owner sentenced in $1.5M Medicaid scheme

It's one of the most significant investments in the county's safety-net hospital in recent years.

NUMC to get near $110M infusion of state money, CEO confirms

The case represents the latest example of prosecutors alleging a Long Island attorney stole high-dollar real estate funds from a client.

Lawyer charged with $750G theft in Southampton real estate deal

They've been in regular contact since their November Oval Office meeting, according to the mayor.

Why Mamdani says he and Trump text, talk on phone

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On this month's editon of Island Insider, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's plans to run for governor, Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as NYC mayor, Nassau County's border security, and more.

Islander Insider: Blakeman runs for governor, Mamdani takes office

Republican Bruce Blakeman took the oath of office to begin his second term as county executive on Monday night. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Blakeman formally begins second term

Affordability is expected to be a big issue in Albany in 2026, as well as in Gov. Kathy Hochul's upcoming State of the State address. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

'I hope to hear ... about real tax cuts'

LIPA predicted Long Islanders' PSEG electic bills would drop in January; that now isn't going to happen. Newsday energy reporter Mark Harrington explains.

'About 3% increase in the power supply trucks'

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'

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

'Today begins a new era'

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

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The soft-serve ice cream dipped in melted butter and sprinkled with salt has gone viral.

Ice cream dipped in melted butter? Stew Leonard's has it

Five years after a Newsday investigation into police hiring, neither county has diversified ranks to reflect the communities they serve. Newsday's Virginia Huie and Jim Baumbach reports.

Despite 30% increase in Hispanic officers, LI police forces still overwhelmingly white

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano gets a sneak peek of "The Diplomat" Tour, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at all the places at Planting Fields Arboretum where the Netflix thriller's season 3 finale was shot.

'The Diplomat' films on LI

NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger takes a look at some of the reasons behind the decline in family-owned hardware stores on Long Island.

Declining number of family owned hardware stores

Newsday's food team tasted and ranked sheet cakes from eight supermarkets on Long Island.

The great grocery store sheet cake taste test 

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa learns what it takes to troubleshoot a pinball machine in this week's edition of LI Works.

LI Works: A wizard at fixing pinball machines

Newsday's third annual Cheer Fest was held at Hofstra University on Sunday. Participants spoke about the thrill of competing and watching teams from other divisions. Newsday's Jared Valluzzi has more.

Energy, pride and school spirit: Newsday's 3rd annual Cheer Fest

Doug DeFeo, a volunteer with the New York Marine Rescue Center in Riverhead, says it's important to him to give back to the environment as well as the individual lives of people.

Volunteers of Long Island: New York Marine Rescue Center

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes us to the South Fork, where, after generations of farming the land, the Ludlow family pivoted to making cheese from the milk of their cows.

Out East: Mecox Bay Dairy in Bridgehampton

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

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

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Newsday reporters spent this year examining the risks on Long Island's roads, where traffic crashes over a decade killed more than 2,100 people and seriously injured more than 16,000. This documentary is a result of that newsroom-wide effort.

'Success is zero deaths on the roadway'

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