Weakening PFAS rules endangers public health, L.I. leaders warn
By Christina Arlotta New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and Nassau County Legislators Olena Nicks and Scott Davis, all Democrats, joined other Long Island leaders at a news conference last Friday in Hempstead to criticize a plan by the federal Environmental Protection Agency to weaken the limits on “forever chemicals” in drinking water. The panel […]
East Williston, Williston Park water bills rise amid new federal PFAS standards
By Conner KeoughEast Williston and Williston Park residents started paying $74 to $176 more on their yearly water bills as of March 1 because of recently implemented federal standards requiring additional filtration of potentially harmful chemicals in the water supply. In April 2024, the Biden administration finalized the first-ever national standard for PFAS, a “forever” […]
Huntington residents push back on rezoning over development, wildlife concerns
By Tim Daly Huntington residents voiced concerns about overdevelopment during a public hearing in March to discuss a rezoning plan. Green Meadow Estates, which applied for the rezoning to build more houses on a property that the company owns, disputed the residents’ concerns. The application seeks to rezone an 8.8-acre lot to increase the allowed […]
In Mineola, protesters call on Trump to keep ‘hands off our democracy’
By Scott Brinton and Christina Arlotta An estimated 2,400 protesters gathered on the green outside the Nassau County Courthouse in Mineola Saturday afternoon to project a singular message for the Trump administration: “Hands off our democracy!” What precisely the slogan meant depended on with whom you spoke. Protesters adorned the sidewalks with American flags and […]
Hempstead secures $37.2M for water system overhaul to address 1,4-Dioxane
By Sultan Abdul Haseeb Imran and Mashiat Azmi The Village of Hempstead’s old water system is getting a new lifeline with $37.2 million in New York State funding, according to a November 2024 release from the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul. The funding comes through the Water Infrastructure Improvement (WII) and Intermunicipal Grant (IMG) programs […]
Preserving Lido Beach: Conservation society, town lead cleanup
By Rachel Hajec The smell of salt air and the sound of waves crashing on a recent breezy Sunday morning only encouraged volunteers at Lido Beach Town Park to help clean up the white sands that define it. With a full registration list, the Town of Hempstead partnered with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society to […]
New York pushes forward on climate goals, but may fall short
By Melinda Rolls By 2050, climate leaders in New York state are envisioning an era in which all the state’s electricity will come from carbon-free sources, eliminating almost all greenhouse gas emissions. The burning of carbon fuels like coal, oil and natural gas produce greenhouse gases that have been widely linked to climate change. The […]
Speakers offer opposing views on Sands casino plan at N.C. Legislature
By Gabriel Prevots Local residents and organizations shared conflicting views on the environmental impact of the proposed Sands casino and resort in Uniondale at the Peter J. Schmitt Memorial Legislative Chamber in Mineola on Sept. 9. Speakers covered a wide range of issues, including water and energy consumption, air pollution from increased traffic, and the […]
Seeking post-pandemic healing in the woods
By Scott Brinton A cold wind, as loud as a trumpet, whipped across the summit of Mount Marcy, New York’s highest peak in the Adirondacks, on Aug. 17. I could see only feet in front of me, because the mountain, at 5,344 feet above sea level, was enveloped by clouds. Then a light rain started […]
Brown, contaminated drinking water at issue in Uniondale
By Cody Hmelar Uniondale resident Pearl Jacobs awakes and grabs a glass of water in her kitchen. At first, she thinks nothing of it, but small flaking particles stick to the back of her teeth. She turns on the lights and notices that the once clear water is a deep brown. This is the experience […]
Long Islanders’ reactions to Sands casino mixed
By Gabe James, Estrella McDaniel and Dorcas Umaru Las Vegas Sands Casino plans to develop the land around the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale and construct a $4 billion resort with a hotel, restaurants, entertainment venues and a casino. A number of local residents and some members of the County Legislature oppose the plan, while its […]
Could Nassau take drinking water from NYC?
By Xiomara Trinidad Perez Editor’s note: The following is part four of an investigative series examining the state of Long Island’s water supply. Chemicals that threaten human health, including 1,4-dioxane, flow in Nassau County’s drinking water when it is pumped from the ground, forcing town and other water districts to filter out the chemicals to […]