For Erik Callender, of Hauppauge, following his dream means teaching about dozens of reptiles, some rescued, to audiences at parties, schools and events. Along the way he hopes to inspire others to live their dreams. (Dec. 10, 2013)


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Two people, clad in black masks, banged on the door of Rex A. Heuermann's Massapequa Park home Tuesday night.

2 shown on Ring camera banging on door of Rex A. Heuermann's home

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits three restaurants where dining al fresco is the way to go.

Out East: Restaurants with great outdoor spaces

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa learns the 'high pressure' job of an engineer at National Grid's materials testing lab in Melville.

LI Works: Under pressure with Ken at National Grid

A pop-up at Robert Moses State Park called "Shark Shack" teaches about marine life and shark safety.

Shark Shack at Robert Moses State Park tells you what to do when you meet a shark

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa stops by Smokin' Al's in Massapequa to try their oversized nachos, known as Macho Nachos.

Trendy Bites: 'Macho Nachos' at Smokin' Al's

Suffolk created a street takeover task force in 2024 that has broken up more than 100 incidents in the county.

Street takeovers: What LI police departments do to combat the problem

From a surf lesson to eating along the boardwalk, Newsday travel writer Carissa Kellman explores Rockaway Beach.

Surf’s up: Best waves, best bites in Rockaway Beach 

SailAhead, an organization that works to end veteran suicide by introducing former servicemen and women to sailing, took 100 veterans on the water Sunday. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

SailAhead takes 100 veterans sailing

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano tries a Hyrox fitness class at Black Bear Athletics in West Babylon.

Why Hyrox is trending on Long Island

From pizza to clams, Newsday food writer Andi Berlin visits two restaurants that are on the way to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater.

Eats en route to Jones Beach

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Here's how these Long Island content creators use TikTok to build their careers.

Meet the Long Islanders making it big on TikTok

What local police departments do to combat the problem

A 2023 Farmingdale High School crash led to New York mandating seat belts in charter buses, but enforcement remains challenging. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'This law is difficult to enforce'

The plane was built more than 100 years ago at the Curtiss aircraft factory in Garden City. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'There's only three in the country'

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Police Chief Steven Grattan said the policy is still a draft and stemmed from discussions with the town's public safety task force, as calls intensify for the town to adopt guidelines for responding to immigration raids.

Southold weighs police response to ICE actions as a safety measure

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The heaviest part of the storm passed through Long Island overnight and into early Wednesday.

Leftover storms, showers fall on LI Wednesday

The Gilgo Beach killer's ex-wife believes it was an attempted break-in, according to her lawyer, though police say there was no attempt to enter the home.

Masked people bang on Gilgo Beach killer's door, prompting police response

Heritage Westminster, a 428-unit development, is expected to bring hundreds of new residents to the area.

Largest new apartment complex on LI since 2019 opens in Nassau

About 125 firefighters were called to extinguish the fires in Hicksville, Brentwood and Freeport, authorities said.

Two homes burn, one set by lightning; 3 boats catch fire

The contaminated air did not circulate through the court building, county health officials said in a statement.

Suffolk Supreme Court cooling tower tests positive for bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease

Village of the Branch officials claimed the sale last December by St. Patrick's Roman Catholic violated local law that prohibited holding such events in the historic district.

Village forgives church it had cited for Christmas tree fundraiser

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The settlement agreement was on the verge of collapse after disagreements between Thomas' mother, Justyna Zubko-Valva, and Suffolk and the other defendants in the case. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Judge approves $9M settlement

Suffolk police charged three people following a street takeover involving at least 200 ATV's, dirtbikes and motorcycles that began in Hauppauge.

Street takeover prompts police response

'Kids love this stuff'

Seth Kurpiel, who suffered a broken neck in 2025, reconnected with the medical professionals who helped him get back on his feet. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger has more.

'The impossible is possible'

The population rose by 13.4% compared with 2024, even as statewide figures dropped. NewsdayTV spoke to the executive director of the LI Coalition for the Homeless.

'The cost of housing ... just continues to go up'

The end of the program could send thousands back to Haiti, which has been severely afflicted with gang violence, political instability and displacement. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'They can't survive'

Wednesday commemmorated the 100th anniversary of Babe Ruth catching a baseball dropped from a plane at Mitchel Field in Uniondale. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

'I wish I was around here to see it'

Bay Shore residents voice concern over plan to turn former Monfort Missionaries seminary into an Islamic boarding school. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'You're in the middle of a residential area'

Matthew Smith sentenced to up to 22 years in prison for drunken-driving crash that killed Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has more.

'Nothing is going to bring my wife back'

There is a new push to look into the effect of screen time in classrooms. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn spoke to Newsday state reporter Keshia Clukey and other experts on the topic.

'I don't advocate for one blanket policy'

Two months into the state's "bell-to-bell" ban on electronic devices in schools, some districts are reporting positive changes in the classroom. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'Students are much more talkative to one another'

NewsdayTV's Jasmine Anderson and Newsday education reporter Dandan Zou talk to Long Island school administrators about how the school cellphone ban is going so far.

'Kids are outside. They're playing. They're laughing together.'

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Music teacher pleads not guilty ... Southold ICE meeting ... Masked people bang on Heuermann's door ... Scourge of street takeovers

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