Five-year-old Luis Mendez, who has a rare, terminal brain cancer, lit up on Friday when Santa Claus came to visit his Wantagh home, descending from a top a fire truck as neighbors surrounded him and his family with love.


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NYU researchers are surveying the Eastern box turtle population to better understand how they are faring against habitat destruction, roadways and global warming.`

Turtle-sniffing dogs searching LI for science

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. spoke with NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa about what life is like for the Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann in jail.

Rex Heuermann's life behind bars

Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is back for a second stint with the Giants. Head coach John Harbaugh on Wednesday said Beckham seems healthier and Beckham said he is looking forward to making the most of the opportunity.

Odell Beckham Jr. back with the Giants

Recently passed state auto insurance reforms could help lower car insurance rates as much as 10% for New York drivers, according to some estimates. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

NYS takes crack at lowering auto insurance premiums. Here's what that means for LI.

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits the Long Island Game Farm for an inside look at the incredible hands-on wildlife encounters there.

Out East: What's new at the Long Island Game Farm

If approved, it would be the first new hospital on Long Island since 1980. Newsday business reporter James T. Madore has more.

NYU Langone plans new hospital in Melville 

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visited Main Event, an entertainment center that recently opened in Deer Park.

Arcade, bowling and giant claw machine at Main Event 

Newsday food writer Erica Marcus helps make a strawberry crunch ice cream at Coyle's Ice Cream in Islip.

Making ice cream at Coyle's in Islip

Rockville Centre's Lavert Henderson-Hobbs has been a Knicks' season-ticket holder since 1969.

Rockville Centre's Lavert Henderson-Hobbs a Knicks' season-ticket holder since 1969

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Chubs Meats in Medford to try The Brunson, a sandwich inspired by the New York Knicks' star player.

Trendy Bites: Trying a Jalen Brunson-inspired sandwich

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Nick Cannon, host of the Wild 'N Out Live show at Barclays Center, visited students at Hempstead and Roosevelt high schools on Friday.

'Excited about entertainment'

The love for the Knicks was palpable as fans gathered at Long Island restaurants and Madison Square Garden for watch parties to take in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

'If you're a Knicks fan, I want to be around you'

Long Islanders can expect a warm weekend forecast with temperatures in the 80s, there is an air quality alert Friday until 11 p.m., NewsdayTV's meteorologist Geoff Bansen has all the details.

Air quality alert for Long Island Friday

Carmine Agnello's arrest, for allegedly choking his girlfriend during an argument, comes weeks before he is to surrender to prison on a fraud conviction. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'Nothing happened,' Agnello said

Schwally, of Dix Hills, is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 12. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Guilty verdict in fatal nail salon crash

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An elementary school's beautification project was splashed with color Saturday by students, staff and community members.

Paw prints, drone launch, conflict resolution area painted on school's blacktop

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Orinoco Drive was closed after the car crashed into a utility pole and knocked down wires, police said.

Driver, 19, killed when his SUV hits utility pole in Bay Shore

The developer says it plans to expand public waterfront access, but some in Port Washington fear new development.

The Sbarro family wants to transform a waterfront hub. Some residents are anxious.

City officials are scrambling to make up the shortfall.

Glen Cove budgeted $3.1M in sales tax. It's not coming.

The deal will put the logo for Bulovas Restorations, a Ronkonkoma-based fire and water damage resolution company, on Seawolves team jerseys.

Stony Brook team members to wear corporate-sponsored patches this fall

The actor, comedian and rapper will bring a live version of the game show to Barclays Center later this month.

Nick Cannon, of 'Wild 'N Out' fame, performs at Hempstead, Roosevelt high schools

TVs, sports apps and score alerts get shut down shortly after 8 p.m. for the start of the Sabbath — only minutes before the start of Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.

For LI's observant Jews, Knicks' tipoff time Friday conflicts with the Sabbath

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Organizers of a newly formed Long Island group, Catholics Welcome Immigrants, are urging Bishop John Barres, the head of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, to take a stand on the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'We want Catholic people to be part of this movement'

The alleged drunken driver who crashed into a Deer Park nail salon, killing three employees and a customer, bought liquor and drove around the area for about five hours before the crash.

Timeline of events in fatal Long Island nail salon crash

'He will be ... coming out of prison in a body bag'

State Attorney General Letitia James's office is investigating Nassau University Medical Center's former executive leadership. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn and Newsday's Nassau County politics reporter Candice Ferrette have the story.

'This is public taxpayer money ... so really, every dollar counts'

Prosecutors say 28-year-old Robert Carragher died in his father's arms. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'They attempted to control that bleeding'

Yaphank jail to pilot public health curriculum to help curb gun violence. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'The individuals participating will learn about the causes and consequences of firearm violence'

Nassau police said a 22-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 28-year-old man at a Massapequa home.

Fatal stabbing in Massapequa

Emily Kelly, 50, of Bayport, is facing a second-degree murder charge for the alleged abuse that led to Jor'Dynn Duncan's death on Dec. 29. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'It just doesn't seem human'

Ring camera footage appears to show Riverhad Town GOP official leaving the scene after she allegedly struck multiple parked cars and continued driving.

Caught on camera: Riverhead GOP official allegedly hits parked cars

Melanie Smith, a Suffolk nurse who allegedly has been harassed by Michal Pacek for 3 years, spoke Thursday about appearing at Pacek's indictment. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'It felt surreal to ... see the person'

12-year-old Cesar Albarracin Guncay, a 6th grader in Sag Harbor, died during a rafting field trip in the Poconos after the raft overturned in the river.

'Cesar was a cherished member of our school family'

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland speaks to actor Gary Sinise about the Wantagh Union Free School District partnering with his foundation to raise money for field trips to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, as well as a commemorative 9/11 statue in front of Wantagh High School.

'To make sure those students never forget'

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On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg talks with Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson about county champs crowned in boys and girls lacrosse, and Jared Valuzzi reports on the Long Island flag football championship.

Sarra Sounds Off Ep 36: Champs crowned in lax and flag football

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