Freeport resident Cheryl Wills, a veteran NY1 network anchor and reporter, found out that she was the great-great-great-granddaughter of an enslaved man who fought in the Civil War. Wills' “side gig” is tracing her African-American family’s genealogy and that is how she made this discovery.


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TV reporter is a descendant of an enslaved Civil War soldier

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Light snow and more brutally cold air are headed to Long Island this weekend. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.

LI's coldest winter in decades

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano talked to celebrities and doctors on the red carpet of the American Heart Association's Red Dress Collection Concert in New York City.

Red dresses on the red carpet: Celebrities talk heart health

Los Angeles Angels starting catcher and Sayville native Logan O'Hoppe visited fifth-graders at McKenna Elementary School to support his mother, Angela, who wrote the children's book, "If You Choose to Believe Them."

MLB catcher Logan O’Hoppe visits Massapequa students 

From Harborfrost in Sag Harbor to Ricardo Arjona at UBS Arena, check out all the fun things to do and explore this weekend.

What's up on LI this weekend

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland takes a look back at the tale of Physty the Whale, who was rescued and revived near Robert Moses in 1981.

Picture This: That time Physty the Whale was rescued and revived

Following the death of her father, Long Beach's Mindi Dovberg began swimming in the ocean every day to help "shock the grief out of her system." NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports.

Rain or shine, warm or cold, she takes a dip in the ocean every day

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits a longtime Baiting Hollow restaurant that's been serving the community for decades — and is now offering homemade pot pies to go.

Out East: A visit to the Cooperage Inn

West Babylon's Rivers triplets are making history as skiers for Jamaica. One of the triplets will compete in February's Winter Olympics.

West Babylon skier on his way to compete in the Winter Olympics 

Shop with Newsday food writer Marie Elena Martinez at Sprouts, which opened its first Long Island location in Centereach.

A foodie's guide to shopping at Sprouts

Municipalities like the Village of Great Neck Plaza are stepping up efforts to remove snow piles that haven't melted over a week after a storm hit the region. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Many LIers frustrated with slow snow removal

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The 20-year-old Suffolk man accused of kiling NCPD Officer Patricia Espinosa was driving with more than twice the legal blood alcohol content, Suffolk prosecutors say. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'This is a bunch of bad decisions'

Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa was remembered Thursday as an exceptional cop and "beautiful human being." NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'She's gonna live in our hearts, always'

'Want every kid to have someone who tells them that they can do this'

ICE agents arrested three people, with nearly a third of Greenport residents keeping their children home from school. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'Immigration got me'

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This year's top candidates for governor of New York both faced adversity before moving up five years ago.

Fortunes of Blakeman, Hochul shifted in the same year — 2021

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Santos Banegas Reyes was found dead in his cell hours after being prescribed medicine for withdrawal.

New report details health condition of 42-year-old man who died in Nassau jail last year

Wind chill values Saturday night could reach 20 below zero Saturday night in some parts of Suffolk.

'You don't want to be outside:' Extreme cold and high winds, light snow for LI's weekend

Union leaders are questioning whether Renu Contracting met prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements.

Unions accuse Suffolk of steering county contract to political donor

The Long Beach Middle School coach allegedly threw an unnamed wrestler to the ground — and lay on top of her without consent.

Middle school wrestling coach charged with child endangerment

A woman sued the town, alleging she tripped and fell on ripped carpeting at work after plugging in a space heater.

LI town to pay $1.9M after losing trip-and-fall lawsuit

Last weekend's storm was a wake-up call to some Long Islanders. Would you be ready for round two?

Prep your house, driveway, car and more for extreme snow and cold

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A federal lawsuit claims a vast network of Long Islanders is responsible for over 70 lawsuits linked to allegedly staged accidents. Newsday reporter Robert Brodsky has more.

'Connected either by a shared address, by family, by job'

Nearly 690 pounds of cocaine were seized in what is being called one of the largest narcotics busts in Nassau County's history. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'This is over $20 million dollars of street value'

Malverne Mel and Holtsville Hal have made their 2026 Groundhog Day predictions.

Mel and Hal weigh in on winter

The 79-year-old man was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead Monday morning, police said. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Man found outside LI housing complex dies

NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen answers questions about bomb cyclones.

What is a bomb cyclone?

The Islamic Center of Long Island on Sunday held its 22nd annual Black History Month celebration. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'Black history is not a side story'

Fire officials on Long Island are sounding the alarm, on shortages in both recruitment and retention. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'We can no longer guarantee that a fire truck or ambulance will arrive as quickly'

A man was fatally struck and another injured by a hit-and-run driver Thursday evening as they changed a tire on William Floyd Parkway in Shirley, police said.

Hit-and-run driver strikes and kills man changing tire

Long Island should dodge significant snow as wind chills will make temperaturs feel as low as minus 10 this weekend. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.

LI should dodge significant snow

According to.court filings, the $9 million settlement reached in the case of Thomas Valva is in jeopardy after an apparent impasse between Thomas Valva's mother and her lawyers.

Impasse between mother and lawyers

'In my mind he's already won'

A Utah court is expected to soon rule on whether Gabby Petito's parent can bring a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against the Moab City Police Department. Newsday reporter Robert Brodsky has the story.

Police: 'It was unforeseeable'

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

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Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks about Massapequa and Miller Place wrestling teams winning state dual meet championships and Jonathan Ruban takes a look at the undefeated Northport girls basketball team.

Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 21 Massapequa, Miller Place wrestling champs

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