Best photos from Newsday photographer John Paraskevas

Stony Brook University students protest the Israel-Hamas war on the grassy steps outside the campus’ Staller Center on May 1.

Hundreds attend a candlelight vigil for fallen NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller at Bradley Park in Massapequa Park on March 27.

In preparation for the 50th anniversary of the Nassau BOCES Long Island School for the Performing Arts in Syosset, students Alexa Mincone, of East Meadow, left, Alexandra LaPlaca, of Hicksville, rehearse a number for the school's production of “Big Shot” on March 26. The show is set to the music of Billy Joel hits.

One of the pheasants rescued by volunteers from the animal rights organization Humane Long Island is held by the group’s executive director, John Di Leonardo, at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center in Hampton Bays on Jan. 4.

Evon Grant, of Amityville, takes to the basketball court at Copiague's Tanner Park on June 25.

Long Island Rail Road workers inspect the third rails of the newly completed train storage tracks at the LIRR's Mid-Suffolk Yard near the Ronkonkoma train station on Jan. 8.

A road collapsed in Stony Brook after severe flooding in August.

Oysterman Jacob Feibusch, owner of Davy Jones Shellfish, on his boat with some of the oysters he pulled from his oyster farming operation in Peconic Bay off Cutchogue on Feb. 7.