Best photos of 2025 by Newsday staff

Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez, of Long Beach, celebrates with a flip after he defeats Cooper Merli, of Newburgh, in the 116-pound Division 1 state final March 1 in Albany.

Holding 343 American flags in honor of the 343 FDNY members who died on 9/11, FDNY firefighters walk in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City on March 17.

Amirah Pollidore on March 20 at a memorial at her Freeport home for her daughter Mia, who was struck and killed by a drunken driver in 2023.

World War II veteran Ken Rehm is surrounded by family photos at his Sayville home April 1, as he was about celebrate his 100th birthday.

Lisa Fitz and Bill Wilkinson with Clover, their pet sheep, in their home in Southold on May 3. They have 10 goats, one sheep, and 12 chickens that live in the backyard.

As part of its worldwide tour, the “Museum of the Moon,” by Luke Jerram, was displayed at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City in May, the first time the piece, which features high-resolution NASA imagery of the moon, was shown at a house of worship in the U.S.

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso's teammates celebrate after he hit a walk-off sacrifice fly in the ninth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates May 12 at Citi Field.

New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes throws in the rain in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field on May 14.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds soared over Jones Beach as they rehearsed May 23 for the Memorial Day weekend FourLeaf Air Show.

Nassau police keep the peace after an angry crowd surrounded the scene of a car crash involving a federal agent in Westbury June 10 after an appearance by Homeland Security agents in the area. It came amid heightened tensions over a national crackdown on illegal immigration.

Federal agents head for their cars as Nassau police keep the peace after an angry crowd surrounded the scene of a car crash involving a federal agent in Westbury June 10 after an appearance by Homeland Security agents in the area.

Power lifters at Gaglione Strength gym in Farmingdale, clockwise from lower left: Stephen Ditzel, 67, Arthur Miller, 81, Liz Honing, 71, and Paul Cooper, 78.

Protesters march as part of a 'No Kings' protest in New York City June 14.

Kelsey Eggert, 5, at the Fourth of July parade in Massapequa Park.

Members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, an international living history group that reenacts life in the Middle Ages, engaged in combat practice in East Northport July 12. Here, Brian Carroll, of East Northport, aka Fearghus Mac Cailin, as a knight, takes on Austin Cantrell, of Brooklyn, aka Ragnarr Blisskegg.

Marissa Stewart prepares for a race at Riverhead Raceway in Calverton July 19.

A fawn on a walkway in Fire Island's Lonelyville July 22.

The casket carrying the body of NYPD police officer Didarul Islam leaves the Parkchester Jame Masjid Funeral Home in the Bronx July 31. Islam was one of four people fatally shot at a midtown Manhattan office tower.

A surfer in Long Beach rides the tube inside a large wave created by Hurricane Erin Aug. 21.

The ocean churn caused as Hurricane Erin marched up the Eastern Seaboard Aug. 21 attracted onlookers at Smith Point Beach in Shirley.

David "Mr. Diamond Girl" Torres performs to a packed crowd at the 10-year anniversary of the Freestyle Freakshow at Dublin Deck in Patchogue Aug. 23.

In August, more than a year after a rainstorm devastated Harbor Road in Head of the Harbor, area residents put up a banner across the road to draw attention to the overdue repairs.

Cree Hazard, 8, of the Narragansett Pequot Mashpee tribe dances at the opening ceremony of the 79th annual Shinnecock Powwow in Southampton Aug. 30.

A participant in the West Indian American Parade along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn Sept. 1.

Physician assistant Maria Michta-Coffey, holding her 14-month-old son, Danny, is surrounded by colleagues during a pep rally Sept. 4 at South Shore University Hospital before she heads to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Naomi Osaka covers her face after losing to Amanda Anisimova in the second set of the U.S. Open women's single semifinals at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, Sept. 4.

Teddie Getman, 3, and Gene Getman, of Northport, take a spin in a car carousel ride during Cow Harbor Day in Northport on Sept. 21.

For 20 years, the Sawicki family has been putting on an elaborate display of animated Halloween figures and memorabilia outside their home on Westley Road in Westbury. On opening night, Sept. 26, viewers included Steve and Mariel Ledo with sons Enzo, 15, and Jesse, 3, who checked out the 80 figures, 49 of them using animatronics.

Fans cheer their favorite golfers at the first tee during Round 3 of the 2025 Ryder Cup on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park on Sept. 27.

Milo, a basset hound, with his handler, Justin Worth, at the Suffolk County Kennel Club dog show at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay Sept. 27.

Roy McIlroy and Shane Lowry celebrate on the 18th hole during Round 4 at the 2025 Ryder Cup on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park Sept. 27.

New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon makes a diving catch into the dugout on a foul ball hit by Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium Oct. 2.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Red Sox in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium Oct. 2.

Yankees security staffers go after a fan who ran on the field in the fourth inning of the game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium Oct 7.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino addresses attendees at a Nassau County GOP "Rock the Vote" event at Plattduetsche Park in Franklin Square Oct. 29.

Lauren Siciliano, 22, Becca Kilby, 21, and Jenna Malone, of Max's Pack dog hiking service, take their clients on a Halloween-themed walk in West Hills Oct. 30.

Supporters of New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani watch results come in at an election night watch party at his campaign headquarters at the Paramount Theater in Brooklyn Nov. 4.

Incumbent Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman celebrates victory at Nassau GOP headquarters at Coral House in Baldwin Nov. 4.

Catalina Ticora, 9 months old, left, and Stormi Miranda, 1, during a ballet class for babies at Tutu School in Sayville Nov. 7.

The northern lights on Nov. 12 above Patchogue gave an image of the other-worldly red glow of the aurora borealis.

Doug Corwin, owner of Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue, in one of his barns on Nov. 25 as his operation was rebounding after a devastating encounter with bird flu.

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and the Rev. Al Sharpton serve meals at the National Action Network in Harlem on Thanksgiving.

People line up for the funeral of Emily Finn in West Sayville Nov. 30. Finn, 18, was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend at his home in Nesconset, authorities said.

Revelers take a pizza break during the annual SantaCon pub crawl in New York City Dec. 13.