Hempstead’s safe haven for the injured and undocumented
Quan Medical offers care—and hope—for immigrant workers afraid to seek help By Ava Dela Pena and Scott Brinton Editor’s note: The following is part of an ongoing investigative series into immigration on Long Island. Tucked in the corner of a multi-story, yellow-and-white-brick office building at 91 N. Franklin St. in the center of Hempstead Village, […]
Why measles is on the rise in the U.S.: What Long Islanders need to know
By Nicholas Piretto and Matthew FisherEditor’s note: Part four in an investigative series on the recent measles outbreak in the United States. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared measles was eliminated in 2000. Twenty-five years later, an unvaccinated child in Suffolk County recently tested positive for measles and became one of the […]
Partnerships seek to boost MMR vaccination rates in vulnerable L.I. communities
By Adriana Lisa Editor’s note: Part three in an investigative series on the recent measles outbreak in the United States. Concern has grown in recent months over a potential increase of measles cases on Long Island owing to high rates of the infectious disease nationwide. Low-income families, however, often struggle with access to the healthcare […]
Spreading the word: Long Island schools require the measles vaccine
By Qingxuan Bao Editor’s note: Part two in an investigative series on the recent measles outbreak in the United States. Long Island school officials are ramping up their measles prevention plans as confirmed cases rise around the country. With students moving between districts, attending events and participating in after-school programs, officials are working to minimize […]
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 […]
Measles on the rise: Inside the beliefs of Long Island’s ‘medical freedom’ families
By Camryn Bowden Editor’s note: Part one in an investigative series on the recent measles outbreak in the United States. “My child who has had the measles and has natural immunity [and] can no more catch the measles than I can. I have 0% fear of him catching the measles. I do have 100% fear […]
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” […]
Taking a stand: Women rally for reproductive, immigrant rights
By Sahana Shastry For the ninth straight year, women gathered at Maria Hernandez Park in Bushwick, Brooklyn to advocate for reproductive freedom, housing, immigrant justice and feminist rights under a new slogan. “When Immigrant Women Stop, the World Stops with Us.” Several organizations attended to show their support. The event featured political speeches, art and […]
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 […]
2024’s Listeria outbreak has L.I. food industry, consumers on high alert
By Lauren Lee Cathy Scutellaro, a preschool director and Massapequa resident, said she weighs several factors when shopping for prepackaged meats. While price is one, she keeps a mental checklist of other items to consider. Is the meat in a safe container? Is it vacuum sealed or airtight? What is the expiration date? Scutellaro said […]
Food, obesity and funding: a look at Hempstead’s school meal program
By Ava Dela Pena A typical freshman attending classes at Hempstead High School must wake early on a Monday for a 7:40 a.m. start, potentially skipping breakfast at home in favor of a more convenient solution: breakfast at school. The menu for the morning? Cereal, cinnamon rolls, juice and a fruit, which students are required […]