Legislation introduced in Albany would protect marine mammals and sea turtles like this one shown at the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation on Aug. 19, 2015. (Credit: Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation)
Three Long Island lawmakers have introduced a bill that would create a marine mammal and sea turtle protection zone around Plum Island and two other environmentally sensitive eastern Islands, but a fishing group wants assurances it won’t limit fishing.

Assembs. Steve Englebright (D-Setauket), Fred Thiele (I-Sag Harbor) and Sen. Kenneth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) introduced the legislation June 1. It would create a protection area from the high-water mark on the shore outward to 1,500 feet around Plum Island, Great Gull Island and Little...| read more ››

Committee members for major political parties will be out in force starting Tuesday to gather nominating petitions for their state and local candidates in fall elections.

For the State Senate, the major parties have nominated the following candidates:
1 S.D. —State Sen. Kennth LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) against Gregory-John Fischer of Calverton;
2nd S.D.—State Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport) vs. Democrat Peter N. Magistrale of St. James;
3rd S.D.—State Sen. Thomas Croci (R-Sayville) against the winner of a Democratic primary between Joseph Fritz of Brentwood and John DeVito Jr. of Mastic Beach;
4th S.D.—State Sen. Philip Boyle (R-Bay Shore) vs. Democrat John Alberts of North Babylon,
and in the 5th S.D.—State Sen. Carl Marcellino (R-Syosset) vs....| read more ››

Peter Magistrale, a 24-year-old accountant and Democrat who says he’s ready to tackle corruption in Albany while closing tax loopholes that could translate to relief for middle class taxpayers, is challenging incumbent Sen. John Flanagan for his seat in the state’s 2nd District.

Flanagan, of East Northport, a Republican and majority leader of the senate, was first elected to the seat in 2002.

His challenger, Magistrale, of St. James, announced his campaign last week, filing nominating petitions with New York State Board of Elections on May 17. The Hofstra University graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2012, and a master’s degree in taxation the next year.

While he said experience is, no doubt, important, Magistrale said he values...| read more ››

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks to supporters at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (Credit: Newsday / Thomas A. Ferrara)
Democrat Hillary Clinton cruised to victory in the New Jersey primary Tuesday night, then claimed her historic status as the first woman to become a major party’s presumptive nominee for president.

“Thanks to you, we have reached a milestone — the first time in our nation’s history a woman will be a major party candidate,” she told supporters at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

“Tonight’s history is not about one person, it belongs to generations,” she added.

Clinton reached out to Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders, her dogged opponent, thanking him for a hard-fought campaign and saying...| read more ››

It was the first time the Suffolk County Democrats ever hosted a presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton helped raise $510,000 for the party, said Suffolk County Democratic Chairman Rich Schaffer at press time.

Clinton also attracted 850 supporters to the tightly secured Villa Lombardi’s catering venue in Holbrook.

Clinton swung through back-to-back appearances on Monday, including a roundtable discussion in Port Washington on gun violence as well as a Glen Cove event hosted by the Nassau County Democratic Committee.

Doors opened at 4 p.m. and 75 people were lined up a half-hour earlier with ticket holders witnessing a SWAT Team and bomb-sniffing dogs that had conducted a sweep. Suffolk police conducted traffic.

Anthony Speelman from Medford,...| read more ››

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, just a week before the New York primary, will headline Suffolk Democrats’ $300-a -head spring dinner on April 11.

Clinton’s Suffolk appearance at Villa Lombardi’s in Holbrook will be part of a Long Island blitz, in which she will also have an earlier fundraiser for her own campaign, hosted by Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs at his Glen Cove day camp.

“She has always considered Long Island important and her appearances here show how critical Nassau and Suffolk are to her campaign,” said Richard Schaffer, Suffolk Democratic chairman, adding “it will energize her supporters for the Democratic primary.”| read more ››

Universal pre-kindergarten is the most direct way to address the growing inequality in New York [“Access to Pre-K: Elusive on LI,” News, March 20]. Pre-K has proved to close opportunity and achievement gaps. Children who receive high-quality early education are more likely to succeed in grade school, high school and throughout their adult lives.

Even though the evidence is clear, the majority of Long Island families are living without quality pre-K education, and the few schools that do provide it have to compete each year for grants and funding. Today, 61 percent of New York State’s four-year olds are still waiting to receive a full day pre-K education. In high-needs districts on Long Island, that number soars to 79 percent....| read more ››

2016 CD3 Primary Candidates Meet & Greet Smithtown Dems Video

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Timothy Sini was sworn in Thursday as Suffolk County police commissioner and pledged to restore the public’s trust in the department after a former chief was convicted of violating a suspect’s civil rights and orchestrating a cover-up.

Sini, a former federal prosecutor who until recently served as deputy county executive, replaces former Police Commissioner Edward Webber at the helm of the police department.

Sini, 35, was County Executive Steve Bellone’s hand-picked choice to replace Webber, who announced his retirement late last year, when the department was undergoing a tumultuous period following the departure of several top commanders.

After he was sworn in Thursday at the Suffolk County Police Academy in Brentwood, Sini alluded to the damage done to the department...| read more ››

Suffolk Legis. Steve Stern, who is seeking the Democratic nod for retiring Rep. Steve Israel’s congressional seat, has gotten his first endorsements from four hometown officials.

Fellow Democratic county lawmakers William Spencer, of Centerport and Louis D’Amaro, of North Babylon, as well as Huntington Town Board members Susan Berland and Tracey Edwards announced their support for Stern.

Stern (D-Dix Hills) is vying with former Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Anna Kaplan, a North Hempstead Town councilwoman, and others for the Third District seat.

“Steve’s history of doing whatever it takes to protect the taxpayers ... is exactly what we need in Washington,” said D’Amaro.

Spencer called Stern “a role model” who has opposed...| read more ››